Ed Hoffman

President Rosemarie struck the Rotary bell, and everyone stood to sing “My Country Tis of Thee” to Tom Strode’s stirring accompaniment. Inspiration: Our ever-ebullient Ken Fischer came to the podium and delivered a wonderful inspiration. “Our speaker today is a highly successful businessman and entrepreneur. Our inspiration today reflects the thoughts of another successful businessman […]

Once again, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor enjoyed the blessings of a bloodless transfer of power. President Greg, who presided over his final meeting last week, passed the gavel to Rosemarie Rowney, now the Club’s 109th — and 9th woman — president. The mood was set by a stirring rendition of “God Bless America,” […]

President Greg opened his final meeting as president with a wallop of the Rotary bell. All stood to sing “God Bless America,” then Barbara Eichmuller stepped to the podium. Her Inspiration centered on freedom and resilience, which she emphasized with a quote by Nelson Mandela: “No one is born hating someone because of the color […]

President Greg rang the Rotary bell following Tom Strode’s beautiful piano prelude. Inspiration: Aleia MacDonald gave a stirring Inspiration centered on the work of United Way, and what it means here and in the cosmos. Emphasizing the philosophic and ‘can do’ spirit shared by Rotary and United Way, Aleia wove the Four Way Test throughout: […]

With President Greg’s ringing of the Rotary bell, all stood to proclaim “God Bless America” to the accompaniment of Tom Strode’s and Deanna Relyea’s wonderful piano. Steve Pierce came to the podium to give a stirring Inspiration, complete with many quotes by leaders having to do with the environment, politics, and on developing (and maintaining) […]

After Tom Strode’s marvelous prelude and accompaniment to the national anthem, which everyone sang with that 1970s equivalent of enthusiastic approbation — gusto — Barbara Niess-May came forward to share the day’s inspiration. “I’ve been thinking lately of a vision of hope,” she began. “I’d like to read a poem by Anne Lamott; author of […]

Joan Knoertzer began the proceedings with a wonderful prelude. From her keyboard came beautiful renditions of “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “You’re the Top,” and “I Get a Kick Out of You,” among others; all designed to extend a musical red carpet to our STRIVE students, their parents, and our speakers. Dave Keren, STRIVE Committee chair, gave […]

I was conquered at age 12 when I first saw Calamity Jane. Her song “The Deadwood Stage,” heroic both in length and its sudden melodic shifts, ascents, and harrowing plunges, was a revelation to me; a masterpiece; a full-throated anthem coursing through several contiguous scenes in a state of almost impossible energy: When I learned […]

President Greg struck the Rotary bell, and everyone rose to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” to Tom Strode’s delightful accompaniment. Along with the prelude, this would be just the opening salvo to a remarkable meeting filled with music. Inspiration: Jim Irwin, tanned, rested, but clearly still overheated by Florida’s sun, bounded to the podium. “Here are […]

Editors note: Due to size of articles- there is a limited amount of images that can be placed. For additional pictures of our very special event: The Robert S. Northrup Humanitarian Award- Holocaust Survivor Dr. Irene Butter— please click on:    https://photos.app.goo.gl/kYL7wzqdeZGZhWms8 Joan Knoertzer’s dulcet chords provided the perfect prelude to our meeting in Weber’s large […]