It was Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3 at the Rotary Club of Traverse City. (Isn’t it always Giving Tuesday at Rotary?) Here’s a mostly accurate account of what happened by Ramona.
Past President John Racine was pinch-hitting again for the Rev. President Homer Nye. The meeting began in its usual flare with God Bless America and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Randy Kamps led the Gratitude and Reflection moment that included audience participation. Marlene Bevan was joined in song by the Kingsley Trio Plus Two and they sang a riveting version of Daddy Sang Bass.
Much to Bob Stow’s surprise, he was the one introducing visiting Rotarians and guests.
Tom Haase had the honors of introducing our newest Rotarian Chuck Webb, Commander of Coast Guard Airstation Traverse City. Chuck is a Michigan boy hailing from Muskegon. His military career began in 1992 with the U.S. Army. After a stellar Army career, Chuck received his much desired selection into the Coast Guard in 1999. This isn’t Chuck’s first rodeo at Airstation TC. He served here early in his Coast Guard career and couldn’t be happier to be back in Traverse City. Lisa, his amazing and beautiful wife and he, have two sons Daniel and Austin. (And then the crowd went wild!! Standing Ovation!!) Welcome Chuck, we may have a place for you in the Rotary Show!
Dan Rickard made the final call for Christmas Basket donations. Over the last few years, the need in our area has grown so our work is even more imperative. Those shopping for our adopted families will be able to collect the info on their family and the Christmas Basket later this week. Thanks for giving!!
Al Bonney announced the Rotary Foundation granted $6,000 to Wheels of Hope. The Ride for Polio was held the weekend before Thanksgiving and raised $2,675. Al also followed up on an article that the AP circulated regarding the spread of vaccine-derived polio. While the article was accurate, some info was not included. The issue that has occurred is the spread of polio in low vaccinated areas. The vaccine is excreted into the environment where herd immunity is low hence the spread. For more info, see Al!
Susan Kraus is already in the holiday spirit and is hoping you are too! Our Holiday Party with all TC Rotarians is next Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Traverse City Golf and Country Club. Please get your RSVP in pronto! They need to give a head count to TCGCC. This party does not replace our regular meeting and I’m pretty certain we don’t get a meeting make up for going! However, donations will be accepted that will go to Father Fred! So sign up with Kathy, bring donations and lets enjoy some holiday cheer!
Paul LaPorte rushed the podium and everyone held their breath - like they always do when Paul does that. He called up Lorraine Beers. Everyone was thinking, “Lorraine doesn’t do anything stupid, why is she being called up? Has Paul lost his marbles?” Well, we won’t answer that last question…… turns out Lorraine was a decoy for the real culprit of something stupid! It was Mack Beers! Turns out Mack backed out of his garage and somehow forgot to open the garage door. We’re not sure how this happened, but I’m sure the Peace Police will do a thorough investigation. And so followed the question to Mack, “What were you thinking?” And Mack was given his ration of Smart Pills!
Turns out handing out Smart Pills makes you win the 50/50! Eighty- two buckaroos went to Paul LaPorte!
Steve Wade had the honor of introducing our speaker today, Michele Howard who is the Library Director AND she’s a Rotarian!
Michele earned her bachelor’s from MSU - Go Green and then earned a bigger degree from U of M - Go Blue!
To start things off, Matt Wilford from the Library provided us with bookmarks that feature a winter scene of the library by Glenn Wolff.
Michele provided a stimulating program of what the Traverse Area District Library offers our communities. The mission of the Library is to “provide dynamic resources and innovated services to stimulate intellectual curiosity, facilitate lifelong learning, promote literacy and nurture personal enrichment”. And if that isn’t enough: Patrons don’t have to buy anything, or believe anything to feel welcome!
Here are some facts:
Andrew Carnegie is the Patron Saint of Libraries
There are more libraries than McDonald’s
The Library has over 500,000 visitors per year
E-books and audiobooks only make up 17% of circulation
Programs are available for children, teens and adults
The Library has a plethora of lending items from musical instruments, STEM kits and a seed library
Digital resources are available because not everyone has a computer or electronic device!
Meeting rooms are available too! They range in size from 2 - 80 people
They have a Book Club program where you can check out 8 copies of a book for you and 7 of your reader friends. Keep them for up to 6 weeks!
All month long they are waiving any library fees. Just bring back what you borrowed. If you lost what you borrowed, then kindly replace it!
They have Foundation Directing - helps nonprofits find funding sources
The Library is super cool.
And with that, John called the meeting to a close! See you next week back at the Park Place for another round of “Rotary Giving Tuesday”.
Michele Howard receiving a Wheels of Hope certificate from Steve Wade