Presenters:  Emma Moyer, Tina Allen- MSHDA

NWCOC came to the rescue and found temporary furnished housing for his daughter’s visit.  His pride was restored and he remained in apartment and became employed. He is now a productive citizen.

Career- Managing partner for the Country Inns and Suites of Traverse City.

 

Education- University of Notre Dame, Business Administration

 

Family- Wife of 55 years Susan, three children : Molly, John and Julie

 

Desert- Tiramisu

 

Activity- Formerly active scuba diver, now active tennis player with the geriatric group.

 

Book- “Once a Great City” about Detroit in the early 60’s when it was a great city.

 

Movie- “Airplane.” Every time I see it I see something new that I had previously missed and it’s still just as funny.

 

Song- “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and daughter Natalie.

 

No one knows- My grandfather, James D. Burns, was the first owner of the Detroit Tigers in the American League in 1900.

 

Role- My father, who instilled in me that “your word is your bond” and both my mother and father who lived by example that prejudice against another person because of race or religion is intolerable. (Politics was another matter.)

 

Accomplishment- Being able to raise my family in Traverse City.

 

Proudest- Being a good Dad.

 

Funniest - My long walk off a short dock on New Year’s Eve while measuring a yacht, which profile editor Gregg has asked me to elaborate on.  So here goes:

The setting for this incident takes place at the Quail Valley Club in Vero Beach, Florida on New Years Eve. My wife and I were guests of friends who asked us to join them, their daughter and son-in-law and twin 12-year-old grandchildren for an early dinner. After a lovely dinner we all took a walk along the Indian River where we encountered an unusually large yacht at the club’s dock. As we walked, a discussion about the size of the yacht ensued. Even though it was pitch black I told them that I would resolve the issue and proceeded to pace off the length of the yacht. Unfortunately for me, the yacht was considerably longer than the dock and, in my zeal to pace accurately, I walked right off the dock. Now being a long time scuba diver this was just like a giant stride so, while I berated my stupidity, I was not concerned about being in the water. Of course our friends were shocked, embarrassed and frightened for my safety since the dock was approximately 10’ above the water and without a ladder. I had to tread water for 15 or so minutes while the manager was summoned and brought an extension ladder to enable me to get out of the water. Emerging fully clothed in a suit, and tie I had to walk through the pool/patio area where the New Years Eve party was beginning. Naturally, I’m sure the other guests thought I had imbibed too much alcohol. Little did they know that I don’t drink so I didn’t even have that for an excuse. This, by far, was my most embarrassing and funniest thing that has happened to me.

 

Ambition- To be a  jazz pianist with a three piece combo.

 

Who to be- I think being Benjamin Franklin for a day would be a total blast. He lived one of the most varied and interesting lives possible.

 

Famous- Toss up between George H.W. Bush and W. Bruce Rogers.

 

Share- Being a TC Rotarian has been a fabulous experience because our club really gets great things accomplished that no other group could. ie: Park Place, State Theatre, Grand Travers Regional Conservancy and Foundation and on and on.

 A Rotary Yachting Fellowship Fleet is being organized by Cindy Ruzak and Sunrise member Nancy Thornton. The main qualification for participants is a desire to enjoy activities on the water, with no boat ownership is required. The plan is to have 3 gatherings each year of a social nature plus one that would serve as a fundraising event for some non-profit boating related cause. For more information about the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians please look at the website

 http://www.iyfr.net/new/about .

  In conjunction with the formation of this primarily social group, is that Cindy would like to see if there is interest in making the first fundraising effort a commitment to support the Maritime Heritage Alliance Sail Champion program for disadvantaged youths one of participation in the New Champion Challenge series.  The sail Champion program takes a small group of youths selected by Child and Family services or similar organization out sailing on Grand Traverse Bay for 4 consecutive day sails with a certified psychologist and captain teaching them life skills and confidence by performing teamwork tasks aboard. For an entertaining and informative video about the Sail Champion program please link to www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSguCIn0n6M

 

   The purpose of the Challenge series is to raise money for MHA’s Sail Champion program to help underwrite the cost so that Child and Family Services and others will be able to schedule more of these programs.  The Challenge series will involve two teams racing a set course against each other with time trials, over 3 separate 2 hour sails on flexible dates and times during the summer. If anyone has a company that would like to participate as their own team please let Cindy know, but she would like to see if there are enough Rotarians that would like to participate as a Rotary Crew (no previous skill is required since there will be a trained crew aboard as well) that could then challenge either the Kiwanians or Elks Club to compete against us; much like we do with the annual golf competition.

 

 The cost, or requested donation, is $2000 but if we can get 18 people (3 groups of 6 people each), each of whom could go on one of the races, then the cost would be just $100 per person (Cindy will make up the difference personally); not much more than a round of golf or even a day sail on the bay. But in this case we gain bragging rights as well as contributing to a tremendously successful and much needed program.