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Minutes by Louise Rallis           
Photos by Valerie Miller             
 
Opening Activities
 
In the absence of president Jeff Furest, president nominee Scott Chabot led our November 18 meeting that started with an announcement that the Rotary Christmas Party has been rescheduled to a new date and new location and new price per person.
 
 
 
 
According to the 38mm Apple watch series 3, the meeting was officially called to order at 12:16 p.m.
 
Kathleen Best led fellow Rotarians in the Pledge of Allegiance and “The Star-Spangled Banner” a cappella due to the absence of Gary Phelps.
 
Steve Krankota led the reciting of “The Four-Way Test” musing that he was going to provide a recorded version for Rotarians’ enjoyment after his departure to Bay City.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Julie Huttenlocher provided a heartfelt invocation and at the completion Rotarians and guests were invited to enjoy the lunch buffet. The lunch menu included a zesty onion salad with some chef salady accoutrement, dinner rolls with creamy butter, roasted parmesan potatoes, fresh green beans, chicken piccata, and vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce sundaes for dessert.
 
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Presidential Announcements
 
  • Moving right into the business of the day, President nominee Scott Chabot called for a vote of the revision of the bylaws concerning election of officers, and corporate dues. With a show of hands and a hearty chorus of “yays,” the motion passed.
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  • Scott reiterated that there will be an opening on the club board for the coming year with an election that will occur in January. He encouraged anyone interested to throw their hat in the ring for consideration.
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  • He reminded everyone that the November 20 parade was happening and he thanked Julie Miller, Ed Mastry, Valerie Miller, and Ken Steele for all of their hard work in ensuring that the Rotary float and volunteers were in fine order.
 
 
He then asked if there were any other announcements.
 
He then turned to Julie Huttenlocher who provided an update on the Christmas party which has been changed to Wednesday, December 15 at Testa Barra. Cost for the event has increased to $65 and will include an open bar – for Rotarians who enjoy a good deal of cheer, this is a very fair price. Plus, there is a yet-to-be-announced special holiday entertainer to make the evening extra special.
 
 
 
Christine LaTour asked Rotarians who were not present or who did not participate in the November 11 fundraising to support Rotary International’s World Polio Day (Oct. 24) this week by selecting a colored envelop with a predetermined giving amount from $5-$25. Among those choosing envelopes were Rotarians Eric Pierson chose a rainbow of envelopes, Ryan Murphy picked his favorite numbers, and Tom Davies joined in to support this good cause.
 
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Guests & Visitors

Larry Neal introduced our repeat guest speaker at the beginning of the meeting.
 
 
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PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS
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Sam Wireman
Chiropractor
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MaKaya Gradner
YMCA
 
 
 
 
 
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Birthdays & Anniversaries

Ryan Murphy dove right into his part of the program by wishing president Jeff Furest a happy birthday along with Bill Patterson. Celebrating Rotary anniversaries were Mary Ann Hosey, Annette Momney, and a robust 32-year celebration for everyone’s favorite Nancy Dedenbach.
 
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Flowers

Ryan Murphy did an exceptionally fine job selling flowers to Valerie Miller who purchased them to recognize all of the hard work put into the parade by Ed Mastry, Ken Steele and Julie Miller. Ed Mastry jumped on the parade of flowers float by purchasing another bloom for Julie Miller who orchestrated the parade appearance for the Mount Clemens Rotary. Larry Neal purchased one for his cousin-in-law/speaker Rufus McGraw, Ryan Murphy treated Julie Huttenlocher for all her hard work, and president nominee Scott Chabot bought one for Christine LaTour in thanks for conducting a wonderful World Polio Day fundraiser with the club.
 
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Music

With the lack of Gary Phelps, the group decided to forgo additional singing.
 
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Sunshine, Goodwill
None
 
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Member Announcements

Julie Huttenlocher reminded Rotarians that this year’s giving tree will benefit Turning Point. She also mentioned that Rotarians could use Sign-up Genius to register for the Giving Tree and would shortly be emailed the link to participate.
 
Nancy Dedenbach told those present that she has gain some interest in her project with L’Anse Creuse High School students to plant 54 sequoia trees.
 
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from Julie Huttenlocher & the Rotary Elves
As we head into Thanksgiving, we can all be grateful for all of our many blessings...our home, family, clothes and comfortable life.  There are many people who live in a state of uncertainty and fear. This Christmas, I would ask each of you to help contribute our Rotary Giving Tree for Turning Point. This year we are helping three families that need some of the most basic items that we take for granted.
 
I have attached a link below to a sign up genius if you would like to buy a gift.  If you would prefer to have our Rotary Elves shop for you (to avoid the supply chain frustrations), that would be great. Just simply let me know how much we should charge your bill and we will take care of buying, wrapping and delivering the gifts for you!  If you want to buy the gifts and do not want to wrap them, please bring them to Rotary on 12/9 or the Christmas party on 12/15 and I will wrap them for you!
 
I know you get pulled in many directions at Christmas, but please contribute to this worthwhile cause...$75, $100, $150 or more will go a long way in helping us make these peoples' lives a little more special this holiday season.
 
We ask that all gifts are turned in at the meeting on 12/9 or the Christmas party
or can be dropped off at my house!

Thank you in advance for being so generous!
 
