Another successful GLR PET’s in the books thanks to the hard work of the committee. We had great speakers and representation from RI rep Shirley Grace. Our TRF committee has since had a Zoom meeting with Shirley to discuss and support youth and educational programs.
To all the Presidents-Elect I hope that it was an inspiration and that you got to meet new friends that you can keep in touch with during your year. I encourage you to speak to your club about your experience at PETS and to become engaged with other clubs in the District.
Despite what the weatherman says spring is upon us, and you are no doubt planning your outdoor activities. Please keep the rest of the District informed of the dates and times of these events. You can do this through the District Website or by email.
Rotary International top officer in Petoskey June 19
as part of local Rotarian’s District Governor installation
The public is invited to an inspiring message by the general secretary of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation as part of the installation of Rotary Club of Petoskey Rotarian David Thomas as District Governor during a special celebration Wednesday, June 19, at Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey.
Doors open with refreshments and appetizers at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. and coffee and desserts at 8 p.m. The $25 per person fee includes hearty appetizers, one drink, desserts and coffee. A cash bar will be available. Attendees are also invited to view the exhibit of more than 200 paintings by artist members of the American Impressionist Society on display at the Crooked Tree Arts Center. Registration is required by June 14 at ridistrict6290.org and click HERE
“We are extremely proud to have one of Rotary International’s top officers right here in Petoskey,” said Rotary Club of Petoskey Rotarian Liz Ahrens. “John Hewko is an engaging speaker for all audiences – Rotarians and non-Rotarians – who will be inspired by his message of service to one’s community.”
Hewko, the general secretary of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation, leads a diverse staff of 800 at RI’s World Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, and seven international offices. An attorney, Hewko has had a diverse background including serving in a U.S. government agency delivering foreign assistance to the world’s poorest countries, a partner in an international law firm specializing in international emerging markets, and as an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University. An engaging speaker, Hewko will address the future of Rotary and major challenges and opportunities ahead for Rotary International.
The 2019 District 50/50 Raffle has come to a close. The prize drawing was held on March 15 at PETS in Kalamazoo.
A total of 629 tickets were sold. The total raised was $12,580. Prizes totaling $6,290 have been awarded and a check in the amount of $6,290 has been sent to the RI Foundation Annual fund.
Three clubs sold 100% of their tickets (tickets are apportioned by club size). The three clubs are Charlevoix, Grand Haven and South Kent. Congratulations to these clubs for their strong support of the Foundation Annual Fund.
Each club who sold tickets will have recognition points ($10 for each ticket sold) awarded to the club from the Foundation based on tickets sold.
Here is a list of the prize winners.
First prize Tim from Charlevoix $ 1,887.00
Second prize Lana from Grand Haven $ 1,258.00
Third prize Mark from Traverse Bay Sunrise $ 943.50
Fourth prize Steve from Ludington $ 943.50
Fifth prize Bonnie from Holland $ 629.00
Sixth prize Tom from Fremont $ 629.00
And here's a little something extra, a lagniappe. Three of our raffle winners are donating their prizes back to the Foundation Annual Fund. Thank you so much for being so generous!
Thank you to for your support of the Rotary Foundation Annual Fund.
In the fall of 2018, Al Bonney, Foundation Committee Chair for District 6290 and I started on a journey to raise funds for the eradication of Polio. On November 14, 2018, we took on the challenge to fulfill our promise and drove for 3 days to cover the 2200 miles from Michigan to Tucson, Arizona, to ride 50 miles in the El Tour De Tucson, for the purpose to raise funds and draw awareness for the eradication of polio.
Together we raised close to $8,000.00, (with the match from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation the total will come close to $24,000.00) and drew awareness of the importance to continue the fight to eradicate this dreadful decease “POLIO”.
It was thru this mission that Al and I were able to join John Hewco, the General Secretary of Rotary International and Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Tucson Arizona, to ride in the El Tour De Tucson, raising millions of dollars towards THE ERADICATION OF POLIO.
