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 prayer.
Songleader Leigh Morris led us in a rousing singing salute to the establishment of the first-ever tavern in America on this date in 1634.
Happy $$’s – Leigh Morris, Mike Seitz, Bonnie Miller, Deb Varnak, Tyler Smith.
Sergeant-at-Arms – Mitch Feikes has volunteered to cover the duties of the sergeant. Today those not wearing their Rotary pins contributed to the club.
Announcements –
Please keep these Rotarians in your thoughts and prayers: Gene Burrows suffered a mild stroke and is recovering at home. Scott West suffered a heart attack and is recovering at home. Sister Judian Breitenbach, PHJC, founder of Namaste Center, suffered a massive brain aneurysm last Wednesday which left her in critical condition. She has been moved to the Poor Hand Maids of Jesus Christ motherhouse in Donaldson, IN. There she will be lovingly watched over by her sisters religious for her final days.
Greeter – Vern Sikora has agreed to accept money and track attendance for March meetings.
Rotary Board of Directors meeting – Wednesday, March 6 at Timbers Restaurant at noon
Presenters for Ms. Woods classroom – needed on March 19 on the subject of “Budgets and Retirement”. Sessions are at 1:45pm and last approximately 20 minutes. Call Deb is you can do this (362-0826).
La Porte County Public Library early childhood literacy center – Open House on Monday, March 4 from 6 to 7:30pm at the main library children’s department.
La Porte County Literacy Council Executive Spelling Bee – March 21 – Silver Palace – 6:30 PM Stacey Moody is seeking volunteers for Rotary’s team for this event.
Donation Request – Rebecca Turner, student council president at Purdue North Central, requested consideration for donations to support students taking part in a volunteer trip to Almost Heaven, West Virginia for a Habitat for Humanity project. For more information, or to make a contribution, contact her at rtucke00@pnc.edu
Program – Prosecuting Attorney Bob Szilagyi, La Porte County
Mr. Szilagyi described the function of the Prosecutor’s office and its responsibilities for prosecuting criminal activity in La Porte County. His office has four full time staff and 15 part time deputies. Its functions are funded in part by the State of Indiana, by fines and fees collected locally, by reimbursement from other counties, and by local taxes. R esponsibilities of the office include adult protection services, bad checks program, victims advocates program, drug court, a multi-discipline task force on child abuse, and a sexual abuse response team. His office distributes income from infraction deferral to police departments, Youth Service Bureau, Harmony House and other agencies, including funding for police dogs, training, and other programs. Mr. Szilagyi described the importance of plea agreements in expediting the judicial process.
Rotarians in attendance were: Mike Arnett, Bert Cook, Marv Goad, Judy Hamilton, Bill Hedge, Brad Hindsley, Beth Ingram, Norm Juday, Yvonne Lindborg, Bonnie Miller, Glade Montgomery, Stacey Moody, Leigh Morris, Keith Schwingendorf, Mike Seitz, Vern Sikora, Tyler Smith, Kregg Van Meter, Deb Varnak, Ed Volk. Visiting Rotarian: Rick Schweitzer from Crown Point. Guests: Duane Miller (guest of Bonnie Miller), Rebecca Turner (guest of Keith Schwingendorf), Gage Ott and Josh Fleming from La Porte High School.