Stories
Happy Holidays
Club Meeting Information

Our next regular meeting will be Friday (12/22) at Newcastle Place - 12600 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon, WI  53092.

Our program for Friday's meeting will feature our own Steve Peterman who will share his experiences with the Veterans Oral History Project. More information ... 

The greeter will provide either the thought, a Rotary minute, share a family moment or a cultural tradition ... anything they would like to start off the day positive.

Upcoming "It's your Rotary moment" assignees:

  • Elizabeth Suran (12/22)
  • Jennifer Sutherland  (12/29)
  • Lee Szymborski (1/5)
  • Steve Taylor (1/12)

Note: If you are unable to to act as "It's your Rotary moment" assignee when scheduled please arrange for your replacement.

Visit our website at mtsunriserotary.org.

Member Spotlight - Elizabeth Suran

I was brought into this world on a cold February day to two amazing parents and a very parent-like brother. My childhood was filled with adventure, nature and lessons on being a "Good Samaritan."

I grew up on the same block my father did and had my Grandma, Cousins, Aunt and Uncle all within three houses of mine. My volunteer work began in 7th grade.  I went to nursing homes and chatted with the residents and enjoyed sharing their company.  

I then became a tutor for English as a second language students on the South side of Milwaukee and have enjoyed working with and teaching young minds ever since.  My first job was babysitting the neighborhood kids and working for my family's business counting o-rings and filing paperwork. I had an ever changing idea about what I wanted to be when I grew up, but always had the answer, "I just want to be loving" when people would ask.

My current hobbies include playing with our son, London, and teaching him how to be a contributing and responsible member of society. As a family we enjoy swimming, hiking, playing in the back yard and going on adventures. My current position is Program Manager at Lincoln Elementary School. I love this position for many reasons; the top ones being the flexibility it gives me to be able to be with my family and watching the children grow and learn throughout the year. The decision to go back into education was the best career decision I have ever made because it is where I am the most effective and happy.

One of my favorite quotes about knowing you are in your right place is from a commencement speech Oprah gave to Stanford in 2008, "When you are doing the work you are meant to do, it feels right, and everyday is a bonus, regardless of what you are getting paid." She went on to talk about how life will only be successful if you give back. That is where Rotary comes into my life.

When I began Rotary, I jumped right in and have enjoyed being a part of this wonderful group of people ever since. I now look forward to sharing Rotary with London and living as a family by the 4 way test and Rotarian way of life!

Cookies to Spare?

You may or may not know that I selected Verkayla’s (the Mom) card for our St. Markus School Family and I am putting together items for her to prepare a Christmas meal for her family.

I would like to include a Rotarian Christmas cookie plater as part of that donation. I know many of you out there are world-class bakers and most likely have dozens of cookies prepared. If you would be so kind as to donate just a couple (2-4 cookies) from your stores and bring them to our meeting on Friday I would be very appreciative. 

Thank you for your consideration & generosity.

Brian K

Homestead Interact Club delivers 100 books to the kids at St. Marcus School
A Rotary LOL Moment

Frank & Ernest by Thaves

MT Sunrise Rotary's 2017 Holiday Party
Rotarians from three countries resurrect the forgotten Great Western Trail

By Frank Bures Photos by Scott Slusher (The Rotarian)

At Doan’s Crossing, in a remote corner of Texas near the southeastern tip of the Panhandle, the local folks hold a picnic every May. It has all the things you would expect from a small-town picnic: A few hundred people from the nearby town of Vernon and the surrounding area gather to eat barbecue and socialize. Riders on horseback cross the river from Oklahoma to attend. A Picnic King and Queen are crowned. 

But the event, which claims to be the “oldest pioneer festival” in Texas, also marks a piece of American history that was nearly lost: Doan’s Crossing was a key point along the Great Western Trail, a major cattle trail that, during its 20 years of existence, was more heavily used than the better-remembered Chisholm Trail. While it was in use, some 6 million to 7 million cattle and a million horses made their way up various parts of the route.

 

Thought of the Week

The world today doesn't make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do? - Pablo Picasso

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