Guest Speaker Gary (“Nate”) Emmons (on right in above photo) came to today’s breakfast gathering at the request of Member John McNally, who was unable to attend, so Jeff Dennings introduced Nate. After walking away from a problematic home with what he could carry, Nate went into a more adequate mixed race home, eventually going to Michigan State University obtaining a Masters in Architectural Design. Deciding that he would like to apply his ideas to aircraft and assuming that the military would appreciate his skills, he enlisted in the Air Force and was assigned to be a mechanic. Eventually he became “a nurse with a gun” and worked in ParaRescue. With his medical expertise, he was well prepared to attend to the needs of his 2 adopted daughters (one with 2 prosthetic limbs) and then developed a long and strong friendship with the woman who would become his wife and help them as the girls finished their degrees at University of Michigan and as the family relocated to this area to support his new in-laws. With a Doctorate as a Nurse Practitioner, Nate’s work and character continue to inspire and impress. (Check this Facebook link posted by McLaren and click to “See More”.) Thanks for joining us, Nate, and thanks to John McNally for bringing in this special guest.
14 attendees listened as Bill Hentgen announced that he has tickets available for “Moroccan Moonlight” on September 27th at Sloan Museum, Mic Goulet signed up volunteers for theSpecial Olympics softball throw at 9:30 a.m. on September 30th (but could still use a few more), Jack Proffitt has initiated contact with Michigan School for the Deaf regarding this year’s “Pancake Breakfast with Santa” (more info to follow as plans crystallize), and Jeff Dennings asked members who wish to change their membership plans for breakfast to do so ASAP so that he can generate corresponding invoices. Jeff Gauger reminded all of the upcoming Build Day this Saturday at Flushing Presbyterian Church for Sleep in Heavenly Peace (meet at 9 a.m.).
Dan Crannie is recovering from quadruple bypass surgery and, as of today, is still in ICU but “feeling better daily”. Steve Schlott passed around a card for members to sign and send to Dan.
Fines: Natalie Fox paid one for bragging about her upcoming “work” trip to Las Vegas, Jeff Dennings assessed “stand-in” Rich Lewis for conducting business during the Optimist Meeting, Greg Hilliker proposed a fine against Rich for thinking that “critical mass” of personnel rather than clocks determined Club start time, a fine was proposed against Jeff Dennings on behalf of his nephew Devon “just because”, and one Jeff fined another for dropping the ball on raffle ticket sales.
Natalie drew the “lucky ticket’ for today’s “50/50 Progressive Pot” but could not find the “Queen of Diamonds” for the $1693 prize.
Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”