The meeting was commenced with the ringing of the bell at 12PM sharp by President BRUCE JACOBS who invited everyone to enjoy the buffet and the program would start at 12:15. By the way, the TCC did a wonderful job with lunch having multiple entries and salads and a robust dessert menu.
The meeting commenced following lunch with Red Badger TOM MCKINNEY leading the pledge and song. The inspirational moment was led by MITCH PISIK who gave a history lesson on the Athenians and Aegeans and their Greek wars from 2400 years ago. He contrasted the mighty taking advantage of the weak and contrasted it with our Rotary Club where the mighty uphold the weak and make our community better.
DAN KALM acting Sergeant at Arms introduced our guests.
The program was introduced by CHUCK SAWYER who kindly and efficiently introduced club member MIKE SCHULTE and his lovely wife Oksana for the program.
MIKE did a great job laying out the logistics of the war. First things first, MIKE and Oksana have been together seven years and married six of them. Their meeting was an internet dating service where they became acquainted, fell in love and were married a year later. Fast forward to today, MIKE gave a brief history of the linkage historically between Ukraine and Russia. Oksana, is Ukrainian from birth and her father lived in Kharkiv at the start of the war—16 miles from the border with Russia. The region where she grew up—over 75% of the people speak Russian. In fact, many Ukrainians had a favorable opinion of the Russians/Putin until the start of the war. This largely changed and the public opinion changed against the Russians. Oksana’s father has hopes of returning to Ukraine when the fighting is over.Oksana spoke next and was very emotional about the war and in particular her father. Clearly, she holds her father in high regard and it was humbling to see the connection. Her love for her father caused her and MIKE to spring into action and get to Warsaw to try and retrieve her father. At one point, they weren’t sure if he could get out or they’d have to send somebody in to retrieve him. As they were arriving in Poland, her father was able to get to Poland and through friends, they united in Warsaw!! The happy photos were amazing. Their story was compelling and heartwarming. I will admit to being very moved by this rescue/adventure/first-hand look at the impact of this war.
MIKE completed the presentation with an admonition to support Ukraine and gave statistics about the war currently and the impact both in the region and in the world. The Make Way for Books donation was—My Country Ukraine.
President BRUCE recognized JENN DELANEY, PHIL GUTT and NANCY FARBER’S birthdays. Happy Birthday to you all!
Raffle was held—pot this week is $783.00 dollars—but nobody won the big pot.
SCOTT VAUGHAN did two Paul Harris presentations—NINA TRASOFF received her Paul Harris plus 2 as did ANN LANCERO. Congratulations you two!Upcoming Events—5th Wednesday Social Mixer on 8/31 at Noble Hops, all must sign up on the website and our next Blood Drive is on 9/28. JEANNE ZETAH gave an update on Car Show Ticket Sales. LYNN & DAN DEVOU had an exciting Happy Jackson introducing their first Grandbaby – Donovan.
Meeting was adjourned by President BRUCE.
