Melissa Tsuji is a member of the Career Counseling Department at Siena Heights and Jerry Roessler is retired and a veteran member of the Blissfield Rotary Club. They are both board members of the American Farm Museum & Education Center on hand to bring members up to date on the progress made to raise funds for and to create a farm campus in Blissfield. The property is located west of the McDonald’s restaurant in Blissfield off Jefferson Street. It was the former Home Canning Company site.
A 9-member board spearheads the organization and Pete Durbin is their CEO and Melissa is their President. Their strategic goals include: creating a unified campus building planned and constructed in stages; becoming a nationally-recognized educational center which will capture the significance of the American farmer and explain their important role in the food production process; construct storage for museum exhibits which includes their 13,000 toy collection, and 315 children pedal tractors, etc. They toys, Melissa said, were gifted to them by the late Charles and Barbara Burkholder valued at over $1M! Once electricity is available in the multi-purpose barn, these items will be moved into it for a small exhibition, she said.
Melissa said that they were gifted an 1860’s era barn by the Miller Murbaugh family which was dismantled by an Amish organization the sections of which currently sit in 5 semitrailers in their storage facility. The barn will eventually be re-erected and serve as education space on the campus. The foundation for the building has been poured and the “skeleton will soon start to go up”, she said.
Melissa said that there are 4 key areas they will be focusing on: Build, engage, educate, and sustain. The site plan and concept for the campus was developed by renowned architect, Friedrich St. Florian who also designed the WW II memorial in Washington DC! Melissa sat on the committee that helped build the memorial, she said! It was her grandfather, a WWII veteran, who proposed this project back in 1987!
Melissa said that the organization is current engaging in fundraising opportunities. The total goal is $20M, Melissa said. The organization has synergistic relationships with both the U of M and MSU and specifically with their museum faculties who are both interested in this project. The Education Center, she said will be THE key component on the campus. It will also serve as a meeting site and high tech facility for “all kinds of interested groups working in the AG industry”, she said. Their Farm to Table dinner events have also helped bring in needed money for the campaign. Melissa said they are currently looking to hire a Director/Fundraiser.
She described in detail how our club could help should we wish to donate to a number of projects that need to be completed: They need $28,000 to complete the re-erection of the 1860s barn, $16,000 for their electrical contract, $10,000 for poplar siding and $4,000 for a steel roof. Melissa closed by mentioning their Facebook page and info should we wish additional info at the American Farm Museum and Education Center, P.O. Box 37, Blissfield 49228 and at AFMEC.blissfield@gmail.com
New Baby Gift Presentation – President Kathye presented Luke and expectant Dena two very large gift bags for their soon-to-be new addition! A Baby Shower is planned for Saturday, April 6th at the Citizens Gas Blue Flame Room on Winter Street from 1-3pm.
Share the Warmth – President Kathye encouraged members to consider assisting members from the Morning Club to take turns for the next year helping out weekly at the facility on Mondays and/or Wednesdays either from 4pm-11pm or from 11pm to 6am. Four people per shift are needed. The Morning Club is considering the Monday slot. Please let her know if you are interested.
Neighbors of Hope – Kathy Williams mentioned that at the new facility for women and children in Tecumseh, the organization has an account at Martin’s Home Center and if anyone is interested they can go and make a donation (payment on their account) for things like appliances. Nate Smith then asked members if they would be interested in possibly helping out on a Saturday to help paint a room at the facility in Tecumseh at the women’s and children’s center. More info to come.
Practice Interviewing Live at SHU – Thanks to all Rotarians who helped again this year last Tuesday helping students at SHU to learn key interviewing skills. Barry and his staff did an excellent job coordinating the event and making it so easy for those interviewing!
Bike Tour 2019 Committee Update – Chip brought members up to date on what the committee discussed last Tuesday afternoon during their first meeting of the year. The event will take place on Saturday, September 21 and consist of three routes but no Family Fun Ride this time. This year’s tour will be promoted among local veteran organizations as well be tied in again with the annual Art-A-Licious event downtown. Participating in the meeting were Chip, Theresa, Nate and Yours Truly. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17 at 5pm at Chip’s office.
Upcoming Programs:
April 4 –
April 11 – Rick Caron
April 18 – Lenawee Now
April 25 - Chaloners
DATES TO REMEMBER
April 6 – District Assembly – Always an informative meeting at Schoolcraft College at the Vista Tech Center on 18600 Haggerty Road in Livonia from 7:30am-12noon. Please let Kathye know if you can attend. The club will pay registration fees for all members attending.
April 27 – 31st Annual Blissfield Rotary Charity Auction – Rod Pender announced that he hopes other members will want to attend this event and possibly fill a table at their auction to be held at the Adrian Armory & Events Center. Tickets are $75@ and an entire table is $600 (seats 8 and you get PR in the program) which includes dinner and open bar. The event features live and silent auctions, games, and Raffle. Monies raised will go towards Phase 1 of Walking Trails in the Park. For tickets visit: evenbrite.com. For sponsorships or corporate tables contact Chris Mallow at 517-486-3379 or blissfieldrotary@yahoo.com Jerry Anderson, WTOL TV personality returns again this year as celebrity auctioneer.
May 4th & 5th Great Lakes Woodworking Festival - on the grounds of old Training School where Sam Beauford Woodworking Shop is located. Our club will be selling brats and hot dogs. We will need cooks and sellers. Also volunteers will be needed in other areas-a job for everyone! Please try and help for a few hours that weekend!
May 19 - E-race Stigma 5k Run – The annual event is held to create awareness of mental illness. Our club has always helped with the youth event. It starts at 9:00 and you need to be there half hour prior to the event. After the race starts, you can leave so you can attend your church service or whatever. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Go to https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Adrian/ERaceStigma5K to register and for all of the details.
50/50Drawing – Bob Sack (perpetual winner and 2nd time in a row) won $28 and Chip Moore’s name was drawn but did not pick the card to win the $195 jackpot!
2018-19 RI President Barry Rassin wants Rotary members to Be the Inspiration
Rassin, a member of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, unveiled the 2018-19 presidential theme, Be the Inspiration, to incoming district governors at Rotary’s International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA. “I want you to inspire in your clubs, your Rotarians, that desire for something greater. The drive to do more, to be more, to create something that will live beyond each of us.”
Melissa Tsuji is a member of the Career Counseling Department at Siena Heights and Jerry Roessler is retired and a veteran member of the Blissfield Rotary Club. They are both board members of the American Farm Museum & Education Center on hand to bring members up to date on the progress made to raise funds for and to create a farm campus in Blissfield. The property is located west of the McDonald’s restaurant in Blissfield off Jefferson Street. It was the former Home Canning Company site.
May 19 - E-race Stigma 5k Run – The annual event is held to create awareness of mental illness. Our club has always helped with the youth event. It starts at 9:00 and you need to be there half hour prior to the event. After the race starts, you can leave so you can attend your church service or whatever. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Go to 
