January 16, 2012 Club Bulletin,#403
January 16, 2012 Program for Today: Research Update University of Iowa College of Medicine16and we will meet at The Upper Deck of the Button Factory Restaurant...elevator accessible and parking lot available!!
January 16 Invocation by: Rich Dwyer
Rotary Moment: President Mike Ruby used a snappy quote encouraging us to learn something go and teach it to others...
Guests today included: Curt Weiss, Jim Ohl, Andrew Kuckler, Erika Cox guest of Sal LoBianco, Rick Gosney guest of Greg Kistler, Claudio Vitale third and final reading for new member, Francesa Vitale guest of Keith Porter, JoAnne Ruby and outbound students: Cara Hahn and Emily Smith.
Help Muscatine become a Blue Zone by signing up at http://www.bluezonesproject.com/citizens/signup or texting "BZP" to 772937. Your support is needed to help us secure grant funding...sign up now!! We are at 7% of of the community.
Other news: Vocational Service Committee will meet on Monday, January 16, 2012 at 1:00 P.M.; Welcome our two newest board members.. Mary Odell and Steve Jameson. Holly Peterson has unfortunately had to resign due to out of town work commitments; Mike is getting tough....next week no pin...you pay $1 fine!! New Blue Badge Members will meet today after the meeting to work on their project. Mike gave Marv great Kudos because he read the latest Rotarian Magazine from cover to cover...way to read Marv!!
Happy News: Ron Yohe made us laugh when he told us about his church service yesterday, David Stanley fined Mike Ruby for mentioning that Marv Krieger went to the Hotel first today...Tim Nelson was extremely happy that the Red Kettle Campaign raised over $139,000 with one major contribution of $25,000. Anna Mack is happy that her husband's health is improving and that she is soon opening an office in Tipton. Bill Decker shared his pride in thanking the Muscatine Community School District staff for their strength in helping students and families with the recent suicides and Bill got Marv too but he said he was one of Bill's favorite people!!
Kip Fisher reminded us of the death of one great community citizen, Bob Toborg.
Program for Today: Sarah Lande introduced Kevin Szcodronski, the Chief of the DNR State Parks Bureau. Kevin provided a very informative powerpoint presentation sharing many of the parks in our state. The parks have 13-14 million visitors every year. His perspective is that when times are tough it encourages the best things to happen. He told us that Iowa has a large park system and minimal staff. 50 of the parks have full time staff while all together there are 85-86 parks in the state system.
Activities in the parks include deer hunts, recreational trails, roller blading, mountain biking, snow mobiling, horseback riding, geocaching, rock climbing, disk golf, windsurfing, races, triatholons, and just plain enjoyment of the scenery, camping, weddings and family reunions!! There are lots of cabins to rent at very reasonable prices!!