President Mack opened the meeting with a moment of silence to remember 1990-1991 Club President Gary Columbus who passed away on March 27, 2021. https://www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com/obituaries/Gary-Columbus/#!/Obituary
Sympathy cards can be sent to his wife Margie Columbus 516 N. Elmwood Ave. Traverse City, MI 49684
Homer Nye offered our Words of Gratitude
April will be our Club's Rotary Foundation month. Kurt Rivard will do a short informative presentation each week.
- April 6th - Every Rotarian Every Year
- April 13th - World Community Service and Rotary Foundation funding
- April 20th - All-new Paul Harris Fellows and members who have leveled up will be highlighted
- April 27th - Rotary Foundation and all Club Paul Harris Fellows will be highlighted
Connor Miller, wearing his UM hat, shared where the Men’s Tournament Challenge currently stands. The winner will be announced next week!
Bruce Finlayson introduced Kristine Erickson with Grand Traverse County Park and Recreation District and Senior Center. Christine discussed that programming will resume next year. They have been in existence for 30 years. There are 10 parks with 1,700 acres of land. The Civic Center has 45 acres, a walking trail and a remodeled pool. Rotary has donated almost $200,000 to the Civic Center. There is also an outdoor amphitheatre, a Native American marker tree with a new garden being installed near it. The YMCA runs the pool, Norte runs a cycling center, Parallel 45 Theatre, Traverse City Roller Derby and many other organizations partners. Many expansion plans are listed, too.
Donors for funding and improvement are needed. A Capacity Development Grant has evolved into this planning group.
TBAYS brings millions of dollars to the community and would like to build a sports complex at the Keystone Fields. Maple Bay Park and Natural Area has been developed and there are plans for a barn renovation. A new farm education program is newly developed. TART Trails will be completed with a joint venture with the Parks.
Twin Lakes Park was supported by Rotary in 2007. The VASA trailhead is also part of the GT County Parks Department and has a million visitors, as does the Civic Center.
The Senior Center is part of the Parks, too. Seniors are very active in GT County. They are trying to build a new building. Meals are being distributed curbside and are give five meals a week. It’s a good way to check in with the seniors. They will have a tent and outdoor programming this summer.
Bruce thanked Kristine for her presentation and explained to her about the donation to Wheels of Hope in her honor.
President Mack thanked Kris as well and reminded us that residential real estate will be the topic next week. He adjourned the meeting.
