Ruzak's October 24th Club Meeting Notes 

      

A hint of fall was finally in the air after weeks of summer temperatures and two days of spring rain, which was readily embraced through song leader Bob Stow’s choice of “Shine on Harvest Moon” about weather influenced romance nuances. This reinforced the love expressed by Lee Olewinski in his invocation to help people in need by practicing ethical behavior and service above self.

 

     Tony Anderson orchestrated the falling leaves of visiting Rotarians and guests; with the fall love fest continuing during the introduction of our favorite returning Rotarian Sally Erickson, and an exchange of club pennants by John Racine with Jonathon Tarrant from Anchorage, Alaska; with honorable mention to Ann Arbor president John Ackenhusen (that’s certainly a plethora of Johns on stage at one time).

 

       President JR also let everyone know about a series of events in two days at the Gates Foundation in Seattle, that one can stream live at endpolio.org (but then by the time you read this that chance will have fallen by the wayside).  But another chance to fall (this time off a bike), and to support End Polio Now is the Ride for Polio at Fit for You sometime in the second week of November (exact dates to be further clarified by Vern G. at the next two Rotary meetings once he figures it out himself, but likely November 13-18. But, for sure, there will be late fall (technically correct since Winter Solstice isn’t until Dec 21)  bell ringing for the Salvation Army December 11-18. And to get ready for that colder weather Herb Lemcool requested assistance with collecting coats and making announcements for One Way Coat Days.

 

       President John also reminded everyone that there are 2 more days (again written for posterity’s rather than practical sake) to let the Rotary office know that you have made a donation to any organization providing relief from any of this fall’s hurricanes, which will be matched by our club up to $5,000 ($1050 donated so far). And Al Zelinski made all efforts to not fall off his seat winning $36 in the 50/50 drawing.

 

       Jayne Mohr introduced Traverse City Central High School’s Musical program of 160 students participating in 5 curricular and 2 extra-curricular groups, which have consistently rated “excellent” in numerous regional and national competitions. Choir director Tammy Williams led the amazingly talented Choral-Aires of 9 men and 9 women through a Spanish piece prior to amazing everyone in attendance with 2 selections from their upcoming production of “Les Miserables”. The first featured Jean Valjean and Javier singing “Confrontation”, an energy-filled verbal duel of a song that so beautifully highlights the conflict between these two main characters lives as they cross. The second the truly inspiring “One Day More” with themes of love of a person or cause, and those of unrequited love; performed excellently by these talented students. The song’s final words bringing us, in the end, full circle to our invocation:

 

 

Click here for tickets to "Les Miserables" which runs Nov 9-19 on Thursday through Sunday.

 

    So please use each gorgeous fall day to be effective when offering help to the illiterate, the poor, the disabled, and all others with compassion; being open to advice, utilizing riches bestowed on us,  so that we may be successful according to the great plan for each of us.