People Clips

Green Stem Gardeners Our August meeting was at the Octagon House in Green Springs. We had a tour of the house and out buildings. The house can be rented and the other building can be rented for parties up to 200 people. August 23rd we will be decorating gourds that will be used for our centerpieces at our open house. Sept. 11, we will change out the decorations at the library. We discussed our Christmas exchange, a white elephant gift and a $10 gift was decided. American Legion Post No. 169 American Legion Post No. 169 members packed school backpacks for veteran families in August. School supplies were donated by Dollar Tree customers. A big thank you to them and Dollar Tree for their support of this program every year. Boxes of supplies were also delivered by Legion President Mary Ann Boehler to each of the elementary schools in Tiffin. Tiffin Rotary The Aug. 18 meeting was opened by president Phil Moerdyk at the Chandelier Event Center in downtown Tiffin. Rev. Charlene Thomas offered an opening prayer. Guests today included Bruce Creasap and Tommy Vicek with Molly Lofton. Attendance today was 21. Mimi Johnston won the Weekly Drawing and Gina Reuter won the Free Meal. Foundation chair Beth Schweitzer said we had made donations to the Heritage Festival and to Operation Hallmark. She also reminded members to sign up to help at the Rotary Rock Rum & Ribs fundraising event Sept. 25. Fundraising co-chair Charlene Thomas noted that she had passed around a list of potential sponsors. She needs help to contact them. Phil Moerdyk reminded Board members of our meeting tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. He also reminded members to consider signing up for one of his Task Forces on Community Assessment or Membership. Today's program featured a panel of three new Rotarians and one long-time Rotarian. It was moderated by Charlene Thomas. Panelists included three newer members — Jeff Bear, Joanne Fruth and Ron Guisinger. During self-introductions, we learned that Jeff had retired after a 30-year career as an aviator in the US Army and is looking for places to serve. Joanne is a Tiffin native and recently retired physician who is looking for purpose, community and a way to serve. Ron is a retired educator who just lost his wife and is looking for a way to fill that void as well as find a way to give back. Chris Lewis, the longer serving Rotarian, said that he always admired Rotary's motto of "service above self" and wanted to be a part of an organization that aspired to that. The first question Charlene posed was: Why did you join Rotary? Jeff said that he wanted to be "intentional" about serving somewhere. He researched various organizations and decided to join both Kiwanis and Rotary because both provided opportunities to serve our community. Chris said he looks forward to the sense of community pervasive in Rotary. He went a step further and encouraged newer members to get involved at the District level so that you get a fuller picture of how Rotary truly serves people both locally and around the world. Next, Charlene asked if there was anything they wanted to be a part of? Joanne admitted that she is currently obsessed with remodeling her house but looks forward to public health opportunities, helping with First Lutheran Church's food distribution program. Jeff simply wants to help where he can make a difference, while Ron said that after 30 years as a "chief", he is looking forward to being an "Indian"! Next, they were asked What has changed the most in Rotary? Chris noted that past fundraisers held the expectation that every member would help. He believes COVID changed that attitude, and he looks forward to seeing it change back. He also noted that the addition of women to the club has been a very favorable change. Joanne is still getting to know everyone's name, so she thinks fining people for not wearing their name tag would help.