Rotary Club e-bulletin, 2/22/17 (Feb 22, 2017)

Rotary Meeting News 2/21/17

Posted by Phil Murphy

President Mike Meindertsma called our meeting to order and encouraged all to bear with the change in location. It will take some getting used to. Homer Nye gave the invocation, and Paul Morris led us in song. Wally Schroth introduced our

guests for the day.

Cindy Ruzak introduced us to our newest member: Caroline Hufstader, Development Director for the Leelanau Outdoor Center. Please make sure to welcome Caroline in the next few weeks.

President Mike asked us to send thoughts and prayers for Helen Ross, wife of Ross Childs, who is recovering from an accident that occurred as they were traveling out West. Roy Pentilla gave us another pep talk regarding the Foundation its $26.50 promotion, and the district raffle that is coming up soon. Al Bonney is seeking help to put on and manage a dinner at the district conference at Crystal Mountain this spring, Susan Kraus reminded us of the Pickleball Evening out.

President Mike gave a shout out to Sakura Raftery and Monica Larson for all their work on Career Day and its success.

Trevor Tkach gave a Rotary Show advertising update. He is pleased with the effort so far, yet is still looking for another $50K in sales! Lisa Froning was given a round of applause for her behind the scenes work with Trevor and Mike Buday for leading his ad sales team to the top tier. Andy Robitshek reminded all of this Saturday’s Show Production meeting.

…And most important…Dan Rickard won the 50/50. Enquiring Minds!

Bayshore Marathon

Posted by Phil Murphy

Jen Casey introduced the day’s program and speaker: Daniel Siderman and the Bayshore Marathon. Siderman has been the director of the run since 2011. He spoke of the incredible impact the Marathon has had over the years each Memorial

Day. Participants join from all over the country, even international participation occurs each year.

Recently, the organization embarked on formalized survey of economic impact on the regional area of the races with Avenue ISR. In the past, there were some informal reviews. It was deemed the impact was large but it was time to see just what that meant.

The Marathon is comprised of three separate runs: the full 26.5 mile Marathon, a Half-Marathon and a 10k race. The Half-Marathon is the newest of the races (2016) and has quickly become the most popular race. This is the 35^th year for the run.

The Bayshore Marathon sports 7,500 participants each year, and has waiting lists for all races. This maximum number of runners was determined to be the maximum for safety on the roads, and what services emergency and otherwise, could support.

Some highlights of the review:

85% of participants are from out of town (heavily weighted to the Midwest)
Many are first-time and bucket list runners especially true of the Half-Marathon
Average of 50% turnover by year
10% are new to our area
Bayshore is a gateway event as people do return to the area some on a more permanent basis
Have more disposable income
70% come into the Downtown TC proper and spend there
Average person spends $653
Low-end is $1,9 million over the weekend and that is purposefully conservative. Other estimates approach $2.5 million.
72% will recommend Traverse City and the region to others

Siderman also acknowledged the many non-profits (30 groups and 1000 volunteers) who assist as volunteers and the monies that are subsequently donated back to those organizations. Every year approximately $200,000 is donated back. Other monies are used for scholarships. www.bayshoremarathon.org

Ben Loznak - Rotarian

CURRENT CAREER – Project Architect at Cornwell Architects

EDUCATION – Masters of Architecture, Lawrence Tech. University

FAMILY- I have been married to my beautiful wife Lindsay for over eight years. We have two boys who keep us on our toes. My oldest (Sawyer) is three and is an adrenaline junkie. My youngest (Owen) just turned one and weighs more than his older brother. He is built like a linebacker.

FAVORITE DESSERT – Hibernation Jump Start Ice Cream from Cherry Republic.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY – Canoeing the Crystal River.

LAST BOOK READ – The Bible, and the Michigan Building Code.

FAVORITE MOVIE – Based on my mood, either The Bourne Identity or Home Alone.

FAVORITE SONG – Any old school blues song.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF NO ONE IN THE CLUB

LIKELY KNOWS – My first job was digging graves at a cemetery.

LIFE ROLE MODEL – My wife. She is awesome and keeps me on track.

MOST SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT – Becoming a licensed architect.

PROUDEST MOMENT - Watching my sons growing up and loving life.

FUNNIEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU - Many years ago, my wife and I were hiking in the Porcupine Mountains. Early in the morning, we awoke to the noise our pots and pans falling out of our food sacks that we had hung in the trees the night before. I crawled out of our tent to see a gigantic black bear standing on his hind legs swatting at the sacks and tearing holes in the bottom so our food would fall out. We spent the next hour watching the bear eat all our food, carefully unwrapping the granola bars and Starbucks instant coffee leaving only the wrappers. Our trip was cut short due to the food shortage. Stupid bear!

SECRET AMBITION – To climb mountains. Not the metaphorical kind, but real mountains.

IF YOU COULD BE ANYONE IN THE WORLD FOR A DAY (present or historical), WHO WOULD THAT BE---AND WHY? Groan Kropp – He rode his bike from Sweden to Mount Everest (6,000 miles) with gear. Climbed Mount Everest by himself and then biked home to Sweden. While I wouldn't care to do that necessarily, it would be fun to be in that mind for a day.

MOST FAMOUS PERSON MET – I once waved to David Crosby from Crosby Stills and Nash as he sat in the front seat of his tour bus and he waved back. So I think we are pretty tight.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE – I really like Hibernation Jump Start ice cream, and since I have answered that desert question, I really want some.

OVER $100,000. IN ROTARY SHOW AD'S SOLD

Posted by Trevor Tkach

75th Rotary Show Ad Sales, drum roll please...

over $102,000.00 in ads sold as of 3/16/17

Last Chance - Foundation Centennial Celebration

This is the last week to purchase your Rotary Foundation 50/50 ticket and one-time commitment donation of 26.50.

The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. As the charitable arm of Rotary, we tap into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into our priorities, such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. Foundation grants empower Rotarians to approach challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact.

Strong financial oversight, a stellar charity rating, and a unique funding model mean that we make the very most of your contribution.

Rotary Chorus

Posted by Al Bonney

Still time to join the Rotary Chorus.

Congregational Church on Center Road at 7 pm, Monday & Thursday's

The music is going to be really fun this year. Two new medlies and Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah for the inspirational song.

Look up "The Million Dollar Quartet" on Google to find the basis of our Roots of Rock medley. Look up Capital Steps for a hint of what the TC Parody medley will be like. Several really funny solos and small groups and easier music so we can make sure the audience understand do the TC Parody medley words. Oh yes, and Jeremy Evans did the choreo again this year. You will not want to miss this 75th anniversary blowout!

It is going to be a BLAST!

Al Bonney
2014-2015 District Governor
Rotary District 6290
231-392-6538

International Dinner Planning Committee

Posted by Al Bonney

Remember the International Dinner in one of the Cottages at Crystal Mountain for the District conference on Thursday, May 4 I spoke of on Tuesday?

I found a chair: Susan Kraus - our own party planner extraordinaire. Susan is happy to chair the small committee.

Now we just have to get her some help. It's not a big lot of work and it is fun (what's not fun about eating and drinking with Rotarians?). If you are interested please tell Kathy Bussell. She will give the list of interested people to Susan and she will contact you in due course.