The meeting began with a ringing of the bell by President Joyce Hunter.  President Hunter began the meeting with a video of the late Tom Strode’s Star Spangled Banner, followed by a moment of silence for Tom’s passing.

Rosemary Rowney shared inspiration for success.

Jim Irwin shared fond memories of Tom Strode’s music, and we sang “The More We Get Together.”  Jim then serenaded us with a melody of the names of past Rotary Past Presidents from 1979 to the present.

We had two guests this week, including:

• Mr Burke brought  Jamie, his daughter
• Emma Timms from the UK

This week, the setup team included:

• Greeters – Marsha Chamberlin/Peg Talburtt
• Mic Runners – Mary Avrakotos/Rosemarie Rowney
• Meeting Technology – Linda Kentes
• Meeting Set-Up/Take Down – Norman Herbert/Doug Ziesemer
• Attendance – Sam Kottamasu
• Reporter – Michelle Julet
• Photographer – Matt Boylan

President Hunter then discussed our 2025- 2026 goals. They include:

• Leadership – Leadership Training
• Membership – increase 15%. We will begin Rotary Roundups – opportunities for past members to activate.
• Public Image – Focusing on partnerships for example the first A2 Bicentennial Project that is discussed by our guest speaker today.
• Auditing current committees including Options for Weekly Meetings

After announing birthdays and anniversaries,  Doug Ziesemer announce that the next event for the recently re-ignited  Group Travel Club will be a tour of Parade Company and lunch on the Detroit Princess boat on August 22.  There will be a Holiday concert at DSO at Fisher Bldg in December.

A Centennial Moment…

“A moment in Rotary history” is a new feature initiated by the History Committee to inform members of the rich history of our club. This week, Tom Millard read to us  an Al Story quote Time Reveals Truth from our club’s centennial gala.

“Veritatem dies aperit” The Latin quote for “Time reveals truth” has been attributed to the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca. It seems a fitting preface to this Centennial Moment. This evening we celebrate with our Centennial Gala the timeless truth of deeds that began one hundred years ago by those wishing to honor and uphold the virtuous ideals of Rotary enshrined in its Four-Way Test. Ideals summarized in the organization’s motto of “Service above Self”. Through the changing fortunes of time this Club has held steadfast to the object of Rotary by encouraging and fostering the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise. Altruistic community leadership has marked with distinction those before us who laid the foundation for the heritage the Club honors this evening. A heritage that from the beginning has proven visionary in its work to establish goodwill and peace in the world. For one hundred years warm fellowship with interesting people and informative,entertaining programs, have been the heart of what haskept the organization vital, providing members with some of the most pleasant and enriching experiences of their lives. Today’s Club can rest assured founder Theron S. Langford, and the original charter members, would applaud all those after them that have preserved and notably enhanced the stature of Rotary in the community and world at large. What the next one hundred years of Ann Arbor Rotary history will reveal is now in the hands of its current and future membership. If history is any indication, there is much to look forward to in the next century, and much yet to be done for the world in the name of Rotary.

“Veritatem dies aperit”

Time reveals truth.

-by Al Storey

Ann Arbor’s Bicentenial Park to Get a Splash Pad!

After announcements about the Golf and Pickleball Outing, Don Dietrich introduced Adam Fercho , a City of Ann Arbor landscape architect. Fercho is leading several key development projects, including the Farmers Market, West Park Bandshell, and the recently re-named Bicentennial Park, at the corner of  Ellsworth and Platt Roads.

Fercho explained that the 26.5-acre park is currently under-utilized. For Phase 1, scheduled to be complet in May 2025, the city will install a splash pad,  create an action play zone, update swings, and add a pavilion and rest rooms.  An additional entrance will also be opened.

The splash pad will feature a sustainable, water recirculating system that uses that is powered solar panels. It will also feature accessible, textured rocks and boulders and a sheet of water to provide a calming effect.

The universal access playground will be built to ADA standards and provide provide enjoyment to children of all levels of ability. The playground equipment will include a  We-go-around  and We-saw on 20 year grass.

This project is being funded outside of the city parks budget. Funding sources include:

• Rotary Club of Ann Arbor: $20k (THANK YOU!)
• State of Michigan: $1 Million
• Federal Highway Administration: Solar Charging Stations
• American Rescue Plan Act: $400k (Phase II)
• University of Michigan: $300k
• The International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH): Restroom Renovation
• Ann Arbor Football Club: $5k (Bicentennial Tree)
• Elizabeth Dean Fund: ~$10k (Site Trees)
• Miscellaneous Donations: Benches ($5k), Tables ($10k)

Phase 2, which will include improvements to the park’s sidewalks and parking lots will be complete in the fall of 2025.

Remy Long, Service Deputy for the Ann Arbor Parks Dept, then spoke about the upcoming mileage. The millage will provide funding for 80 natural communities in addition to the parks. The city is asking for a 20-year renewal instead of the 6-year renewal they have asked for in the past.  Long noted that the longer time period will allow the parks department to focus on long-term park needs. The  millage vote is in November.

The meeting ended with the reciting of our 4 way test values of Rotary.