Stories

 

Chris Dowse, a member of the Crieff Rotary Club, Scotland, virtually attended the Benzie Sunrise Club to share his 2023 Walk Around Wales.  Bruce & Valerie Gerhart became friends of the Crieff Club during the pandemic, attending several of their meetings virtually and last year joining them in-person when they were on a cycling tour of Scotland.

Julie Johnson and Molly Pavelek of SEEDS joined us to educate us on SEEDS and the multiple ways in which they are affecting place-based learning opportunities through hands-on outdoor activities that develop leadership, life skills, and resilience.

Sierra Clark is Kichiwiiwedoong Anishinaabe Odawa, and she has covered issues affecting Native Americans in northern Michigan for the Traverse City Record-Eagle and otherwise.

Amanda McLaren spoke with the club about the Benzonia Public Library's and Mills Community House's sponsorship of the Smithsonian's traveling exhibit, Museum on Mainstreet Series.  They are seeking volunteer docents for the event.  Learn more by going to https://www.benzonialibrary.org/museum-on-main-street.html  

Our scheduled speaker, Sierra Clark, who was to talk on the topic of Our Anishinaabek Neighbors, needed to cancel for health reasons.  She will be rescheduled for late-January or early-February.  In her place, we viewed a TEDx talk by Shawn Achor  Shawn Achor: The happy secret to better work | TED Talk

Jeff Coil, District Governor of District 6290, joined us to share and elaborate on Rotary International President, Gordon McInally's theme for the year of "Create Hope in the World."

 

President Dave Wynne conducted the Foundation's Annual Meeting with the assistance of a PowerPoint presentation.

 

Isaak Koscielski was the winner of the Club's Tim Krause Memorial Scholarship, a four-year renewable scholarship of $1,000.

Our own Jack Harnish talked about his recently published book, 30 Days With E. Stanley Jones.

Jeff Rabidoux thanked Club members for their outpouring of affection following the passing of his beloved golden retriever, Fisher.

Club President Diane Miller inducts Mary Wixson into Benzie Sunrise Rotary membership.

Benzie Sunrise Rotary Foundation President Dave Wynne presides over the Foundation's Annual Meeting.

Olivia Bailey is this year's winner of the Club's two-year renewable Choices scholarship.

Alana Kuhlen was the 2021 recipient of the Tim Krause Memorial Scholarship.  Today she was back for a renewal of the four-year scholarship.

Today we watched the presentation that Rotary International President Elect Jennifer Jones gave at Great Lake PETS in Kalamazoo.

Kelly Thayer is Deputy Director of FLOW ("For Love of Water").  Founded in 2011, FLOW is a nonprofit that seeks to ensure that the waters of the Great Lakes Basin are healthy, public and protected for all.

Jim Drubert of the Sunrise Rotary Foundation (in the center) presents a ceremonial check for $2,500 to Charles Krause, President of the TARP Board of Directors while TARP VP Kathy Eiferle looks on with a certificate of appreciation.

John Gronberg of the Rotary Club of Holland, MI spoke to us about Rotary's HANWASH Program in Haiti.

Chuck Oldanie, a Rotarian from Seminole Lakes, Florida with Michigan ties, reported on the recent International Convention in Houston.

 

Michelle Russell was in charge as we nailed down final preparations for the Bike Benzie Crystal Mountain Cherry Roubaix Gran Fondo coming up Saturday.

Today Matt Rush and Diane Tracy gave us an update on the Benzie Aquatic and Fitness Center Project.  Matt is Board Advisor, while Diane is President of the Board.

Today Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack spoke to us about access to justice.

Today author (and Frankfort Rotarian) Jon Hawley talked about his new book, Guardians of the Manitou Passage:  A Chronicle of Service to Lake Michigan Mariners 1840-1915.

Dave Wynne and Gaia Pampu of the Benzie Sunrise Foundation present Ashley Lindstrom of the Whistle Stop Learning Center (in the center) with a ceremonial check in the amount of $2,469.24.

Assistant Principal Hammar and Service Above Self recipient Hayley Van Wagoner.

Adam Brown is a Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Technician at the Leelanaue Conservation District.

Assistant Principal Hammar confers Service Above Self recognition upon Hannah Batchelder.

Assistant Principal Hammar with Middle School student Hollis Bell.

