Regular Meeting of October 8, 2008

(Our guest speakers, Susan and Carol, holding the prized mugs of the CLK Rotary Club.)



Turnout for this week's meeting consisted of 17 members and 7 guests. Guest were Linda and Dave Grahek, Roger Webster from Troy Rotary, Bill Fink and Bob Sharkey from Houghton Rotary, and our speakers, Carol Fouts and Susan Hallwachs both of Hearing Applications, L.L.C.

Kevin announced that only two showed up on Saturday to clean our stretch of highway, he and Jim Lowell. That's too much for two people, folks, so we've got to change this or stop doing it. If a lot more show up, we can finish this project in one hour. So let's have a resurgence of enthusiasm for this worthy community exercise; that's what we are in Rotary for, is it not? For the record, Kevin went back during the week to do a quick pickup of the most noticeable trash. Perhaps this project should be opened for ideas.

Also, members are submitting ideas to Kevin and the board on the long-term project we have been discussing. The docket is still open so drop him or any board member a note and let them know what you think should be done.

Our speakers, Susan and Carol brought a variety of instruments to the meeting to demonstrate how we can help our aging parents, including aging members (I might add) to cope with this loss. Speaking from personal experience, it should be noted that of all the handicaps, hearing loss is the least respected and the least tolerated. It is not only difficult but very expensive to try to compensate for this loss but maybe this company has some answers. They are located in Allouez at 906-337.

See you next Wednesday.

Regular Meeting, 10/1/08

NOTE: WE ARE LOOKING FOR WORKERS TO BE ON THE CORNER OF US-41 AND M-203 IN CALUMET AT 9 A.M. ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, TO HELP FULFILL OUR COMMITMENT TO CLEAN UP OUR PORTION OF THE HIGHWAY. REMEMBER, MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK.

Kevin opened the meeting with an appeal for more suggestions on a major project for our sponsorship. He has received a couple but would like to see everyone respond. In addition, he announced that the Board meeting will be held on October 7 with the business meeting of the club on the 8th,

Attendance was light, 13 members and 3 guests. Guests were Dave and Linda Grahek and Joy Liljigren.

After lunch, our speaker was Dan Dalquist who, after passing out the new trail map (see Dan for more copies), gave the club the benefit of some of his wisdom as a broker for Edward Jones. His very interesting and informative presentation was followed by anecdotes from members regarding the current mortgage and bailout crisis. In short, it was a lively discussion.

See you next week.










(Dan, discussing the upcoming so-called "bailout" which is being voted on today by the US House of Representatives.)

Regular Meeting, September 24, 2008

Attendance was 17 members and 2 guests, Linda and Dave Grahek.

Kevin began the meeting by discussing the two projects he had spoken about a few weeks ago.

Project 1: The educational $1,000 scholarships recommended for both Lake Linden and Calumet High Schools. After much discussion, it was decided by unanimous vote to form a committee to decided upon the criteria for the scholarships.  The committee recommendation will then be presented to the Board of Directors and eventually to the members by January, 2009.

Project 2: A significant community project (such as a pavilion in the park ala the Houghton Rotary Waterfront Pavilion) that will be funded over a 3-year period to the tune of about $3,500 per year.  After much discussion, Kevin asked members to submit suggestions for this project by the end of September after which a decision can be made as to whether or not the club wishes to undergo the project.

Kevin said that both projects will require a significant financial and time commitment from the membership so your comments to the board swill be greatly appreciated.

All in all, it was a productive meeting challenging members to think and talk about the projects

in the  coming weeks and months.

See you next week.    

(Kevin listening wistfully to Phil's advice which is always well received and welcomed.)  

  

(After the meeting, some members were locked in conversation in the parking lot of the Irish Times.)  

Regular Meeting, September 10, 2008

Another nice turnout, 19 members and 6 guests. The guests were Bill Fink (Houghton), Dennis Racine (Calumet Players), Ernie and Edith Nederer, and Linda and Dave Grahek.

Ernie and Edith were thanked by the club for their contribution to the clock repair at the Township Hall.

After lunch, acting president Jim Lowell introduced Dennis, our speaker. Dennis said that the Calumet Players was organized in 1978. In addition to their annual Spring and Fall shows, they perform many other plays such as the dinner theatre presentation of Wilder's "Our Town" at the Irish Times recently, and performances at the Gem Theatre in Lake Linden.

The Fall play this year is "Annie Get Your Gun," and opening on Friday, the 12th, the start of a run of 5 shows. Our own Heather Store is in the cast and it is her debut on the big stage.. The cost is $15 for everybody, adults and children, senior citizens, etc.

