Rotarians in the News

SEPTEMBER 2011

Libby Hines has been elected to serve a 3-year term on the Board of Directors for the National Center for State Courts. She is not sure who nominated her, but she is well known within the organization. This group works with the American Judges Association and the Conference of Chief Justices. We all know that Libby is a well-respected judge in the 15^th District Court.

Timothy Johnson recently received the Louis M. Hellman Midwifery Partnership Award from the American College of Nurse Midwives, the ACNM Foundation and the Midwifery Business Network. It is in recognition of Johnson’s career-long support of collaboration in practice research and teaching.

The A2 Journal featured Sue Beutler for her work displayed at the A2 Sunday Artisan Market in Kerrytown, where she has been painting and displaying her work on Sundays.

Jody Tull was featured in the September edition of Albee’s Small Business Review for her “Be in Awe” yoga studio, at which she strives to each her students how to “live in awe.” Some of her sessions are held in the woods. Jody has been teaching private sessions and yoga classes since 2009 and is also certified to train yoga teachers. Each year Jody’s studio leads a trip to Soglio, Switzerland, at the Swiss-Italian border, to participate in her Alpine Yoga Retreat.

The Fall edition of Art Showcase features the Ann Arbor Art Center, ably lead by our own Marsha Chamberlin. The Art Center has been active in Ann Arbor since 1909, originally started as a group of artists employed by the UofM banded together to form an association that would serve as an outlet where they could express themselves outside of their utilitarian jobs and create art for fun and for their community. Marsha was tapped as its CEO in 1980 and it has continued to grow and thrive for over 30 years under her leadership. Great work, Marsha.

Finally, Johannes Kristinsson, president of our Community Rotaract Club, was featured in a Ford Motor Company newsletter. His parents are from Iceland and Finland. He was raised in Gothenburg, Sweden and earned a master’s degree in computer science at Chalmers University of Technology, also in Gothenburg. He also loves singing and is very involved in music, with the Vocal Arts Ensemble in Ann Arbor. He is also a research engineer who spends his days working on research projects that address the control systems of future vehicles for Ford Motor Company. Aren’t we lucky to have young people like Johannes involved in our new Rotaract Club? (News reported by Gae Miller)

MAY 2011

President Beth wrote a Letter to the Editor which was printed in both the printed edition of A2.com and also the Ann Arbor Journal, thanking the community for their support of our recent food drive for Food Gatherers. She said that success could not have happened without the leadership of Todd Kephart and Chris McMullen.

For the third consecutive year, Bob Dascola and Dascola Barbers has been selected for the 2011 Best of Ann Arbor Award in the Barbers category by the U.S. Commerce Association. It recognizes outstanding small businesses throughout the country that enhance the positive image of small business through service to its customers and community. Less than 1% of 2011 award recipients qualified as three-time award winners. Congratulations, Bob!

Joe Harris continues to make the news as Benton Harbor’s emergency manager. Being debated is how much power states should wield over financially struggling cities when a state-appointed emergency manager has stripped decision-making authority of the city’s elected officials. Joe was appointed by former Governor Jennifer Granholm over a year ago, but emergency managers gained more authority with the election of our new governor, Rick Snyder. It sounds like Joe has his work cut out for him.

Fred Beutler was featured in a long article in the May 12 edition of the Ann Arbor Journal regarding his photography exhibit now showing at the Gallery 100 in Chelsea, including a color photo. This article was also printed in the Chelsea and Livingston County papers.

And how about our new ”Cover Boy”, Scott Huckstein, on the cover of “The Ann”, a monthly addition to the Sunday edition of A2.com. Besides the great cover photo, there is a wonderful article about Scott and his business, Schakolad, about what he has learned while being in business for himself. Several other A2 entrepreneurs are also featured.

