Spotlight 12-14-10, Vol. 72, No. 50

Brighton Rotary Spotlight

Jeremy Jones, President

December 14, 2010, Vol. 72, No.50

Guests:           Adrienne Knack local attorney; Brenda Smith

Announcements:

Thank you to Sharon Kartes and her capable committee of Michele Bouhana, Bonnie Corrigan, Leslie Koehler, Jeanne McMillan, Beth Walker along with set-up crew of Piet Lindhout, Greg Strause, and Tom Zizka for creating a fantastic holiday party for the Rotary families!

Cathy Riesterer and her crew did a great job with the Rotary exchange student holiday party:  all participants had a wonderful time and the District website has a nice article and photos!

Joe Mike is doing well at 97 years old and is staying at Medilodge in Howell, but George & Melanie Moses, had a chance to chat with Joe & Irene Mike at the Nutcracker performance this weekend.  Joe & Irene recently celebrated their 73^rd wedding anniversary.

Michele Bouhana announced the American Red Cross Blood Drive on December 20, from 12:30-6:15pm.  Volunteer donors and workers are needed.  Those who register are eligible to enter a raffle for a $500 Best Buy gift card.  Contact Michele Bouhana if you can help!

Blast from the Past:  George Moses shared a poster from the Silent Observer Crime Hotline that Rotary used to sponsor approximately 15 years ago.

John Rasmussen, of the Downtown Ann Arbor Rotary, shared information about international service opportunities: January 8-15, 2011, in Bluefields, Jamaica for a Fishers & Farmers Market Project, and January 15-22, 2011, in Bluefields, Jamaica to help clean a fishing beach.  Volunteers will be living  in an 8 bedroom house on the water-3 rooms are available (families are welcome), cost is $600/room and project fee of $600 + airfare to/from Montego Bay airport. For more info, contact John Rasmussen 734-635-1598, or Publicmkt@aol.com .

President Jeremy mentioned a Rotary trip to Ecuador on Feb 23 to March 2, 2011, to help with an international biofilter project.  Cost is $1750/person.  See Pres. Jeremy for more info.

Stephan Smith announced that his office is in the final days of the donation drive to help LACASA fulfill their wish list.  Donors will be entered into a drawing to win a homemade gingerbread house (baked by Stephan and Brenda.  Suitable items include paper, cleaning and laundry supplies, light bulbs (25-40watt), clothes hangers, water, batteries, etc.  See Stephan to help!

Upcoming Events:

12/20/10    12:30-6:16pm  American Red Cross Blood Drive @ Community Center

12/22/10    12:15pm          BHS Choirs at Formal Meeting

03/19/11                            Fundraising Concert with Jeff Daniels at the BCPA

06/28/11                            President's Night

Program:

Stephen Smith introduced Lisa Follmer-Gagnon and Marcy Hornsby-Mohr who spoke about their Hope for Autism Foundation.  Their 1.5 year old Livingston County chapter plans to build transitional housing for high functioning autistic young adults.  Autism touches approximately 1 in 110 children, and 1 in 58 boys.  Lisa's son was diagnosed at age 2.5 years with autism, and he is now 6 years old.  She was inspired to create the Hope for Autism Foundation to offer a source of independence for young adults as they transition into society.  Potential warning signs that a child has autism can include:  sensitivity to the surroundings, need to place items in order, walking on the toes, flapping arms, and OCD.  Further information can be found on the Foundation website: www.hopeforautismmi.com.

Progressive 50/50 Drawing :  $560 pot, 37 cards remain.  Piet Lindhout drew a Nine of hearts, Hank Aprahanian drew a Eight of clubs, and Scott Griffith drew the Ten of hearts.