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Recognition

Nancy Dedenbach, in the absence of the adventure-seeking and visiting the middle-of-the-globe Glenn Burton, managed this week’s recognition fines. First up was Valerie Miller for $4.99 because she did not don any of the stylish Mount Clemens Rotary garb for her photo of the Rotary Park cleanup. Nancy then heartily congratulated Eric Pierson for a well-done shot of a four-point, but really an eight-point deer. For his efforts the register rang up an easy $3. Julie Huttenlocher was ambushed with an interesting factoid in the form of an expertly presented question, if answered incorrectly the charge $1 per filled seat at her table. Thankfully, Julie skillfully pulled out the correct answer to the question “What day is celebrated on November 18 in Morocco?” – Independence Day, of course! And, finally, when no one is fining you – you fine yourself. The ever-humble president nominee Scott Chabot fined himself $3 for the sad state of Macomb County roads.
 
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Speakers/Program

Moving into the feature presentation, president nominee Scott Chabot introduced Rufus McGraw, a Purple Heart recipient, father of two, husband of one, writer/author, and a “Rick Steves you got nothing on me” travel expert. After lamenting about his misfortune in the great Grosse Pointe flood plain over the span of several years, he entertained Rotarians with some of his wonderful yarns from just a few trips.
 
 
 
 
Among his numerous travels at home and abroad, some of the greatest highlights include:
Traveling to all 50 states

Kansas was the last state traveled after a whirlwind trip on a shoestring to Alaska in a four-bald-tire 1970s Gremlin with Dufus and Goofus. (no, kids those are not their real names, just good ol’ nicknames coined during their youth at St. Leonard’s Catholic Church school. We won’t even talk about how Pee Head got his nickname.)

Visiting every country in the world -- Yes, every country including Libya and North Korea
 
He is author of several books including, “Drowning on all Seven Continents” which is a series of short vignettes from his traveling escapades. Included are chapters entitled: “Drowning in a Canoe,” and everyone’s favorite “Drowning with Dufus.”
 
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50/50 Drawing:
The luncheon wrapped up with the 50/50 draw in which Nancy Dedenbach was the lucky recipient of $34 for holding the winning ticket! Way to go, Nancy!
 
 
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
 
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Merry Christmas! It is time for our club to get together and celebrate the holidays!
We will having our Christmas party on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15 (not on Thursday) at Testa Barra restaurant. We will begin the festivities at 6:30 p.m.
 
Cost per person is $65 (includes dinner, drinks and entertainment).
 
Information is on the invite attached below.  Please RSVP by Tuesday, December 7 to my email:  julie.huttenlocher@gmail.com or 586-914-2552.
 
Hope to see everyone there!
Julie Huttenlocher
 
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CALENDAR of EVENTS
 
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November 25
Thanksgiving
No Meeting
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December 2
Beneficiary Award Meeting
Jeff Furest - MC Rotary
*
December 9
Fraser Singers 
Fraser High School
*
CHRISTMAS PARTY 6:30 P.M.
TESTA BARRA RESTAURANT
*
December 16
Jeff Furest - Rotary
*
December 23
No Meeting
*
December 30
No Meeting
*
January 6
Dr. Sam Wireman
Apex Chiropractic - Chiropractic Medicine
*
January 13
TBD Jeff Oldham??
*
January 20
Shock and Save Foundation
Medstar Ambulance - Susan Burkhart
*
January 27
Clinton Township Update/Visioning
Bob Cannon – Clinton Township Supervisor
*
 
 
 
 
 PRESIDENT
Jeff Furest
*
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Valerie Miller
*
PRESIDENT ELECT
Steve Krankota
*
PRESIDENT NOMINEE
Scott Chabot
*
TREASURER
Jessica Johnson
*
SECRETARY
Stephanie Mirabile
 
* * *
DIRECTORS
Edward Mastry
Douglas Norris
Christine LaTour
Kim Jarvis
* * *

 
~ ~ COMMITTEES ~ ~
 
MEMBERSHIP
Kim Jarvis
*
CLUB ADMINISTRATION
Scott Chabot
*
SPEAKERS
Sam D'Angelo & Bill Furest
*
RECOGNITION
Eric Pierson
*
BULLETIN
Glenn Burton & Bob Lee
*
SERVICE PROJECTS
Christine LaTour
*
FUNDRAISER
Jeff Furest & Steve Krankota
*
ROTARY FOUNDATION RI
Valerie Miller
*
WELCOME TABLE
Ken Steele & Ed Mastry
*
GUESTS & VISITORS
Ed Mastry
FLOWERS & BIRTHDAYS
Amanda Oparka
*
SUNSHINE/CARDS
Beth Pryor
*
PRAYER/INVOCATION
Tom Davies & Sarah Lee
*
MUSIC
Ryan Murphy
*
PHOTOGRAPHER
Steve Krankota
*
PUBLIC IMAGE/SOCIAL MEDIA
Steve Krankota
*
SOCIAL EVENTS
Julie Huttenlocher
*
DICK PIERSON GOLF OUTING
Eric Pierson
*
BOAT OUTING
Valerie Miller
*
CLUB CENTENNIAL & ARCHIVES
Larry Neal
*
FUTURE ROTARIANS/YOUTH EXCHANGE
TBD when COVID clear
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
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