Benzie Central Assistant Principal Mike Hammar presents Emmet Jaquish with Service Above Self recognition.

On April 25 Sunrise Rotarians were back to clean up along M-115.

On April 22 Sunrise Rotarians assisted with Benzie Central Schools teacher in-service and teacher appreciation day. The Club provided desserts for the teachers and bussed the tables after their lunch.

Ashley Lindstrom is the founder of Whistle Stop Learning Center, a new child care center coming to Thompsonville.  Ashley has partnered with United Way of NW Michigan but plans on Whistle Stop becoming a non-profit on its own.

Since 2019 Jim Gribble has been providing marketing, public relations and fundraising services for the Betsie Valley Trail. He also works on a volunteer basis for the Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project (TARP) among other non-profit groups. 

Jim Drubert gave us an entertaining and funny “Getting to Know You” presentation this morning. He has been a Benzie Sunrise Rotary member since 2019

Gaia Pampu was inducted into the Benzie Sunrise Rotary Club this morning and then gave us an amazing New Member presentation

 

Today we had our first meeting at our new venue--the Labrador Room at Lucky Dog Bar & Grille in Beulah.

Today Frankfort Attorney Joan McKay gave us an update on the creation of new legislative and congressional districts in Michigan by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC).

James Barker is the CEO of Munson Healthcare's South Region, covering Munson facilities in Cadillac, Manistee and Frankfort.

Tonya Smith is the President of Community Hospitals and System Integration for Munson Healthcare.  She is also a Cadillac Rotarian.

Steve Wade is Vice President, Community Impact at the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.

Benzie Central Dean of Students Michael Hammar with Service Above Self winners Irvin Meachum and Maya Musgrave.

Today Kim Simon and Val Gerhart provided an update, guiding us through a PowerPoint on Rotary at the local and the international level.

Marc Alderman is the coach of Benzie Central's highly successful middle school and high school robotics teams.

On December 17th Sunrise Rotarians were on hand at the PoWeR! Book Bags warehouse in Suttons Bay to pack books for Benzie Cental students from pre-K to Grade 5.

Jeffie Lynch-Jones is the Secretary/Treasurer of Benzie Food Partners, an all-volunteer food pantry that has been providing food and personal hygiene items to Benzie County residents for nearly 25 years.

Today Val Gerhart provided an update on early literacy initiatives in Benzie County, starting with the Advocates for Benzie County (ABC) in 2016-2017.

Jonathan Simpson is the Executive Director of the HomeStretch Non-Profit Housing Corporation.  Based in Traverse City, HomeStretch serves five counties in northwest Michigan--including Benzie County.

Today retired urologist and local historian Chuck Krause returned to Sunrise Rotary to talk about his recently released book, Thompsonville in Time:  A Northwestern Michigan Story, 1890-2020.

Today Kim Simon presided over our first live/Zoom hybrid meeting--by all acounts a success.

Dave and Jan Wynne read to Mrs. MacGirr’s 1st graders at Crystal Lake Elementary School. 

Kimmee Wenkel is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Cognition, a nonprofit science and discovery center in Beulah. This tortoise is one of several live animals on display there.

Kathy Neveu gave the last new member presentation today.  Kathy is a retired Benzie Central teacher who is an Associate Broker for Real Estate One in Beulah.

Tim Taylor provided the first of three new member bios today.  Tim is actually not a new member, having joined Sunrise Rotary just as the pandemic struck.

Hunter Steinkamp also provided his biographical information today.  A native of Indiana, Hunter moved to this area in 2018, when he became a ski instructor (among other things) at Crystal Mountain.

Sakura Takano, a second-generation Rotarian, is the recently appointed Executive Director of Rotary Charities of Traverse City.

This year we moved our annual golf outing to the Interlochen Golf Course. The event was chaired by Pat Kiely and Bruce Wildie, pictured here with Avace Wildie.

Katie Jones is the first Executive Director of the Garden Theater. Katie has a background in theater, writing and film production, as well as a four-generation connection with Benzie County.

Today we were happy to induct two new members:  Hunter Steinkamp and Kathy Neveu.

Gerri VanAntwerp is BACN's long-time Executive Director.

Gwen Van Dorp is the President of the Board of Directors of Benzie Area Christian Neighbors, known by all as BACN.

