Club Meeting Featuring, Rev. Dr. Geoffrey G. Drutchas

After President Erin Dobbins opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and Tammy Bonifield gave reflective thoughts from Henry Van Dyke, Sharon Pommerville collected a "bazillion" Happy Bucks. These included: the Kids Coalition Against Hunger meal-packing event; Bob Carris being honored at the AAA Pregnancy Center fundraising dinner; Nancy Darga's "Go Lions!" win; Marlene Katakias' bookstore grand opening; Northville's Halloween event; meatballs and sausages at the WPD Spaghetti Dinner; and today being First Responders' Day.

Eighteen Rotary members, guests, and a Zoomer (who was late!*) enjoyed this outpouring of "Greene" (money, not the late one).

Bob further mentioned that Rotary LAMR imprinted shirts are available for $13 (you furnish the shirt), with payment due by early December.

We'll give Trey a pass; he and Colleen were at the WPD Spaghetti Dinner in the evening.

More News

The Rotary-sponsored World Polio Day Spaghetti Dinner (October 28th) featured Matt's homemade meatballs, placemats with 31 sponsors, and a record 80 pre-sales.

The club approved the Festival of Trees fundraiser for Children's Hospital of Michigan.

The Giving Committee gave its report. Greg Greene (the on-time one) shared the report, and the grant for the VT SEVA organization's work with blind and needy girls in India was approved.

An update on Sibley Praise was given by Nancy Darga, with funds still being raised.

Also discussed were Deck the Rec (putting up our tree at the Kirksey Recreation Center).

The November 5th Garden City Rotary Music Bingo fundraiser in which we are participating, and upcoming events on November 12th (Rotary Foundation District 6400 Dinner) and November 18th (Peace Seminar at Henry Ford College).

President Erin Dobbins introduced her friend and our speaker, Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Drutchas, founder of Fish & Loaves.



Geoff grew up near Methodist Children's Village in Redford Township and has lived most of his life in or near Inkster Road. Geoffrey is a retired United Church of Christ pastor from the older Evangelical-Reformed tradition.

He noted how Halloween has exploded in popularity. All Hallows' Eve has become the biggest decorating season next to Christmas, with some displays becoming excessive and gory. He spoke about Halloween's pagan roots and its connection to the Christian observances of All Saints' Day (November 1st) and All Souls' Day (November 2nd), along with society's fascination with the "spirit world."

This led to the thought that we are called to be people who celebrate life, not death. Many interesting thoughts and questions were shared.

The meeting concluded with the Four-Way Test and Greg's real groaners (jokes).

– Dave Stechholz, taker of the notes

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