President Mike "THE SPARTAN" Meindertsma opened our meeting today by congratulating the Maize and Blue basketball team on winning the Big Ten Tournament this past weekend. GO BLUE!!! Winning four games in four days is no easy task.

Our Invocation was given by Nikki Sobkowski. She was followed by Bob Stow and Byron Hanson who led us in song with two of St. Paddy's favorites, "Oh Danny Boy" and "Irish Eyes Are Smiling". Jeanne Snow introduced one visiting Rotarian and five guests of Rotarians.

Announcements:

1.  Trevor Tkach made a HUGH announcement by saying the Ad Sales have surpassed our original goal of $100,000. CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH AND EVERY ROTARIAN WHO HELPED MAKE THIS HAPPEN. Trevor said there are still some ads to be followed up on, so please try to get those in by the end of the week. As a result of our success, we were treated to a "Happy Dance" by Trevor atop his chair. (Dancing With The Stars – NOT!)
2. Mark Eckhoff said Rotary Show ticket sales are not doing as well as ad sales. In fact, only seven tickets have been sold for the President's Dinner and those all belong to President Mike and his extended family. Otherwise, "37" tickets have been sold for the other shows. Mark would like every Rotarian to encourage friends, neighbors and co- workers to buy tickets to the best show in town. They won't be disappointed!
3. Ralph Mittelberger announced a meeting of the Committee for the Handicap immediately following today's program.
4. Sid Van Slyke won $33 in the 50/50 drawing.

Sharron Zimmerman, World Community Service Chair, introduced fellow Rotarian Nick Beadleston who, in turn, introduced our speaker for the day, Jacob Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler is a Michigan-based independent journalist. He grew up in Leelanau County and is currently the founding editor and publisher of the Glen Arbor Sun newspaper and the Betsie Current, a community newspaper for Benzie County. Since October he has been working with the Groundwork Center, which was formerly known as the Michigan Land Use Institute. He is also an adjunct professor at NMC.

Mr. Wheeler's talk today dealt with his travels to Guatemala in 2003. He became involved with Safe Passage and wanted to share with us the background of this wonderful charitable organization. It's founder, Hanley Denning, was a teacher from North Carolina who went to Guatemala in 1997 to study Spanish. Soon she began volunteering with children and adults living in small towns near Antigua. Her intended one year stay soon became two. As she was preparing to return to the United States in 1999, her good friend Regina Palacios asked her a favor: to accompany her on a trip to the slums by the Guatemala City garbage dump. That visit changed Hanley's life, and, in turn, the lives of thousands in Guatemala and around the world.

The poor people in this area used the garbage dump as a means of existence. The children worked the dump along with their parents, looking for remnants of food or anything else that might benefit them. Hanley worked on their behalf and eventually founded Safe Passage in 1999. Initially, she enrolled 46 of Guatemala City's poorest children in her new program. Every year since then the number of children to benefit from this program has expanded considerably. Through Safe Passage, these children receive tutoring, a healthy snack, and the care and attention they so desperately need. Safe Passage is a refuge for children facing difficult situations marked by extreme poverty, neglect, and abuse. Safe Passage is a gateway out of poverty.

Unfortunately, Hanley Denning died in an automobile accident in 2007. In spite of her untimely passing, Safe Passage has continued to thrive and be there for those in need.

Mr. Wheeler left us with a thought provoking quote: "The life you change might be your own." 

To learn more visit http://www.safepassage.org/

 

 

 

 

 

Tickets are now available at the State Theatre for the Rotary Show (231) 947-3446 

https://www.stateandbijou.org/movies/rotary-show  

 

Ticket Vouchers will be available at the weekly Club meeting. Ticket Vouchers must be presented at the State Theatre Box Office for a reserved seat ticket for a specific date, April 26-29. Get your real ticket early to ensure the best seat. Voucher Redemption at the door is based on availability. Ticket Vouchers can be charged to your account at the club meeting.

 

 

 

Red Ginger-Lotus Room

Tickets are $50.00 includes small plates, sushi and dessert (Heavy Hors d' Oeuvres), two drinks, two show tickets vouchers(please see above for redemption) and a fabulous time with other Rotarians and friends.

Limited tickets available.

Reception tickets are available at the Club meetings. Tickets bought at the Club meeting will need to be turned into the State Theatre for Show tickets and will be charged to your account.