Comstock Park Rotary and Comstock Park Lions - Community Partners

David Buth

Guest Speaker at today's meeting of the Comstock Park Rotary Club was David Buth, who in 2008 founded a non profit organization called Summer Journeys. His vision was to help students understand, interact with, and value communities. Through place-based, field-based, expeditionary educational programs, he and his partners provide students with unforgettable experiences in a close-knit community of their peers.  This coming summer David hopes to take 32 students from 11 Grand Rapids area schools on a journey that wil bring them closer to nature and includes unforgettable experiences like climbing Harney Peak at sunset, touring Jewel Cave, hiking in Grand Teton National Park, working with Teton Science Schools, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, The National Park Service, veteran Yellowstone Rangers, wolf and bear ecologists, and many more are almost as memorable as the lasting friendships that are formed.

Charter member Martin Buth was proud to be able to introduce his grandson

Also a guest at the meeting was Howard Myerson, a life long outdoors enthusiast and outdoor columnist for MLive Media Group.

The Comstock Park Lions meanwhile participated in the Rockford Lions Annual Chili Cook-Off. This year, award winning chili was prepared by Alpine Township's Mike and Barb Cote. A number of Comstock Park Lions Club members and supporters were on hand for the event.

Mike Cote

Terri VandenBos (left) with Nan and Jim Wheeler

Kathleen and Herm Seattler from Alpine Township enjoying the activities

Winner of Best Chili Award was Jan Strauss, (left) Rockford Lions

Comstock Park Rotary and Comstock Park Lions Update

The Comstock Park Rotary met as usual at 12:15 Thursday at the Swan Inn Restaurant.  Guerst speaker was Jim Bodenner, a member of the Rockford Club, who addressed our District's project: Thirsting to Serve".  Over three billion people in the world lack access to safe drinking water, and it is estimated that over 5,000 people. mostly children, die every day from waterborne diseases. The object of the Rotary program is to reduce these amounts by providing people in third world counties withsimple, affordable and easy to maintain water filters referred to as Hydraids.  These filters remove 99.9% of parasites and 90-90% of bacteria and viruses.  There are no mechanical parts and they can be installed for about $100.00 in most countries.  More information about this project, and the Clean Water Conference which is once again scheduled for Grand Rapids next Spring, can be fopund at the "Thirsting to Serve" Website.

Jim Bodenner, Rockford Rotary Club

Comstock Park Rotary welcomed Jim Olsen, manager of Sam's Club on Alpine Ave who currently is a Kentwood Rotarian but hopes to transfer his membership. 

Megan Frankel winner of one of four scholarships given out by the Comstock Park Rotary, was a special guest at the meeting, as she announced her move to the MSU campus in East Lansing.  She came to thank the club for their generosity.

Jim Bodenner demonstrates a Hydraid, actual size

Mark your calendars:  Thursday August 25th will be the last Comstock Park Rotary BBQ Chicken sale of the year.  They will be found at Dwight Lydell Park from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM.

COMSTOCK PARK LIONS

The Comstock Park Lions met Thursday night and held a picnic at the same time.  The real purpose of the meeting was to fill 20 backpacks purchased by the club with school supplies also purchase by the club.  The filled backpacks will be donated to the Comstock Park Schools, which will give many away at the Community Expo which will be held at the Comstock Park High School beginning at 5:00 PM Tuesday, August 16, 2011.  For information about donations contact Missi McPherson at 616-354-5015.

Barb Cody

Many hands make light work