Marcellus Michigan Rotary Blog

Fund raiser at the food pantry July 12, 2010

2010-07-13T20:52:00.000-07:00

Spotlight 7 12 2010
Last Saturday Rotarians mixed with Lions and held a fund raiser by serving Brats and steaming sweet corn on the cob in front of the Marcellus Food Pantry. Over $500 was raised for the pantry. Lion members Jerry Casswell had the steamer and grill; he was assisted by fellow Lion Jack Colburn. Rotarian President Dick Meek served corn with his wife Marilyn waving signs, Al Churchill, Andy Abrams and Ralph Parker unloaded donations and stocked shelves, Jim Hosbein served up the Brats. Tammy Churchill was in charge of promotion and worked as a swing man. Thanks to you Marcellus, for your support

District Govenor Don Frome visits Marcellus

2010-07-13T20:46:00.000-07:00

Our meeting this week:
Rotary has a new look. In our club, our new president is Rickard Meek. Meek is retired and lives on M-40 on Cedar Lake. He swung the gavel for the first time to begin the meeting and introduced our new District Governor, Don Frome accompanied by his lovely wife Ann Marie, new assistant district governor, Eric Shafer and guest Bob Harvey, accompanied by his daughter, Judy.
After taking care of some business matters, Meek introduced Frome as our speaker. Don reviewed Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith and our new theme for the year; "Bridging communities, bridging continents. "We serve you and want to serve you better." Frome said. Clubs are at the top of the order. "Governors, Presidents and leadership is here to serve you and help where needed", not the other way around. "People talk about the good old days; the good days are ahead of us. We look forward to what is to come."
Rotarians hold to the four way test. Don added a fifth, F-U-N! Make meetings fun. He said Marcellus is truly a fun club.
The fifth avenue of service for Rotarians is New Generations. This should be called youth. We have RYLA, (Rotary Youth Leadership Academy), Youth Exchange, Interact clubs at the high school level and Rotaract for college age youth.
Don and Ann Marie will work their way around the district to attend meetings for 58 clubs. We were glad to see them and hear him speak.
Rotary is the only worldwide service organization that has no administration fees for donations. 100% of contributions go to designated areas of service. This is why Bill Gates has matching funds with Rotary to eradicate polio worldwide.
Next week, Bob Harvey will be our guest speaker.

New Marcellus Rotary President, Richard Meek and District Governor Don Frome

Marcellus Rotary makes Bainbridge a lifetime member 2010

2010-07-09T17:20:00.000-07:00

Spotlight 6 29 2010
We had a special meeting tonight at the Cordell and Kay Jones family center on Cedar Lake. Every member was in attendance along with special guest; Wilbur Breasmen, Randy Baker, Angie Baker, Schug Beach, Bob Harvey and his son Jim and Kay Jones to honor Bob and Carol Bainbridge.
Bob has been a Rotarian since 1944. He has been past president, as well as chaired several committees and most recently; Bob was our Rotary Hero at our district conference in Kalamazoo in May.
Bob and Carol have decided to move to Fountain Place just off West Main Street in Kalamazoo, MI.
In his remarks, Bob acknowledged that President Andrew Abrams has chaired his last meeting as our club president and congratulated Andrew for a job well done. He also acknowledged Jim and Vickie Hosbein for bringing him to club meetings over the pat few years.
We the Marcellus community thank Robert and Carol Bainbridge for their example in serving a community.
The Bainbridge's have celebrated 63 years of marriage and raised their four children in Marcellus. Their dedication and commitment to education, agriculture, fostering world peace and the eradication of polio worldwide have left an impression to all who know them. They are also well known Spartan fans!
We will miss seeing Bob on a weekly basis. Carol assures us that Kalamazoo is not that far away, they may be able to visit once in a while. We wish for a smooth transition to their new home.

