Our program this afternoon was a special one, indeed. Following the induction of new member, Vera Alvarez, by Mark Murray, both Vera and her sponsor Kathy Williams presented their individual "Member Moments" so the club could get to know them better.
Kathy started first by telling us that she is married and has three grown children – a daughter who lives in Tucson, a son who lives in St. Clare Shore, MI (married with 2 children), a son who lives in Owosso and is married, and a daughter she lost as an infant from SIDS.
Kathy moved to Adrian 32 years ago. She worked for a business in Mt. Vernon, OH. She tried her hand as a stay-at-home mom but that did not last long, she said! She dabbled in construction and was even a business owner for a time having owned and operated Showcase cabinets across from the MJR theater in Adrian which is now a dental office. She was also employed by Baker Construction as a client liaison. She worked for a time at Michigan Building Specialties but decided to return to college to get her degree. She did that at Jackson Community College and graduated with honors.
Following graduation, Kathy said she prayed a lot about a career and heard about an opening at WLEN radio and all the rest is history as they say. She is in advertising and sales. She met Vera, the new member she sponsored in the Athena organization, she said.
Vera took the podium next and said she is originally from the Dominican Republic – the home to now over 10 million people. While the country exports tobacco, sugar, rice and coffee, the country's main source of income today is tourism. The country is a democracy, she said, and is known for the professional athletes it has produced. There is still much inequality there however. Most of the children there are bi-lingual. She first visited this country as an exchange student in Texas. Following that she returned home where she received her Bachelor's Degree. She soon returned to the US to Siena Heights University for a Master's Degree.
Among the employers she has worked for include Verizon and Siena Heights University as a Credit Assistant. She was a Service Team Leader at Meijer in Ann Arbor. She helped with the Katrina relief effort and worked 2 weeks at a camp back home in her native country. Her Mother is a teacher; her Father a Civil Engineer. She has a son and a daughter and 2 dogs. She said she loves volleyball and that her aunt is a Dominican Sister here in Adrian. Great to have you in the club, Vera!
July 31- Board meeting at the Lenawee Country Club beginning at 11:00 am.
August 14– Purity, the young woman selected from the St. Clare School for Girls in Kenya, will be arriving and a shower is being planned at Rhonda Gage's home that day. The shower will provide Purity with essentail items she will need while in this country. Another shower will take place a couple of weeks later, she said. Anyone wishing to be part of that special event is asked to contact Patty Clark. Purity will begin classes at Siena Heights on August 18. Patty also mentioned that Fr. Riwa sent a CD of the St. Francis Boys and St. Clare Girls combined choir if any member would like to hear it.
August 15 – Devils Lake Social. All county Rotary clubs are invited to attend. Still time to sign up. It will be a great evening. Mark's band, Alias, will be playing!
September 15– River Raisin Cleanup. Need Volunteers.
September 25– DG Liz Smith to visit our club for the first time in her new position.
September 29 – District Golf Outing.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Elect Rod read a thank you letter from Haven Schafer, recipient of a scholarship from our club saying how pleased she was for the support and that she will be transferring from TU to attend Siena Heights University in the fall.
The District Directory is available to all now. Be sure and get one if you have not already. Extensive info on all clubs in our district available at your fingertips!
A big GET WELL SOON to Frank Locke!
GUESTS
Speakers Christine MacNaughton and Ashley LaVigne; Bob Behnke, guest of Lisa Wilkie; Jennifer Frost, guest of Anna Marie Anzalone.
Vera took the podium next and said she is originally from the Dominican Republic – the home to now over 10 million people. While the country exports tobacco, sugar, rice and coffee, the country's main source of income today is tourism. The country is a democracy, she said, and is known for the professional athletes it has produced. There is still much inequality there however. Most of the children there are bi-lingual. She first visited this country as an exchange student in Texas. Following that she returned home where she received her Bachelor's Degree. She soon returned to the US to Siena Heights University for a Master's Degree. 