Notes from Rotary Meeting of April 29, 2013 President Deb Varnak called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test of Rotary. Marv Goad offered the invocation for the meeting. Happy $$’s – Deb Varnak, Christine Dougherty, Vern Sikora, Ed Volk, Leigh Morris, Mike Sutton. Sergeant-at-Arms – Mitch Feikes (assisted by Stacey Moody with the basket) raised money for the club with trivia questions about the NFL draft. Board of Directors meeting – Wednesday, May 1 at 12pm at The Timbers.
Rotary International Foundation – Foundation Chair Leigh Morris asked members to seriously consider contributing to the foundation by June 1. The club’s goal is for every Rotarian to give $100 each year, but contributions of any amount are welcome.. As of today, 15 of the club’s 36 members have made contributions totaling $5,030.
Presidential Citation – President Varnak reported that the La Porte Rotary club was one of only two clubs in the district to receive this citation at the district conference.
District 6540 grant – She also reported that the club’s grant request has received preliminary approval pending additional information to be submitted.
Executive Spelling Bee – May 2 – Silver Palace (1719 State Street, La Porte) – 5:30 PM -- (Refreshments and bar) 6:30 – Tournament begins. Stacey Moody, Rotary’s liaison to the La Porte County Literacy Council, is seeking additional volunteers for the team. Team members to date are Yvonne Lindborg, Captain, Leigh Morris and Christina Dougherty.
Hands-On Work Day in La Porte – May 18 is the date designated by the La Porte Ministerial Association as a Day of Sharing. The day begins at 8am with a short prayer service on the steps of city hall. Work will be done from 8:30 until noon. Tyler Smith is working with Mitch Feikes and Tiffany Bley, Downtown La Porte director, to identify a project for Rotary to work on that day.
June 17 – Annual Picnic – 5:30 PM at the picnic shelter at Legacy Hills Golf Club – catering by Spire Restaurant. $15.00 per adult and $10.00 per child. The evening will include the
Family Picnic; Installation of officers and board for 2013/2014; Scholarship Awards; as well as the Installation of La Porte Rotary’s Christina Dougherty as District Governor and installation of the District Board.
Speaker – Joe Hart, President of the South Bend Silverhawks.
Having spent 19 years with major league baseball, and the past two with the Silverhawks, Mr. Hart spoke about making the fan experience at the South Bend stadium all about entertainment. Significant investments from new owner Andrew Berlin and the city of South Bend improved attendance in 2012 by 68%. M ore than 220,000 fans are expected for the 2013 season. Major changes to the ballpark include special entertainment areas for all ages, from small children to adults. Improvements have been made in food concessions, and Friday night fireworks and Saturday flat-screen tv giveaways every inning are held every week. Father’s Day (June 16) will be Chamber night at the park for the La Porte Chamber of Commerce. A $10 ticket gets you a field box seat and hat.
Rotarians in attendance were: Mike Arnett, Ron Cmiel, Christine Dougherty, Mitch Feikes, Ron Gigliotti, Marv Goad, Judy Hamilton, Bill Hedge, Norm Juday, Neil Mangus, Stacey Moody, Leigh Morris, Dale Parkison, Cindy Prestin, Mike Rosenbaum, Mike Seitz, Vern Sikora, Tyler Smith, Mike Sutton, Deb Varnak, Ed Volk. Visiting Rotarians: Tim Lee (Greenwood/White River Club). Guests: Greg Clark, guest of Dale Parkison; Jake Bauer and Chris Gains, La Porte High School students.