Rensselaer Rotary 4-07-2015

Hello, Rensselaer Rotarians!

 

Thirty members present today, plus Robert Blankenship's guest Pat Toben, Felicia Jones from Dr. Jordan Balvich's office, and RCHS students Zach Wamsley and Ryne Webb, whom our club will sponsor at RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award), April 17-19. Zach and Ryne will return after RYLA to speak of their experience there.

 

Fellowship items: last week marked the 89th anniversary of our Rotary Club. As the longest-serving member, inducted 3-31-1957, George Tonner named some of the charter members from his early time in Rotary.

Today is National Beer Day, the date on which Prohibition ended.

Mindy Beier is preparing badges for new members.

 

Dene Mattocks needs one more person to help him, Jeff Gastineau, and Ned Tonner to fill backpacks Thursday at 4 p.m. at Van Rensselaer School.

 

President-elect Chris Widner presented pictures and video related to the Rotary Foundation and its wide variety of projects. An early project of the Indiana Rotary clubs was the 1924 construction of a building now part of Riley Children's Hospital. Originally built for $206,000.00, it was renovated last year for 10 million. The Rotary logo remains in the marble floor of the building's lobby. Best-known grants are projects such as Polio Plus, but many smaller grants are awarded all over our own country for things such as Little Free Libraries, Kids' Free Fishing Day, a Rotary Water Park free for kids, and thousands of other grants to benefit local populations.

 

Principal speaker on the video was Michelangelo Caruso. It also included a brief conversation with Silvia Whitlock, the first female club president in all of Rotary. She has written a book entitled Women Also Serve.

 

More information about the District Conference, April 24-25, is on the website Rotary6540.org. All are encouraged to attend this very worthwhile event. If attending the entire conference is not possible, meals and events can be attended separately. Friday's luncheon will give recognition to the individual clubs of the District. President John will give 4 tickets to Indiana Beach to all members who attend.

 

Next week's speaker will be Dean Zimmerman, District 1 Wildlife Biologist.

 

Only 13 cards remain in the Queen of Hearts drawing! The winner receives half, and the remainder goes to the Rotary Foundation in the name of the winner. Since you must be present to win, I hope to see you next week at Rotary!

 

Anne-Marie Egan

Secretary, Rotary Club of Rensselaer