Today Mitch Deisch received Paul Harris recognition.

Club President Kim Simon ran today's taking-care-of-business program.

Kim welcomes Keith Krause to his first in-person meeting since joining the Club from Illinois.

Frankfort Rotarian MaryAnn Norton Short leads a group of Sunrise Rotarians in Bal-A-Vis -X.

Today we recognized Sunrise Rotary Scholarship winner Cierra Guay.

Today we also received an update from John Ransom and Tad Peacock of the Benzie Conservation District.

Today we recognized this year's Tim Krause Memorial Scholarship winner--Alana Kuhlen. Alana is pictured here with Sunrise Rotarian Tim Taylor.

Amiee Erfourth has served the Benzie County Central Schools for the last twenty years.  Since August of 2020 she has been the Superintendent of Schools.

Today we were honored to be the first Club visited by our new District Governor, Gary Chenowith.

At our first regular in-person meeting in over a year Kim presented Mary Lane with more Paul Harris recognition.

At the June 29^th Presidents’ Dinner, Zee Amenson, owner of the Cold Creek Inn, was recognized for her many years of providing the restaurant as the location for the club’s Tuesday morning breakfast meetings. 

Speaking to us from Alberta, Canada, Doug Griffiths talked about ways to help communities become prosperous and enduring.

Platte Lake resident and local historian Jerry Heiman told us the interesting story of Max Marshall and the family business he built as Benzie's Turkey King.

This past year Manuel ("Manny") Lamarche has been the College Advisor for the Benzie and Frankfort Schools.  He reported on his year as advisor.

Today Mary Lane as its President conducted the annual membership meeting of the Benzie Sunrise Rotary Foundation.

Under Dave Wynne's guidance we broke up into groups to discuss an "elevator speech"--a short statement to encourage prospective members to join Sunrise Rotary.

Alyssa (Aly) Rudy received her PhD in Health Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. She recently moved to Benzonia and is involved in the Benzie Area Youth Initiative.

The Benzie Sunrise Rotary applauds Benzie Central's top 10 graduates.  In addition to the yard sign they'll be able to take home after Thursday evening's awards program, they are receiving a certificate and gift card to enjoy a dinner on the Rotary Club.  We wish all of this year's graduates continued success in their postsecondary endeavors.  

Mark Kellogg is a Lansing attorney specializing in cottage law and property succession planning. He explained the importance of having a cottage succession plan.

Today Val Gerhart led us in a Club Meeting.

Benzie Sunrise Rotary Club members and a Friend of Rotary completed their clean-up of M-115 between Benzonia and Frankfort. The club has adopted a 2.5 section of highway that they clean of trash each year in the spring and fall. 

Charlie Hamlyn is Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Grand Traverse County, as well as a Traverse City Rotarian. He described commonplace fraudulent schemes and how to avoid them.

On Tuesday we also recognized Benzie Central 7th grader Carson Case for Service Above Self.

Missy Smith is the Parent Liaison for the Great Start Collaborative of Traverse Bay.  A former elementary teacher, Missy has been working with children for over thirty years.

On April 24th Rotarians from both local clubs were on hand with friends to assist the Benzie Conservation District in the annual cleanup at Elberta Beach, part of the Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup.

 

Emily Burrus is the Guidance Counselor at Benzie Central for grades 10-12. She told us about the TRAILS Program and her Virtual Counseling Site.

Jeff Seeley is the Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Graceland Fruit. He served as an adviser before officially joining the Board as Executive Chairman in March of 2019.

Kristi Boettcher, Director of Advocacy for the Women's Resource Center in Traverse City, presented a program today entitled "Domestic Violence 101."

At this week’s meeting, Benzie Sunrise Rotarians learned about the many Rotary Youth Programs including Interact Clubs, the Life Leadership Conference, Youth Exchange, Leadership Camp, and the Youth Protection Policy.   

Dr. Nick Nissley has been the President of Northwestern Michigan College since January of 2020.

Today we recognized Benzie Central High School senior Reeve Katt for her Service Above Self.

Diane Emiling is an Instructor at Northwestern Michigan College.  Her presentation covered implicit bias and structural racism.

Dave Wynne of the Sunrise Rotary Foundation presents Doug Durand, Executive Director of Benzie Senior Resources, with a $2,000 check to support the Resources' Produce Box Program.

