Notes from Rotary Meeting of April 15, 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.
Christina Dougherty led singing of “Happy Birthday” for those with April birthdays.
Happy Birthday Deb Varnak, Christina Dougherty, Tyler Smith, Marv Goad (in honor of his 65th wedding anniversary).
Sergeant-at-Arms – Deb Varnak (assisted by Marv Goad with the basket) raised money for the club with trivia questions.
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.
A Celebration of the life of Sister Judian Breitenbach will be held on Sunday April 21 at 3:00 PM at the Best Western Inn on Pine Lake Avenue. If you plan to attend, please contact Lisa Lake by April 12 at Namaste Center (219-561-7611) or email her at info@namastecenter.org
Antwan Wordlaw, a student at La Porte High School, who will represent La Porte Rotary at the RYLA conference from April 19 to 21 needs transportation to and from Lafayette for this conference. If you could assist, please contact Marv Goad.
Projects – Mike Arnett is putting together the Rotary Ramble Grocery Scramble Committee. Mike Sutton is assembling the Fishing Derby Committee. A Chili Dinner chairperson is needed for that portion of the fishing derby event. Each Rotarian should plan to be on at least one of these Committees as they are the club’s primary fundraisers.
Executive Spelling Bee – May 2 (note new date) – Silver Palace – 6:30 PM
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.
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.
District 6540 will hold its annual conference on April 26 and 27 at the Radisson Hotel in Merrillville. Pricing has been revised to reduce the cost for attending portions of the event. Leigh Morris and Christina Dougherty will be performing with the District singers at the Friday evening dinner.
Rotary District request – Christina Dougherty, District Governor Elect, reminded us about the“I Need a Hug/Reading Buddies” project invites you to donate your favorite children’s book for ages 6-8 and a new, 12-14 inch stuffed animal to be distributed as reading buddies for 1st and 2nd grade classrooms in Northwest Indiana as motivation to read. Bring them to the meeting next Monday, April 22.
Scholarships – Scott West reported that the process to select the winners of this year’s scholarship awards is underway. Winners will be honored at the annual picnic on June 17.
Speaker – Dave Krider, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Mr. Krider helped to start the group at La Porte High School in 1975 when he was a sports writer for the Herald Argus, and has been active in the organization ever since. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for high school students to experience fellowship and hear motivational speakers on Christian/athletic themes in order to make positive choices for their lives. The club provides funding for one scholarship each year for a La Porte High School student to attend the annual summer camp for FCA. McKenzie Hyatt, current president of the group, spoke about the positive effect attending the camp had on her life.
Rotarians in attendance were: Mike Arnett, Christina Dougherty, Ron Gigliotti, Marv Goad, Judy Hamilton, Norm Juday, Yvonne Lindborg, Glade Montgomery, Mike Seitz, Vern Sikora, Tyler Smith, Kregg Van Meter, Deb Varnak, Ed Volk, Scott West. Guest: Brody Cooch, La Porte High School Slicers pitcher.