May 2, 2011 Club Bulletin #372
by Mary Wildermuth


May 2, 2011 Club Bulletin # 372 

Program for Today: On site at the Ag Learning Center at3200 Lucas Street

May 2 Invocation by: Jennifer Jenning

Guests for April 25, 2011: John Jindrich, Susan Orvis, Jenny Furnas, and Katie Koburg MHS Girls Basketball Coaching Team receiving MAC Sportsmanship Award

President Tom Ward noted that we will be receiving an award at the District 6000 Convention. 

Charlie Lewis announced that the Honorary Paul Harris Committee will be meetingon May 9, 2011 after the regular meeting to select 4 finalists for this year's recognition. Committee members are Gary Wieskamp, Karen Diercks and Bev White.

Mary Wildermuth announced the Annual Plant Sale at the MHS Greenhouse with a flier on the tables and reminded us that our meeting on the 2nd of May will be at the Ag Learning Center on Lucas Street across from Elder Implement. 

Program:  Sarah Lande and Her Story... Friendship Exchange to South Africa with fellow District 6000 Rotarians.   Sarah thrilled us with her wonderful travelogue and personal excitement about her recent experience.  Sarah visited Johannesburg which is the commercial center and has a population of 6 million. Highlights included the Cradle of Humankind, the World Heritage Museum, Apartheid Museum, and the Pretaria  Monument/museum.   

She sprinkled her travelogue with moving quotes found at the museums and along the route.  She also mentioned the Rotary projects that the Sandton Rotary Club has helped with including electrical and water projects.  In Capetown she learned about the Holderberh and Sunrise Club's projects helping a school with computers and supporting a homeless shelter.

Wonderful food representative of the African culture was shared often at Rotarian homes, a Buffet in the Bush and generally throughout the trip.  Another highlight was visiting  Moholohoto Rehab Center for animals which was seen via Land Rover.  She said they remarked each evening about the animals they would see during the day.

Her final pictures were of Sarah enjoying the beauty of the Nelson Mandela Bird of Paradise flower.  Sarah has dubbed herself the Iowa Ambassador for South Africa and encourages each of us to join a Friendship Exchange soon. S