At our meeting today we considered ways we can improve our weekly gatherings as we return to in-person meetings.

Sunrise Rotary Friend Kathi Houston was part of the team assisting with the BACN winter food drive at Family Fare Supermarket.

At today's meeting we recognized two Service Above Self winners from Benzie Central Middle School:  Benjamin DeRidder and Grayson Converse.

 

Senior Reeve Katt was one of four Benzie Central high schoolers sharing their experiences under the pandemic.  The others were Devon Harris, Jessica Whaley and Alyssa Brouwer, while Principal Dave Clasen facilitated the discussion.

Barb Termaat is the Executive Director of Newton's Road Northwest, a nonprofit dedicated to STEM-related learning for all youth in the five-county area in Northwest Michigan.

Todd Neibauer is the Vice President for Student Services and Technologies at Northwestern Michigan College.  As such he oversees admissions and other student-related services, including NMC's involvement in the Frontliners and Reconnect Tuition Programs.

Maggie Bacon is the Coordinator of the BEST (Building Educational Success & Training) Benzie County Cradle-to-Career Educational Network.

At our Club Meeting Val brought us up-to-date on a number of things, including the status of the Up North Bike Fest tentatively scheduled for August 21.  By May 1 we hope to be in a better position to determine whether it will be a live or virtual event.

Today's speaker was Ambasssador Robert E. Whitehead, a career diplomat who was called back into service after retiring.   Most of his overseas posts were in Africa.

On January 3 kids from our community had a great time learning how to cross country ski at Crystal Mountain. This was the first session of Crystal Community Ski Club's new Nordic Squirrel program for ages 8 - 10.

Peter Payette is the Executive Director of Interlochen Public Radio and Instructor of Media at Interlochen Center for the Arts. He has had ties with Benzie County his entire life.

Today Keith Krause gave his new member bio.  Keith and his family reside in a Chicago suburb but also have a place on Platte Lake.

Today we received an update from Rick Schmitt, co-owner of The Garden Theater and Stormcloud Brewing Company. A Colorado native, Rick spent 15 years at Crystal Mountain, where Chris MacInnes was his mentor.

The Honorable Barbara Gorman is the retiring Presiding Judge of the Montgomery County [Ohio] Common Pleas Court.  She also presided over the Common Pleas Drug Court, one of the problem-solving courts which were the subject of today's presentation.

The son of Sunrise Rotarian Jack Harnish, Chris Harnish is an Associate Professor of Architecture in Malawi and Director of the Development of Health Centre Protypes for the Malawi Ministry of Health.

Manuel ("Manny") Lamarche is a college advisor, serving as an Americorps member for AdviseMI at Benzie Central and Frankfort High School. He is pictured here with his family.

Dr. Dan McCole is an Associate Professor in the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University.  As such, he is well qualified to describe trends in Michigan tourism.

Dave Mengebier is the CEO of the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. Today he spoke about the Community Development Coalition of Northwest Michigan.

In 2014 Josh Stoltz became Grow Benzie's first full-time Executive Director.  Along with his other responsibilities Josh has been involved in the development of Volunteer Benzie County, a network of non-profits in Benzie County.

Today retired surgeon and Crystal Mountain resident Chuck Kraus described what it took to obtain a Michigan Historical Marker for the Diamond Crossing and Thompsonville. 

Camille Hoisington is Head of Strategic Projects at Traverse Connect.  Traverse Connect launched the "Michigan's Creative Coast" program this past June "to lead the charge to enhance the creative economy in the Grand Traverse Region."

Benzie County Undersheriff Greg Hubers explained the purpose of Proposal 20-2 on the November ballot.  Proposal 20-2 would amend the Michigan Constitution to clarify that with limited exceptions a search warrant is needed for an officer to search for electronic data.

This week we received an update on Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital from COO Kristi Johnson. Kristi was introduced by James Barker, President of Munson's Southern Regional Hospitals.

 

Kristi reviewed the many medical areas in which Paul Oliver is involved. As a Level IV Designated Trauma Facility, Paul Oliver has received the Guardians of Excellence Award, most recently for 2020. 

 

Ryan Schultz is the Chief Operating Officer of M R Products, Inc. of Copemish.  M R Products is engaged in plastic injection molding and is known as the home of  Mr. Chain.

