Dan Romanchik

The meeting began with a ringing of the Rotary bell by President John. Tom Strode hammered out our national anthem, with the assembly, a hundred strong in Weber’s ballroom, fighting lustily to keep up. Joyce Hunter came to the podium. “For my Inspiration, I’m going to read a poem, ‘The Carpenter’, to you,” she explained. […]

Thanks to everyone who participated in the parade this year! Click here to see the parade report.

The Rotary Bell was rung, and everyone stood to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” President John smiled at Past President Downs Herold, who came to the podium for the Inspiration. “It’s been 20 years since I gave the Inspiration — they called it ‘The Invocation’ then,” Downs began as images of Gauguin’s eponymous painting, one of […]

President John struck the Rotary bell, and all stood to sing “God Bless America.” Phil Klintworth came forward and delivered a splendid Inspiration centered on the double anniversaries of the Battle of Midway, in 1942, and of D-Day two years later. Fought and won by the U.S. only six months after Pear Harbor, Midway provided […]

Many of our members bought tags to place on the 100 trees that were planted at the D6380 Conference in early May. Almost all the trees have now been planted in 8 parks in Ypsilanti. Are you wondering where your tree is? We now have an easy way to find out! Click here to be taken […]

Luncheon conversation was interrupted pleasantly by President John who, performing double duty, played a beautiful “Rhapsody in Blue” at the piano. When finished, and amidst great applause, he ‘did a Rubio,’ and lunged for the gavel, whacking the bell a good one. Steve Pierce came up for the Inspiration: “That good, close relationships are good for our […]

Excellent leadership is the key to successful service by our clubs to our communities and the world. Established in 1992, the mission of the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is to provide our clubs’ future leaders with the Rotary knowledge and leadership skills that will make them and their clubs more effective. Our RLI division is […]

President-Elect Rosemarie Rowney rang the Rotary bell today, and the packed dining room resounded with a spirited “Star-Spangled Banner.” At its conclusion Past President Karen Kerry advanced to the podium to deliver the Inspiration. And it would be a special one. “”Inspiration often comes to us from a painting,sometimes a song, a pastor, or a […]

One of the benefits of bringing up the literary rear of our Rotary meetings is the ability to savor unique moments before beginning the clumsy struggle to interpret them for you, the indulgent reader. Like a stubborn prospector left behind to sift an unpromising stream, your intrepid reporter revels in the chance to confront capacious, […]

The anthems began with “God Bless America” and ended with “O Canada.” Joan Knoertzer’s virtuosity was decidedly on tap as the latter song was a spontaneous request from President John, a result of his remembering our contingent of Canadian brass — District Governor Barry Fraser and his wife, Carolyn. The Frasers, along with past Assistant […]