Now, onto national newsmakers--Patricia Garcia, along with her daughter Geana and friends appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show on Friday, April 29, the day of the royal wedding. They all had tickets and were notified ahead of time that they would be celebrating the royal wedding on that show and if they planned to attend, they would be required to dress as they would if they were actually guests at the wedding. So, all decked out in new suits, hats and gloves, they appeared for the live show (most of them are taped ahead of time but this one couldn’t be due to the content) During the first commercial, Oprah was chatting with the audience, commenting on how great everyone looked, and told Patricia that her hat was her very favorite of all hats there! They had a little chat, but then when they went back to the live show, she didn’t chat with Patricia any further, BUT the cameramen kept showing Patricia and her stunning hat! She thinks she appeared about four times! During the show they served the audience crumpets, with butter and jam, candy that is Prince William’s favorite from Buckleberries that was served at the wedding (Patricia reported it tastes rather like gummy bears!), a piece of the groom’s cake (chocolate!) and they were also given a replica of Kate’s (from Princess Diana) sapphire and diamond engagement ring! Patricia could not be at today’s meeting but told me she will remember to wear the ring to one of our meetings soon for all to see. Patricia reported it was a wonderful day to remember. Following the show, she and her daughter and friends went to the Palmer House in downtown Chicago to have high tea in that beautiful lobby-- still dressed in their wedding attire. She reported they got many comments from passers-by about their fabulous attire. Patricia is trying to get another hat like the one she wore to give to Oprah, since Oprah said it was her very favorite. If she can’t get one, Patricia has contacted Oprah’s office to see if she might like to have the one that she wore! Patricia forwarded several photos and a video clip of the show which I will forward to the editors of the Harpoon, in the hopes they can appear in next week’s edition. OK, Rotarians, I am willing to report on anyone who can top this story! (Signed: Gae Miller)

Older Adults Named Senior Citizen of the Year
Two older adults were presented with a 2010 Senior Citizens of the Year Award on June 10 during Older Michiganians Day ceremonies at the State Capitol in Lansing. They received this statewide honor for their voluntary efforts and community service.

The Senior Citizen of the Year Award is sponsored by the Michigan Commission and Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) and Consumers Energy to recognize the unpaid contributions made by persons, age 60 and older. It is presented in two categories, leadership in the community, and service to others.

"This award is presented every year to recognize the valuable contributions made by special older adults in our state who are using their retirement years to help others," says OSA Director Sharon Gire. "They are setting a wonderful example about how to age with purpose and satisfaction."

Henry Johnson of Ann Arbor was named 2010 Senior Citizen of the Year for Leadership. He was recognized for his exemplary leadership and advocacy.

Since his retirement as Vice-President for Student Affairs at the University of Michigan, he has served on numerous boards and committees, including 3 years as Chairperson of the Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Board of Directors and its Strategic Planning Committee.

Johnson has volunteered his time as a Strategic Planning Consultant for several area agencies on aging in southeast Michigan and the National Center and Caucus on Black Aged. He also has been actively involved with organizations such as the Presbytery of Detroit, and the Ann Arbor Housing Bureau for Seniors.

J.C. Briggs of Lansing received the 2010 Senior Citizen of the Year Award for Service. He has been an exceptional role model for those who want to volunteer. Over the years, he has volunteered close to 10,000 hours in his community.

(From www.michigan.gov, Office of Services for the Aging, June 10, 2010)

STRIVE Scholars Awarded $20,000 in Scholarships

(story by Jenny Serwach for annarbor.com, May 8, 2010)

The Ann Arbor Rotary Club awarded $20,000 in scholarships to 14 students from Stone High School through the school's STRIVE program this week, giving those students an opportunity to attend classes at Washtenaw Community College.

The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor has always focused a major portion of its service work toward the community's youth. One aspect of this effort is to provide local high school seniors with college scholarships. The club works with the administrators at area high schools to select worthy recipients based primarily on financial need.

However, the club's sponsorship of Stone High School's STRIVE Program goes well beyond financial assistance and helps to turn lives around.

"The members of the STRIVE program are often unpolished gems and the program gives students a little boost to get them to a point where they're starting to feel good about themselves and start looking forward rather than back," said Al Burdi, past-president of the Rotary Club.

Stone High School is an alternative high school in Ann Arbor where the typical student has tried other forms of education options without success. According to materials about the STRIVE program from the club, "those willing to apply themselves and change ineffective and/or destructive habits, STRIVE provided unique structure, incentives and motivation to earn a high school degree and an opportunity for higher education."

To participate, students sign contracts at the start of their senior year promising to maintain 90 percent attendance at school, stay drug and alcohol-free and apply themselves academically. During the school year, Rotary Club members regularly work with the participating students to mentor them, during activities such as lunch meetings.

Students are then evaluated based on changes in their grade point average during their senior year. Those with the most improved grades are awarded the scholarships. Mentoring from club members continues after graduation.

