The Ever-Mighty Mack Beers called Tuesday’s meeting to order from the merry wilds of Southern California and leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jenn Casey offered thoughts of gratitude & reflection by reflecting on us and our role as Rotarians, following a highly emotional and life-changing Rotary Charities grant review.
Art Bukowski set out a call for Bulletin writers as some of our ranks have taken on other pursuits.
Kurt Rivard spoke to the import of supporting the National Rotary funds for World Community Service as these dollars come back and are greatly leveraged. Al Bonney added his imprimatur also. Every Rotarian, Every Year.
That led to Steve Wade’s introduction of Rob Evina and the week’s program of entrepreneurship as experienced with Woodland Creek Furniture. Evina is the CEO of Woodland Creek is a local manufacturer and retailer of original, fine furniture; begun 21 years ago by he and his wife. Through perseverance and a hard work ethic, they have built Woodland Creek into a premiere furniture maker of international note; last year shipping over 25,000 pieces of their furniture.
From a tragic family situation, Evina faltered with mistakes and mis-starts until he and his wife came upon an idea for a business that would ultimately grow into Woodland Creek and a highly successful business that embodied the entrepreneurial spirit and their drive to be a profitable and productive business it is today. Now they employ 60 people year-round and up to 80 through their busy season.
Woodland Creek started with an idea to make unique rustic furniture from exotic woods. During the summer of 1997 Evina traveled extensively through remote villages in Russia, Ukrainia, Romania, and Hungary. During his travels he came across beautiful exotic woods. Having watched his uncles in Alaska craft log homes and rustic furniture, he knew the exotic woods would make some very interesting rustic furniture.
Woodland Creek now imports reclaimed wood from Eastern Europe, Mexico, Indonesia, China, California, Utah, and Colorado. Combing wood from Eastern Europe with a wood from California or Michigan, you have a look unlike any other and rustic furniture like any other. Their furniture designs have evolved over time. The line between rustic furniture and contemporary furniture is being blurred. Even those who like contemporary furniture appreciate the organic feel of real wood.
Woodland Creek is very fortunate to have some of the best rustic furniture crafters in the country designing and building custom rustic furniture. Many have won awards. Some started with no skills as general laborers and because of their natural talents have evolved into incredible rustic furniture artisans. In addition to the rustic furniture builders, Woodland Creek also has its own woodcarver and metal artisan. Additionally, there are many artisans who assist in the design and execution from across the country keeping other cottage businesses successfully employed.
In a bit of a twist, Woodland Creek is not nearly as well known locally as they are nationally where their reputation was strongly developed. Take the opportunity to check out their designs and what they have to offer online: https://woodlandcreekfurniture.com. You can also check out their physical locations as well. It’s a great entrepreneurial story that bodes for continued success going forward.
Please join us in welcoming Ann Ralston to the club! She comes to us from the Columbus, Ohio Rotary Club and we are lucky to have snagged her. Ann has a passion for coaching teams to innovate, changing mindsets, and helping leaders develop company cultures that thrive. When she is not managing her business, Ralston Consulting, alongside her husband Gary, she is playing tennis or training her wonder dog Milo in agility trials. Welcome Ann (Gary and Milo, too!) - we are excited to have you!
Help us welcome new member Jennifer Wilson! After living and working in Washington D.C., London, and San Francisco, she and her family have made Traverse City their new home. Jennifer has spent her entire career producing cause-related events and communications campaigns that have benefited hundreds of mission-focused charities around the country. You can now find her leading the fundraising efforts for the Old Mission Peninsula Education Foundation, managing a project for New Blue Interactive or gearing up to produce a summer event for the Village Of Elk Rapids. Welcome Jennifer, we are so lucky to have you!
Current occupation: Director of Community Assets and Impact Investing, Rotary Charities
How long have you been a Rotarian? 6 years
What made you interested in joining rotary? My dad was a Rotarian in Honolulu, Hawaii and when I worked at Goodwill Northern Michigan, George Powell brought me to a meeting at the old Park Place dome. I loved the feeling of fellowship and the diversity of community projects members can support.
What do you love the most about rotary? I cherish the varied relationships I have with club members. Whether in a professional context or delivering Girl Scout cookies to members, or talking for the first time in the Zoom breakout rooms, I feel like the people I meet want to do good things in our community.
What has been your favorite program or volunteer opportunity with rotary to participate in? I love seeing young people engaged in new opportunities--Kids Free Fishing Day and Career Networking Day at Traverse City High School are at the top of my list. Seeing the squeals of kids catching their first fish is quite an occasion.
What keeps you with Rotary? When the world and our community can feel polarized, and more recently, distant, I know I can count on my fellow Rotarians for fellowship and a sense of heart for people around us.
What are you currently watching? Money Heist on Netflix, with subtitles. I miss international travel and seeing this "hero" grand theft series in Spanish brings me to another place. It's addicting!
What is a fun fact about you? During Covid, I was gifted a sourdough starter from Iceland that has been around since 1875 from Jen Blakeslee of the Cook's House. l was not a breadmaker but am now hooked on perfecting my pizza crust recipe and have shared this sourdough starter with friends. If you want any, let me know!
We are always looking for new members to join us. At the Rotary Club of TC, all are welcome.
Get to know this Rotarian: Katy McCain
Occupation: Director of Community Development for the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority
How long have you been a Rotarian? 10 years this December!
What made you interested in joining rotary? I wanted a way to easily get involved within the community and beyond. Rotary makes it easy to find your volunteer niche, with endless opportunities to give back within the community and on an international level.
What do you love the most about rotary? I love how Rotary gives me the opportunity to meet and become friends with so many different people that I do not know if I would have had the joys of interacting with if it were not for the club.
What has been your favorite program or volunteer opportunity with rotary to participate in? I co-chair the Rotary Friends of the Boardman Watershed Dinner. It is not only a Rotary highlight but one of my favorite community events every year.
What keeps you with rotary? The friendships I have made and the good work that the organization does for our community.
What are you currently watching? I am a huge fan of the Law & Order franchise
What is a fun fact about you? I started a foodie Instagram account called @toast.2.toasts during the pandemic to help promote local restaurants when they were hurting the most. Avocado toast is one of my favorite foods and was the inspiration for the account, as well as my love for visiting local coffee shops wherever I travel.
We are always looking for new members to join us. At the Rotary Club of TC, all are welcome.
Eversight celebrates National Donate Life Month every April with you and all our friends who make life-changing transplantation a reality.
Please join Eversight this month in honoring all donors and their families, transplant professionals and recipients, and the many more who have made the selfless choice to be registered donors.
GO•REC needs your urgent help documenting the history activity at the Camp Greilick property. In particular, we are looking to document any non-camp-related day use (no overnight stay). We know that there is a rich history of many family and community activities that have occurred at Camp Greilick. While we encourage and appreciate your stories a simple list will also serve our purpose.
Please contact Matt McDonough Matt@discoverygreatlakes.org
Thanks in advance,
Jamie Lewis Hedges Director GO•REC For: Rotary Camps & Services, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) 479.647.1100 ExploreGOREC.org
