The peripatetic Lansing Rotary club invaded the Crowne Plaza for a buffet of chewy chicken, tender tasty flank steak, mashed potatoes and green beans. In the midst of mastication President Hanes called us to order on the clock. Stan Samuel shared our commitment to self-improvement with the lord and Mark Hooper’s baritone did the Star Spangled banner proud. Casey Jacobsen proffered the high tech baton to members with guests. Unfortunately she left it on when handing it to Dave Oleary. Diane Sanborn gave us to know long time Rotarian Jack Logan passed away in his Florida home. Announcements: Curt Sonnenberg updated the slide show from last week including connection to the APP should we want to create a similarly professional production. He then pitched the “International Projects Committee” which he now heads-up asking for projects recommendations for the $40 K budget. Govindarajan Umakanthan introduced as our newest board member, replacing Al Yambor was enthusiastically received. Lisa Smith, pinch hitting for the entire special music committee pitched the coming “Michigan Bluesfest” September 19, 20 and 21 in “old town” after which she introduced one of the headliners; guitarist Cindy McElroy who strummed and sang “Easy for you” (an original) and an Eddie Arnold favorite “You don’t know me”. President Pat in his low key kindly manor provided an encomium to nonagenarians in our club headlined by John Irving Nichol’s 95th birthday jubilee compete with photos (or were they tintypes). A moving and fun time especially with the cake that followed. Chair of the Month Camron Gnass and Chair of the day birthday boy Irv Nichols brought Rotarian Navy Captain Joel Hoffman to the projector to share his experiences in Vietnam, then and now. He brought to life the dangers and milieu of the river patrols in 1969 complete with his home for a year on the 9 barges lashed together midstream and the 31 foot low draft rust buckets porcupined with 50’s and mortars that they used to navigate the “perfume” river near Hue. Since you don’t have to be a Marine to be Navy tough he survived to retrace his steps 50 years later. This time 2018 by tour to see how the victors live I guess. He didn’t elaborate but his photos told how America lost the war but won the peace. King dollar seasoned with a dash of state managed market/trade was evident. Rickshaw jitney, 7 course meals (flavored by “delicious rotting fish sauce”) provided in the home of strangers, and forgiveness expressed by all contacts including NVA vets who, judging by the photo must have been about 10 years old during the war. His presentation was enlightening and entertaining. Next week Greg Michaud will discuss Cannabis Testing with samples, I hope. See you at the Lansing Center. Bring your hookah. |