 

Today we received an update on the Benzie Central Schools from the new Superintendent, Amiee Erfourth. Prior to her appointment Aimee spent 20 years at Betsie Valley Elementary School, the last six as Principal.

Glen Chown is the Founder and Executive Director of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.  The Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Manistee Counties.

Lisa Peacock, Health Officer for the Benzie-Leelanau Health Department and a member of the Governor's Task Force, provides an update on COVID-19 within Benzie County. Her office prepares a weekly update on their website.

Diane Tracy is the President of the Board of Directors of the Benzie Aquatic Center, a 501(c)(3) looking into the construction of an aquatic and fitness center in Benzie County.

During our Club Assembly we were pleased to induct a new member:  Keith Krause.

 

Barbara Mort is the Executive Director of the Benzie Area Historical Society & Museum. The group's mission is to connect people to our region's past.

Dan Worth is Clean Energy Program Director for the Groundwork Center in Traverse City, successor to the Michigan Land Use Institute. Groundwork is a nonprofit serving residents and communities within a 10-county area in northwest Michigan.

Our Past President Dave Wynne is the President of the Crystal Lake & Watershed Association, a non-profit whose purpose is to protect and promote the natural qualities of Crystal Lake and its surrounding watershed.

Sarah Sanderson received a Rotary Peace Fellowship and was selected to go to Tokyo for two years of training. She currently works for the U.S. State Department as a foreign service officer at a U.S. Consulate in northern China.  She participated in our Zoom meeting from China.

Julia Winter went from being an award-winning chemistry teacher at Detroit Country Day School to the founder and CEO of a start-up known as Alchemie Solutions.

Kimmee Wenkel, co-founder and executive director of the Cognition Science & Discovery Center gave the Sunrise Rotary Club a virtual tour of the new center.  

Today we were honored with a visit from District 6290 Governor Jon Catlin, pictured here with Rotary International President Holger Knaack.

In view of the pandemic our traditional President's Dinner was replaced by a virtual Presidential Transition available in its entirety by clicking here. 

Scott Adams is President of Eaton Corporation's eMobility Division. He gave us an overview of electric vehicles and their future.

Dr. Kara Murphy Gregory is founder and Executive Director of PoWeR! Book Bags--a 501(c)(3) that seeks to empower children to play, write and read to build a better tomorrow.

Today Benzie Sunrise Rotary Foundation President Kris Thomas presided over the Foundation's annual meeting.

Sisters Jaylynn, Chelby, and Mae Talsma, along with Zach Grundy, receive Service Above Self recognition from Val Gerhart. Since the pandemic closed Michigan schools in mid-March, the four volunteers have played a key role in the County's two school districts' delivery of meals to families in need of support. 

 

Bill Tobin, a long-time Rotarian, is Rotary Relations Manager for ShelterBox USA.

We continued to adjust to the new normal with another meeting via Zoom.

Today we moved closer to our usual format with a PowerPoint presentation by Devin Moore, Education & Outreach Coordinator for Aryana Natural Foods.

At our second Zoom meeting Val Gerhart ran the "Getting to Know You" program, with each participant describing another Sunrise Rotarian based on an interview in November.  Well worth repeating!

Today we had our first meeting since February via Zoom.

President Dave Wynne has followed our standard procedure to cancel our meetings when the Benzie Central Schools are closed during the school year.  Our next meeting will be via Zoom on May 5.

Oliver Roberts, Co-Founder, Brewmaster and General Manager of Five Shores Brewing in Beulah shares his passion for brewing.

 

 

Farmer Carol Bontekoe And New Dawn Fields

Joe Tobin runs the SEEDS after-school program for Benzie Central Middle Schoolers, acting as their "fun uncle" (according to Joe's wife).

For our Rotary Minute Jeff Rabidoux reported on his experience on the Club-sponsored trip to the Dominican Republic with local high school students.

Amanda McLaren, Director of the Benzonia Public Library, told us about the library's exciting oral history project.

Sunrise Rotarian Bill Kennis is the Executive Director of the Benzie Transportation Authority.  He gave us the annual report on Benzie Bus and urged us to vote on March 10th on the millage renewal.

