Musings from Muse – 10 February 2004

By D. J. Muse, President 2003-2004

Meeting of 27 January – We held our first club assembly of the year.  A variety of topics were covered.

Meeting of 3 February 2004 – Secretary Linda Stutz reports receiving a MAKE UPS from Ned Dull (2) at the Springfield South (Illinois) Rotary Club, from Herb Kephart at the Venice – Nokomis (FL) Rotary Club, and Nate Carnahan at eClub One Rotary Club, (online.)  Bill Derry presented on the current issue of The Rotarian.  We had 44 members present, with 15 guests.  Our club’s membership stands at 77 (up a net of 2 since the beginning of the year.)  Stan Agler offered a program on MESA by Ron Stoner.  Past District Governor Chuck Stocking of the Toledo Rotary Club was a visiting Rotarian, along with two of our favorite fellows from the St. Marys Rotary Club.  Welcome to Michelle Heigel (guest of Cindy Hurless.  Members who helped with the Health Aware Fair were recognized for Lending a Hand to our Community!

Upcoming Programs – The good ones just keep coming….

February 10 – Four Way Speech & Essay Competition brought to us by Dave Ziegler and the Vocational Service Team

February 17 – Phil Farris brings us Terry McClure, President of the Ohio Farm Bureau

February 24 – Sara Peterson of Van Wert Brace & Limb, brought to us by Clair Dudgeon

May 20 – tentative – Visit from the District’s Inbound Group Study Exchange from Brazil

Brazil GSE Team Visit – The  inbound Group Study Exchange team from Brazil will be staying with us in Van Wert from May 16^th through May 20^th.  I know our International Service committees are going to be looking for host families, tour guides, Rotarians to schedule factory and farm visits, transportation assistance, etc.  See Stan Agler if you’re interested / willing to help.

Rotary Information – The committee met Thursday, February 5 and presented their dog and pony show (Thanks Jim Stripe and Wayne Kilton) to Linda Owens, who will be inducted into membership on Tuesday the 17^th.

Fall Vacation for You and Your Family – The weather we’ve been having’s made me think about ways to travel.  Don’t forget the District Conference in Niagra On The Lake, Ontario  8-10 October 2004.  Consider putting it on your calendar now.  $499 per couple includes lodging, most meals and registrations.  You’ll not have an experience like this for the money anywhere else.

An Opportunity to Help Our Community – Dr. Kevin Laing (not a member of our Club, but a Paul Harris Fellow ) phoned me this morning with an opportunity for our club to bring an educational program to our local schools and to our community.  I’m very excited about the possibility of bringing the lady who translated Anne Frank’s Diary to English from Dutch to our community.  We’ll have to have some funding to make it happen.  If anyone’s interested in helping, please let me know.

 Dues are Due!!

Lend a Hand…..to a Child!!!