The Spokesperson November 11, 2021 (Nov 11, 2021)

Opening Activities

In the absence of President Jeff Furest, President nominee Scott Chabot led our

November 11 meeting that started with a remembrance and recognition of Veterans Day and 1918 Armistice Day. He went further to say that the U.S. formally dedicated the day as a national holiday in 1983 although the day is still referred to as Armistice Day around Europe.

The meeting was called to order at 12:15 p.m. Julie Huttenlocher led fellow Rotarians in the Pledge of Allegiance and "The Star-Spangled Banner." Larry Neal led the reciting of “The Four-Way Test.” Gary Phelps was present to play the music. Bob Lee provided an invocation and at the completion Rotarians and guests were invited to enjoy the lunch buffet. The lunch menu included a tasty salad, dinner rolls with creamy butter, American fries, fresh green beans, baked chicken and cookies for dessert.

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Presidential Announcements

Moving right into the business of the day, President nominee Scott Chabot informed everyone about the Christmas party scheduled for Thursday, December 16 at Mac Ray Harbor. Cost is $50 per person with a cash bar.
He also updated the group on a recent board meeting at which the board agreed to a revision of the bylaws. Rotarians will receive the information explaining the revision shortly. Scott also mentioned that there will be an opening on the club board for the coming year with an election happening in January.
He then turned to Julie Huttenlocher who provided an update on the Christmas party reminding Rotarians that there will be no regular meeting on December 16 and it is possible that there could be a location change.
Christine LaTour asked Rotarians to support Rotary International’s World Polio Day (Oct. 24) fundraiser by selecting a colored envelop with a predetermined giving amount from $5-$25. Among those choosing envelopes were Rotarians both present and absent including Valerie Miller, Ken Steele, Nancy Dedenbach, Louise Rallis, Kim Jarvis, President Jeff Furest, Ed Mastry, Julie Huttenlocher, President nominee Scott Chabot, and Larry Neal.

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Guests & Visitors

Ed Mastry introduced guests. Jeri Hunley was proud to bring brother Jerome Hunley and her mom Jerilyn Hunley to the meeting to support her presentation to the group. As tradition dictates, guests were treated to an upbeat rendition of “We are glad to see you here at Rotary,” accompanied by the piano talent of Gary Phelps.

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Birthdays & Anniversaries, Sunshine, Goodwill

None

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Flowers

Nancy Dedenbach did a fine job selling flowers to Ed Mastry for all the ladies at his table which left just three additional. Julie Huttenlocher purchased one for Christine LaTour, Jeri Hunley treated her mom, and President nominee Scott Chabot bought one for Jeri Hunley in thanks for being the day’s presenter.

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Music

Ken Steele, in recognition of Veteran’s Day, asked everyone to join him in singing two verses of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” followed by “Roll Rotary.”

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Member Announcements

Julie Huttenlocher announced 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.

Ed Mastry announced that the November 20 parade was back on the books and encouraged Rotarians to donate large bags of candy and volunteer to walk in the parade. He said 60 large bags should be sufficient.

Nancy Dedenbach told those present that as a result of the November 4 meeting presentation by Amanda Oparka regarding Macomb Country tree planting program goals, she is working with L’Anse Creuse High School students to plant 54 sequoia trees.

Nancy also provided a show-and-tell of war memorabilia in honor of Veterans Day. The selection of items included the helmet her husband was wearing when he was shot in the head.

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Recognition

Nancy Dedenbach, in the absence of the still-vacationing Glenn Burton, managed the doling out of this week’s recognition fines. First up was Ed Mastry for $2 because he did not realize Nancy was gone from the lunch meetings for six weeks. And, because no good deed goes unpunished, Nancy turned her fickle finger of fining on the amazing and brilliant bulletin writing talents of Louise Rallis as she dinged her for $3 (in $1 increments) because of clearly subjective and misguided reasoning. Despite Louise’s formal and informal protests, Nancy refused to deviate from her fines of the alleged egregious crimes of the pen. Since she was on a roll, Nancy also fined Christine LaTour for being the only one in the Rotary Park cleanup bulletin photo not wearing any Rotary logo attire.

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Speakers/Program

Moving into the feature presentation, President nominee Scott Chabot introduced Jeri Hunley, founder of Single Family Living, to discuss her organization’s goals and impact on assisting single parents in being successful. Jeri founded the organization in 2016 deriving the need for single parent assistance from her own personal experience.

Overview of the presentation included:

15.7 million children, as of 2019, were living in single-family households.
Globally 7% of children under the age of 18 live with a single parent.
The organization helps combat youth homelessness
They serve Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties
There is a new mobile learning center that will hit the road to bring learning to the neighborhoods
The goal of the organization is to Empower, Mentor and Inspire single parents and their children with the overall goal of helping eradicate poverty for this group.

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50/50 Drawing:
The luncheon wrapped up with the 50/50 draw in which Louise Rallis was the lucky recipient of $25 for holding the winning ticket number for the first time ever!

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FROM JESSICA JOHNSON

1) The Santa Parade is BACK ON and we are in need of some major candy to pass out during the parade.

Between now and next Thursday (11/18), Ed Mastry will be collecting bags of candy by setting out a plastic tub labeled as "Rotary" located at his home address: 17513 Merganser Drive, Clinton Twp. (Behind Partridge Creek Mall). Please feel free to drop off bags of candy in this tub or bring the candy with you to the 11/18 luncheon meeting. We don't have much time to collect candy so we want to make this as smooth as possible.

2) Along with the need for bags of candy, we also need participants for the Santa Parade. The parade is Saturday, November 20 and Scott is being told that all participants should meet at "a soon to be determined" meeting spot by 9 a.m. that morning. If you're interested in being a participant, please contact Scott Chabot for the updated information.

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CALENDAR of EVENTS

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November 18

Rufus McGaugh

Traveling Author

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November 25

Thanksgiving

No Meeting

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December 2

Beneficiary Award Meeting

Jeff Furest - MC Rotary

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December 9

Fraser Singers

Fraser High School

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December 16

Christmas Party ~ NO MEETING

Jeff Furest – MC Rotary

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December 23

No Meeting

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December 30

No Meeting

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January 6

Dr. Sam Wireman

Apex Chiropractic - Chiropractic Medicine

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January 13

TBD Jeff Oldham??

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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
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