 CURRENT CAREER – In 2004, I retired after a forty-year career in computer software. Since 1990, I owned my own communications company, here in the Grand Traverse area, working with technology-based companies around the world. EDUCATION – I am a proud graduate of Tawas Area High School and University of Michigan, with a B.A. in English Language. For the past two semesters, I’ve been enrolled at NMC as an art student. FAMILY- I grew up in a big, goofy, asymmetrical family with seven brothers and a sister. My father was a country doctor. Carol and I have been married for nearly 51 years. Our son, Dave, and his family live in Denver. He is Sr. VP of Operations at Denver International Airport. Our daughter, Kate, and her family live here, in Traverse City. She is the librarian at Eastern Elementary School. We have five grandchildren. FAVORITE DESSERT - I’m really not a dessert guy, but if there isn’t a piece of cherry pie around, I’ll settle for carrot cake. FAVORITE ACTIVITY – Over the past twenty years, I have been studying watercolors. It has become more serious since my retirement, and in 2007, I was pleased to win the Detroit Institute of Art Award from the Michigan Water Color Society. Carol and I love to travel. LAST BOOK READ – I recently finished “Thank You for Being Late,” by Thomas Friedman, about the acceleration of technology, and I am currently reading “Born to Run,” Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography. FAVORITE MOVIE – “My Dog Skip,” based on the best-selling memoir of the late Willie Morris, an American writer and editor born in Jackson, Mississippi, who was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, and later, the youngest-ever editor of Harper’s Magazine. FAVORITE SONG – “Vincent,” by Don Mclean, about Vincent VanGogh. TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF NO ONE IN THE CLUB LIKELY KNOWS – Growing up in East Tawas in the 50’s was a Huck Finn childhood. In 1956, when I was twelve years old, I traveled alone on a Greyhound bus from Fort Lauderdale to East Tawas, giving “free-range children” a whole new meaning. LIFE ROLE MODELS – My wife, son, and daughter. While there have been many people who have guided me along my way, I have learned more about facing and celebrating life from these three inspirational people. Each of them has taught me so much. My life has been blessed by having them in it. MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT – Building my own company from nothing, competing with and beating much larger organizations, and growing it to serve a technically sophisticated global clientele, from right here, in little old Traverse City. PROUDEST MOMENT – Celebrating fifty years of marriage with my incredible and resilient wife, Carol. FUNNIEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU – There are a few Mother Fred incidents that come to mind, but the funniest was on a ski trip to Innsbruck with a business associate. I had not wanted to buy a new pair of ski pants that would have fit me better, so when the whole rear-end ripped out on the first run in Austria, I wasn’t embarrassed until my buddy told me we were meeting up with all his friends from the prestigious Chicago Ski Club. It’s still the only thing they remember. SECRET AMBITION – To have gone on tour with B. B. King as his bass player. IF YOU COULD BE ANYONE IN THE WORLD FOR A DAY (present or historical), WHO WOULD THAT BE---AND WHY? Mahatma Gandhi, because he crossed religious and political boundaries to advance the common good of the people. He was instrumental in defining modern India as well as the non-violent protest philosophy. MOST FAMOUS PERSON MET – In April 1963, I spent a day at the White House with the Kennedy family. I met President and Mrs. Kennedy, their children John and Caroline, Bobby, and Teddy, and a whole slew of senators, representatives, and famous newspeople. It was the day Winston Churchill was made an honorary citizen of the U.S. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE – My impish and mischievous alter ego comes from my childhood nickname “Poody.” Add that to a big, funny family and Catholic schooling and you wind up with things like Smart Pills and Mother Fred. Oh, there’s one more thing: I’m the luckiest guy in the world. |
Today was new President John Racine's first official meeting, and he was impeccably dressed for the occasion. If he had "butterflies", it didn't show. Lee Olewinski gave the invocation and requested we pray for the less fortunate. Vern Gauthier led us in song with "Sweet Home Alabama". He was accompanied by Christopher Cox at the piano. Vern also shared with us a three-minute video of the Rotary Chair-y Drill Team performing at Saturday's Cherry Royal Parade. Such precision, not. Great job Drill Team Members!!! .jpg)
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