Benzie Central 7th Grader Grayson Converse receives Service Above Self recognition from David Sylvester while sponsoring teacher Dan Long looks on.

When Kay Leers first spoke to the Club in 2017, Remain in Touch was new to Benzie County.  She returned today to give us an update on the program that helps incarcerated parents stay in touch with their children.

Today we met at Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort under the guidance of the hospital's Outreach Manager, Stephanie Williams.

Today Patty Higgins, Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Benzonia, gave us an update on Habitat for Humanity in Benzie County.  Patty has been a Board member of the local organization for a year and a half.

Judy Harnish and her Rotarian husband Jack are members of the Legacy Society of Cass Community Social Services, a Detroit nonprofit dedicated to providing food, housing, health services and jobs to those in the community.

 

Benzie Central 12th grader Finn McLaren receives Service Above Self recognition from Benzie Sunrise Rotary's David Sylvester.

 

On December 4th and 5th Sunrise Rotarians returned to Benzie Central to conduct interactive CHOICES workshops with 8th graders.

Today Shaun Anchak returned to give a plug for the Maritime Heritage Alliance while teaching us all to play the harmonica.

Today we went on record as supporting Zonta in saying NO to Violence Against Women.

Shenandoah Chefalo, author of Garbage Bag Suitcase, is herself a survivor of the foster care system.  She is also a faculty member and trainer at the Center for Trauma Resilient Communities--a new initiative by the Crossnore School and Children's Home to help organizations translate the science of trauma and adversity.

President Dave Wynne inducts new members Diane Miller and Chris Hodges.

Benzie Central 8th grader Samantha Grant hears nothing but nice words from teacher Kirsten Cline before receiving Service Above Self recognition from Sunrise Rotary.

On behalf of the Club President Dave Wynne accepts the 2019 Community Impact Award from Doug Durand of Benzie Senior Resources, last year's winner.

Kandi McKenzie is coordinator for the Benzie Area Youth Initiative, which seeks to address issues such as drug and alcohol abuse faced by Benzie County youth.

Phyllis Kladder, Treasurer of the Sunrise Rotary Foundation, presents a symbolic big check to Tim Furbacher of the Crystal Community Ski Club.

Phil and Cindy Cook run Mrs. Mullen's Closet, a nonprofit providing clothing and other items for Benzie County students.

Mary Lane receives Paul Harris Plus One recognition from Club President Dave Wynne.

On October 24 a small but spirited group of Sunrise Rotarians cleaned up our designated portion of M-115.

At our annual breakfast at Benzie Central we gave Service Above Self recognition to 11th grader Seth Wilkinson.

Amanda Elliott is employed by Child & Fanily Services of Northwestern Michigan in its YouthWork program, an AmeriCorps program modeled after the old Civil Conservation Corps.

 

John Wemlinger, local author of the new book Before the Snow Flies, addressed the national epidemic of suicide

 

Troy DeShano, Communications and Special Projects Manager at Michigan Legacy Art Park, gave us an update on the non-profit based at Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa.

For our Rotary Minute we recognized Michelle Russell and Barb Skurdall, relay winners in theTri Up North Triathalon in Frankfort run by Kris Thomas.

Today we had the pleasure of hosting District 6290 Governor Dave Thomas.

When Healthy Harvest returned to Ryan Noonan's farm on September 7th to harvest potatoes, Sunrise Rotary was on board.

Ed Hoogterp, Benzie County Drain Commissioner, spoke about the impact and management of stormwater runoff.

Today Aaron Kaskinen and Karl Putney showed us highlights of Troop #10's recent trip to Alaska, supported by Sunrise Rotary and many others in our community.

 

 

 

Dave Wynne ran our Club Assembly, bringing Club members up-to-date on Club activites.

Alline Beutler is the Site Manager for the Traverse City office of Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON), a network providing free legal and other services to immigrants and refugees.

Today Jacob Ingleston stopped by to provide an update on his status and to receive a $1,000 renewal of his 2018 Choices Scholarship.

Karen Emerson explained that NMCAA is a private non-profit community action agency serving ten counties in northwest lower Michigan (including Benzie County).  Its motto is "helping people by linking services, resources, and opportunities."

Mercedes Michalowski is the Executive Director of the Oliver Center for the Arts. The Center's mission is to "establish and maintain an educational program and facility for the advancement of the arts, and to promote and develop visual, culinary, and literary arts."

