This week's speaker is Coach Roz, founder of Playmakers. This wonderful after-school program serves boys and girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, and with academic and social challenges.
This Saturday afternoon is Lincoln Rotary's annual Wine Fest in downtown Lincoln. For tickets and more info visit http://lincolnwinefest.org/
On Saturday evening, you are invited to a district-wide poker game fundraiser, Texas Hold-em to Feed-em. All funds will go toward the district's Rise Against Hunger meal packing event. Tickets to the poker game fundraiser are available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/texas-holdem-to-feed-em-tickets-58374130596
Kudos to Mike Baker who oversaw brick-laying at the Ridgeview School's Eco-Lab Work Day earlier this month. Grounds were prepped for bricks that will go in next month May 4-5. It is rumored that the teachers at Ridgeview have engraved a brick with Mike's name crediting him and our Rotary Club for this much-appreciated assistance.
A big shout-out to our members who helped with the Easter egg hunt! Special thanks to Jim Lane who oversaw the event, Mike Baker who served as pancake chef, and Erika Halwachs who prepared gift baskets and giveaways. There were about 150 children in attendance, which is down from previous years, but those who were there thoroughly enjoyed the fire truck, Easter bunny appearance, and of course the egg hunt.
Quick Survey
We need your input! Many members have expressed the desire for more service projects. To this end, we'd like your input on whether to continue the EASTER EGG HUNT, and whether to revive BREAKFAST WITH SANTA. In addition, if you have other projects or events you'd like to see us get involved with, please send your suggestions. Members will see a Google Forms survey in your inbox shortly. Please be sure to fill it out! Thank you in advance.
Celebrations
Belated birthday wishes to Brooke Middleton, and warm wishes also to Dennis May who celebrates a birthday this weekend.
Congratulations to Brooke & Nathan Middleton who celebrate a wedding anniversary today!
A big thank-you and congratulations to President-elect Howard Dutra who celebrates an anniversary with our club this week. It looks like the database may have Rotary join date rather than our club join date, but congratulations nonetheless!
Travel Corner
I've just returned from a whirlwind trip to Korea and Japan, where I was blessed to celebrate my father's 80th birthday and visit with multiple generations of family relatives. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting majestic castles, tea gardens, Buddhist temples and shrines. Here is a photo from one of my favorite experiences immersing myself in Japanese culture. We pretty much lived in these yukata (robes) and wooden clogs while visiting an onsen (hot springs). I especially loved the minimalism in Japan, and now have the urge to throw out most of what I own!