The Spokesperson January 13, 2022 (Jan 13, 2022)

Coming together is a beginning
Keeping together is progress
Working together is success – Henry Ford

President Jeff Furest called the meeting to order with the above quotation. Many more Rotarians appeared for the second meeting of the new year. Thankfully we had Gary back at the keys. Your scribe made sure to find out what note to hit (D flat) to start the national anthem, for future a cappella singing. Our newest member was put to work, Sam Wireman, leading us in the Pledge and the national anthem. Mary Bednar had “The Four-Way Test” honors and Sarah Lee gave the invocation. Our menu was chicken piccata, penne pasta, green beans, garden salad, rolls, and chocolate cake for dessert.

President’s Announcements

Jeff corrected a possible misunderstanding from his previous week’s remarks on board positions. He had asked for volunteers for a particular position. Turns out the new bylaws allow for appointing someone, as well as asking for volunteers, in the case of an uncompleted term.

Dana Camphous-Peterson and MaKaya Gardner, both of YMCA, were to be inducted today. However, their company’s COVID procedures forbid them from attending outside events. They will be back next month.

Guest and Visitors

Tom Welsh from Portage Rotary Club (near Kalamazoo); Phil Gilchrist, our speaker; and Susan Painter from the Nova Scotia Rotary Club, fiancé of Doug Norris.

Birthdays/Anniversaries

Valerie Miller announced Ken Steele’s birthday as the only one. Gary started to play Happy Birthday. “Wait, wait, wait”, Bill Furest cried out. “I’m January 11, what about me?” And turns out Mary Bednar had a birthday. CONFUSION! Bill presented a check for $85 and Mary doubled her age and pledged a check for $82. The only anniversary was Valerie. No club anniversaries. Jeff bought a flower for Kim Jarvis; Kim for Ken; Gary for his girlfriend Tina; Doug for his fiancé Susan; and Sam for Phil Gilchrist.

Music

Ken Steele admitted he couldn’t think what else to sing so he repeated last week’s selections: “God Bless America.” Pianist Gary wanted us to sing a certain way, but Jeff nixed it this time around. Second song was announced on page 44. We all knew it would be “R-O-T-A-R-Y” that we sang last week. Since Gary wasn’t here, he started to play “Roll Along Rotary.” “R-O-T-A-R-Y” sung to “Roll Along Rotary” made for an interesting sound. CONFUSION AGAIN!

Goodwill

Ken asked when the photos from the photo booth at the Party of the Century will be delivered. Jeff said they are en route.

Sunshine

Julie gave us the sad news that former Rotarian and past president Don Torline is seriously ill, suffering from brain cancer. On the other hand, Bill Furest reported that former member, Jay Kasmark, is doing great.

Recognition by Julie Huttenlocher

First up on Julie’s list was the mild-mannered Doug Norris. What could have been his sin? He was late to the board meeting, which wasn’t significant. Turns out he was AWOL from the hospital where he had been that day (we don’t know why or what for). He unhooked himself from the wires; called Susan to pick him up and drop him off at the board meeting. For showing such dedication to attend a board meeting of the Mount Clemens Rotary, Doug earned his tablemates a $1 fine each. Next, Julie hopped on the obvious sin: a cell phone ring. Said cell phone belonged to Gary the Pianist, which was “called” during the earlier confusion over the song. Gary accepted the fine but in turn threw some Rotarians under the bus, including the finer herself, Julie, and Val for talking instead of singing. Julie swiftly fined him $5 and turned to Val for picking up a random name tag, fining her $2 (covering herself in case we were asked for pins and badges). Joe Casasanta was singled out as the Most-Missed Rotarian and given a chance to work off his fine. Val, Sarah and Sam were asked to say three truths and a lie about themselves. Naturally, Joe got all the answers wrong. $3. Out of this, however, came another story about Sam’s teen-aged years that got him fined $2. The only details I wrote down were “booty shorts” “fence” and “the cops.” You had to be there to get the story.

Speaker: Phil Gilchrist, Executive Director, The Anton Art Center

Phil Gilchrist is a frequent speaker to Rotary. He gave us an update on the Anton Art Center (AAC).
The Anton Art Center is housed in the former Andrew Carnegie Mount Clemens Library, built in 1904. Many of us grew up using that library. When the new Mount Clemens library was built across from the high school in the late ‘60s (when Mount Clemens High School had 1,800 students), the city gave the Carnegie building over to a group of civic-minded women, known as the “founding mothers.” They gave art classes in the basement while the upper floors were turned into display space. The overall purpose was to provide ways so local artists wouldn’t starve. The Center celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019.

Phil announced that Anton Art Center has been placed on the National Register of Historical Places. It’s the second property in Mount Clemens to receive that distinction. Qualifying for that distinction was quite arduous, according to Phil, who is an experienced grant writer. Being on the State Historical Register since the 1970s helped. The fact that a new use was found for a library built for a 19th century public, wainscoting, columns, fireplaces, casement windows, contributing to a 21st century appreciation of art, is fantastic.
The Art Center stayed open during the pandemic and held its Holiday Mart. They are putting together outdoor programming since they got great attendance at an opera concert last summer.

50/50

$32 Bill Furest. Bill, ever the entertainer, has such a unique way of announcing his win.

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Christmas Presents for Turning Point families!

CALENDAR of EVENTS

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January 20
Shock and Save Foundation
Medstar Ambulance - Susan Burkhart
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January 27
Clinton Township Update/Visioning
Bob Cannon – Clinton Township Supervisor