Mark Murray, chair of the Annual River Raisin Cleanup, introduced today’s guests – Todd Brown, director of the city’s Parks & DPW Departments and fellow employee Jason Lawrence.
Todd thanked our club for the assistance we have given to this project over the last 25 years. He said that the city currently owns 5 separate parks amounting to 800 acres of land (half of it needing to be mowed periodically) throughout the city which are maintained by only 5 fulltime people! They include Riverside, Comstock, Trestle, Island, and Heritage parks. Heritage is outside the city limits. All but Heritage Park are adjacent to the Raisin River where routine cleanup is required. The Kiwanis Trail, on the other hand, is a “beast of its own”, Todd said and is considered a part of Adrian’s “park” system. It is 7 and a half miles long! An AmeriCorp team, in partnership with city crews, is in town once again and have been for the past month to help clean up the river.
Jason, who is finishing his second year as a city employee, also commended the club for our work on the river as well. "The program just seems to get bigger each year", he added. He has been encouraged of late, he said, by the number of people who call the city offices to rent the soccer, softball and baseball fields not just for their regular games but for tournaments, too. The Dirt Bag Tournament itself, he said, attracted between 500 and 600 people a day when teams were playing. "This is great because it brings people who don’t live here into our city".
Todd concluded the presentation by returning to the podium to share with us what is planned for the future including the 5 capital improvement projects currently scheduled to take place yet this year and some that are part of the city's 5-year plan. This year, Todd said, Trestle Park’s railroad tie retaining walls will be removed and replaced with stamped concrete. He said that plans are also in the works to develop a Dog Park in the vicinity of Riverside Avenue and Bent Oak in the city once a $25,000 grant is approved. The lagoon, Todd said, that was formerly used by the Water Department has been filled in and will be used as a park grounds. Policies also need to be formulated and fencing issues need to be worked out first, however.
Christmas Wreath Sales – Nathan Salazar, committee chair announced that all orders and money is due at our next meeting. Please complete a form, place in an envelope with your name on it and the money inside. Thanks for your individual efforts. If anyone wants a gift box for them, they are available for $3. Let’s make this another huge fundraiser!
Comstock Christmas Tree River Walk Project – Mark gave members an update and again mentioned that all we have to do as a club is simply to sell tress for $50 to individuals, businesses, etc. that they decorate themselves. They will be erected and lights will be put on them by the City. All you have to do is decorate them! We will have 160 trees available. The trees are set up and ready for decorating as they are sold. The official lighting will take [lace about 7:30pm on December 1 following the parade. Our club particularly needs to sell 50 of them this year. Flyers are ready to display or hand out to interested parties. An electronic version will also be sent for posting to your social media pages. We just need the customer’s name, address and check for $50 and drop off to Mark or Mary or at City Hall. The tree lighting will culminate the event. Date to be announced.
Neighbors of Hope – Kathy Williams updated us on the status of their Women’s & Children’s Shelter and said that zoning issues are being worked on since ProMedica gave them their nursing home in Tecumseh which, Kathy said, was a “perfect location”.
DATES TO REMEMBER
OCTOBER – Economic & Community Development Month
October 21 - Lenawee Humane Society Halloween Ball – Patty announced the date of Saturday, October 21st; $55 per person; $500 for prestigious table of 8 guarantee your seating arrangement in a prime location at our event. LOCATION: Adrian Tobias Center, 110 S. Madison St., Adrian, MI 49221. Deadline for tickets is today.
October 24 – World Polio Awareness Day – John Elchert is chairing this committee. There will be a luncheon this day and all clubs in the county have been invited to attend. It will be at the Evans Street Station in Tecumseh starting at noon and cost $12 each. PDG Bruce & Sue Goldsen will be presenting a program. A sign-up sheet was passed around today and will again at next week’s meeting. Please wear purple hat day or your purple ribbon. Watch the Daily Telegram for more info. We raised close to $200 today and his will be combined with what the other clubs raise and presented to Bruce and Sue on the 24th! All donations will be matched 2 for 1 by the Bill & Melinda Gate Foundation by the way! The Daily Telegram will be publishing an article in the near future about this important event.
October 26 – Fireside Chat – We are planning an orientation and club social this date starting at 4:30 for new members and a social following at the Murray’s house. New members should arrive at 4:30pm while those attending the social should arrive at 5:30pm. Hope you all can make it!
November 1 – Career Expo at SHU – Members who are looking to hire are invited to participate in this expo. It is an expo for Adrian College and Jackson College as well.
November 2 – Official Visit by DG Rick Caron. Don't want to miss this!
November 9 – Blood Drive – At Crossroads Community Church (the former Baptist Church across from the Big Boy restaurant on Broad Street) from noon to 5:45.
November 9 – Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Chair Kevin Keller has set the date: Friday, November 9th at Hobby Lobby. All but one slot was filled out by volunteers. Thanks everyone for stepping up!
November 22 – Joint Rotary/Kiwanis Thanksgiving Luncheon – This is our year to host. A sign-up sheet will be passed around soon.
December – Club Christmas Social – We are planning an event and more info coming.
Upcoming Club Program Presentations
October 26 - Kathy Williams - Women & Children Homeless Shelter November 2 - DG Rick Caron visit
November 9 - Mike Olsaver - RI Foundation
November 16 - Michael Sullivan, Attorney
GUESTS: Junior Rotarians, Robon and Andrew; visiting Plymouth Rotarian Bill Morrison.
Mary Murray’s ticket was drawn so won $13 and then Rod Pender’s name was pulled but he did not select the winning card so did not win half of the $174 pot.
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Mark Murray, chair of the Annual River Raisin Cleanup, introduced today’s guests – Todd Brown, director of the city’s Parks & DPW Departments and fellow employee Jason Lawrence.
October 24 – World Polio Awareness Day – John Elchert is chairing this committee. There will be a luncheon this day and all clubs in the county have been invited to attend. It will be at the Evans Street Station in Tecumseh starting at noon and cost $12 each. PDG Bruce & Sue Goldsen will be presenting a program. A sign-up sheet was passed around today and will again at next week’s meeting. Please wear purple hat day or your purple ribbon. Watch the Daily Telegram for more info. We raised close to $200 today and his will be combined with what the other clubs raise and presented to Bruce and Sue on the 24th! All donations will be matched 2 for 1 by the Bill & Melinda Gate Foundation by the way! The Daily Telegram will be publishing an article in the near future about this important event.
October 26 – Fireside Chat – We are planning an orientation and club social this date starting at 4:30 for new members and a social following at the Murray’s house. New members should arrive at 4:30pm while those attending the social should arrive at 5:30pm. Hope you all can make it!
