The Spokesperson February 24, 2022 (Feb 24, 2022)

President Jeff called the meeting to order. Tom Davies led the Pledge and national anthem. MaKaya Gardner led “The Four-Way Test” and Sarah Lee gave the prayer.

On this chilly day, today’s lunch started with good hot bowl of soup - Pasta e Fagioli, followed by chicken, redskin potatoes, broccoli, rolls and spumoni ice cream for dessert.

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President Jeff had a few announcements.

Scott Chabot is kicking off the first fundraiser committee meeting next Thursday at 11 a.m., prior to the regular meeting. There will be updates coming to the club website with details about the fundraiser.

Jeff announced the results of the club’s election of board members. Kim Jarvis and Dana Camphous-Peterson will be the incoming directors at large, Jessica Johnson will continue as treasurer, Stephanie Mirabile as secretary, and our president nominee will be Kathleen Best.

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Eric Pierson introduced the only guest, our speaker, Marilyn Wittstock.

There were no birthdays to celebrate, just one anniversary, Tom Davies’ 49 years in the club.

Larry Neal had the bag of flowers. Bill Furest bought the first one

for his Jeff for all of his leadership, Ken Steele paid for a flower for our speaker, Gary Felts for our server Tina, and then another for Ken Steele for his help with setup. Jeff Furest bought the remaining five, one each for the ladies in the room.

Tom Davies led the music. He first thought “God Save the Queen” would be a good idea, but settled on “America the Beautiful,” then “Roll Rotary.”

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ANNOUNCEMENTS, GOODWILL AND SUNSHINE REPORTS:

Tom Davies said his grandson did well in a swimming/diving meet in Holland, placing first in the three-meter board and also placing in the one-meter event. He was named “Diver of the Meet.”Tom Davies
Bob Cannon announced that he has been involved in high school sports for 54 years, he’s currently the assistant coach of their girls basketball team who went 19-1 this year, the banquet is tonight, and his daughter is the coach!
Gary Felts said sadly that a good friend of 40 years had passed away from cancer.

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ERIC PIERSON TOOK OVER WITH RECOGNITION

First off, proud grandfather Tom Davies got the full $5 fine. Bob Cannon paid $5 for his coaching success, Jeff Furest is going to Florida but couldn’t be fined, Bill Furest was fined for a 75-acre expansion of his hunting property, and he paid $5 more for Jeff’s trip. Kim Jarvis paid $2 for saying she forgot her badge when she didn’t, Gary paid $2 for saying “sorry” for a couple wrong piano notes. Finally, U of M alums Sarah Lee and Larry Neal paid in embarrassment for their basketball teams’ behavior.

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OUR SPEAKER TODAY WAS INTRODUCED BY BOB CANNON

Bob said he and Marilyn Wittstock have known each other for years as adversaries, opposing little league coaches. He has great admiration of her due to her efforts developing the Challenger Baseball team and the special field now in place at Neil E. Reid Park.

Marilyn started with a little history. The idea of the Challenger League started with Bob Dole in 1993 who felt that kids with special needs should have the opportunity to play baseball.

Marilyn was instrumental in establishing the first team here. They started with 16 kids and played on local ball fields. These weren’t very practical for kids with wheelchairs and walkers. Dugouts were not accessible. Through fundraising efforts including $5,000 from Anthony Filippis of Wright & Filippis, plans for a special needs ball field came into being. The site chosen was Neil Reid park. Today this custom designed field consists of a grass infield, grass outfield and paved/rubberized baselines.

Today the league has over 180 participants and teams come from all over the state to use this special field. Marilyn said that in 2014 the age limits were lifted so people of all ages with special needs could participate. Now with older players they have outgrown the current field which was built on a smaller scale. Plans are underway for an additional larger field in the same park. $105,000 has been raised to date with hopes of completion in 2023.

The program has had great success. The teams travel to Kalamazoo and Virginia Beach for their Jamboree events, and the Toledo Mud Hens host a special needs camp every year. Bob Cannon said he considers it a great asset for the township.

Thanks Marilyn for all of your efforts and a very inspiring program.

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The 50/50 winner was………. Ted DeVantier! $25

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CALENDAR of EVENTS

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MARCH 10

GLENN BURTON & FRIEND

ECUADOR TRIP