Spotlight highlights

2009-07-07T18:25:00.000-07:00

Spotlight 6 29 09
Only one member was missing from the meeting tonight. We were treated to a fine summer supper and the buzz was about the July 11th activities here in Marcellus. The food pantry will be selling Brats and opening the pantry for inspection. We are looking forward to seeing all of the classic cars in town. With all of the sales going on, the weekend should be a lot of fun and finding good deals.
Program chair Ralph Parker invited his brother Jerry Parker to share part of his life from 1940 to 1944.
Jerry left home as a twenty year old and went through basic training in Ft Benning GA. He left there as a Private and began training in flight school. He was one of the few pilots that were enlisted to serve before the Army decided that it would be better to just have officers as pilots.
His first assignment was in North Africa." I served for 20 months and it seemed like most of my duty was in North Africa. The temperature got up to about 130 degrees during the day and the food was terrible. Most of the food was freeze dried [or powdered] and consisted of dried potato, powdered eggs and a lot of green beans. Every morning it was green beans." Parker said. He went on to describe how the limited food was always the same and at one point, he weighed only 105 lbs.
Jerry described the dessert conditions and how he had to land a plane on a mountain side during a move of the battalion. A few days later, the plane was repaired enough to fly it out of there. The runway was groomed on the slope. Imagine having a runway that runs down hill. What a feat!!!
Jerry also had time served in Sicily Italy and Holland.
Parker was described how gliders were used in the war delivering guns, Jeeps etc.
Jerry had a lot more to share with us but space and time limitations leave us requesting another speaking engagement when he again visits Marcellus his young brother, Ralph.
Celebrate our freedom and Independence! Thank a Veteran for your freedom.
Spotlight 6 15 09
Guest were Wilber Breasmen, John Messner from Marcellus, Valerie LeVan and Judy LeVan both from Jones.
Wilber was able to attend our meeting this week because his trip to China was cancelled. The swine flu has hindered travel to China. Breasmen volunteers his services with Alliance for Smiles. Nearly 240 children were ready for cleft palate lip surgeries. Hopefully, travel restrictions will be clear when their next trip is planned.
Valerie LeVan who was accompanied by her grandmother, Judy LeVan, accepted a $300 math science scholarship from the Marcellus Rotary. She had a photo album of her recent trip to the UK with "People with People" to share her trip with club members and guest.
Program chair Jim Hosbein invited Pastor John Messner to speak to the club about the Marcellus Community Food Pantry, [MCFP].
The pantry will be located in the former bait shop location on Centre Street. The building originally was the G.W. Jones exchange bank before they relocated to their current location on Main Street.
The project is a true community service organized by service organizations, churches and individuals to be a source of food supply to the needy within the Marcellus school district.
The intent of the MCFP is to supplement and not compete with the efforts of other service agencies and organizations. Messner states that "the MCFP won't be limited by federal regulation requirements as other providers are".
West Michigan Gleaners will be a source of food provision. Located in Comstock Park, distributed out of St. Joe, food is available to food pantries at about 16 cents a pound.
A fundraiser event will be held July 11th in front of the pantry with Brat's and sweet corn. This coincides with the area garage / yard sale weekend.

Spotlight 6 8 09
Guest were Bob Wagel from Dowagiac, Kay Jones and our guest speaker, Keith Dodge accompanied by his lovely wife, Rhonda.
Keith and Rhonda have a huge collection of Indian artifacts and were invited by program chair Cordell Jones to share information and show some of his collection to the club.
Indian artifacts can be found here in Cass County. The Dodge collection had arrowheads, pottery, bones shaped as tools and he had a porcupine quill basket.
His favorite hunting sites are in Kentucky and Tennessee. He has been to Alabama, Mississippi and other states to collect items.
He keeps approximately 65 to 100 buckets of broken arrowheads he uses when he speaks to students.
Dodge passed around the arrowhead blue book. Prices listed are from $10 up to $13,000. There were four publications he presented that had collections from all over including select items from him. He also had at least four display cases, 2 photo albums and several individual items to view.
One display was a "cache" of arrowheads. A cache would be a collection of arrowheads found in one location and have been kept together as a group.
Most arrowheads are made of flint. More modern weapons were made of iron and copper.
Thanks for the great program Keith and Rhonda.

Katy Gerring will again be participating in a cancer walk in Chicago IL to raise money for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer on June 6th and 7th 2009. Her last event was two years ago in Detroit MI. Katy is raising support for the event.
"We’ll walk up to 26.2 miles on Saturday, and 13.1 miles on Sunday—all so that medically-underserved women and men can get the medical care they need and leading research teams can receive vital support in their ongoing search for a cure."
The Avon Foundation places a priority on returning funds to the geographic area in which each Avon Walk takes place with a special emphasis on reaching low-income, elderly and minority individuals and those with inadequate health insurance.
Everyone has a personal reason for taking part in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. It may be a sister, mother, best friend, or possibly even yourself. But for one weekend, whether you walk, donate or volunteer, we’ll all be reaching for the same goal—finding a cure for breast cancer. The web page is: walk.avonfoundation.org You can go to the" make a donation" page and search for Katy Gerring by clicking the pink "find a walker" button.
Similar walks will occur in various cities across the US all through the year.
Join the army of women and help prevent breast cancer today. You may contact Katy Gerring by calling 269-646-2685

2009 Golf Outing Completed

2009-06-09T10:06:00.000-07:00

42 Golfers turned out to enjoy PineView's beautiful course. We had a few sprinkles mid way through but the spirits of the golfers were not dampened.

Thanks to all those that partipated and thanks to our hole sponsors!

Team Enrollment Form

2009-05-04T10:27:00.000-07:00

Golf Outing update!

