President Mike called the meeting to order. Lee Olewinski gave the invocation and Marcha Minervini led the singing. President Mike then went on to something new: a minute to remind us our traditions– Rotary 101. Today he spoke of a better way to introduce our guests always ending with the name. George Powell introduced our visiting Rotarians and guests reminding all that we now knew how to introduce our guests properly. Of course, the first introduction from the audience promptly led with the name first rather than ending with it, and drew hearty laughter. But we eventually got it right.

A Special Meeting of the Membership for the purpose of electing new Board Members and President-Elect was called. Upon closing the special meeting, we resumed our weekly activities.

Jayne Mohr introduced the Students of the Week: From NMC Connor Bebb and Lindsey Grice.

We were informed of a new accounts receivable practice that goes into effect on January 1, 2017 and will include an online payment option. See the info elsewhere in this week’s bulletin. Dan Rickard spoke again of the importance of Christmas Basket donations for the community. Emma Moyers reminded us to RSVP for the Christmas Party. Vern Gauthier needs one more bell ringer to complete our commitment. Herb Lemcool thanked everyone who assisted in the One-Way Coat drive in a very unique way. Don’t forget your matching gift opportunities as you plan end-of-year gifts to your favorite charities. These need to be turned in to the office by the beginning of December. Warren Call Introduced the day’s speaker.

Doug Stanton, local celebrity and author of the non-fiction New York Times’ bestsellers In Harm’s Way and the more recent Horse Soldiers, gave a beautifully wrought reading of his essay about remembering. He followed that with a question and answer time when he spoke of the writing life and how he found himself writing celebrity profiles for Esquire Magazine and other periodicals. He also spoke briefly of Hollywood and its fickleness, and of the anticipation of the imminent start of production of the film based on Horse Soldiers. But first came his reading….

There is no way, I can adequately portray the essence of his words. Suffice it to say that not only were we moved by those words, so was Doug upon his first reading of them aloud. He momentarily stopped as his voice broke, resuming when he was again composed. It was a poignant moment. Not by what stopped him, as the words were small, not even evocative in and of themselves, but made so by the moment shared in his memory and by our inclusion in that moment. Far from embarrassing to witness, it was rather a savored moment; one that took us into the embrace of such little words made grand.

I speak of this moment because this was the essence of the essay. His story was about an unusual memory almost a non-sequitur that subsequently engendered a lasting memory of his grandfather. One of the last in fact. It was a powerful look at the importance of remembering and how something so seemingly small enlarges with great potency, breathing new life.

Stanton reminded us that we all know these moments, and he, as a master wordsmith, creates an almost sublime beauty from the mundane. With his simple, carefully crafted words we share in the depth of his memory, and conjure those of our own. It is here that those fleeting remembrances we hold dear achieve a touch of immortality.

CURRENT CAREER – Certified Public Accountant

 

EDUCATION – B.S. in Business Administration from Central Michigan University (Fire Up Chips!). Major in accounting with minors in math and computer science.

   

FAMILY-  Married to my best friend Onlee Bowden. We have four children: Angie, Nathan, Aaron and James; and eight grandchildren:

Taylor, age 22; Drew, 12; Austin, 10; Matthew, 7; Alex and Jason, 5; Mira, 4; and Harper Lee, 3.

 

FAVORITE DESSERT -  Cherry pie a’ la mode, of course.

 

FAVORITE ACTIVITY – Hunting, fishing and road trips with Onlee.

 

LAST BOOK READ –  Master and Commander series, all 20 books, by Patrick O’Brien. Currently reading Inferno by Dan Brown.

 

 

FAVORITE SONG – American Soldier by Toby Keith.

 

LIKELY KNOWS –I only weigh 155 pounds.

 

LIFE ROLE MODEL – My Dad!  Without a doubt. Quiet, strong, and protective, and 34 years a Michigan State Policeman.

 

MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT –My kids!!!! 

 

PROUDEST MOMENT – (1) Having children.

(2) Passing the CPA exam in 1981.

                        (3) Being elected 2000 National Cherry Festival president.

 

FUNNIEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU – There’s way too many things to list in this space.  Just ask anyone. It usually ended up with my foot in my mouth.  Just saying!

 

SECRET AMBITION – To be in space. I’ve always dreamed about going to space and space travel.

 

The Pope. The most powerful person in the world using his power for 1healing and comfort. Nothing wrong with that!

 

MOST FAMOUS PERSON MET – I’ve met governors, astronauts, and presidents, but the most famous person ever met is my wife, Onlee Bowden. She knows more people than Carter’s has liver pills.

 

My life is filled with talent, energy, and passion.  I hope I’m using those skills as God would want. Praising Him, protecting family and living life!

 Each year we help over 50 families have a merry Christmas.

 

Each of you likely participated in this program at one time or another. Take a moment to draw on your experience, think about the family you helped and then consider helping support this effort again this year.

 

Here’s how you can help: