Rotary Newsletter

Guests: David Ruebensaal, Kevin Gifford, Nina-jo Seither, Kristen See, Bob Hyde, Dr. Tammy Korylko-Karney, Sonny Kanieski

Sgt @ Arms: Don Spickler filled in as the Sgt @ Arms this evening. Dollars were collected for our speaker and guests, the first robin of the season, the lousy weather (Steve can’t wait for golf!!), Ohio State, Darlene’s exams and research papers the are upcoming, missed meeting while in San Antonio where it was 62 degrees, Bill Breck’s daughter whose picture was in the paper, Steve’s story to John J. that was actually clean, John J. for being to great to guest Kristin See, prospective members, for Sonny who does not have any money to give (thanks, Dad), for warmer weather that must be on the way, Ed McGannon’s picture in an ad, Ralph’s success with his oral surgery, for Sonny finding a few bucks in his own wallet, the Gazettee’s coverage of the Reverse Raffle…finally, auction gifts that are coming in, a successful auction, Dan Watson supplying tax booklets, our lovely “spring” weather, future missed meetings (Jane is escaping to warm and sun), the good looking substitute Sgt @ arms, for the 6 thaws we had this winter (otherwise we’d be up to our armpits in snow), for Don Rossman (who was absent) who is thrilled with the Cavs 10^th win, Kevin Wermer’s support for “Bowl for Kidsake” for the Big Brothers and Sisters of Medina County, John Kanieski to come to the Steakhouse after meeting to pay for Sonny’s tab, leaving early and finally Rich Bidinger’s picture on a milk carton!!! (had to be there for that one).

Upcoming programs: February 13- Dinner at Medina Steakhouse. Bring your sweethart.

There will be a District Meeting at our meeting on February 20^th where Polio Eradication and Membership Building will be discussed. Please plan on attending.

Announcements: On February 27^th there will be a video birthday party for James McClintock at the meeting. If you wish to include a video message, please contact Roy Harriger.

Directory Updates: Pleasae fill out your information sheet and turn it in ASAP to Darlene. New pictures will be taken on February 20^th. They hope to have to project finished by the end of the month.

THE MEDINA ROTARY CLUB AUCTION will be on Sunday, March 2, 2003 at the Rustic Hills County Club. The Silent Auction begins at 10:00 am and the Live Auction begins at 12:00 pm. Many volunteers make light work!! We had 2 pre-auction items sold at the meeting. Don Spickler and Brian Ferron both bought beautiful golf calendars.

	The Program: Today Jochen Horn shared about his homeland, Germany. Jochen is 17 yrs old and is from Oppenweiler, Germany. Jochen enjoys music and plays in a band. He usually plays the piano. Jochen and his family are big sailors. He showed us a lot of beautiful pictures of their sailing adventures. On one trip, they sailed in Denmark and lived on the boat for 14 days. He feels the sea is very peaceful and that it keeps his family close. Jochen’s friends are very important to him and he e-mails his best friend frequently. His other best friend is his dog, of course!! Jochen said that school here is much easier and that he already knows most of what is being taught. There are 40 members in his home Rotary Club which his grandmother’s father got him involved in.
Jochen’s village has about 4,000 people. Their town hall was built in 1782 and is on an island in a lake.
	Jochen has a sister, age 13, and a brother, age 18. Jochen’s father is an electrical engineer and sells telecommunication supplies. His mother is a goldsmith and has made her hobby her career by repairing jewelry and things at home. His brother has been out of school for 3 years now and is being educated in heating and air conditioning.
Jochen showed us slides of many of the great buildings and politicians. We saw the “Bundestag” at an assembly (their parliament), Johannes Rau, the Federal President and The Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder. We saw the Cathedral of Cologne which is a very large church where many Kings were crowned. There was a fantastic picture of Castle Neuschwanstein which is close to Munich. The opera house The Semperopera in Dresden has been rebuilt twice (opera houses are common in Germany). To the left is the Gate of Brandenburg which is actually pictured on the back of their coins.