Rotary Club e-bulletin, 1/17/17 (Jan 19, 2017)

OVER $28,000. IN ROTARY SHOW AD'S SOLD

Posted by Trevor Tkach

75th Rotary Show Ad Sales, drum roll please...$ 28,400.00 in ads sold.

Let's keep up the great work for Good Works!

Click Here for Ad Sales forms.

ADMINISTRIVIA, 1/24/17

Posted by Phil Murphy

President Mike Meindertsma called the meeting to order. Christopher Cox made the invocation. Marlene Bevan led us in song…apparently she woke up and it was December once more, as she sang of Winter Wonderlands and Snow while ir was 40 degrees and raining outside with nary any snow in sight. As

Marlene said, invoking the Everly Brothers, we can “Dream, Dream, Dream!” Julie Ann Rivers-Cochran introduced our Visitors and Guests.

Following introductions, President Mike reminded everyone to keep their accounts up to date. Which, of course, immediately led to his announcement of the reinstatement of the Sergeant-at-Arms (to bring down the obvious unruliness that plagues our meetings …Just sayin’…you’ve been warned, Randy!... kidding in case anyone thought otherwise.) and the establishment of the Emergency and Safety Committee chaired by Pat Parker. This Committee will make sure any emergencies that may require assistance or any evacuations have a lead person to aid.

Susan Kraus wrapped up the last social outing at Amical. Next is Pickleball on Tuesday, February 21^st starting at 5:30 with an afterglow to follow at The Parlor.

Roy Pentilla and Kurt Rivard awarded Paul Harris Fellowships to: Jim Beckett, Mack Beers, Marlene Bevan, Mike Caruso, Christopher Cox, Mark Dancer, Vern Gauthier, Frank Leonard, Ranae McCauley, Karen Renny and Ken Weaver.

Next, Paul LaPorte, made a special award of a Paul Harris Fellowship to community member Dan Brady for his extensive work and commitment to Habitat for Humanity and to Traverse City. His efforts truly embody our belief of ‘Service above Self.’ He made a personal commitment to raise $100,000 by swimming to Mackinaw Island, and in San Francisco Bay to Alcatraz Island. Then he gave him some smart pills for swimming TO Alcatraz as the rest of the world would swim FROM Alcatraz!

JANUARY 17, 2017 MEETING NOTES

Posted by Matthew Turek

President Mike Meindertsma led the meeting, and started with a moment of silence to acknowledge the loss of a long-time Rotarian. Sid Lammers II passed away this week. A loyal member for 25 years, his contributions were many, especially with handling the legacy of service to his son, Rotarian Sid Lammers III.

Nikki Sobkowksi led the invocation.

Allision Beers introduced what could have been an 8-minute epic performance of “American Pie”, but opted for an abbreviated, yet no less soaring rendition. Topping it off was an impromptu, personalized, singing of “Happy Birthday” to Randy Kamps. Truly a priceless gift, enjoyed by all in attendance.

Katy McCain introduced visiting Rotarians and guests.

Autumn Soltysiak welcomed the Students of the Week from TBAISD: Jaime Boerema, and Randall Carlson.

President Mike gave an update on the status of the Park Place Dome as our home for weekly meetings. He noted that starting February 7^th, the noon club will still meet at the Park Place, but it will be downstairs in one of the conference rooms. Stay tuned for more specifics.

Why do we sing to start Rotary Meetings? The interesting answers were found within Bob Stow’s Rotary 101. A tradition that started back in Chicago in 1905 by a Michigander, that grew into a published Rotarian song book, and has persevered as a wonderful way to bring together members and invigorate the group. Our sing-a-longs will always be proudly led by Rotarians with big personality and enthusiasm, and are open to those with or without any musical skills.

You Won’t Know the Players Without a Program….Get Your Program Here!

Posted by Phil Murphy

Andy Robitschek, Trevor Tkach and Deb Lake kicked off the Rotary Show season in grand style! Andy gave us a quick pep talk about the Rotary Show and the many needs. He also pumped the production and the need for folks to come with ideas and more to our bi-weekly Saturday morning production meetings at the Chamber of Commerce building. There’s a meeting this Saturday the 28^th at 9 AM for interested parties. After a few introductory words, he then turned things over to Trevor and Deb.

Deb, Chair of the Good Works Committee, which benefits the community with the funds raised by the annual Show. She has put together an excellent sales sheet to assist members with their ad sales. She also spoke to the method for granting through Good Works. She also reminded us that Tickets are on sale now for the President’s Reception and each show night.

