Monthly Archives: December 2024

New Year Resolutions for 2025* New beginnings, fresh starts, reaffirmation of love and promises for a brighter future all come to mind as we ring in a New Year. There are the superficial, yet purposeful promises we make to ourselves. We resolve to get in shape, lose weight, improve career paths and the like. Then there […]

By Mary Avrakotos In the highlands of Guatemala, a group of Mayan midwives works tirelessly, traveling to bring essential medical care to pregnant women in small remote rural communities. The absence of infrastructure like electricity and clean water makes safe home births difficult and poses challenges to childhood health and development. Guatemala has the highest […]

On December 17, thirteen Rotarians and two spouses gathered at the Ann Arbor District Library’s Pittsfield Branch to pack hygiene kits for VA patients under the direction of Don Deatrick. This is the seventh year Don has organized this effort. The group packed 201 bags with toothbrushes, combs, a puzzle book, ChapStick, greeting cards and […]

After President Joyce rang the bell, those present rose and sang the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Our inspirational message today, from Victor Stoeffler, was in tune with the season.  Victor reminded us of the spirit of giving and that the concept of giving of oneself requires some level of generosity.  He offered a quote from the short […]

On the final day of the month our club had 200 Active Members. All membership information is pulled from ClubRunner statistics. Attendance for November’s meetings was 44% (up 7% from last month). Average attendance at each meeting was 87 members and 20 guests. Our Engagement Ratio for the month was 60% (up 1% from last […]

By Leo Shedden One of the many ways that our Rotary Club helps kids succeed is our Rotary Readers and Tutors program. A few years ago I thought I would give tutoring a try, and it’s been a great experience. One that has been as rewarding for me as it has been for the students. […]

With a chilling wind scurrying us into the warm Anderson Room of the Michigan Union, President Joyce welcomed us to join pianist Jody Tull de Salis in the singing of America the Beautiful. Michelle Deatrick inspired us with the news that today is International Human Rights Day and read a moving poem by W. H. […]

President Joyce called the meeting to order at 12:30 pm, and after the patriotic song, Peg Taburtt delivered the inspiration and Shelley McMillan led us in song, accompanied by Jody Tull. Among our guests today was Mike Danielson, son of Millie Danielson. Mike thanked the club, noting that it meant a great deal to his […]

Condensed from history.com. Click here for the full link. On December 9, 1979, a commission of scientists declare smallpox has been eradicated. The disease is the only infectious disease afflicting humans that has officially been eradicated. Something similar to smallpox had ravaged humanity for thousands of years. In 1796, the English scientist Edward Jenner discovered […]

Soo K. Eaker (Sponsors: Carolyn Hiatt and Kate VanHorn) Soo Kim Eaker was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to the U.S. as a child. She was raised and lived most of her life in Houston, Texas. She earned a degree in MIS (Management Information Systems) and a Master’s in IT before spending six […]