The experience to be a part of this great effort in Tucson, gave Al and I renewed confidence that Rotarians everywhere are open to the challenge to finish the job that children worldwide will grow up without suffering under the symptom of polio.
Riding with Rotarians from many parts of the world, even as far as Australia, gave this event a new dimension of importance. It also made me a stronger healthier person.
The entire trip, the driving to Tucson, the anticipation on race day, the challenge to have a well-tuned bike and being a part of this great event, will be with me for a long time.
Al and I like to thank all of our contributors for their generous support, without it we would not have had this fantastic experience and be able to raise funds towards the Polio Plus Program.
The race took us thru the outskirts of Tucson, up and down rolling hills, dessert vegetation, cactus plants, a totally different landscape from our Michigan environment. The pictures are a snapshot of the race, were “looking good had no quitt’n time”. (An old Boy Scout Phrase).
Arriving in Tucson, Al and I stayed in an RB&B, beautiful Arizona surroundings, spartan accommodations but the exterior landscape and multitude of cactus plants made up for the missing interior decor.
Lizzy Freed is our Global Scholar in the Netherlands for her first year of Master's study in community Economic growth through agriculture. She will be applying for a second year's study this spring. She is from Suttons Bay and the TC club has sponsored her.
Hi all,
Happy Spring (at least here)! I hope the weather is getting nice for you all as well.
I wanted to give a quick update of our progress on the garden. We have had a lot of successes in the past month! First of all, we were granted funding for all material costs, and Rotary Wageningen has generously agreed to cover the cost of transplants and seeds. Next week, I will be meeting with another community funds organization to request more financial support in order to solidify our budget for the first 3 years of the project.
I’ve been meeting with the refugees in the Bosrandweg center, and there is a lot of enthusiasm for the project. Although there will still be a lot of turnover as residents go through the emigration process, there was a recent policy change and now they will be spending up to 60 weeks in the center - it used to be 6-8, so it’s incredibly sad for the refugees. However, on the plus side, we will have more consistency in the garden. That begin said, the center has begun an initiative within the community to try to find productive volunteer opportunities for the refugees as they spend this enormous amount of time in limbo, and the garden is one option that they are heavily advertising.
We had our first work day last weekend, and successfully prepared the space (which was a big job - we have to level the entire field after the tractor ploughed!) and planted our first round of vegetables (onion, carrots, lettuce, and snap peas). I will attach some photos. The idea is that we will have a main group of 10-15 gardeners that will be responsible for finishing a weekly task chart. This chart will be hung at the garden (laminated) and will have English, Arabic, and visual aids to describe the tasks. The group will be responsible for delegating who will complete these tasks, including other residents who want to participate in a more flexible way. Additionally, when we have larger work days (i.e. large planting days or harvests), in which the main group will help to coordinate with other residents to find additional help. Then, there will be three tiers of main food distribution:
1) The main group; this group will consist of 10-15 people, which will encourage sustainability of the project because there will always be a person present with prior knowledge to help as people circulate through. They will be the first to receive and harvest any fresh produce. They will be allowed on a weekly basis to harvest a to-be-determined amount of food (this amount will change depending on the season, as well as whatever the group decides they think is fair - we will not decide this upfront).
2) The “flexible” gardeners; these will be the other residents who want to work in the garden on occasion, but do not want to commit to the weekly schedule of the main group. They will work in the garden on tasks that are delegated by the main group, and will receive a to-be-determined amount of fresh produce for their time (again, will depend on input from the main group and the season).
3) The remaining residents will get food when there is a surplus at harvest.
We also hope to host community dinners, distribute surplus food via local markets, and host trainings in collaboration with the university. But, first we have to successfully grow these vegetables!
I look forward to sharing some more photos soon, hopefully with flourishing plants in the background!
Thanks for your support, and I hope you are all doing well.
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