September 6 2022 Meeting

Meetings

September 6, 2022 Meeting Report

Jeff Dawson, director of the Lester Public Library, addressed Club members this morning on the topic of education at the library to recognize September's Rotary theme of basic education and literacy.

September is Education and Literacy Month

Pancake Palooza!

Everyone enjoyed the pancake breakfast provided courtesy of Colleen. While ostensibly a treat for members in attendance, its real purpose was to gain feedback on recipes for next month's Applefest pancake breakfast offerings.

Greeter Role

In the week before your turn as program chair, you will be responsible for greeting members, orienting guests, and marking attendance on the day's greeter sheet. You will need to get into place a few minutes early so as to "get the badges out." Yes, we're bringing back badges, too!
 

Today's Program: Education at the Lester Public Library

Today's program chair, Betty Bittner invited Jeff Dawson, the director of the Lester Public Library, to speak on the theme of education at the library. The library embraces its role as "the People's University" here in Two Rivers. From cradle to grave, the library's programming provides lifelong learning opportunities. Some highlights from the library's programs include:
  • Early Literacy…reading is recognized as a gateway to a successful life
  • Dramatic Play Center
  • Reach Out and Read Initiative – putting books in the hands of kids
  • Story Time (reading and crafts) – expresses the benefits of social interaction
  • Activity Packs – extends the reach of Story Time themes
  • Baby Garden – engaging kids (and their parents) at an early age
  • Families with Steam – aimed at older youth
  • TR Teens - partnering with community resources to provide a safe/fun place to gather
The Two Rivers Rotary Club has provided Rotary District Grant funds for the library's Dramatic Play Center, a place where kiddos learn through play. The center includes both structured and unstructured activities from marketplace to underwater themes.
 
In addition, adult programs include the Scholars for Life series which includes topics of interest, networking with other education centers, an international film series and book discussion groups.
 

Club Goals? Stay Tuned!

Mark your calendar. September 20th will be an important Club Assembly that will set the stage for this year's agenda. Mark your calendar for the reveal of our Club-specific goals. Please review the list of committees (previously distributed) representing the good work in which we engage each year. The hope is to engage committee chairs early in the process.  

Club Operations

📰  Check the program schedule for your next chance to contribute to meeting programming. An email communication will be sent to all members listing the program schedule with plans to send out specific chair responsibilities monthly.

Welcome to new members Wendy Brandt and Mike Mathis! Wendy is from Mishicot and now lives with her husband, Douglas, in Two Rivers. She is an active member of the Central Park West 365 Planning Committee. Mike is new to Two Rivers, relocating from Michigan with his wife, Corinne, and two young children. He recent accepted the role of Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Two Rivers.

🦸🏼‍♂️New Board Member Found! The Club has found a new member for the board. This mystery individual will be announced at next week's meeting. The suspense is palpable! This is an "at large" member role, a two-year term. The board meets the 4th Wednesday of each month. Serving as a board member provides a better opportunity to understand and have an impact on our Club's activities.

Club Events / Service Opportunities

🍽 🚗  Meals on Wheels, November 7-11.  Thank you to all of our volunteers!
 
🛟 Annual Steak Fry (August 30th) at the Manitowoc Yacht Club.  The $25 cost includes steak and all the 'fixins.  A dish to pass will help to round out the meal.  Online signups are available and a sign up list was circulated at today’s meeting.  Events, such as this, are important to building an esprit de corps within our Club.
 
🌳 VDB Arboretum Volunteers Needed. Tube placement and arboretum updates were provided, but we need volunteers to help protect the newly planted trees. Please contact Dennis S. if you are interested.

☮️ Peace Pole Project Completion Dedication this month! Our winning 2022-23 District Grant concept is for a Peace Pole project at the Two Rivers High School.  Upon completion, the pole will allow students to gather, reflect, and find peace. It will be part of a larger Rotary peace initiative.  The ground is now ready for the "pouring of the slab" and Peace Pole parts will be here in the next week. That's when our Club's help will be needed. Please contact Betty B. if you'd like to help. 
 
Get the Community Back in our Schools is ann opportunity for our Club to build student connections. Look for ways to build student connections as school gets back in session.
 
🎸 🏖 Bands on the Beach 2022 Debrief. The Club raised over $4,000 so far! We need concessions help for Saturday's community fireworks event.
 
🍎 Applefest 2022 is only four weeks away! This year’s fun-filled event is scheduled for October 8th with big plans for future growth going forward.  
  • Great food!
  • 30 arts & crafts vendors!
  • Four apple vendors!
  • A host of activities ranging from music to face painting!
  • Meetings are held at the firehouse. Our current focus is on logistics.  
  • An Applefest website has been launched to help promote the event.
  • Volunteer recruitment is a focus for success from members to Junior Rotarians. This is an “all hands on deck” event, so clear your calendar!
🇺🇦Ukrainian Storytelling Project...  Building on the remarkable story of Rotarian Barry Nelson, the Club plans to build upon interest in a broader community story-telling initiative. This project will include representation from the Wisconsin Ukrainian group providing awareness and support for the needs of the Ukrainian people. Please contact Colleen I. with interest in representing our Club in the planning process.
 
💐2022 Rose Sale Lori Z will lead this year's effort! 
 
And, looking way ahead. Interest was expressed in creating a Rotary Float as a highlight of the 2022 Christmas Parade. This would be a fine idea to kick off our Club’s Centennial Year! Concepts were raised that incorporated such Club themes as “promoting peace on earth” and “making a difference in Two Rivers for 100 years”.  An exploratory committee is being explored (or floated). 🎅🏻 🎄
 
💵 Happy Bucks is a way to share and celebrate member news with others, including "quips and quotes" about their experiences from the past week. This week, Michael D. "zoomed in" his happiness report from Denver. Lori Z. was happy (actually feeling bittersweet) about the "last first day" of school she experienced as a parent.
 
Birthday and Anniversary Report

Lisa Van Lanen (9/26) 🎂

None to speak of! ⚙️

⏭  Next week’s program will feature the Two Rivers Schools

 
2021-22 Board Members:
President: Michael Ditmer
President-Elect: Tim Schroeder
Secretary: Deborah Brotcke
Treasurer: Jeff Zimmerlee
Past President: Steve Denzien
Members at large: Brenda Georgenson and one additional spot to be announced!