President Dale called the Meeting to order. Lee Olewinski gave the invocation. There were no visiting Rotarians or Guests! Go figure…
Bob Stow led us in Springtime songs to celebrate the oncoming season. Dan Rickard is seeking some muscle to help do some set-up at the State Theatre ahead of the regular time for Show set-up. Contact Dan if you are available. Trevor Tkatch gave a shout out about ad completion and Tim Tate about the overall show moving ahead and reminded everyone about ticket sales and posters. President Dale reminded us about the upcoming Youth Exchange Dinner. Susan Kraus is setting the Rotary Show Afterglow at Sorrelina’s… Tickets are $15 and include dinner and desserts…don’t forget to sign up!
Vern Gauthier and Ruth Blick gave an update on the results of this past Holiday Red Kettle Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army. We raised nearly $2500. Mark Eckhoff gave an update on new membership, and this year we have a net gain! 245 plus members. This is a positive direction for our club and against the trend in many other clubs these days. Congratulations to all…Keep it up! 97 members were in attendance of a total of 250 members.
Hold your breath…Make a wish…Count to three… There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination
Living there you'll be free if you truly wish to be
(By Anthony Newley/Leslie Bricusse)
It was one of the more moving presentations we’ve had recently – the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Nicole Robertson gave a straightforward no schmaltz presentation. Nonetheless, it was to the point and touching at the same time.
Make-A-Wish Foundation is 36 years old, having begun in Phoenix, Arizona in 1980 with a small group of friends and volunteers who chose to give a young boy, Chris, something he could cherish as he dealt with the debilitating disease that would all too soon take his life. They made him a CHIPs officer for a day. That one wish began a small avalanche that has grown in scope and reach, where today it is a highly regarded national non-profit dedicated to granting the wish of every child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.
Robertson shared the wonderfully compelling story of local boy who with the help of local volunteers, including our own Tim Tate, refurbished an old truck. Something he wanted more than anything else to have done. Hagerty hosted the unveiling. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing that happen for us as viewers. For those involved? Well I expect it moves them in the depths of their souls.
We all like a good story. And every one of these stories is as good as it gets.
Robertson talked of the ways anyone can be involved…from volunteering and referring to sponsoring a wish. Michigan’s chapter of the Foundation has been in existence since 1984. In that time is has granted some 8500 wishes of all stripes and measures. Grand Traverse region has granted its share over the years as well. This year they are on target to grant 9 or more wishes.
Here are some of the facts about Make-A-Wish:
This year, our goal is to reach more than 400 kids - that’s a little more than one wish per day
There are more than 450 medically eligible Michigan children dreaming, planning and awaiting their wishes
The average value of a Michigan wish is $8,000, and while each child’s wish is truly unique, the majority of wishes fall into one of four categories: I wish to go, I wish to meet, I wish to have or I wish to be
More than 78 percent of Michigan wishes require air travel, making it a critical – and costly – resource. In fact, we anticipate that more than 300 wishes will involve travel this year alone – that’s more than 98 million airlines miles (you can donate your own excess air miles to the Foundation)
More than 80 percent of each dollar spent directly benefits the Michigan wish-granting program
An eligible wish child must be referred between the ages of 2 ½ and 18 and live in Michigan.
Make-A-Wish Michigan is one of more than 60 chapters of the national organization, Make-A-Wish America. Make-A-Wish also has 36 international affiliates. Nearly 250,000 wishes have been granted worldwide
This spring the Foundation is holding special event at the City Opera House: Princess Monica’s Ball. Young Monica’s (4 years old) had only one wish – to be a Princess…and so she shall be. With the inclusion of our own Cherry Queen, and some previous wish recipients to act as her court, young Monica will be the Belle of her very own ball. The State Theatre among others are involved to help make her dream a reality…
LAST BOOK READ – “Boys In The Boat” by Daniel James Brown
FAVORITE MOVIE – All James Bond movies
FAVORITE SONG – “American Pie” by Don McLean
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF NO ONE IN THE CLUB
LIKELY KNOWS - I am the first person in my family to attend/graduate from college.
LIFE ROLE MODEL – Father, because of his work ethic, leadership skills and personality
MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT – Successfully argued appellate case before the Michigan Supreme Court.
PROUDEST MOMENT - Watching my children grow up.
FUNNIEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU – Not for publication.
SECRET AMBITION - Shoot my age on a good golf course.
IF YOU COULD BE ANYONE IN THE WORLD FOR A DAY (present or historical), WHO WOULD THAT BE---AND WHY? Tom Izzo in the month of March so I could enjoy his perspective on the NCAA Basketball Tournament.
MOST FAMOUS PERSON MET - Gordie Howe, played golf with him.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE – No, that’s enough!
Tell us something about yourself no one in the club likely knows - Prior to dental school I was invited by the Cleveland Indians for a baseball tryout which I turned down. (I think about this a lot.)
Life role Model - Probably my Dad. He preached perseverance and honesty in everything you do.
Most significant accomplishment - Practicing endodontics for 43 years, and I loved every minute of it.
Proudest Moment - Marrying the woman of my dreams.
Funniest thing that has ever happened to you - Getting a hole-in-one while playing with a PGA golf pro who was still waiting for his first.
Secret Ambition - To be a Sports Illustrated photographer for the February issues.
If you could be anyone in the world for a day (present orhistorical), who would that be and why -
I'd like to be the president of the United States and see if I could get through the day without ever telling a lie.
Most famous person met - Gordie Howe, Sparky Anderson, Bill Freehan and Loren Greene. I've met a lot of uniquely "famous" people, but I don't view them any differently than the next person I'll meet.
Anything else you want to share - I've been a Rotarian since 1979 and I feel honored to be in the club.
Bob Stow led us in Springtime songs to celebrate the oncoming season. Dan Rickard is seeking some muscle to help do some set-up at the State Theatre ahead of the regular time for Show set-up. Contact Dan if you are available. Trevor Tkatch gave a shout out about ad completion and Tim Tate about the overall show moving ahead and reminded everyone about ticket sales and posters. President Dale reminded us about the upcoming Youth Exchange Dinner. Susan Kraus is setting the Rotary Show Afterglow at Sorrelina’s… Tickets are $15 and include dinner and desserts…don’t forget to sign up!
It was one of the more moving presentations we’ve had recently – the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Nicole Robertson gave a straightforward no schmaltz presentation. Nonetheless, it was to the point and touching at the same time.
CURRENT CAREER – Attorney, Running, Wise & Ford, PLC.
Current Career - Retired endodontist. Had a solo practice in Traverse City from 1977 t0 2011.
