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 positing 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.

 

This week we will help you out to make this a little easier on you. Answer this question on one of your social media pages (or all of them for multiple chances to win). Describe Rotary in one word. Example: Service #LansingRotary.

 

Darwinian humor opened the day with an oblique reference to a little blue pill. Laurie Baumer gave an invocation along the lines of “help me remember.” Apparently the club’s average age is old enough to appreciate both. We sang God Bless America and John Dale Smith, this time with a violin accompaniment. At the introduction of guests, we were informed that Dave O’Leary was once again misbehaving. He should run for Senate! The health of the club is good!

 

Jack Davis presented the November Birthdays. One hundred percent participation and $1900.00. Woof! Gauntlet thrown December Birthdays! Jack regaled us with tales of why people chose Lansing and where they would be if given their druthers. Chris Pratt: born here, otherwise BVI. John Person: true love (collective aaaah from the women in the audience)/where ever the love of my life is (repeat collective swoon from the women in the audience). Jack Davis: three page narrative of his life history commingled with the history of Lansing, did I mention the Blue Ribbon committee? History quiz next week.

 

Lansing’s Mayor to be Andy Schor took the podium for a New York minute, which was considerably shorter than our last Mayor’s interpretation of a New York minute. Rotarians Joan Bauer (transition team) and Rebecca Bahar Cook (inauguration party) are part of his team. Melissa Nay announced our new Instagram Account to the deer in the headlights amazement of all Rotarians over the age of 25. Insignificant prizes of inconsequential value will be awarded to Rotarians who figure out how Instagram works! I’m kidding, without coffee and caffeine, studies show GDP drops 8%. More on that later.

 

Ken Beachler introduced us again to Rodney Lamar Page. Two instrumentals: playful, melancholy, entertaining. It is always a joy to see a performer who is enjoying the performance as much as the audience. The second number, America, was so close to the heart that if you closed your eyes, you could see purple mountain’s majesty and faintly hear the voice of Peter Coyote narrating a Ken Burns PBS special.

 

Three new members did their new member presentation. What you need to know first is, yay team, there’s people who still want to eat lunch with us out there! Gabrielle Haskins: angel with two wings, French Canadian (the cosmopolitan part, Montreal); worked in 42 states, cannot pronounce the sound the letter “h” makes. She referred to “Katy” about ten times before we figured out she was referring to club secretary Cathy.

 

Gabrielle Johnson, lived and worked in the real France (not the Canadian France); she’s a foodie and doesn’t like overcooked vegetables! Day job probate and estate planning attorney. Night job? Lansing School District Board of Education. Favorite eateries? Tavern 109, State Room, Brunch House.

 

Ron Horowitz. Like Jack Davis’s birthday presentation, Ron’s introduction was a commingling of Ron’s life with the history of Sparrow Hospital. Throw in a couple of references to bearded hippy, treatment of substance abuse, gorilla biscuits, Quincy, Medical Examiner, a previously unknown episode of CSI and you’ve got Ron’s history down.

 

Everybody passed the interview and advanced to the next round and asked for their shiny new Blue Badges to which President Darwin replied, "Badges? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinkin' badges!” (Treasure of Sierra Madre, 1948).

 

We adjourned for the week. Have a safe and happy thanksgiving. It’s not too late to sign up for a Turkey Trot! Detroit’s is the best and I’ll be there wearing a Packer hat to make me run faster! Wish me luck!

 

Kevin Schumacher's email is:  Schumacher@glassenrhead.com