Michigan Municipal Electric Association (10/23) and Swisslane Farms (10/30)
50/50 is up to $162
The Lowell Rotary Club celebrated World Polio Day, October 24, 2019 with "Purple Pinky" and the World Polio 2019 video was shown. For more information visit endpolio.org.
Rotarian Roger LaWarre announced "Neighbor to Neighbor" was a huge success. A total of 13 homes had repairs done. LaWarre thanked those who volunteered their time.
The monthly board meeting was held on October 23, 2019 and voted to push the following grants to the Club as follows:
- El Salavador - $3,000 - from auction proceeds
- Shelter Box - $3,000 - from auction proceeds - $1,000 per year for the next 3 years
- Youth Service Committee - $900 - Club grant funds
IT WAS MOVED BY TAYLOR and seconded by PEARSON to approve the above grants - all yes.
Rotarian Steve Donkersloot explained LL&P will be promoting a Holiday Lighting Contest. This will be a Youth Fundraiser and prizes will be awarded to the best in Commercial and Residential.
President Dawn Broene noted the following:
- 36 Rotarians responded to the Strategic Planning survey. A sub committee will be formed to review further
- The caterers have requested an increase of $0.50 per plate for lunches, effective July 1st. This will increase yearly dues. There has not been an increase since 2015.
- November 7th - Social Happy Hour - 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Main Street BBQ
- Paul Lixy submitted his application to become a Rotarian
- Rotarian Evan Ormiston/Manufacturing Manager of Litehouse is partnering with the Food Pantry to fight hunger in our community. Contact Evan with your filled bags at 616-648-8688 for pick up.
Rotarian Steve Donkersloot introduced Katie Abraham from the Michigan Municipal Electric Association. (10/30)
What is the Michigan Municipal Electric Association (MMEA)? They are a trade group for Michigan's 40 municipally owned electric utilities, with over 300,000 customers. They are non-profit, community owned and operated. There are approximately 2,000 public power entities in the United States and each may be regulated directly by the city and customers served.
Municipal utilities have competitive rates, compact service territory, local control and not-for-profit structure keeps rates in check. MMEA members have an obligation to provide customers with reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly electricity.
Abraham noted the average power outage in Lowell is 19 minutes compared to the national average of 202 minutes. Lowell is very fortunate to have LL&P.
Katie Abraham, President Dawn Broene and Lowell Light and Power Manager Steve Donkersloot
President Dawn Broene introduced speaker Annie Link of Swisslane Farms.
Link stated the farm was founded in 1915 and is 104 years old. It is a big family farm with 61 people currently employed, 17 of which are family members.
Their Vision Statement - "Showing the way forward in best practices, philosophy and values". Mission - "To provide a personal connection with your food".
Fun Facts:
- Non-profit in 2017
- First tour was in 2006
- Onsite gift shop - proceeds go toward "Dairy Discovery Farm"
- Taking good care of a cow leads to good clean milk
- Cows have four stomachs
- They have 1,500 cows in the milking parlor
- There is a calf barn, fun in the Big red barn and a corn box
- Participating in Christmas through Lowell
