NEXT MONDAY October 7th, Our guests will be the Democratic candidates for Council in the City of Summit.  Clare Toth and  Michelle Kalmanson will join us for lunch and conversation.  Each will have an opportunity to make a presentation and then respond to your questions. 

 

Michelle’s bio reads:  My family and I arrived here from California six years ago. My husband Myles and I wanted our two kids, now ages 12 and 9, to grow up closer to our East Coast family, so we did our research and fell in love with Summit for the same reasons most people do: its small-town charm, great schools and easy access to the city. It’s been a little slice of heaven for us—we know all of our neighbors, our kids can walk to school and we love exploring our beautiful downtown.

 

Many of us know Claire Toth as she has been with us for many occasions along with her husband, our president David Dietze.  Here’s an excerpt from her bio:  I grew up in a Chicago suburb very much like Summit. After my first year of high school, my father was unexpectedly transferred across country—twice in nine months. That taught me the importance of place and community roots.  I went home to the University of Chicago for college (where I was Phi Beta Kappa) and law school, eventually earning my Masters in Tax Law from Georgetown.

 

 

The following week (October 14) we will welcome the Republican Candidates for the same offices.

 

This is a very good opportunity to invite your friends and neighbors from Summit to meet the candidates.  Please let us know if you are bringing guests as we want to prepare for the right numbers. 

 

Our speaker last week was Tom Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of the Rose House, a Morris Plains non-profit organization providing adults with special needs supervised housing where they can live independent lives.

The Rose House is celebrating twenty-five years of offering its residents the opportunities to live and work in the community while receiving the extra assistance they require to maintain their independence.  Services are offered to “no-behavioral” special needs individuals.  Facilities include individual apartments, maintained by the residents and assistance where needed such as food shopping, transportation, administrative details, etc.

 

 Finances are primarily provided by Medicaid and donations.  Staff costs are the bulk of expenses and staff turnover is only 12% compared to 44%, nationally, for similar organizations.

 We were impressed with the work being done by the Rose House and thank Tom for his illuminating presentation.  Further information can be found on their website: https://therosehouse.org .

 

 As explained by Donna Patel, Chair of the Summit Environmental Commission and fellow Rotarian, "the Summit Library started a Native Seed Library last year, and the Tiny Forest is one of the sources to replenish the seeds. The Native Seed Library is available to the public - people are allowed to take up to 3 seed packets (and then hopefully provide seeds back once their plants thrive). 

 

A special date is being set up to explain the program and get those who are interested started.  Watch your email for details.

 

October 21:  Rotary District Governor Jeannie Tsukamoto will pay her annual visit to the Club along with Assistant Governor Jeffrey Kraft .  Everyone received a letter in their email from the Governor explaining another change that will be coming to New Jersey Rotary.   We are sure that this will be the focus of her remarks on the 21^st and we urge all members to do their best to attend.  

 

DUES ARE DUE:  All members who still owe dues will be receiving a statement later this week.  Please send in your check, or use your credit or debit card as soon as you can.