Happy chatter was suspended by Executive Director Lori Walters at 12:25pm. President Susan rang the bell and called on Tom Strode to play the patriotic song. Pattie Katcher looked forward to our speaker with her Inspiration. She talked about her experience with piano and the skills it taught her. She quoted friends who had the same reaction to music as she did. She summed it up this way, “Music became a great escape for me, but it also taught me to be focused, have patience, and have great manual dexterity! But the most powerful thing: it stirred my soul and changed my life!” Don Duquette sent a wonderful serendipitous video of young people singing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”

President Susan thanked the people who make the meeting run smoothly and announced birthdays.

Judith Lynch-Sauer gave a report on the installation of the Peace Pole on the northeastern Gallup Park Trail, across the pond from our Universal Access Playground.

Makarand Phadke from the Pune Metro Club (India) gave an update and showed pictures of the COVID ward we helped the Rotary clubs in Pune convert, supply and staff.

Greg Stejakal reminded us of the upcoming Golf and Tennis Outing and urged us to round up golfers and sign up for dinner. The Outing is our major fund raiser and will be at Fox Hills Country Club on Monday, September 13. You can register here.

President Susan invited us to Saturday in the Park, an informal coffee hour at the County Farm Park at 10:00am Saturday, August 14th.

Notes from the Program

Dennis Powers introduced our speaker, Nick Myers, a String Bass player with the Detroit Symphony. He spoke from the players’ perspective of the difficulties of performing without an audience during the pandemic. He is excited to return to live performances with an audience. He described the musical satisfaction and electricity that is in the air in an auditorium packed with enthusiastic music lovers as they react in real time to the efforts of the musicians.

Nick also spoke enthusiastically of the important work that the DSO is doing to expand their audiences to many underserved neighborhoods in the greater Detroit area. He is looking forward to the coming season to once again share great music with the citizens of Detroit.

Quote for the Day:  “Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” Confucius

Notes by Rick Ingram; photos by Fred Beutler