Sunrise Rotarian and Advocates for Benzie County President Jack Harnish advised of the Advocates' support for an effort to build affordable housing at the site of the old "question mark" building in Honor.

For today's Rotary Minute Mitch Deisch announced the resumption of the mission in which three area Rotary Clubs take local high school students to the Dominican Republic for a service project.

Amy Somero, Anibal Pepper and Sue Hammon were on hand to talk about about the trip they took last year to Dr. Pepper's hometown of Arequipa, Peru.

Today two Benzie Central graduates stopped by to pick up renewal checks on their 2018 Sunrise Rotary scholarships:  Robby Stewart and Alexis Perry.

 

 

Ranae McCauley, Executive Director of United Way of Northwest Michigan, educated us on the new 2-1-1 program launched in our region last September.

Foundation Treasurer Phyllis Kladder presents a symbolic $3,000 check to Matt Olson, Superintendent of the Benzie Central Schools.  The funds will go toward the purchase of an ice-making machine needed by athletic trainers at middle and high school activities.

Rose Fosdick and Martie Manty share an update on the progress of the Betsie Valley Community Center.

This week's Rotary Minute was provided by Past President Andy Ashworth.

Self-described amateur astrophysicist David Penney gave us a PowerPoint presentation on the improbability of life and humans existing on earth today. 

Paige Cutler thanks the Club for the renewal of her scholarship while Kris Thomas awaits with her check.

Kris Thomas, President of the Sunrise Rotary Foundation, conducted this year's annual membership meeting.

Annabelle Fortine was pleased to receive a check from Steve Mitchell as this year's winner of the Sunrise Rotary Choices Scholarship.

Val Gerhart, Kay Bond and Jason Reed provided an update on the Advocates for Benzie County.

 

Sonny Rodriguez presents a symbolic $2,000 big check to Eric Lilly of the Drop-In Center in Benzonia.

 

Kris Thomas watches as Madisen Miner, this year's winner of the Tim Krause Memorial Scholarship, addresses the Club.

Nick Killian is GOREC's Program & Guest Services Manager. Prior to his present position he was a professional in the Boy Scouts for 14 years (and an Eagle Scout).

Sonny Rodriguez  (on the left) presents a symbolic $2,000 check to Sue Webber of Special Olympics while Sunrise Rotary Foundation Board member Dave Wynne assists.

Kevin D'Alessandro is the TCAPS Early College/Commitment Scholarship Coordinator. He explained NMC's role in the early college program.

Ashley Darga is the Early College Program Specialist for the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District.  Among other things, she explained the difference between early college and dual enrollment.

Sonny Rodriguez presents a symbolic check for $1,000 to Joy to Ride's Carol Kraak.

Sponsoring Benzie Central teacher Barry Hahn raves about our modest Service Above Self winner MacKenzie Wysocki while David Sylvester looks on.

Benzie County native Tia Kurina-Cooley was the first of three new members to describe their life histories in a nutshell.

Jim Drubert gave the last of the three new member bios.  Like David, his life history included a chapter in South Bend.

After belonging to three other Rotary clubs, David Oellerich was no stranger to new member bios.  Nevertheless, David said he put in 1,000 hours preparing his 10-minute PowerPoint presentation!

Mark Lagerwey, Associate Director of Business Development at Baker College (and President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Cadillac), described the programs developed by Baker in response to changes in the world of employment.

Brent Boerema is the Principal of the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District Career-Tech Center. The Center's goal is to prepare students for careers that won't be outsourced.

Zoe Joy Lozowski, a sophomore at Benzie Central, was the latest to receive our Service Above Self  recognition.

Allan O’Shea is the founder and President of Contractors Building Supply, Inc. in Copemish. He and his company have been in the renewable energy business for nearly 40 years.

Today's program was  about cracking the stigma of mental illness. At the end of the presentation Sonny Rodriguez on behalf of the Club presented a symbolic big check for $1,000  to Stigma Busters Dani, Nick and David to further their efforts.

Michael Musgrave tells how he ended up in Beulah as a new member of Benzie Sunrise Rotary. 

Josh Stoltz, Executive Director of Grow Benzie, gave us an update on his organization's past, present and future.  A native of northern Michigan, Josh became Grow Benzie's first full-time director in 2014 and recently received Rotary Charities' first Changemaker Fellowship.

