President Mark Ouimet started the Oct. 12, 2022 meeting with the traditional ringing of the bell, whereupon a full contingent of Club members meeting in person and an attentive group of Zooming Rotarians, sang “America the Beautiful.” The A2 Rotary Orchestra was led and performed by Tom Strode at the piano.
Marcia Lane gave us our inspirational welcome with a focus on Peace. Peace is one of Rotary’s 7 Pillars – since 1921 when Rotary International (RI) identified “understanding, goodwill and peace.” She shared one of her favorite quotes from Rotary Founder Paul Harris: “The road to war is well paved. The road to peace is wilderness.” She closed with words of John Hewko, General Secretary of RI: “We are unofficial diplomats and peace builders of our age. When you build a system for clean water, you are a peace builder. When you help out a student struggling to graduate, you are a peace builder. When you launch any project to support education, health, or economic development in your local community, or elsewhere, YOU ARE BUILDING THE OPTIMAL CONDITIONS FOR POSITIVE PEACE.”
With inspiration from lyricist-singer Joanne Marttila Pierson, singers Kathy Waugh and Don Duquette, and lead guitarist Curt Waugh, the group channeled Joni Mitchell’ “Big Yellow Taxi.” “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone. Too much pollution, Rotary is the solution!”
President Mark welcomed special guest past district governor Jim Karolyi. Lauren Heinonen introduced birthday girl Karen Valvo. Heinonen recognized 5-year club members Joe Diederich, Richard Ingram, Marcia Lane, and Dan Lewan.
Tom Millard quizzed the group on its knowledge of environmental facts. Lori Walters, being the winner with 3 of 5 correct answers, won the LED lightbulb prize. (Note to self: set computer to turn off after 20 minutes of non-use. That will save $30 annually. msb) Don Duquette and Missy Stults enthusiastically invited our members to take part in our newest club group: the Environmental Action Group. With the mantra, “Each of us can do something,” the mission of this group is to be a better steward of our block, neighborhood, city, state, nation and the world. Every club member is invited to brainstorm ideas at the first action event on Nov. 1, 10 a.m., at the first floor of Ann Arbor City Hall. Plant trees? Rain gardens? What’s YOUR suggestion? Come share your thoughts. More information will be in the upcoming Rotary news.
Norma Sarkar introduced our club to the newly formed End Polio Campaign’s Polio Plus Society. Everyone can become a member with an annual donation of $100 (or more) until the World Health Organization declares the world free of polio. A nonmembership option is by making a gift in 2022. Do note that ALL Polio Plus contributions will be matched by The Gates Foundation 2:1. If you make your donation by Oct. 24, you will be eligible to win Jonas, the Polio Eradication mascot teddy bear. Winner to be announced at our Oct. 26 meeting.
New members Sarah Strader, Christine Watson, and Maggie Williams were introduced to the Club. Sarah Strader is an Ann Arbor native who received a Fulbright fellowship in 2011-2012 to live and research in remote Baka villages and founded the educational nonprofit, Chasing Two Rabbits in 2012. She was our Club’s speaker on Aug. 3, 2022 on “Chasing Two Rabbits: hunter-gatherer education in the 21st century.”
Christine Watson is the new executive director of Safe House. A native of Denmark, Christine moved to Ann Arbor in 2004 and previously served as a volunteer and Response Team & Legal Advocacy Coordinator at Safe House.
Maggie Williams is the senior professional with the Boy Scouts of America. She is the owner and proprietor of Maple Leaf Sugar Company, a made-to-order baked goods service which also includes gluten-free goodies.
Dennis Powers introduced guest speaker Linda Kentes who is the executive director of Ann Arbor’s International House (IHAA).
The International House Ann Arbor was founded in 1888 to host the UM’s first students from China. It was, and continues to be, a welcoming community for students and scholars of all nations, to provide residential and educational programs, and to promote lifelong friendships and leadership skills. Currently it serves 53 residents from 25 countries. Most are graduate students, visiting scholars or undergraduates. Through various educational and immersion programs, residents learn about the region. Other programs are based on the culinary and food ways of the residents’ home country and offer camaraderie, connection, and fun. Kentes has emphasized supporting displaced Ukrainian scholars at-risk and their families. Currently there are three Ukrainian families including five children. Another initiative of IHAA is setting up a scholarship for Fulbright Scholars to support the cost of their housing while they pursue their exchange program.
Kentes invited our club to volunteer as a driver for the residents’ weekly grocery trips, or to drive to field trips or help at community programs, or to provide home visits.
To learn more information email info@ihouseaa.org .
President Mark closed our meeting with a reminder that our next meeting on Oct. 19 is by zoom only. His closing quote was “Save one life and you’re a hero. Save 100 lives and you’re a nurse.”
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Steffek Blaske, Cub Reporter
Photography by Fred Beutler