2009-04-06T10:57:00.000-07:00

Spotlight articles YTD 09

2009-02-18T15:34:00.000-08:00

Spotlight 2 16 09
Andy Abrams invited Jeff Zachary and Mindy Bohan was a guest of our program chair Jim Hosbien. Jim introduced Mindy Bohan, the Marcellus elementary school principle as our speaker tonight. Mindy hit on her favorite subject, "what's going on at the Marcellus elementary school?"February is kindness month at the school. Lessons and encouragement on being kind and inviting others is well underway.
Chris Newland, the school Liberian, has the task of running all school libraries. Currently, the school is raising $2600 for a technology program called Destiny which will allow the librarian a way to track all books signed out and inventory. The fund still needs $400 to purchase the program and about $600 per year to maintain it.In preparation, Mindy encouraged volunteers to come in and help with reading and math skills being taught to students for MEAP test. Helpers are needed for flash cards and the accelerated reader programs. If you can help, call the elementary school office to sign up.
The month of March is reading month. A theme titled "Rock and Roll into Reading" will make a lot of activity in the school with things like decorating doors with memorabilia. Mindy being "slimed" and playing guitar hero are incentives for meeting reading goals. She will also dress up as Elvis every Friday.One highlight will be the Burkett puppets on March 20th.
Book fair sponsorships are needed every day next week. If you can help, call the elementary office and RSVP by buying books.Jim Hosbien gave an update from the food bank meeting held last week. Representations from many areas of interest in the community want to be involved in serving others.
Spotlight 2 09 09
We had a very lively meeting with Rotarian Elwyn Shugers attending our club during one his northern visits from his winter home in Florida. All members were in attendance.
Ron Herron shared his trip to Washington DC to attend the inauguration of the President. Ron had a wonderful article in the paper in January, certainly, I won't recap what he shared in that article but I will say this. I admire his passion for sharing this event with his family. Having adult children share in the election of a President from beginning to end brought emotions to all listening to his recap. Through his eyes, we could see an event some of us have taken fro granted for years, the changing of leadership in the greatest country in the world.
This event is one the free world should cherish.Ron brought memorabilia such as the tickets he acquired over a month long period as well as pictures and documents he will have as keepsakes from the experience. Describing family members' comments and details made a father proud to be a part of American history.
Thanks Ron for sharing your experience with us.Jim Hosbein, Cordell Jones and Dick Meek attended a meeting last week regarding a food bank in Marcellus. Ideas from the meeting were shared with club members.
Spotlight 2 2 09
Tonight was our monthly business meeting.Andy Abrams received his President elect training manual and is prepared for his training in March.Dick Meek returned from a trip to Phoenix and Wilber Breseman just returned from the Philippines on another cleft lip / cleft pallet surgery assignment with the Alliance for Smiles.
Andy Abrams reported his progress as chairman of the golf outing. June 7th at noon will be the date at Pineview Golf club. Cost for the event have been kept down and work will begin to have hole sponsors for the event. A hole in one prize will be offered.
Plans were made to have a membership drive for the club in the month of March. Wilber Breasmen reported 107 surgeries in the Philippines. One young lad operated on had a double split on his upper lip that extended up beyond his nose. Before the surgery, he would dance, but it would be alone in his room. After the surgery, the boy danced at the staff party for hours. His employer never knew the boy had a problem because he always wore a scarf over his face while working. The joy expressed by the boy left Wilber with a great feeling. This was the fifth trip for Wilber. He is leaving for Bangladesh next week on another mission.
Club member Ron Herron will be sharing the details of his trip to Washington DC next week.
Spotlight 1/12/09
Ice fishing - Snowmobiling - Sub zero temperatures - Semi's making delivery across ice covered rivers - Japanese exchange students - PETS - Elwyn returning to Florida - Subjects you would be privy to if you were at our meeting.
Program chair Andrew Abrams chose his topic for tonight's meeting after table talk a few weeks ago turned to Email forwards and attachments caused problems with member's computers. Andy has a business. That business has some dependence on computers. He has investigated different programs available which perform functions that benefit him as a business owner and as a recreational user of the net. Tonight, he shared some of this info with the members.
He covered just a few topics. Setting up your computer for protection against virus', adware, malware, phishing and backing up your data were detailed. -Virus' sources are adult sites, social networking sites i.e. facebook, myspace etc and forwarded Email. Programs available to prevent this are AVG, Nod32, Norton, Mcafee just to name a few.-Adware / Malware are data mining such as cookies that load to track what you look at and where you spend $$$. -Phishing is unsolicited Emails asking you to go to your bank site or card info trying to capture your ID and passwords. DO NOT CLICK LINKS IN EMAILS!
There are a lot of details I can't list here we covered. Some treacherous things are found on the web. Andy suggests backing up your data regularly and maintaining privacy while you explore. Computers can be fun. Like anything else though, it only takes a few to spoil the fun by their malicious intents.

2009 Rotary Golf Outing

2009-02-16T07:00:00.001-08:00

Plans are under way fo the 2009 Marcellus Rotary Club Golf outing.

The date is June 7th.
The time is 12:00 pm.
The location is Pine View Golf Course.
The fee is $200.00 per team / $50.00 / golfer
Includes cart, green fees, lunch, prizes and entry into the $10,000 hole in 1 contest.