There's plenty to do in the Johnny Appleseed Parks during the winter months.
There are 17 parks in the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District and naturalist Dan Hodges told us that there are plenty of activities taking place in all the parks all year long. Dan says that with 30 miles of trails, hiking opportunities abound; nearly every park has hiking trails with surfaces ranging from grass to wood chips to stone and/or asphalt. He encourages us to bundle up and explore the trails, paying special attention to the plants and animals that thrive even during the winter time. Dan says the skunk cabbage will begin to bloom in a few weeks and will attract insects and pollinators. This is also the favorite time for moss to reproduce. The lichen and fungi are also thriving now, and without leaves on the trees it's easier to see animals like squirrels, birds and deer which abound in the parks. Dan says bald eagles are mating now and building their nests and it's not unusual to see them in the parks. "Life is not dormant in the winter. It's harder to access. But you can still go outside and see it." Dan says you can also enjoy sledding, skating and cross country skiing in the parks during the winter months and it's a great time to get out with your camera and capture some beautiful winter photos. If you'd rather enjoy the parks from the comfort of your home, you can join the park district on social media for virtual walks, video from trail cams and even drone flights through the parks.
Also at Monday's meeting, Mike Swick presented the proceeds from the Fall Blood Clinic to the Lima Rotary Foundation in the amount of $5,836.
Andy Farley reported that the Christmas Auction raised more than $6,000.
Demi Burden told us the Special Needs Christmas Party was a success with 19 children and their families in attendance.
We also inducted Chris Garlock, the new General Manager of Hofeller, Hiatt and Clark, to the Lima Rotary Club. Welcome, Chris!
Rotary District 6600 names 2024-2025 District Governor.
It is with great pleasure that I share that Tim Ryan is the District Governor Nominee Designate representing Rotary District 6600 for the year 2024-2025!
Tim is a member of the Rotary Club of Toledo, a Past President (2019-2020), and currently serves as District Environmental Chair. Tim also served as Polio Chair for the District for four years and personally traveled to and vaccinated many children in India, Chad and Nigeria.
Tim was born in Canada, grew up in the Toledo area, and earned a BA and an MBA at the University of Toledo. He managed HR for a Fortune 500 international corporation, retiring at 48. He then went on to join the Peace Corps where he served in Mali, Africa. Tim taught basic literacy to adults in the Saraha, and English skills at the Ministerial level.
Tim lives in Waterville with his partner, Cindy Allen. They have kids, grandkids, a great-grandbaby, and a dog, Lilly.
Please join me in congratulating Tim!
Mary
Mary L. AufdenKampe Rotary District Governor 2021-2022
Let’s revisit the most popular Rotary Service in Action posts from this year:
5. In September, Kim Dixon, President of Partnering for Peace, announced Rotary-Peace Corps Week 20-26 September. Hosted with the support of Rotary International and the U.S. Peace Corps, this event celebrated ongoing partnership between the two organizations and encouraged Rotary members around the world to take part.
4. In July, we encouraged you to Learn about initiatives for the 2021-22 Rotary year. We highlighted Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta’s four initiatives including, Each One, Bring One, Empowering Girls, Presidential conferences, and Rotary Days of Service.
3. On International Women’s Day in March, Victoria Ifould from ShelterBox explained how ShelterBox and Rotary stand with Women after disaster, bringing together our networks and resources to help women in Vanuatu and Cameroon.
1. In February, Quentin Wodon, Chair of Rotary Action Group for Refugees, Forced Displacement, and Migration, told us about the origins of the Newly recognized Rotary Action Group for Refugees and what their action group aims to accomplish.
Thank you for sharing your stories of service with us! During a year when many were still spending time apart, you remind us that we are all connected in the family of Rotary. We are so grateful for the ways that you inspire us through your work and look forward to seeing how you will Serve to Change Lives in 2022.
In his address to the Rotary International Convention in June 2021, Shekhar Mehta urged Rotary members to put improving girls’ futures at the forefront of their work. Mehta made empowering girls one of his presidential initiatives, and his focus is particularly timely. Women continue to face economic hurdles, declining levels of political participation, and challenges in the workplace, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the things that has extended the amount of time that experts estimate it will take to close the gender gap. Read what Rotary is doing to empower girls and women.
This week's stories
What would you do?
During a discussion of candidates for an upcoming club election, a member objects to one candidate on the grounds that she’s a mother of young children and wouldn’t have the time to commit to Rotary. What would you do? Share your response on our blog for possible inclusion in an upcoming issue of Rotary magazine.
Past RI President Dochterman dies
Clifford L. Dochterman, known for his lively sense of humor, ready smile, and positive outlook on life, died 23 November. He served as RI president in 1992-93 and was recognized around the world as one of the premier spokespersons for Rotary. Read more.
Annual report now available
In a challenging 2020-21 year, Rotary members quickly adapted and embraced change to continue being people of action. Read about Rotary’s accomplishments, discover how clubs are making a difference, and learn about why donors contributed to The Rotary Foundation in the 2020-21 annual report.
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