FORMER PRESIDENT MIKE MEINDERTSMA presided over the Meeting today as CURRENT PRESIDENT ALLISON BEERS and immediate PAST PRESIDENT JOHN RACINE were both attending the 2018 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION in Toronto, Canada this week. After singing GOD BLESS AMERICA and saying the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, Leah McCallum gave our INVOCATION. Marlene Bevan led us in song with her Traverse City version of IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME and the classic WHEN YOU'RE SMILING. AAH, SUMMER IS FINALLY HERE!!!!! Page Graves introduced several GUESTS. We had no VISITING ROTARIANS.

Al Zelinski introduced the CLUB'S Newest Member, Mike Watkins. Mike is the V.P. and G.M. of Floor Covering Brokers Carpet One. He has been with the Company for more than 16 years. Mike was born in Traverse City but raised in Gaylord. He moved back to Traverse City in 1999. Mike is married to Kristi and has three children. He enjoys traveling, playing golf, and spending quality time with his family. WELCOME TO ROTARY Mike.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: - Beth Karczewski gave us a Centennial Project Update. She said Rotarians came up with 10 very good Project ideas. The Centennial Project Committee has narrowed the list down to two.

The first idea has to do with developing a Rotary Square somewhere downtown. The second idea involves building a Pavillion on the pier at the Discovery Center. Further information will be forthcoming.

Next week's Rotary Meeting will be held at the Beverage Pavillion ("TENT") during Cherry Festival. It will run from 5PM-7PM. Hope to see everybody there!!!

Speaking of Cherry Festival, we were delighted to have Peter Garthe as a special guest today. He provided us with Schedules for the up-coming Festival Events. Peter also brought pins to sell. He told me he's closing in on 20,000 pins sold. WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT!

Today's 50/50 totaled $57 and was won by Jackie Duncan.

Leah McCallum introduced Jean Derenzy as our Speaker for the day. Jean's TOPIC: WHAT'S GOING ON DOWNTOWN? Jean is the new CEO of the DDA. She's the former Grand Traverse County Interim Administrator. She's a Traverse City native and Northwestern Michigan College and Central Michigan University, graduate. 

Please CLICK HERE to view Jean's PowerPoint