It snowed a little bit on December 1, 1916, but that didn't stop the Lansing Gas Company trucks from picking up the 35 boys from the State Industrial School for their noon meal at the grill room of the Hotel Downey. The young men were treated to a lunch and other holiday festivities by the members of the newly organized Rotary Club of Lansing. Probably no one at that 1916 event ever imagined that it was just the first of many Rotary Christmas parties that would continue into the next century.
A tradition had been born. In 1919, the party was dedicated to the "Newsies", boys who sold the daily paper on Lansing streets. Apparently many of the boys were from low-income families and were described by one local reporter as "regular guys with tattered cloths and freckled faces." Rotarians considered them special and showed their best holiday spirit, treating the boys to pie and real brown fried cakes, a visit from Santa and such gifts as candy, a magnet and a jackknife.
A year later, on Christmas Eve of 1920, 100 underprivileged boys, ages eight to 18, crowded into the banquet hall of the Lansing Chamber of Commerce where Rotarians treated them to a dinner of chicken, turkey, mince pie and many other tasty items. Vaudeville performers from the nearby Bijou Theater provided entertainment and each boy received knitted gloves and a cap, candy, mixed nuts and two bunches of grapes. One of the highlights of the day was the appearance of Santa Claus, skillfully portrayed by Rotarian Winton Bennett, a Lansing dentist.
By 1922, Rotary members decided to expand the Christmas party into a more permanent activity - making Christmas cheer last throughout the whole year. Each Rotarian would invite a boy, not his son, to be a special guest at a December luncheon where he would enjoy the club's Christmas activities. But, each would "keep his boy until the time comes when the boy would break into the world to depend on his own resources. The Rotarian would not take over the parental role but provide opportunities the young man might not otherwise have - a ride in the country, a trip to a baseball game or a swim at a park pool." Referred to as the "Boys Auxiliary" it was sort of an early version of today's Big Brother program. Still, even though Rotarians would sometimes direct their Christmas parties at different groups, they didn't forget the boys at the Industrial School. One year, they "passed the hat," raising money so the boys could have a holiday event at the school.
By the late 1920's, the Christmas party was being put on for crippled children, supporting the overall work being done by Rotarians in that area. In 1934, members of the Michigan Crippled Children's Commission attended the party at the Hotel Olds. The children received gifts and were entertained by the storytelling of George H. Becker, the steward at the hotel.
And later Rotarians remember Louis J. Brand, board chairman of the John Henry Company, who skillfully played Santa Claus for almost 40 years. But, perhaps it is Ted Swift who more than anybody made the holiday event a Lansing institution. Known as "Uncle Ted", Swift appeared before the children explaining why Santa would not be able to appear this year. A natural comedian and actor, Swift kept everyone on their toes or in fits of laughter, singing, dancing and finding other ways he could fill in for the missing Santa.
Soon before his death in 1999, Ted Swift talked about his accomplishments in life. "I think I'm a pretty good lawyer," he said. "But I know people will probably remember me for a prank I pulled in law school, for once addressing the Michigan Supreme Court in rhyme and for being Uncle Ted at the Rotary Christmas party. I'm not sure about the first two, but I guess I wouldn't mind people remembering me as Uncle Ted. "You should see those kids' faces. It's something I'll never forget."
Do you like us on Twitter? Do you like us on Facebook? I know you do not like us on Instagram as we just set up this account, so go like us! We need your help spreading the good work of Rotary and what it is we do for the Lansing Community on all of our social media channels. Going forward we will be awarding a lucky rotarian each week a Biggby Gift card to purchase a coffee on us just for posting about rotary.
Here is how you can take advantage. Post to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Tag our Rotary page and/or use our rotary Hagtag of #LansingRotary and we will draw a winner each week to receive a gift card….oh and one stipulation, you MUST be present at the meeting to win.
The following proposed members have emailed their applications to the office. If anyone has a comment on these proposed members please forward it in writing within ten days to the Rotary office, before approval by the board of directors. Thank you
Janet Lillie, Asst. VP of Community Relations with MSU, sponsored by Julie Pingston
Rebecca Poynter, President Lansing State Journal, sponsored by Michelle Lantz
The ClubRunner Mobile app allows you to view our club's member directory, contact other members and read the latest articles posted to our website right from your smartphone or tablet.
Immediately view the most up to date member directory, upon login. You can browse other member profiles which give you the necessary contact information you need to connect with just one click. Make a call to any of their phone numbers, email them directly from your device, or even add them to your contacts list.
To download the app from the Apple App Store or from Google Play, simply type in 'Clubrunner' in the search bar. The mobile app is compatible with all versions of the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch sets that have iOS 8.0 or later and with versions of Android that are 2.3.3 or better. You will need you ClubRunner login credentials to login to the app. If you need help with your credentials, please contact Cathy@LansingRotary.com
Patricia Crouse was born July 7, 1934 in Lansing and died October 20, 2017 in Winston Salem, NC. She was preceded by her parents, Les and Ann Butler, and son Jeffrey Edward Crouse. She is missed by her husband of 61 years, Edward B. Crouse, son Richard (Kathy) Crouse of Longwood, FL, granddaughter Jennifer Crouse of New York City, daughter-in-law Laurie Crouse, grandsons Edward, Michael and Alexander, all from Orlando, FL.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017 from 1 to 3:00 p.m. at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw Street, Lansing and interment at the family plot in Hartland, MI, next summer. In lieu of flowers, please make a donaton to the charity of your choice or Plymouth Congregational Church, 125 S. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lansing, MI 48912.
