President Larry got us off with a quick start, selecting Chuck Dib to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the national anthem with Gary
on his new piano.
Karan Bates-Gasior then started us off on
“The Four-Way Test.’ Tom Davies gave the pre-meal prayer mentioning the passing of the father of member Patti Kaufman. The obituary notice was sent to Rotary members by email.
President Larry then noted how enjoyable it is to induct new members and on this day it was Mari Jackson moving up from a corporate member to full membership. Ms. Jackson, who has been attending meetings quite often, works at Care of Southeastern Michigan. She mentioned how impressed she has been with the community work of the club and intends to get more involved as a full member.
President Larry also showed slides of all those members who worked on the float for the Mount Clemens Santa Parade.
- He also encouraged all members to sign
up for the upcoming holiday party, set for Thursday. Dec. 13 at Gowanie Country Club (no meeting that day). Gloria Murray said that more than 60 reservations are in place. Contact Gloria for reservations.
-
- If you are bringing guests to the Fraser
Singers concert on Dec. 13, let Valerie Miller know.
-
- Openings are still available for anyone wishing to run for the club’s board of directors. Those interested should contact President Larry.
**********************************************
Sam D’Angelo announced the beneficiaries of next year’s Spring Zing. They include:
Anton Art Center
Baker College
Bravo
MISD Lutz School
Clinton-Macomb Library
Martha T. Berry facility
Resolution Center
Macomb YMCA and
Turning Point
*********************************************
Our lunch included salad and rolls, bow-tie pasta, green beans and chicken cooked outside on a grill and brought in for seasoning. White cake was available for dessert.
JEFF FUREST INTRODUCED GUESTS
Speakers Mary Avrakotos and Cheryl Farmer, and Mashell Carissimi, guest of Ellen Lysik.
Julie Miller was the flower child but with so many recognized occasions she didn’t have many left to sell.
Those marking special events: member birthdays: Jeff Furest, Paul Woodring, Bob Baker and Julie Miller. Partner birthdays were: Jeremy Allen, Brian Howell, Susanna Sokol and 
Margo Baker. Wedding anniversaries: Patricia Kaufman and Matthew Rigotti,
29 years, and Gloria and Michael Murray, 41 years. Nancy Dedenbach marked 29 years in the club on Nov. 16. Congratulations to all.
The two remaining flowers were bought by Kris Howell for Chuck Dib and Ellen Lysik for her guest.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & SUNSHINE REPORTS
Nancy Dedenbach said that she has heard many people ask why the victims of the recent California fires simply didn’t move out of harm’s way. She noted her friend whose family has lived in that area for three generations.
Val Miller said the club would be sending holiday greetings to many former members who shall remain anonymous here to avoid letting them know.
Kelly Allen mentioned the death of a young family member of a school district employee.
Kris noted that the group singing at our fundraiser was at the Macomb Performing Arts Center and had a brochure of our event included in the program.
Julie Huttenlocher said a holiday-helping tree was available for those working to “adopt” a family in need. You can take a name off the tree or simply make a donation, in cash, check or added to your bill.
RECOGNITION
Eric “kill ‘em when you can” Pierson handled recognition and quickly went after gamesman Jeff Furest. Jeff bagged a deer while not quite off of his vehicle, which if he was inside would have been illegal. Jeff’s known for going into elaborate details of his events, so Don Carnaghi got up and played via his cell phone and rather loud “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Jeff didn’t take the hint and continued his story after the song.
Those not having turkey for Thanksgiving
paid $1 each. Sarah Lee for steak, Jeff and Bill Furest for ham, Sam for an Italian beef dish. Tom Davies paid for being out of town. Julie was hit for her cell phone ringing, which she blamed on her dad and Sarah was hit again for a police 
incident at her business.
Sam was fined for not standing as the song leader and skipping part of a song he selected. All those sitting with Mari, our new member, contributed $1. Jeff and Ellen paid $1 for messing up a guest announcement.
SPEAKERS/PROGRAM
President Larry introduced our distinguished speakers.
Cheryl Farmer is a retired physician, a former mayor of Ypsilanti and a member of that city’s Rotary club. She was also an elementary school art teacher in her earlier career.
Mary Avrakotos 
is from the Ann Arbor Rotary Club. She was a director at State University of New York College and owner of a public relations and event planning firm. She has degrees from Alfred University and NYU.
They are both involved in a Rotary International project assisting families in Sierra Leone, a country in western Africa.
The presentation included a slide showing the poor living conditions and the effort to improve the area through what is called the Sherbro Foundation with the motto “Empowering Communities – Transforming Lives.”
The Ann Arbor Rotary Club serves as the project lead on the Global Grant.
The goal of the project is to raise money to assist the area in hopes that someday the education of children and the extension of crop raising will eventually make the people self-reliant.
Much of the efforts center on planting fruit trees and maintaining three orchards. Presentations are being made to club throughout the district. The goal is to raise $147,500. At this time, $48,000 is needed to meet that goal.
Clubs throughout the district and many from other states have donated.
50/50
Lastly, the 50/50, worth $37, was won by Scott Chabot.
Please support our Foundation when you are shopping on smile.amazon.com. Choose our Mount Clemens Rotary Foundation, there is NO extra cost and we get a small donation from Amazon.