Rotary Ramblings - February 3, 2009

[SUSAN MILLER]

Rotary Ramblings –February 3, 2009
 
We were entertained by our own Bruce Williams.  The invocation was given by Gerry Meeks and
Jimmy Weatherspoon led us in “Home on the Range” and “R.O.T.A.R.Y.”  There were no birthdays or anniversaries.
 
Harvey Brown introduced our numerous visiting Rotarians:  Harold Lipvoski from Berrington, IL; Jay Ackerman from St. Clair, MI., Penny
Lopez, Dorian Trauger and Martha Wright from the Boynton Lantana club; Lee
Segal from Livingston, NY, Shelly Watson from Kitty Hawk, NC, Bob Brickman from
S. Haven, MI; Rick Morgan from St. Michaels, MD and Judy Malatesta from Western
PA (both of whom received banners today).  Sylvia Pecaro and Craig Hammett both made up online.  Christina Dombrowsky was with us again (we
can hardly call her a visitor anymore).  We had one visitor, Jan Tennyson of Dare to Dream in Dallas, TX who was visiting us again today.  She was
recently awarded the Lone Star Achievement Award awarded in Texas to individuals who standout in
benevolence. e.  Dave O’Connell had his
wife, and daughter Suzanne, Donna and Emily (our speaker) as his guests.  
 
Fred Bonardi was markedly absent; however, President Steve
announced that at 12:30 the market was up so he is calling it up for the day.
 
Ernie Simon gave the Sergeant-at-arms report raising $95
from various sources including “stimulating the stimulation package”
 
Announcements:
 
On behalf of our District Governor (our own Betsy Owens) who
is in India participating in the vaccinating against polio – many thanks to all
who donated toothbrushes or beanie babies for her to take with her.
 
Candace Etzler is collecting new children’s books for
kindergarten thru 5th grade aged children to be donated to Pine
Grove Elementary (one of the schools we deliver dictionaries to).  They are starting a birthday club as many of
their students do not get anything on their birthday.  They are collecting the books so they get
something.  We are collecting these books
at the club.  So when you are shopping,
pick up a couple of books for needy kids.  Not only will you be providing them with a birthday gift, but also will
be helping them to love reading.
 
Souperbowl of Caring raised over $500.  Thank you for your support again this
year.  The Caring Kitchen will be very
glad to get it.
 
Mon. 2/16 – Presidents’ Day Celebration at Phillips Point
Club by the Breakers to honor past, present and future governors. Tickets
$65.00 and a sign up sheet is in the lobby.
Thurs. 2/26 – Achievement Center for Children and
Families (we’re back to the last Thursday of the month).  Available time slots are 8-9am; 9-10am; 3-4pm
or 4-5pm.  Please see Bob Teninga to sign
up.
Sat. 3/7 – Paint up Delray.  8:00-12:00noon.  Lots of fun.  Sign up sheet is posted in the lobby.
 
Bob Teninga introduced our speaker, who really needs to
introduction, our own Mike Campbell, Executive Director of the South Palm Beach
County Habitat for Humanity.  Although we
all know Habitat is about building homes, today the discussion was about
recycling.  82million tons is
recycled.  32.5% of the total trash is
recycle.  The percentage of increase in
recycling over the last 10 years in Palm Beach County is 100%.  There are 8,660 curbside
recycle programs.  Each person generates
4.6 lbs of trash per day of which only 1.5 lbs. is recycled.  Mike introduced Hans Burday from the
Restore  Recycle Stores.  Habitat has excess materials, furniture,
furnishings, lighting, etc. that is does not utilize in the homes.  These materials are brought to the Restore to
be sold to the public.  The first Restore
was in Austin, TX.  The Boca Raton store is 7,000 square feet.  You can
purchase appliances, dishes, lighting and all kinds of other goodies.  They are located at 272 S. Dixie Highway in Boca Raton and have been open for 4
years.  The store has produced $1,000,000
in revenues which goes back into building houses.  Because of the Restore 93% of donations to
Habitat are able to be utilized to build homes as overhead and administrative
costs come out of the store as well.  The
TV she “Decorate on A Dime” has generated a lot of interest in the store, as
you are purchasing unused items for a fraction of the cost in Home Depot or
similar stores.  Restore funds 2.5 homes
per year.  Currently, there is one under
construction in Boynton Beach and one just acquired through foreclosure.  On 3/28, our Rotary club is going to be working on a Habitat for
Humanity house.  Please come out and
support this effort.  A sign-up sheet
will be put up in early March.
 
Greenhat contained $106.50 and Kurt Godfrey did not pull the
Ace.
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