Rotary Ramblings - February 24, 2008

[SUSAN MILLER]

Rotary Ramblings –February 24, 2009
 
We were entertained by our own Bruce Williams.  The invocation was given by Steve Butera, and
Jimmy Weatherspoon led us in “He’s Got The Whole World in His Hands” and “Smile.”  We sang Happy Birthday to Jim Pignato.
 
Bruce Wentzel came out of retirement to introduce our
numerous visiting Rotarians:  Harvey
Michelman of Wharton, NJ; Harold Lipvoski from Berrington, Bob Johnson of
Oxford, OH; Jay Ackerman and Bob Brickman from St. Clair, MI; Steve Yuko of
Summers, NY; Lola Byers of Dunwally, VA; Herb Sheer of Buffalo, NY, Tom Leer of
Indianapolis, IN and Bill Crowdy of Bronson, NH were visiting Rotarians.   Sarah
Martin, Lori Garland and Steve Butera made up on line (much to Bruce’s dismay)
and Dave Harden made up at Delray Beach Sunrise.  Sam Aldorffer introduced his guest Larry
Gagne.
 
Fred Bonardi gave the stock report.  Dow was up 57 points today, but down 19% so
far this year.  NASDAQ was up 16 and
S&P was up 7.
 
Candace Etzler gave the Sergeant at Arms Report - $185 was
collected from various sources including $83 plus for Jim Pignato’s birthday.
 
2/26 – Achievement Center for Children and
Families – reading to the children and/or helping with homework.  8-9am, 9-10am and 3-4pm.  
 
SAVE THE DATES:
3/7 – Paint up Delray – 7:00-12:00noon.  Lots of fun.  Sign up sheet is in lobby.  We
still need another eight volunteers to fill out our team.   Jennifer Costello from the City of Delray,
who was born and raised here talked about this worthwhile event.  Breakfast and lunch will be served to the
volunteers – so please sign up.
3/19 – Bingo –The calling team of Brown and Denker have
agreed to MC the event.  Donations
of auction items are needed.  If you have
a business, please donate something.  If you do not have a retail type business, please obtain a donation from
a business or restaurant you frequent or purchase a gift basket to donate.  We need this to be a successful fundraiser
since the Holiday Party was not.  Location:  Ellie’s  - Time:  6pm-10pm - $50 includes dinner, 1 drink, 1 Bingo card.  Additional cards available for purchase for
$5.00 each.  There is a sign-up sheet in
the lobby at Ellie’s.  Please support the
event.
3/26 – Achievement Center for Children and
Families.  Reading to the children and helping with
homework– shifts are 8am-9am; 9am-10am and 3pm-4pm.  Please let Bob Teninga know what shift you
want to help.  
3/28 – Habitat for Humanity – Rotary Day – 8am-1pm.  Please come out and help Mike Campbell with
Rotary spirit.
4/17-4/19 – Delray Affair.  Time to sell Rotary dogs and other delicacies.  Signups will be circulating as it gets
closer.
 
Candace Etzler is still collecting new children’s books for
kindergarten thru 5th grade aged children to be donated to Pine
Grove Elementary for their birthday club.  This assures these kids get something on their birthday.  We are working with David Cook at Hand’s in
Delray to try to obtain books at a discount, so feel free to make a monetary
donation if you would prefer.
 
Pat Archer introduced our speaker, Rita Ellis, Mayor of
Delray Beach.  She spoke about the state
of the City including the plans for the future which include expanding the
downtown, expand and develop local economy, top quality services, quality
neighborhoods.  They have added a
full-time economic staff person and they continue to market Delray Beach nationally.  Recently they moved the City IT division into
a hurricane protected building.  In
partnership with Boynton Beach,
they are improving water treatment.  Community improvement works with neighborhoods.  Police Department continues to strengthen
relationships with the City and works with residents to increase
awareness.  Working with CRA and
Community Land Trust to create affordable housing.  For 20 years the City has worked to form
outstanding partnerships with the schools.  Our elementary schools are now A schools with the exception of Village Academy and Pine Grove which are B
schools.  We have started a program with
Carver for the kids that arrive at 7:15 when school does not start until
9:30am.  We have the Criminal Justice
Career Academy at Atlantic High and work with the Construction Academy to help the kids build a house.  Community unity requires continual nurturing.  They continue to work on group neighborhood
activities and the neighborhood resource center provides assistance with
various things including foreclosure prevention.  The diversity map was unveiled in January.  Information is distributed thru media
coverage, the utility bill and the Q Alert on the website during hurricane
system.
 
 Green hat contained $232
and Stormi Norem did not pull the ace.
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