"It's been a very interesting experience and I'm very glad I got to participate," said Alex DeHart, a STRIVE program student who got an award for having the highest GPA in the program. He plans on using his scholarship to take computer science and graphic design courses and hopes to one day get a job in the video game industry.

STRIVE scholarship participants in the past have gone on to attend Washtenaw Community College and successfully pass classes, with some even achieving goals such as hosting a radio show or pursuing emergency medical technician certification.

"The STRIVE Program has been going on for years, but we've been focusing on encouraging students to put their scholarships into use and last year 85 percent of students used their scholarships," said co-chair of the STRIVE committee Wendy Correll.

The scholarships were received by Stephen Armstead III, Bryanna Brandon, Alex DeHart, Nathaniel Graulich, Brittany Hayes, Shakayla Lee, Johntya Lyons, Kiandra Madison, Ashley McElroy, Alycia Perry, Chris Roopchand, Larissa Sutton, Candice Thomas, and Quin-Tez Tomlin.

Junior Rotarian Leah Latterner in the News

Leah Latterner is third Pioneer student in a year to ace the ACT

By Ann Dywer, annarbor.com, March 22, 2010

When Leah Latterner took her ACT, she was certain she had blown it. The wrong building was listed on her directions. She raced over to the correct building, fearing she would be too late to take the test. She made it in time, but in the middle of the math portion of the exam, her calculator died.

Another student might have been tempted to pack up her bags and leave at that point, but Latterner soldiered on. Not only did she get through the exam, she finished with a perfect score of 36. She is the third student from Pioneer High School in the past year to accomplish the feat.

"Leah is one of the most talented, enthusiastic and inspiring students I've taught in 14 years. She is one of those rare students whose presence in a classroom raises the bar for everyone, including the teacher,” English teacher Sean Sabo said.

The fact that Latterner got through the math portion of the test without her calculator is a testament to her love of the subject. Early this year, she attended a math conference in Nebraska for undergraduate women.

“It was really fun. I learned a lot,” Latterner said.

At this point, Latterner said she's fairly certain she'll major in math in college. Not so certain is which college she'll attend. Latterner has already been accepted to Yale and the University of Michigan, and there is a third school she has not heard from yet.

Latterner said she also may double major in music. Regardless, music will remain an important part of her life. It has meant so much to her that she created the Musicians United to Serve in the Community (MUSIC) club. The club tours places such as hospitals and nursing homes performing concerts.

“It’s been a very rewarding club experience, I think. I haven’t really seen how music can influence other people as much as I have when I was in the club and doing these concerts and things. They love it, and we love it,” Latterner said.

Spencer Johnson, who also earned a perfect ACT score, is in the club. Like Johnson, Latterner has a relaxed take on the infamous exam and other standardized tests. “You shouldn’t stress that much over them. They’re not going to be the end of you and your application,” she said.

A TOAST TO US! Via Downs Herold, received Feb. 18, 2010

Dear J Downs Herold.

As a part of Rotary’s objective of advancing international understanding, the Rotary Club of West Wollongong, NSW, Australia, at each of its weekly meetings, recognises another member Club from the world of Rotary. On 10th February 2010 our Club formally recognised the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Michigan USA. For your information I am forwarding a copy of the toast proposed in recognition of your Rotary Club.
The Rotary Club of West Wollongong is in District 9750, Australia, which is centered on the southern part of city of Sydney, NSW, and extends south to Wollongong and Kiama and also includes some of the south western suburbs of Sydney. The Club was formed in 1964 and has 32 members. We have a strong interest in International Service and have participated in Rotary Youth Exchange for thirty years. We are also involved in Group Study Exchange and the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship program.We hope that this is of interest to your members.Regards Patrick Roberts, Secretary Rotary Club of West Wollongong Inc., Rotary International District 9750, Email pcr1@bigpond.com Wollongong NSW 2520

INTERNATIONAL TOAST 10 FEBRUARY 2010 ROTARY CLUB OF ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, USA

The toast tonight is to the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

Ann Arbor is the home of the University of Michigan, the alma mater of Arthur Miller, the American playwright who died on this date, 10 February, in 2005.

