President Sofie Ameloot welcomed everyone to the Centerville Rotary Club meeting at Grant Park and led reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Ameloot shared two quotes today as she thought they were equally beautiful and apt for our Peace Pole installation:
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees." John Muir
“I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” Anne Frank
Thanks to today’s greeters Gina Smith and others.
Welcome today’s guests: DG Dottie Meade, Chuck Shonkwiler, DG-Nominee, Kelly Lehman, District Peace Committee, Jason Riley, Chair of Centerville-Washington Diversity Council, Kristen Marks, Centerville-Washington Park District Director.
The group then moved outside for the dedication of the Peace Pole.
PDG Harvey Smith gave the Prayer for Peace - Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
President Ameloot then shared:
The Peace Pole expresses in 9 languages “May Peace Prevail on Earth”:in Arabic, Braille, English, Hindi, Mandarin, Spanish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu. Those languages were chosen as being the most prominent in our region. A Braille plaque has been added so blind individuals can read the message of hope as well.
The Peace Pole is an internationally-recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil, in silent prayer for peace on earth. Its placement furthers Rotary's goal of building a culture of peace throughout the world by inspiring unity among people of all cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds.
DG Dottie Meade and Park District Director, Kristen Marks shared comments and the group sang, “Let there be be Peace on Earth."
Once back inside, Happy Bucks were shared, with Brad Thorp as our Sergeant at Arms:
- Boyd P was happy to be here.
- Ron H was happy
- Chuck K’s nephew was ordained to the Catholic Church
- Dale B was pleased to be seated with so many Rotarians at yesterday’s Founders Event
- Arnie B noted today is Enzyme’s last day of school and she returns to Thailand on June 8
- Sophie A was happy for the Peace Pole and good weather today
- Jim H in memory of his family member who passed away recently
- Lee H’s Farm Report: only about 55% of the crops are in the ground due to all the rain
- Mark K was happy to be here and for the fine day
- Jeff S for the short farm report and shared a story his friend at church shared
- Bob D for sunshine at long last
- Dottie M gave thanks for the invite to be here today; will attend the Coffee Club on Tuesday, and shared her husband is an arrowhead hunter who said it is best to find them when the corn is just coming up through the ground.
- Elda GG was happy
- Harvey S gave thanks to Carol K for organizing the Founders Event honoring Dale B.
- Gina S for the fine weather, fine people, Carol & the Foundation crew for putting on a great event, and for Dale for giving others a legacy to follow
- Carol K for Jason Riley being here today, and the great turnout of Rotarians at The Founders event
- Sivaji S said, “Let peace begin with us.”
- Kelly M for Mother Nature cooperating today and gave thanks to Kelly Lehman for attending today. He noted Peace is one of Rotary’s area of focus, and Peace building is an interest area that others can join. He also shared we have another peace pole at Centerville Library.
Brad then raffled off a $50 Costco Card which Kelly M won for $75!
President Ameloot shared these announcements:
- The Founders event honoring Dale Berry was a lovely event. She thanked the 15 Rotarians who attended. And shared things she learned about Dale: He rally likes dessert (his favorite is peach pie); and he cries when a new building or business is opened. She noted Dick Hoback was there - he is doing well and hopes to return to meetings soon.
- Bob D is now cancer free - Congrats!
- Join us for the Keep Centerville Beautiful Clean-Up—a community-wide effort to spruce up parks and public spaces throughout Centerville and Washington Township!
- Date: Wednesday, June 4
- Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Volunteers will be assigned a location within Centerville or Washington Township
Volunteers will help clean areas like Cornerstone Park, Stubbs Park and other properties our community partners identified. Duties will include litter pickup, weeding, miscellaneous maintenance tasks and more. This event supports the City of Centerville’s affiliation with Keep America Beautiful and promotes pride in our shared spaces through hands-on service.
Volunteers will be contacted no less than 48 hours before the event via email with arrival information.
Volunteers must complete the online registration form for each participant. Volunteers under 18 must have consent from a parent or guardian to participate in the event.
Please let's put on a great showing for Centerville Rotary! Bring your kids and/or grandkids! Let me know if you sign up please.
- Food Drive for Foodbank 6/12. Drop off food at our Thursday meeting, or at Sofie’s house earlier if you can not make the meeting. Will be taken to Foodbank immediately after meeting. Cash is also welcome!
- Coffee Club is next Tuesday 7:30 am at ContempoRoast.
President Ameloot thanked all of today’s visitors, reminded all to BRING A FRIEND to Rotary, lead reciting of the 4-Way Test and wished all a good week.
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