Posted by Terry Newton on Feb 22, 2017
Petoskey Rotary Noon Club NEWSLETTER
February 22, 2017
President Kent led us in the Pledge of Allegiance
Four Way Test: Thank you John Scholten
Invocation: Thank you Stuart Fenton for the poems from Maya Angelo
Caged Bird
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
On Aging
“When you see me sitting quietly, like a sack upon a shelf,
Don’t think I need your chattering. I’m listening to myself.
Hold! Stop! Don’t pity me! Hold! Stop your sympathy!
Understanding if you got it, otherwise I’ll do without it!
When my bones are stiff and aching and my feet won’t climb the stair,
I will only ask one favor: Don’t bring me no rocking chair.
When you see me walking, stumbling, don’t study and get it wrong.
‘Cause tired don’t mean lazy and every goodbye ain’t gone.
I’m the same person I was back then, a little less hair, a little less chin,
A lot less lungs and much less wind.
But ain’t I lucky I can still breathe in.”
Visiting Rotarians: Winter time; no Visiting Rotarians
Other Visitors: Sunny McKellar, Lynn Van Etten, Claire Brummeler, Renne Tanner, Steve Foley and Jori Snedden
Life Events:
Bill Collins inducted our newest member John Van Etten. Take some time and get to know John and welcome him to our club
Song of the Week: Steve and Howard were both absent today and the President didn’t think; correctly, that we wanted him to lead us. So no singing today
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Northmen Night: Steve Brummeler, filling in for John Scholten. President Kent said John Scholten is always up front with his hand out so it was Steve’s turn, to remind everyone that Northmen Night is this Saturday at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are still available and raffle tickets for the water craft are also available from John Scholten, Steve Brummeler or Bob Waldvogel
65th Annual Spaghetti Dinner: Mike Snyder let us know that the 65th Annual Spaghetti dinner was a success and we raised about $8,000. Lots of hands made for a fun night. Dennis Kelly won the pool at 844 served and he guessed 842
World Peace Conference: Paul let us know about the World Peace Conference being held in Ann Arbor on March 31-April 1st. If you are interested in attending go to the Link
PROGRAM
Paula Brown presented an interesting program on Brave Hearts Estate. This is a retreat center for disabled Veterans and returning Veterans who have seen combat. This facility is in Pellston, is a 501c3 and a great asset to our community and the population that we owe so much to
Next Week's Program: Jim Bransky, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians representing the tribe in their lawsuit with Emmet & Charlevoix Counties concerning reservation boundaries
New Member Notification: This is the first of two week's notification for the following proposed new members approved by the board:
Jori Snedden Executive Director at American House
Patricia "T" Jones Capital Campaign Officer McLaren Hospital Foundation