Arthur Miller was born in 1915 in New York. He graduated with a BA from the University of Michigan in 1938 and moved into the world of the theatre. All My Sons was a success on Broadway in 1946. Perhaps his best known play, Death of a Salesman, was written in 1948. It received its premiere in 1949 to great acclaim. Death of a Salesman won a Tony Award for Best Author, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the New York Drama Circle Critics’ Award – the first play to do so in the one year. In 1952, Miller came up against Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee, at one stage being denied a passport to attend the London opening of The Crucible. This play, nominally about the witch trials in Salem, was an allegorical statement about McCarthyism. Arthur Miller married Marilyn Monroe in 1956. They divorced in 1961. Miller maintained a strong association with the University of Michigan throughout his life establishing Awards for Drama and lending his name to the Arthur Miller Theatre at Ann Arbor.

The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor was formed in 1916 with 15 charter members. It met originally at the Catalpa Inn. The Club moved to the Michigan Union when it opened and still meets there. It now has 319 members and meets on Wednesday. The Club President is Louis M Callaway and the Secretary is J Downs Herold.

February closing of the John Leidy Shop will mark end to an Ann Arbor tradition

John Leidy owner Liz Arsenault and long-time employee Lyn Sleator stand at the front counter of the store located on E. Liberty St. in downtown Ann Arbor. Story and photos from Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com, Jan. 17, 2010

The holiday season can be overwhelming for an independent retailer.But it’s the weeks after the holiday that fit that description right now at the John Leidy Shop.

The store - a fixture on East Liberty for nearly 50 years - will close by the end of February.

The decision was difficult for the family, said Liz Leidy, daughter of the store’s founder and namesake.

“We’ve had a really hard time deciding to close the store,” she said. “It’s been very emotional. None of us Leidys have a memory of Ann Arbor without the store.”

Many people who have spent years in the city can say the same thing.

The emotional connections felt by long-time customers and residents remain strong. Lifelong Ann Arborites remember shopping at the store, receiving gifts from the store and even working at it.

The store once sat among one of the city’s busiest retail districts, which for years served as the primary shopping area for Washtenaw County.

The John Leidy store “was extremely popular,” recalled Max Goldman, whose family-owned the Marti Walker clothing store on South State Street in the building now occupied by Sava’s Restaurant.

At one time, Marti Walker was among 26 clothing retailers near South State. And in those years, the John Leidy Shop was the leading high-end gift store in town,

complementing the offerings at Jacobson’s, Wilkinson Leather on Main Street and Artisan on South University. All already have closed.

“When you gave a gift from Leidy’s, the recipient knew very well what the store was, so it was considered a very nice gift,” Goldman said.

John Leidy opened the store in 1951 with his late wife, who died in 1955. He married Ann Leidy in 1959, after meeting her at a trade show and persuading her to move from New York, where she worked for an importer.

The shop occupied two storefronts, on either side of the Michigan Theater, at that time.

One side sold fine china. The other stocked the everyday dinnerware. Today, those lines are merged into a single space after a decision four years ago to consolidate.

John Leidy died in 1993, but it’s still family-run store. Ann Leidy still works there. So does Lupe Leidy, who is married to John Leidy Jr. And Liz - who still uses the Leidy name along with her married name, Arsenault - returned to Michigan in 1990 after four years in California to work in the store.

Today, three other siblings live out of state - Ellen is in Vermont; Mary is in North Carolina; and Peter is in Wisconsin.

But all shared in the decision to close the store, Liz said.

The conversations, she said, started over recent years as the economics of running a traditional independent store in a changing retail environment eroded.

The consolidation signaled the first response to the changes. And there was hope that the store could survive.

“But this time we said (closing) might just be inevitable,” Liz said.

As the family and the store’s 6 employees move toward the late February closing date, they’re dealing with selling off the inventory. As the store clears, the fixtures will be sold.

But the family and staff also are saying goodbye. They’re close to each other. “We’ve known each other a long time,” Liz said.

They’re also close to customers, many of whom have shopped for their best tableware and most special gifts, like Georg Jensen jewelry, in the store.

Many come in as they hear that the store will close. But they’re not finding sadness. It’s an emotional time, Liz said, “but its’ been very, very nice. … It’s been overwhelming. And very busy. People want to linger.”

The Leidy closing signals the ongoing evolution of Ann Arbor’s retail district, Goldman said. It’s still vital, but the mix is changing toward a campus-oriented clientele and an entertainment district. Many retailers follow more contemporary trends, leaving a challenge for traditional stores amid the corresponding higher rental rates.