Trevor and his hawkers took over, by encouraging noisy engagement with ad sales starting with this meeting. Packets were given out and reviewed along with the sales process. All the forms and info you need will be online shortly as well. They have made it even easier than before to accomplish ad sales. He even encouraged people to use their smart phones to call and sell an ad right then.

It worked…before the end of the meeting nearly $9,000 in sales were made! Good start, but a long way still to go. Remember this is the 75^th Anniversary Show…Diamonds…ooh yeah. Yea Rotary!

Food, Glorious Food!

Posted by Matthew Turek

Allison Beers introduced Lee Michaels, Vice President of Operations at Cherry Capital Foods. This is the distributor and resource for the farmers and producers of the ingredients for many of our beloved, local foodie destinations like restaurants, but also for grocery stores and institutions such as schools.

Cherry Capital Foods’ impressive growth can be linked to our culture’s rediscovered love of healthy and delicious choices.

Our region is uniquely qualified to be at the center of it all: Michigan’s land and water provides a natural “garden bed” of agriculture, Lee said. He shared that our state’s crop diversity is second only to California.

The post-recession economy and an entire generation that actively supports locally-sourced food is also a driving force behind the success of Cherry Capital Foods.

Today’s consumer expects this unique dining experience and authenticity - and Cherry Capital Foods’ commitment to deliver that is very important.

One of Cherry Capital Foods goals is to incubate and nurture small food producers and to help feed our love of great meals. Based in the recently renovated “Glacier Dome” building near Barlow Street in Traverse City, Cherry Capital Foods also offers a workshop for startups.

Featuring food-inspected production facilities, this location allows them to hone their business and production skills. All with the goal of growing these small businesses to be able to venture off on their own in 5 years, he said.

Cherry Capital Foods has had impressive growth: Forty-five to 65% growth every year, for 6 years. This has launched them from a “cute” organization to a viable and vital source for restaurants, some that build their menu around what they have available.

“We’re seeing this change where (restaurants) are turning away from mainline distribution and actually looking at only buying things that are made or grown in the region,” Lee said.

News from Rotary Camps & Services

The Board of Rotary Camps & Services regretfully accepted the resignation of Dave Millross at their meeting on January 17, 2017. Dave’s extended winter stay in Florida precluded him from full participation in the growing activities of Camps & Services. At the same meeting the C&S Board followed precedent and appointed the candidate from the September 2016 election with the next highest vote count, Dan Rickard. Dan will fill the unexpired term and serve until 2018, when he will be eligible for re-election.

We thank Dave for his service and welcome Dan to the board.

Sharron Zimmerman
Chair Rotary Camps & Services

ROTARIAN - JENNIFER CASEY

CURRENT CAREER – Local Broadcast & Digital Sales Manager at TV 7&4/29&8…and new mom who needs sleep and wine. =)

EDUCATION – Bachelor degree from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University.

FAMILY- Husband Jack and 3.5 month-old son Brendan.

FAVORITE DESSERT – Peanut butter and marshmallow milkshake from Wares Bros.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY – Anything to do with fitness. Biking, running, hiking, swimming and dancing.

LAST BOOK READ – Support & Defend by Tom Clancy

FAVORITE MOVIE – Point of No Return

FAVORITE SONG – Chris Stapelton/Justin Timberlake “Drink You Away.”

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF NO ONE IN THE CLUB

LIKELY KNOWS – I was a TC Rotary Exchange Student in Austria back in 1997.

LIFE ROLE MODEL – Emily Barr, previous GM of ABC7 Chicago. She taught me how to be a strong and successful female in business while balancing family and a healthy lifestyle. She’s an innovator in her own right and has made huge strides for women higher up the corporate ladder in the television industry.

MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT – I successfully completed a half ironman race and ran a full marathon in the same year.

PROUDEST MOMENT - Having a beautiful and healthy baby boy.

FUNNIEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU - I peed on a horse once when I was eight and my family will never let me forget it.

SECRET AMBITION – To get back into dance.

IF YOU COULD BE ANYONE IN THE WORLD FOR A DAY (present or historical), WHO WOULD THAT BE---AND WHY? James Bond, the guy has it all! Good looking, intelligent, travels all over the world with the finest cars, women and technologies. He executes top secret missions, fights bad guys and always survives.

MOST FAMOUS PERSON MET – Drew Carey asked me out back in the early 2000’s. I said no. =)

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE – I love being back in Traverse City after all these years. It’s a special place to live with really good people. Life is good and we are truly blessed.