June 11 -- Our own Dennis Zitnak will present a program on SPAM--- that's right SPAM. Everybody makes fun of SPAM including Monte Python skits. Even the name SPAM has morphed into computer language meaning trash or junk. But SPAM was an essential food product for our US and Allied troops in World War II. The product was created in 1937 and is sold in 41 countries on 6 continents. Hormel, who makes this canned pork meat concoction, has its headquarters in Austin, Minnesota (Dennis's hometown). Dennis even worked there while going through school. The narrator of our program today is employee Jeff Johnson who will tell us about the fascinating SPAM museum.
June 18 -- Mike Gomoll will talk about the scourge of epilepsy. Epilepsy affects 1 person out of every 26.
Wisconsin has 65,000 people who have epilepsy. That is more than Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Cystic Fibrosis, and Cerebral Palsy combined, yet epilepsy remains a mystery to the general public and misunderstood by and large. Mike's mission is to raise awareness and funds in the battle against epilepsy. His topic is entitled "Joey's Song" who lost his life of this disease at the age of 5. This will likely be our first LIVE meeting post-COVID!
At its meeting on Wednesday, the Board approved moving forward with live meetings effective June 18. The member survey showed the vast majority of members are eager to meet again. The meetings will combine a live, in-person element with the capability to join via Zoom. We’re working out the details and buying some equipment to make the process a smooth one. Kevin Moran and Dean Ryerson have been doing the heavy lifting on this, guided by an informational handout from Rotary International.
The meeting place is Serendipity Labs, a co-working facility on the sixth floor of the Johnson Bank Building at 525 Junction Road, Madison, WI 53717 (right next to Panera Bread). Parking is easy and undercover. We’re doing this on a month-to-month basis right now, but it may lead to a long-term arrangement. Space will be ample, especially with Dane County due to relaxing its mask requirement on June 2.
We’re working out the details on meals, but we’ll likely start out with box lunches, a la the Golf Outing. We’re talking to our caterer about that right now.
We’ll have more details to come on parking, on food, on technology, and on any lingering COVID issues. The team in charge of this will be conducting mock meetings to fine-tune the operation. But the light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger and brighter.
Our biggest fundraiser is on June 28th and there are still a few volunteer positions to be filled! Please mark your calendar to be at Pleasant View and email Mary Van Hout right now to let her know you want to be a part of the action!!
Our MWT-M Golf Outing Silent Auction will begin at 3 pm on Monday, June 21, and go until 8 pm on Monday, June 28. It will again be an online auction giving you and your friends ample opportunity to bid high and bid often. The online link is: https://www.32auctions.com/MWTMRotaryFoundation2021.
The 2021 MWT-M Silent Auction begins June 21 at 3 pm and runs until June 28 at 8 pm. June 21 is only a few weeks away. However, it takes a lot of time for the committee to create displays and pictures for each item and enter the picture and description for each item online. We are, therefore, asking (begging really) that if you have pledged an auction item, that you get that item to Ruth Domack (608-444-6060) asap (or no later than June 11th if possible). If you have not pledged an item, please consider a $50 gas card or $50 gift card to your favorite grocery store (or the item you have in mind but not quite verbalized as yet).
Thank you in advance for your generosity – Your Silent Auction Committee: Abby Benbow, Deb Dieter, Jeannine Desautels, Ruth Domack, Leo Edelstein
Thank you to the following MWT-M generous Silent Auction donors:
Dear COOLEST Madison West Towne-Middleton Rotarians;
Now that we are in June, our Golf Event 2021 Fundraiser is just around the corner. Our committee is so excited and hope you feel the same. Please see the attached message for more information and great updates.
Let any of us know if you have questions or if you need any additional information. Contact information for all committee members is included in the attachment.
Thank you all for your efforts to make this our best golf event ever.
Best Regards,
MB
Mary Beth Growney Selene
Madison West Towne Middleton Golf Outing 2021 Fundraising Event, General Chair