And the high-end tabletop business has changed, with mass-market merchants like Williams Sonoma, Crate and Barrel, and Ikea pushing more casual styles on all segments of the price spectrum. Manufacturers also are selling directly to customers. Liz recalls losing the popular Georg Jensen jewelry and tableware lines when the company decided to sell exclusively in their own stores.

Those types of changes pressured the John Leidy Shop, and the pressures continue for the remaining long-time businesses in town.

“We’re very sad about it,” said Bud VanDeWege Jr., second-generation owner of Moe’s Sport Shop on North University. “Even if you understand how it came to be.”

He hopes Ann Arbor holds onto its memories of the store.

“It’s vital to remember that the John Leidy Shop and Liz Leidy’s tenure there was a success,” he said. “… Just remember how long they were in business and how long they did very well.”

Liz won’t be alone by the last day the store is open. Staff, customers and family already are planning to join her there.

But as of now, she can’t say when that last day will come. The lease runs through the end of February, and she plans to stay open as long as it takes to clear the store.

Some days, it seems like it could come sooner. Other days, she’s convinced she’ll need all of February.

But for now, she’s thankful to her staff and customers. And she’s thankful that the weeks spend preparing to close so far have been uplifting and positive. She’s been in the store as much as possible.

“I really don’t want to take a day off,” she said. “I’ve wanted to see everyone who’s come in. I’ve wanted to thank everyone.”

There’s even a renewed connection to her father through the process.

She knows that he’d be greeting their customers by name, and thanking them, too.

She also thinks he’d be proud of the family’s tough decision. And that he’d be supporting them as they wind down the store that together they built into an Ann Arbor institution.

If John Leidy were still around, Liz said, “I think he’d be helping us.”

Dave Felbeck in USA Today!

The following letter by Dave Felbeck was published on January 12 on USAToday’s online edition, as well as in the national print edition. Since they get 900 letters per week, getting one published is something of an accomplishment! Congratulations, Dave!

Drop in crime
David K. Felbeck - Ann Arbor, Mich.
USA TODAY's editorial regarding the possible causes of the drop in crime since the 1990s neglected one of the most likely causes: armed citizens ("As crime keeps dropping, it's no time for backsliding," Our view, public safety debate, Thursday).
Beginning in 1987, when Florida passed "shall issue" legislation that allowed any honest person to carry a concealed pistol, other states have passed similar legislation. A total of 40 are right-to-carry states. The presence of several million armed honest citizens could be a reason for marked reduction in crime. Criminals are reluctant to prey on people who may be armed.
Posted at 12:07 AM/ET, January 12, 2010 in Criminal Justice - Letters, Letter to the editor

Don Faber's book wins award!

Don Faber's book, "The Toledo War," now in its third printing, has just won the Historical Society of Michigan's first place award in history writing. Congratulations, Don!

Dec. 2, 2009--from Joe Marr

The Results are in! $50,000 Raised for Polio Plus by NC Rotary – Joe Marr of Sandler Training - Ann Arbor Assists

Our member Joe Marr of Sandler Training – Ann Arbor traveled to assist the Crescent Rotary with a fund raiser called ‘Grow Your Business and Help a Great Cause’ in October. It was a unique fundraising campaign, Sandler Training donating a day of sales and sales management training conducted by Joe and 3 other trainers for 200 business people to eradicate polio, one of Rotary International’s top focus areas.

“The day of professional development drew an excellent response!” said Abby Donnelly, a past president of Crescent Rotary, District Membership Chair and RLI Chair. ‘When business professionals improve their leadership, management and sales skills, everyone wins!” Joe Marr added “It’s a real value-added approach to fundraising; businesses actually learn practical skills for building their businesses– while we raised a lot of money to eradicate polio.’

With sponsorship support from local businesses, including presenting sponsor Sandler Training, the day netted over $50,000. When combined with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation match, it will provide funding to vaccinate over 276,845 children from polio. Since more than 70% of the participants were not Rotarians (yet!), it also broadened Rotary’s visibility in the district and provided membership growth potential.

District Governor Mike Conrad says, “The program is an example of creative ways to involve the community in the world-wide campaign to eradicate polio and to tell the story of what Rotary is doing outside our own area”. Crescent Rotary is already planning another day of Professional Development to ‘Grow Your Business, and Help a Great Cause’ for October 18, 2010, because of this year’s success.