Newly inaugurated President Mark Ouimet rang the opening bell at 12:30 on July 13. Tom Strode played the Star Spangled Banner. Pattie Katcher honored our speaker by talking about how much books have meant to her. Her favorite is Gift From the Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindberg. Steve Pierce led us in singing Those Hazy Lazy Crazy Days of Summer. Mannish Mehta was introduced as our new Assistant District Governor. He invited us all to the “Ballywood” event to meet District Governor Bala Murthy at a picnic July 21, 3:00 – 9:30pm, at Kensington Park. Reservations required on the District website.
President Mark thanked the people who make the meetings run smoothly. He especially thanked Dawn Johnson, who organizes the Set Up, Greeters, Mic Runners, Attendance Takers, Zoom Support and Tear Down every week. These are very short jobs that are very important. Sign up for one of these easy jobs: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050f49afa72aaaf58-rcaa
A new wrinkle in our meetings is having a New Member congratulate the people celebrating birthdays. Lori Walters inaugurated the project this meeting. President Mark displayed a banner he received, noting that as he did not have a banner to exchange, he reciprocated by presenting the representative with the salt and pepper shakers.
Golfers and volunteers are needed for the Golf and Tennis Outing on September 14. More than 90 volunteers are needed to pull off this, our signature and only fundraiser. Funds raised power our good works in our local and international communities. Go onto our website and sign up to volunteer and then enjoy a delicious dinner and exciting talk by Jim Brandstetter. The Auction Committee is gathering some imaginative new events and gifts for the Silent Auction to entice you during the fellowship hours that begins at 2:00. There are new raffles this year, chances you will not want to miss. Be there!!
John Sepp, Director of Club Development, talked about the importance of expanding our membership and urged us all to share our Rotary enthusiasm with everyone we meet. His first example is this: The Membership Committee is considering renting a booth at the Art Fair this coming Thursday through Saturday, July 21-23. If we can get enough Rotarians to staff the booth, we can hopefully proceed. This involves just saying hello to passers-by and talking to people who seem interested enough in our club. Also, you may take down the names, numbers, and email addresses of people who want more information or a contact from us. You will be given some specific talking points. Please contact John Sepp if you are able to help out in this event. John can be reached at 734-274-1239 and jtsepp@gmail.com.
Francesca flew in from EEEEEtaly to tell us about the Golf and Tennis Outing Auction’s new events. First, wanting Rotarians who are still working to have some of the fun, there will be a Preview Party on Friday, September 9, from 5:00 – 7:00pm. Everyone is invited. The Silent Auction and Raffle prizes will be there, and attendees will be able to see them all, bid, purchase raffle tickets and have a first crack at Buy It Now items. The cost is $25.00 per person and beer, wine, and light hors d’ouevres will be served. The party is hosted by the GTO Auction Committee at the home of Agnes and Stephen Reading and space is limited, so reserve your spot via on the GTO website’s Register Here link.
Raffles have been jazzed up. In addition to the Silent Auction items. there will be themed baskets of fun stuff that will be raffled off. Tickets are $10.00 each. Tickets purchased online will be dropped in the Raffle Bucket of the purchaser’s choice. Everyone coming to either the Dinner or the Preview Party will receive a free ticket. Our old friend the 50-50 raffle will also make an appearance but only on the day of the Outing. The drawing will be at the GTO dinner and you do not have to be present to win. Watch the website and the Rotarian for more information about these baskets, how you can win one, and how you CAN CONTRIBUTE TO ONE!! Remember, this is our ONLY fundraiser and it powers all the projects we do to “Help Kids Succeed” and it is FUN!!!
Notes from the Program
Dan Romanchik introduced our speaker, Eli Neiburger, Director of the Ann Arbor District Library. He started his talk by explaining that the Ann Arbor Public Library became a District Library in 1995 when the state decreed that school boards would no longer be able to run public libraries. AADL is an independent taxing authority run by seven elected board members. It has a catchment area larger than the school district and serves the city of Ann Arbor and parts of seven surrounding townships with five public locations. It has a staff of 110 and a budget of $19.2 million. AADL has a committed and diverse staff that is dedicated to equitable access for all its patrons.
In addition to books, magazines, and videos, you can check out tools, art, games, large games – almost anything you can think of. AADL funds or sponsors activities for every age group, from Baby Play Groups, Pre-School Storytime, Summer
Games that include reading, a scavenger hunt that introduces people to places and activities all over the area. Adult programs include Visions, a program to serve the blind and print disabled citizens, as well as classes, lectures, panel discussions, and movies. AADL participates in community activities like the Summer Festival and Comic Arts Festival. It gives subscribers access to the complete BBC archive. Many of its materials can be downloaded and kept forever – no need to return. It has extensive genealogical records and houses the complete archive from the Ann Arbor News. It has its own broadcast studio where you can record your own podcast, and record your living history. Ithas its own publishing house.
Although you can access and enjoy almost all the services of AADL on your computer, go visit “the library” and enjoy one of Ann Arbor’s greatest treasures.
President Mark closed the meeting with a quote from a great American philosopher: “I yam what I yam what I yam”. Popeye.