John Dale got us in the spirit of the season with some Christmas music before President Brewster called our annual meeting to order at 12:30. Lesa Smith provided the invocation, followed by God Bless America. Marla Lenz coordinated introduction of guests and visiting Rotarians. Anne Cauley reported the health of the club is good.
Melissa Nay announced the first winners of the Social Media Posting Contest, Missy Lilje and Linda Lynch. Remember to promote our club by liking our Facebook page, posting photos of club goings on, tweeting (#LansingRotary), etc.
Courtney Millbrook introduced special music for the day. Demi Fragale - a club favorite - sang a moving, contemporary Christmas song, “For the Future of the World,” followed by “White Christmas.”
Chair of the month is Ken Beachler and Chair of the Day was President Brewster, who provided some interesting facts about our club. We have 29% female members (woot woot!); 27% of our members are over 70; 30% of our members have been in the club over 20 years while 25% have been in the club 10-20 years. We are proud of club’s stats.
Treasurer Melody Warzecha provided a short report on the club’s financials. She stated we are one of the rare Rotary clubs that have an annual audit, which found no issues again this year. It will be posted on our website soon. We have $184,000 in assets; over $500,000 in the club’s foundation and over $3 million in the Jack Bates Endowment at the Community Foundation. Melody gave kudos to Cathy for keeping our records well organized. President Brewster gave kudos to Melody for her diligent work as club treasurer.
President Brewster reported that the club’s nominating committee met on November 3 for the purpose of considering nominees for the position of President-Elect Nominee and for three directors to serve three-year terms, July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. The following candidates affirmed their willingness to accept the position indicated if nominated and elected:
- For President-Elect Nominee: Pat Hanes - For Director
-Elect: Joe Wald, Courtney Millbrook and Susan Angel.
The club’s board met November 14, during which they elected Pat Hanes as President-Elect Nominee and approved the slate of Directors-Elect nominations to be presented to the club. Dennis Fliehman moved that the recommended slate of directors-elect be accepted, that nominations be closed, and that the three named nominees be elected to begin serving as directors for three-year terms beginning on July 1, 2018. Kelly Rossman McKinney seconded the motion. Approved.
President Darwin presented “red badges” to Steve slocum (sponsored by Dan McKean) and Jennifer Marsh (sponsored by Julie Pingston). Welcome to the club!
Lesa Smith provided her new member presentation, clarifying that she is the “senior Lesa Smith” in the club, as Lisa Smith is her junior. She lamented that she has been the “senior Lesa” among others throughout her whole life! Lesa is the director of Burcham Hills Foundation and proud to represent this fine organization. She was raised in Williamston, received her Bachelors from Spring Arbor and her Masters in Public Administration from CMU. Lesa just turned 57. She was first invited to Rotary by her friend Michelle Lantz, whom she worked with at the Chamber of Commerce many years ago. Lesa has a son and two grandchildren (“being a grandparent rocks!”), 4 horses, 3 dogs, 2 house cats, 2 barn cats and a rabbit. She enjoys the sport of “reining” which she describes as figures skating on a horse. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and previously worked at CMU for 9 years. Lesa is most proud of her relationship with Jesus Christ – the reason she is where she is at in life.
Justin Caine started his new member presentation with a video about himself, which was produced by his company, Good Fruit Video. The video documented his brain injury as a child his amazing progress, and his determination to succeed in life. In addition to his company, he founded a football event, now in its 9th year, benefitting the Davies Project. He is looking for sponsors. His video company is also 9 years old. Justin serves on the SBAM leadership council and is an advocate for people with disabilities - he fervently believes he shouldn't be an exception to the rule and that all people with disabilities should be able to pursue their passion. In 2015 he competed in the para-athletics competition; though he didn't make the team, he broke two records for shotput and discus. Justin founded Beyond Barriers, a nonprofit to increase awareness of people with disabilities and their value as employees, disparaging a 70% unemployment rate. Kellie Dean and Donna Lawry helped him start the nonprofit; she passed away recently and he created the Donna Lowry scholarship, which will be awarded in March. Justin said his biggest accomplishment is being married to a beautiful woman named Meghan. They have two girls, Felicity and Silas.
Our next meeting will be at the Lansing Center on December 15. It will be our 94th Annual Christmas Party for the children of North Elementary School. Be sure to come early as we will start earlier than normal.
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It snowed a little bit on December 1, 1916, but that didn't stop the Lansing Gas Company trucks from picking up the 35 boys from the State Industrial School for their noon meal at the grill room of the Hotel Downey. The young men were treated to a lunch and other holiday festivities by the members of the newly organized Rotary Club of Lansing. Probably no one at that 1916 event ever imagined that it was just the first of many Rotary Christmas parties that would continue into the next century.