The Friday meeting at SLCC started with an announcement of the club anniversaries of Jim MacLachlan (over 35 yrs) and Bernie Wade (27 yrs).  These members have been active in Rotary for a long time and present an example of Service to their communities and club that is exemplary.  Thanks Guys!

 

Reminders for your calendars:  On November 3, the club will meet at and after 5:30 at TED’s on the curve east of Spring Lake, for a social gathering, including spouses and special guests of members.  It is a social event and more details later.   Another special event is on Friday, November 17; there will be as part of our noon time meeting at SLCC, a WEEKEND NUTRITIONAL PACKING event where more than 500 Backpacks for kids weekend meal needs will be packed by our members.   This is a service above self event where Jeff Clark will arrange the logistics of having food packages and backpacks delivered for kids, to SLCC, and we members will help pack nutritious meals in the backpacks.  More hands make for a good result!

 

The final calendar note is the annual Christmas Choir songfest by the SLHS Choirs will be held on Dec. 15, which is 2 Fridays before Christmas.   We will not have a meeting on Friday, Dec. 22 as Christmas is the next Monday and many people will be traveling starting with that last Friday before Christmas.  So now our calendars are correct!

 

We had an excellent noon program, presented by JT Hogan, the Athletic Director of SLPS.   He confided that his position at SL was his last job that he would ever seek, as he was proud to be part of the Laker family and liked working with the youth and families, and educators, at Spring Lake.   AD Hogan for those that did not know, last year was honored by the MIAAA as the AD of the Year for Region 14, which comprises the entire state of middle schools, over 300 in count.   Quite an honor for a local AD, who usually is busy with lots of balls in the air.  He received the Honor which is provided by his colleagues in the field of Athletic Director. 

 

We were honored to have representatives from the Golf and Tennis teams in attendance at our meeting.   Before introducing their coach in each sport present, and the student athletes, AD Hogan commented upon the following Fall Sports:

 

 

AD Hogan concluded his comments by stating that the players at Spring Lake are having fun and are well adjusted to the sports that they compete in.   The student-athletes make every effort to excel in their chosen sports and in the classroom.  An encouraging statistic and announcement is that a student survey determined that there are at least 25 girls interested in participating in the sport of Field Hockey, where there are at least 5 other teams in West Michigan involved in Field Hockey.   Also, there is a co-op Water Polo team with Grand Haven, where 5 Lakers participate.  It is likely that Spring Lake will also start a Bowling Team this winter, which will use Northway Lanes as its venue.   The amazing participation statistic for SLHS is that 98% of the 765 students are involved in school organized extra-curricular programs, both athletics and fine arts oriented.  We parents know that participation with other students is the key to a well rounded and healthy young person.

 

The final comments are that the new Field House is well into the planning and pricing phase.   The panel that is helping to look at the various improvements  has traveled to other schools to look at the facilities, which includes weight rooms, wrestling areas, indoor practice areas for spring and fall sports, and health enhancements.   Sounds like the taxpayers and students will experience a long list of uses and opportunities.  The engineers and architects are working diligently to set the plans to paper so folks can see more of the proposed final renderings before groundbreaking.  With the new land parcel along the Ely boundary of the High School, the placing of the footprint will define the School Campus for the next generation of students and coaching staff.  

 

Thanks to Athletic Director JT Hogan for a well presented program of our Schools fall sports programs.   Nearly every student at SLHS has chosen to be involved in extracurricular activities…a sign of a pleasant but rewarding experience.  

The Battle of the Bayou is on deck for next week Friday at Fruitport.  One of the challenges is to try to separate the Battle of the Bayou with Fruitport where the game is played this year, from Homecoming at Spring Lake.   Such a problem as everyone wants to be involved in Both events!!

 

Next week’s program is our own Paul Winter, presenting the Crew Club rowing regatta efforts of many Laker participants.  And the 50/50 Raffle winner was Mike Cotteral…congratulations Mike…as he was present to win!