Recap from the Jan. 29, 2024 Meeting.
Meeting run by: President- Megan Francis
Thought of the day: Naomi DeWinter
Online Participation: We continue to offer a hybrid meeting each week. Members are invited to attend via Zoom or watch the recorded presentation anytime.
Joining us online: Barth Donald and Sarah Lande
Happy News/Announcements: All Happy News funds go towards our scholarship awards.
Carol Webb: $20. Shout out to the school district. Carol’s daughter, Maddie, started playing the euphonium in middle school. She practiced day and night and was accepted to the Honor Band. She is flourishing, and a big thank you to the school district music program. Carolyn Levine: $5 arrived on a Monday with no one else present and realized she did not check her email, and she and another member went to Applebee’s for fellowship instead. Chuck Moody: Friday is Ground Hog Day and his birthday! Naomi DeWinter: The Community Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Lisa Heckman: Attended the Veteran’s Network meeting last week. Invited on behalf of Habitat. Lots of good connections with veterans and employers. The next one is in February at Lee Insurance. Lindsey Phillips: Get your team registered for Bowl for Kids’ Sake on Sunday, February 25th at 2 pm. Holly Peterson: Holly provides pro bono counseling for Veterans and their families and would happily take referrals. Jim Stein: Brock Purdy!
Club News:
- Follow the Rotary Club of Muscatine’s Facebook page, @MuscatineRotaryClub.
- ACH forms are available for easy dues payment.
- Next Mobile Food Pantry is February 6th. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rmtNfi25shfn2S1LYG0e56iVwcMj2VA9X6FB5WU_vS4/edit
- April 13th: Trivia Night for Sleep In Heavenly Peace. We are collecting silent auction items. April 20th, 9-12 pm Bed Build event.
- District Community Service and Global Grant training in March. Past projects include dog park benches, high school heart rate monitors, and accessible play equipment at the pocket park. Please think of other ideas to make an impact or meet our community's needs.
- Congratulations to the new members who attended the orientation last week. We look forward to hearing more from each of them in the weeks ahead.
- Hancher raffle ticket fundraiser. 4 Tickets to Martha Graham dance company on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 pm. Tickets for sale for the next two meetings. Drawing February 12th. Raffle tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100. Please help share the raffle information.
- Marc Hines: Scholarship portal is open. Contact Marc Hines if you are willing to help with the evaluation.
February 26th- Rotary Speech contest. Five students from MCSD will present their speech to us on “Create hope in the world” and the 4-way test. We need one timekeeper (Carlolyn) and 4 Judges, Lindsey, Carol, Mike, and Holly. $200 for 1st and $100 for 2nd winner goes on to a district-wide event in Pella.
Presentation-
Melanie Alexander- Zenith Sculpture
The Public Art Commission manages the Public Art process. City of Muscatine leadership staff identified top locations for public art on city property. The roundabout on Mulberry and 2nd was identified as a gateway to the City, and the retaining wall on Houser between Lucas and Hershey was identified as an area to deter vandalism.
Phase one was the request for qualifications, followed by a community vote for the three finalists. The Zenith sculpture received over 50% of the community vote. The Zenith sculpture represents our community's connection to the river. The City of Muscatine and the MPW team worked with artist Nathan Pierce to install the sculpture. Lighting will be installed in the spring.
Public Art Commission: Jim Elias, Carolyn Levine, Paul Minicucci, Brad Roeth, Thalia Sutton, and city liaisons Melanie Alexander and Rich Klimes.
Contact Melanie to stay connected with future public art projects.
Missed the presentation? Use the link below to learn more.
Passcode: Rotary#1
Upcoming Meetings- 5th Jackson Concert Series, February 12th- City of Muscatine 2024 Goals