Seventy-five Rotarians and guests met on a windy November 5 at the Michigan Union and via zoom. President Dawn Johnson rang the bell to begin the meeting, and while the club sang along, pianist Richard Ingram played My Country ’Tis of Thee. President Dawn led us in reciting the 4-Way Test, and Greg Stejskal inspired us by reading the Gettysburg Address – now 8 score and 2 years since President Lincoln gave this epitome of inspirational messages.

Song Leader Jim Irwin, with help from rappers Susan Shipman an Don Duquette, parodied My Home on the Range, with his own clever lyrics. Will we ever be able to sing this tune without thinking of all the animals?

President Dawn thanked today’s meeting team: Mary Avrakotos, Barbara Dawes, Terry Foster, Larry Gray, Carolyn Hiatt, Richard Ingram, Jim Irwin, Fernando Leon, Tucker Rossmaessler, Mary Steffek Blaske, and Greg Stejskal. As always, thanks to the makers of each week’s Ann Arbor Rotarian, Dan Romanchik, Barbara Eichmuller, and Michael Field.

Cheers and huzzahs to birthday celebrants Peg Talburtt and Dave Schmidt. Happy Rotary anniversaries to Erik Bakker (20 years), Bob Dascola (20 years), and Claire Foley (19 years).

A shout out to each Rotarian who helped with the Pennies for Polio campaign. Through our Club’s contributions, we enabled 6,000 doses of the polio vaccine.

November is Recycle month. Bring in your small batteries, single-use plastic bags, and printer cartridges to the bins by the Anderson Room entrance. Let’s improve on the sad statistic that only 9% of plastics ever created have been recycled. Paul Webb and Don Duquette gave a pop quiz on recycling and winners left with the knowledge that they are doing their part, and received a handy-dandy, environmentally-friendly spork. Duquette also reminded us to note how far we traveled and by which means we traveled to our Club’s meeting to report next week.

Roy More took the podium to share the photo-montage of the September 2025 Golf and Pickleball Outing. The delightful photos, from sunny registration table scenes, to golfing foursomes, and from pickleball action shots to UMSMTD sextet singing, gave everyone a happy reminder of how this Club helps kids succeed. The sextet’s singing The Impossible Dream was the background for the photos.

Barbara Eichmuller and Leo Shedden asked, “why are YOU a Rotary member?” Whether it be for the important local and global work that improves lives, an opportunity to expand one’s knowledge, or to enjoy friendship and fun, Rotary is an important part of our lives. They encouraged each of us to invite friends, business contacts, and neighbors to continue to grow the special and meaningful impact of being a Rotarian in our club.

Marquee Arts Connects the Community

Molly Rowan, newly appointed executive director of Marquee Arts, shared how “Marquee Arts” (formerly Michigan Theater (MT) and the State Theatre (ST) ) connects people, amplifies diverse voices, and keeps two of Ann Arbor’s most iconic cultural spaces vibrant, accessible, and alive with creativity through year-round programming across film, live music, theater, talks, and community events.

First in her plans has been to establish the two theaters as a Third Space – a social environment beyond home and work where people gather informally to connect, share ideas, and build community. In order to create access, Rowan shared that Marquee Arts has already established:

• A grants program for nonprofits that includes free/subsidized on-screen ads which highlight local mission work.
• A scholarship program that ensures that students have access to Filmmaking Camp regardless of their ability to pay.
• A monthly series of free family movies, with the help of Domino’s Pizza.

Upcoming accessibility projects include:

• Making a flexible working stage in the Michigan Theater’s Screening Room.
• Installing a new hearing loop system in the Michigan Theater.
• Making push-button opening doors at the State Theater.

Rowan is proud of the programmatic initiatives underway including:

• An increase in the number of live events with a focus on music and celebrity appearances for films that diversify offerings and revenue streams.
• The launch of a year-round local film submission platform to showcase regional creators.
• The introduction of quarterly film-centric mixers to foster professional collaboration.

Rowan ended her talk by saying that Marquee Arts remains committed to the preservation of historic spaces; holding space for the community to experience cinematic art and live entertainment; removing barriers to participation both physical and financial; and focusing on what will happen in the MT and ST for the next 98 years.

There was an ebullient and free-ranging Q & A session with Rowan, ranging from volunteer ushers to the showing of Bollywood films.