Zoom participants’ backgrounds for the May 20 meeting were enlightening. Greg Stejskal was framed by the Lincoln Memorial, and Downs Herold broadcast before a Rotary wheel background. Our Inspirational speaker, Karen Driggs, Zoomed in from her mother’s floor to ceiling library.Bob and Jeannine Buchanan’s back ground was the freighter Arthur M. Anderson, which was following the Edmund Fitzgerald that fateful night, in hopes of rescuing the sailors. The freighter still sails between Lake Superior and the lower lake ports. A fuller explanation of the Anderson’s efforts are found after the Program Notes – and thanks to Bob for these details.
Tom Strode brought us to attention with The Star Spangled Banner. Karen Driggs talked of her growing up in a home that was always ringing with jazz – all eras, all instrumentation and all genres. Her dad, a businessman, was an amateur drummer and her mother was a constant visitor to the New York jazz venues. Karen tried mightily to conquer an upright piano for seven years before being rather unceremoniously directed to the trumpet. Her love of jazz made her especially happy to share the Inspiration for this meeting.
President Rosemarie rang the bell to formally begin the meeting. Joanne Pierson and Steve Pierce teamed up to lament the lockdown, complaining that Baby, It’s Covid Outside, the brainchild of Mary Steffek Blaske, lyrics by Joanne, and tune carried by Steve. President Rosemarie introduced and welcomed guests and announced all but one birthday.
On a sad note, we observed a moment of silence for John Eman. He was a 50 year member of our Club, serving on many committees and always a warm and supportive presence. John was very active in Washtenaw United Way, serving in almost every capacity. He worked in Major Gifts at the University of Michigan for over 30 years. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He will be greatly missed.
Norma Sarkar was called on to report on the Disaster Response Committee but first she completed Birthday Announcements – May 21 is President Rosemarie’s birthday. The appeal to members for donations to the Disaster Response Committee was successful in raising cash and pledges totaling the $50,000 needed to qualify all additional donations for a one-to-one match. Additional supercharged donations can be made on the club website. Norma also shared the thanks from the Shelter Association for the masks the club donated earlier in the crisis.
Incoming President Joanne Pierson reported on her Board Meeting for pre-budget planning. The Club Operations budget, which is funded by dues and has largely fixed costs, is very, very tight due to a decrease in membership. The budget was brought to zero-balance by deciding to not pay for two months’ rent at the Union and not send President-Elect Nominee Susan Froelich to the 2021 Rotary International Convention. As a result, there will be no dues increase this upcoming year. The Foundation budget is seriously impacted in light of the decision to cancel the Golf and Tennis Outing (GTO), which is one of the three main sources of income to the Foundation (CSA dues and Foundation disbursement being the other two). The GTO is being ‘re-imagined’ and suggestions for a fund raiser are very much welcome. The Strategic Planning Board meeting will be June 1.
Notes from the Program
Tom Millard introduced Bob Ash, who is the Director of Bands at Huron High School. Director Ash assured us that the school music community is very active in spite of the challenges posed by the early school closing. Teachers have risen to the challenge of keeping students engaged and excited about music. They reworked their curricula and have continued with both ensemble and now individual instruction. Director Ash knitted together several applications to play a clip for us of the Jazz Band’s recording of Wycliffe Gordon’s Dippermouth Blues.
The Jazz Band is one of four concert bands involving 440 kids at Huron. Pioneer has a similar number of bands and participants. Director Ash told us of the long history of Ann Arbor Public Schools receiving recognition for superior performance, and many invitations to perform across the state and region, and first place finishes in national and local competitions. Many families move to Ann Arbor to take advantage of these music programs. Director Ash then played a clip from a Symphony Band concert performing Omar Thomas’ Of Our New Day Begun.
These clips can be heard here: https://www.a2rotary.org/audio-clips-from-robert-ashs-presentation/Director Ash assured us that Pioneer and Skyline are also having good years, and their communities are thriving. Plans for next year are well under way and will accommodate both in person and online instruction. The Middle Schools are also providing both ensemble and individual instruction. He reminded us that music is an expression of culture. He urged us all to attend performances of the various bands as they play around town, both serious and popular music. The experience is exhilarating, and fun. Any and all help for the programs will be helpful – funding of course, but attending and bringing friends to hear the music and enjoy an evening will be a great reward.
Bob Buchanan’s tutorial on the Arthur M. Anderson – a tale of courage and daring.The Arthur M. Anderson followed the Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975 across Lake Superior. When the Fitzgerald disappeared from the Anderson’s radar, Captain Jesse Cooper on the Anderson radioed Sault Ste. Marie Coast Guard; “I am very concerned about the welfare of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” The Coast Guard then asked Captain Cooper if he could turn the Anderson around in the storm and search for the Fitzgerald or any survivors. Captain Cooper radioed back “Well, I don’t know if I can do this.” But through remarkable seamanship, he managed to turn and search. . . but found nothing. Other ships refused to join the search except for Ford Motor Company’s William C. Ford which also joined the Anderson. Throughout the violent storm, the Anderson’s engine log
showed that the engine never varied from 78 rpm.Today the Anderson is owned by Canadian National, continues in service in the taconite trade between Lake Superior and the lower lakes ports. Due to her relatively smaller size of about 25,000 tons of taconite, she can enter smaller lake ports.
