President Mark Ouimet rang the meeting to order at 12:30. We had several guests including past Club Administrator Emily Olson. Tom Strode started us with God Bless America. Ingrid Sheldon had us welcome this summer day with The Happy Wanderer. She thoughtfully put her microphone close to the piano in hopes Zoom attendees could enjoy the music.
Ugur Cetin read the poem “Thinking” by Walter D. Wintle. The poem points out that the frame of mind with which a person approaches a project or problem determines the outcome of the exercise.
President Mark welcomed guests and asked hosts to introduce them. He thanked the people who make the meetings run smoothly. Barbara Eichmuller told us only ten tickets remain for the Chelsea Players’ performance of “The Only Man In Town”. This is an original musical by our former member Jason Eyster based on the life of Frank Glazier, a businessman and politician who, along with Harmon Holmes, shaped the Chelsea of the early 1800s. The performance is Sunday, May 11 at 3:00pm. Contact Barbara for the $10.00 tickets: barbara@eichmuller.com.
The weekend of June 9, 10, and 11 will be a wonderful opportunity to have personal time and work with RI International Leaders, including Jennifer Jones. The collaboration begins on Friday evening June 9th at 5:30 with a dinner. Then on June 10th, we start the morning with 3 different service projects, culminating in the evening with a Leadership in Rotary panel and dinner. Finally, on Sunday, June 11th, we’ll have breakfast together and bid farewell. Each event registration is separate. We need an accurate count for each section. Signup on the District website.
June 15 is Kiwanis’ 100th anniversary and they are celebrating by inviting all service clubs in the area for cocktails and a tour. This would be a great day to honor Kiwanis for all the work they do in our community, and as President Mark pointed out, have a drink of Kiwanis. The invitation is to drop in for as long as you like, from 4:00 – 7:00pm. Contact Susan Smith to make a reservation – required in order to ensure there will be enough refreshments: 734 834-0374.
Norman Herbert gave a very informative update on the status and goals of the Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation. At present, the market value of the Endowment Portfolio is close to $2.5 million. Earnings from the Endowment make up 42% of the monies we give away each year as grants. over the last 15 years $971,000 has been returned to the community. Norman explained the various levels of recognition for giving to the Foundation.
Norman especially thanked the four new Sustainers’ Society Members and one new Benefactors Assembly Member. Kathy Waugh honored the 26 Paul Harris Fellows with their new pins.
Notes from the Program
Dennis Powers introduced out speaker, Monica Swartout-Bebow, Artistic and Development Director at the Kerrytown Concert House. Monica and Emily Olson teamed up to warm us up with a vocal and flute duo of I hear Music. Because Wine, Women and Song, the dress rehearsal party open to Rotarians only, is the reason to tolerate January, most of us have been to the House.
Monica talked about the Concert House, which was built in the 1860s as a residence, and is perfect for the intimate, Up Close and Personal experience of the Concert House. The institution is the dream and work of Deanna Relyea. The organization was begun and purchased the house in 1985. The concert hall combines the living room and parlor of the original house and the arrangement of the concert stage and seating maximize the opportunity for performers, composers and their audiences to experience the passion and sharing and community that is music. The piano is a particular point of pride. It is a 1988 Model C Hamburg Steinway.
The Concert House is always pretty busy between many performances and community outreach activities. The silence of the covid shutdown was a shock but they stayed open a d found ways to thrive. They were contacted by other arts and nonprofits and generously shared ideas and resources. They continued to fund original works . Their walls are always filled with works of local artists, who line up years in advance for a showing. Artists’ Receptions give artists and patrons the opportunity to meet. EdgeFest, an annual avant-garde jazz and creative new music festival, will celebrate its 27th year this Fall.
Monica closed her remarks by inviting us all to come to the Concert House and try something new. She has shared some clips of artists and concert goers telling what the opportunity of the concert House has meant to them. You can see some of them by clicking on the links below:
Paul Keller: “This is Where Art Lives” Click Here
Artist & Patron Testimonials – Click Here
Detroit Original, Alvin Waddles – “I Love This Place”- Click Here
Here is a link to the upcoming Kerrytown Concert House schedule.
Quote for the Day: “Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves.” – Paul Harris, 1914
Notes submitted by: Agnes Reading
