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The meeting was called to order by President John Pence. He noted, “This is one of the largest groups we’ve had all year.” (There were lots of people to witness his roast.) The invocation was given by Dan McKeen. Dan knows President John through several of his roles, including being John’s former parish priest. What began as the funniest invocation we had heard in a very long time transitioned into a lovely prayer for our leaders. Our rousing patriotic song, ably accompanied by John Dale Smith, was God Bless America.
Dave Trumpie did the honors with microphone for the introduction of guests and visiting Rotarians. There were no fewer than eleven guests of Rotarians. Guests included Margaret, the bride of Jack Bates for 66 years, Carrie, President John’s wife of some 23 years who was informed that she could count the Rotary lunch as her anniversary celebration, and Ed Smith, husband of Incoming President Lisa Smith. Both Carrie and Ed were very brave for coming.
Among our visiting Rotarians were two from the Lansing/ Dewitt Sunrise Club who brought news of a big new student mentoring project that their club is launching for students in the Lansing School District. The plan is to work with 30 sophomores and juniors at Lansing high schools to improve their employability, teamwork, and social skills for one semester beginning fall, 2015. They only ask for two hours, every other week for regular mentoring of a student during the fall semester and a few other very do-able things. There will be a meeting at Pattengill School in September for students and Rotarians and an opportunity for “pairing up.” Counselors and school officials are involved and on-board with the program. Bill Demmer of the Sunrise Club is offering student internship opportunities. The Sunrise Club Rotarians had already signed some Lansing Rotarians up by the end of the meeting for this exciting opportunity. If you’re interested contact Harold Mondol 517-482-9844 mondolhar@mac.com or Walt Brown 517-371-3453 kwcommunity@comcast.net or Tom Hamp 517-599-2782 thamp.advicoach.com .
Sue Mills delivered the Remembrance Report. The happy news was that our own Richard Gleason, former Lansing Chief of Police, is celebrating his 90th birthday. Rotarians were invited party at the Eagles Hall that afternoon. On a less happy note, Rotarian Ned Legg was suffering with very bad back pain and unable to get up or around. A note or a call would be good.
Announcements included a Red Badge being presented to new member Pamela Miklavcic, Executive Director of the Davies Project, sponsored by Jack Davis. Carmen Turner presented the June Birthdays and a check for their donations. Their question was “If you could swim in any liquid, what would it be?” Lake Michigan got lots of votes. From there things got crazy ending in one unnamed Rotarian wishing for a “sea of Jell-O shots.” Happy Birthday June Rotarians!
John Grettenberger, Jr. gave a wonderful Lansing Rotary History Committee Timeline of the 1920’s. John reminded us that Pat Hanes’s committee is preparing a coffee table-type book of all the decades and highlights of Lansing Rotary’s 100 years. The 1920’s included Prohibition, women winning the right to vote, Lindbergh’s flight across the Atlantic, and the October 1929 crash of the stock market. Lansing’s population was 57,327 in 1920. Lansing Rotary had 89 members that year but by 1926 there were 100. The Christmas Party our club has put on for handicapped children for the last 91 years began in 1924 when a little boy with multiple health issues, who the club had been sponsoring, died from tuberculosis. Our party’s a wonderful, memorable gift to the community. Our club’s Loftus Day, where we recognize deceased Rotarians and put flowers on their graves, started in 1928.
The first Lansing Rotary newsletters were published on members’ business letterheads. What happened in the club made the local newspapers. A lot! The club led the push to get an “air field” to come to Lansing. Famous men were members and famous guests visited. Like Blackstone the magician and Teddy Roosevelt’s sister. Father/son days were held. Women weren’t members, but wives or “steadies” were invited to soirees and dinner dances. The History Committee book will be a wonderful treasure.
President John was given one last chance to speak. He graciously thanked many people. The officers, committee chairpersons, and past President Jeff and Incoming President Lisa. President John and the entire club especially thanked the person who holds us all together, Club Executive Secretary, Cathy Andrews.
The Changing of the Guard presented by the Sergeant at Arms Committee, chaired by Dave Marvin, lived up (or down) to its reputation. Dave started things off by complaining about having to follow the news of the ’29 stock market crash. He noted that President John, with the help of others, had raised $250,000 for the Water Exhibit at the Impression 5 Science Center. But neither he nor anyone else knows what that means. It came down to a gallon jug of water on a pedestal. Yikes. And where, exactly is that $250,000? President John’s new Maserati makes one wonder. After planting sufficient doubts in our minds Dave handed the mic over to Kelly Rossman McKinney, Steve Roznowski, and Lisa Smith. Kelly broke the news of President John, the investment guru’s cheat sheet. She told more stories of his Maserati, speeding tickets, and a lost TV remote.
Dave had President John escorted from the room only to return (after a l-o-n-g Lansing Rotary audio visual … silence) to a rollicking rap version of “I’m Sexy and I Know It.” Steve Roznowski, who roasted Kelly as much as President John, said he’d, struggled for “content” about someone as perfect as President John. Steve scored a hit with his poetry and a reminder that “Pence” is plural for pennies and that’s not such a good name for a financial advisor who “can turn your wealth into Pence.”
After a few more of Steve’s “Bad news and worse news” jokes it was time for Incoming President Lisa’s gentler roast. She told us why President John is a “Super Duper Duper Smart” guy and the story of his Dudley Do-Right reincarnation. Lisa ended with something we all know as true. “President John loves Rotary.” Thanks for the great year John.
No meeting Friday, July 3rd. Our next meeting will be July 10th at The View in the Stadium, overlooking the field where the Lugnuts play, to welcome District 6360 District Governor Briscoe.
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