Dennis said that "Annie" was an expensive show which cost in the neighborhood of $20,000 to stage. Some of the costs are hidden to the theatre-going public: Costs such as Royalties, script rental, theatre rent, some costume rentals, tuxedo rentals, Set pieces rentals, Props, some rented some borrowed, and other sound and lighting expenses. Yes, to stage a major musical is very expensive.

Income is derived from ticket sales, donations, some grants, a raffle (currently underway). Profits, if there are some, usually go back into renivating their building on Sixth and Oak and to funding another show or two.

A great show with many familiar songs. Bring the family for a wonferful night out!

See you next week.

BusinessMeeting, September 5, 2008

With 22 Members and 4 guests, attending, President Kevin thanked everyone for the nice turnout. The first order of business was singing "Happy Birthday" to the August birthdays for Dan, George, Chuck, and guest Dave Grahek. Our guests were Linda Lowell, Bob Sharkey (Houghton), and Dave and Linda Grahek. In addition, a good round of Happy Dollars were offered. (Below: one view of the meeting.)

After lunch, Kevin took the members through the financial statement which was very clear and easily understood. Kevin, in his followup e-mail to you all the net day spelled out the contents of the meeting very thoroughly so I will not try to summarize them for you. Suffice to say, that in two weeks, we will again revisit the statement and specifically the "Non-0perational Expenses, which were spelled out at the bottom. Please come prepared to discuss these items in two weeks.

(Another view...)


See you next week when Heather is scheduled to chair the program.

Regular Meeting, August 27, 2008

(Our speaker, Ole Van Goor, of Copper Harbor graciously accepts the coveted Rotary mug from Jim Lowell.)


There were 15 members and 4 guests in attendance at the meeting. Guests were Assistant District Governor Bob Sharkey (Houghton Rotary), Tom's wife Joy and her brother and wife, and our speaker, Ole Van Goor of the Dapple Gray Bed and Breakfast.

After a round of Happy Dollars (among them, Dan's car repair and your editor will be a great grandfather next March) lunch was served.

Bob Sharkey announced that the district was looking for small projects from its Rotary clubs to which the district will donate a matching grant. Come up with ideas, folks.

Following lunch, Ole Van Goor was introduced. His bed and breakfast, Dapple Gray, is located just outside of Copper Harbor across from the old Devil's Washtub. Those who have been to one of the Van Goor's open houses can attest to the splendid accommodations offered; in short, they are magnificent. They are open almost year round but mainly April through October. In addition to the bed and breakfast, the Van Goor's have a beautiful antique shop specializing in Victorian antiques with an emphasis on glass and ceramics. Books, dolls and souvenir spoons are also featured. At the conclusion of his talk, Ole passed out gift certificates to all members offering a 20% discount for reservations. He left several more for those members who were not there at the meeting but would like to take adv antage of their offer. See Don Kilpela.



(A picture in need of a caption. Anyone?)



Jim Lowell, who chaired the meeting in Kevin's absence, then reported on the Tammies: 495 tickets sold: 342 regular price with the rest at various group discounts. In total, we will probably clear over $1,7o00.00 which will be distributed to our local charities throughout the year. Thanks to all who helped. Jim also noted that if we had sold out the house, the rest of the money would be pure profit, something to think about next year.

See you next week.

Regular Meeting, August 20, 2008

Left: Kathy Flagstadt of the Michigan Rehabilitaion Service.

The meeting was attended by 15 members and 5 guests. Guests were Linda and Dave Grahek and their granddaughter, "Pete" Pietri of Houghton Rotary, and Kathy Flagstadt of Dept. Of Labor and Economic Growth, State of Michigan, who was our speaker.

After a round of Happy Dollars, Kevin said that the membership roster was being updated soon. You will have the option to remove your birth date from the roster if you wish. He also reported that the Tammies fund-raiser was successful again this year and the housing was excellent.

After lunch, Ms. Flagstadt was introduced. She explained that she works for the Michigan Rehabilitation Service as a Rehabilitation Counselor. Her primary duty is to determine what rehabilitation a disabled person needs to become part of the workforce or to school. That is her primary goal, to get disabled people back to work or to school. Disabilities serviced in 2006 included Physical, mental, learning, hearing loss, cognitive, drugs and alcohol, and visual disabilities. Her area is Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw counties, a wide geographic landscape that keeps her on the move. Presently she councels over 50 clients of which about 30% are in college. If anyone knows of someone needing this type of employment service, please call 800-605-6722 or e-mail MRS-CustomerAssistance@Mighigan.gov. There is also a website at www.michigan.gov/MRS.

Her presentation was followed by numerous questions and answers.

Before closing, Dan gave us a humorous account of his adventure with his new Suburu that broke down finally in Iowa. At this point, Dan is still driving a loaner and waiting for his car to be fixed. Update next week.



Jim Lowell reporting on preliminary results of the Tammies income.