Benzonia Public Library: Who knew?!

Kimmee Wenkel, President, Provided Update on Cognition

Jack Harnish presented his new member bio on March 12.

Jeff Rabidoux presents newest Club member Tia Cooley with her Rotary pin on March 12.

Ross Stephenson also presented his new member bio on March 12.

On March 19 Payton Moore returned to share her story of her medical mission to Cambodia.

On March 5 the Club was fortunate to learn more about the concepts of permaculture and hugelkultur from area farmer Chad Van Tol who practices both at his Benzie County farm, Cold Creek Permaculture.

March is Reading Month and Rotarians are doing their second round of reading and book giveaways to 1st grade students at the elementary schools in the Benzie Central district.  Betsie Valley Elementary children were thrilled to select their very own book to take home and keep. 

Farmer Carol Bontekoe of Grow Benzie shared the story of her through hike of the Appalachian Trail (AT) from Georgia to Mt. Katahdin, Maine.  And what a phenomenal storyteller she is!

 

Peggy Case is the President of the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation (MCWC), a grass-roots nonprofit dedicated to water conservation and water justice.  She sees the major threats to water supply as sewage and fertilizers, chemicals, and the oil and gas industry.

David Sylvester presents a Service Above Self Award to Benzie Central 8th Grader Michael Robert Musgrave while father Mike looks on.

Carissa Savage and her husband Nathan Cornell own and operate Lost Lake Farm in Honor. It is a 40-acre tract of woods and fields, with 1.5 acres in vegetable production and an 8-acre pasture for pigs.

On January 24 Dave and Jan Wynne read to 1st and 2nd graders at the Lake Ann Elementary School.

Today we heard from Northwest Michigan Works! staff members (from the left) Susan Ward, Shelly VanderMeulen, Sharon Laraway Gordon, Sue Oseland and Mary Szwed.

Benzie Central High School's Science Olympiad Team was one of the recipients of funds following the Foundation's recent quarterly review of grant applications. Some of the Team members are pictured here with their coach, Jalen Williams. 

Tim Furbacher is the Nordic Program Director of the Crystal Community Ski Club (CCSC). While CCSC has a full slate of programs to bring affordable alpine (downhill) and nordic (cross-country) skiing to local residents, Tim's focus today was on the NordicRocks program for our area's elementary schools.

High School Senior Abby Bretzke receives Service Above Self recognition from Sunrise Rotarian David Sylvester.  At Benzie Central Abby has maintained a 4.0 GPA while being captain of the cross-country, basketball and track teams.

Val Gerhart reads to 1st graders at Betsie Valley Elementary School in Thompsonville. 

Sarah Lucas is the Director of Community Development for Networks Northwest.  A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Sarah is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners and has been a practicing planner in Northwest Michigan for over 15 years.

 

On November 29 and 3o Sunrise Rotary conducted CHOICES workshops for Benzie Central 8th graders.

The Michigan ACEs Initiative is a state wide effort to create awareness in communities across Michigan.  The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study demonstrates the correlation between toxic doses of stress hormones in childhood and health outcomes both physical and mental.  As an ACEs Master Trainer Mary Gruman, our speaker today, is charged with bringing this science to decision makers in the hope of creating collaboration to reduce ACEs.

Patty Roth is a social emotional educator for MSU Extension targeting key areas of importance to Michigan.  Today she focused on improving health and nutrition in Michigan residents with Mindfulness as a technique.

Mckai Henry receives Service Above Self Award for November.

Dennis Wiand gave us an update of Zero Gravity's use of drones to assist inland lakes. 

Jim Hamp is Crystal Lake's resident expert on aquatic invasive species, having conducted an aquatic plant survey there over the last several years.

Jane Perrino is the Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator at the Benzie Conservation District.

Tad Peacock is the Executive Director of the Benzie Conservation District.

Today we inducted two new members:  Jack Harnish (on the left) and Ross Stephenson (on the right).

Our own Clark Brown educated us on the Civil Air Patrol, the all-volunteer civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.

Today we learned how Kim Simon found his way to Benzie County and Sunrise Rotary.

Jeff looks on as Michael Musgrave addresses the membership after his induction.