Program for May 6 2013: African American Museum in Cedar Rapids...with Tom Moore

Invocation: Jim Nepple

Rotary Guests: Dick Maeglin, Mike Ferguson and potential new members Katy Morgan and Manasi Nadkarni  

Club Business: President Kelly Garvin read Dr. Nadkarni's name for the first time as a potential new member.  A slate of Directors and Officers was read and voted upon for 2013-2014. President: Keith Porter, Tony Joseph, Kelly Garvin, Scott Ingstad, Mary Odell, Steve Jameson, Judi Holdorf, Brooke Mehaffey, Treasurer, Mary Wildermuth, Secretary and Chuck Moody, Sargeant at Arms.  The vote was unanimous by the membership present.

Happy News: Dave Utley brought Dick Maeglin today so that he could recognize his wife's birthday.  Happy Birthday Cynthia Maeglin.  Mike Hagerty is a proud new grandpa to Ellis Noble Hagerty! Ron Yohe had a great week in Indiana visiting family and friends!! Doug Schnoebelen had a great time with the Iowa Honors English Class at the Fairport Station.  He is also looking forward to the family STEM Festival on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Station. Mike Ruby provided an update on the shoe project that culminated at the state meeting at Honey Creek Resort.  373 pairs of shoes were collected..100 by us and $7000 contributed to the project!! Sarah Lande was so happy she noted in the past few weeks she has been awarded the key to our city, given the Athena Award and the newest recipient of the Bob Roach Award.  She was so proud of the Muscatine team who recently celebrated the 30th Anniversary of our Sister State partnership with China.  And she is happy for the accomplishments of her granddaughter graduating Phi Beta Kappa!! Melanie Alexander encouraged participation in the upcoming "Behind the Scenes Tours" at the Art Center on May 9th and invited us to the opening of the John Fazawellti Cawalti exhibit and reception on May 5th from 1-4 PM.  Todd Poci invited us to join in the dancing fun at the Senior Resources Dancethon on the riverfront.  Bob Allbee was proud to make the partnership with our Chinese 100,000 Initiative real by signing and signing and signing!!  (and he put in $5 to share the dream!!)

Program: Bob Allbee introduced Jonathan Thoma, Jenny Juehring and Michael Cox to talk about their recent trip to China.  Jonathan Thoma led the presentation, as the students passed out many of the gifts received from the Chinese.  Books, artwork, and friendship chains were among the many gifts and pictures passed among the club.  The students visited the Forbidden Palace, Tianimin Square, and various schools and other city sites.  They were welcomed at the airport by an English Teacher who guided their adventure.  They saw the International Table Tennis Facility, made dumplings, saw great works of calligraphy, as well as, sharing in the many cultural exchange experiences. 

All agreed that Muscatine has a special relationship with the Chinese and that many more exchange experiences are being planned for the coming days.