NO CLUB MEETING THIS WEEK (7/17)

Visit our club website mtsunriserotary.org.

Mequon home tour displays innovative features
​By Jeff Rumage​

Mequon - Better Homes and Gardens has partnered with Lakeside Development Company to construct its first-ever "innovation home" in Mequon.

Boasting 3,300 square feet of finished space, BHG's 2015 Innovation Home represents a fresh, traditional construction style accented with modern farmhouse twists. North Shore readers will be able to get a sneak peak at the home this weekend before it is featured in the magazine's October 2015 issue.

Inside, smart design will be incorporated into the home's décor, demonstrating how technology can blend seamlessly into beautiful interiors. The interior was designed and furnished by Lauren Liess, owner of Lauren Liess & Co. interior design studio and Lauren Liess Textiles.

Readers are invited to tour the "innovation home" on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning July 11 through July 26. Tickets will be sold on site for $10, with a portion of the sales benefiting the Family Enrichment Center in Ozaukee County. Sales from a portion of the home furnishings will benefit the greater Milwaukee branch of national nonprofit Rebuilding Together.

The home's five key areas of innovation include multi-point monitoring of doors, windows, shades, thermostats, door locks and lights through sensors and smart home controls, as well as low-maintenance building materials; energy- and water-saving appliances; and cutting-edge electronics. The house also features convenient kitchen and bath products, such as hands-free faucets and a tub with hidden speakers.

By Jerry Venters, a  member of the Rotary Club of Kansas City Plaza

I’ve been a member of Rotary since 1989, and I have never heard of or participated in a changing of the guard ceremony like the one held in District 6040, Missouri, USA, this year. It had more energy and enthusiasm, participation, and fun than any I’ve attended!

The district governor for 2014-15, Cassy Venters (full disclosure here: my wife) began thinking two years earlier about how she could make the event different and uphold the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self. She chose to make it a service project with our local food bank, Harvesters – The Community Food Network.

As is usually the case, the event doubled as the installation ceremony for the governor’s home club, in this case the Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club, led by 2014-15 President Bob Merrigan. Most of these events are long, drawn-out affairs held in a hotel or banquet facility. Cassy dared to be different.

After months of promotion, we had 140 Rotarians, Rotaractors, and family members pack 4,600 lunches in 90 mintues for the children served by Harvesters. Four of our granddaughters, ages 8 to 19, along with our daughter and son-in-law, came from Des Moines, Iowa, to take part in the event. We had Rotarians from almost a dozen clubs around the district participate, and some brought their children, too. Nine Rotaractors were there, and I’ve never seen Rotaractors take part in a district installation ceremony!

Everyone contributed $20 which allowed us to buy $8,000 worth of food. The day began with a picnic-style lunch in the Harvesters meeting room (cost: $10 a person), and after the packing we installed our officers. Harvesters had everything set up for us. People were laughing, having a great time, and meeting new friends. Rich Linden, a local DJ, who is also a member of the Plaza club, kept it lively with music for all ages and a little friendly trash talk between tables. “Table six says it’s the best table in the building; the rest of you better get to work.”

I’ve never seen people have such a good time at a changeover ceremony. If you are willing to try something different for your next installation dinner, why not consider a service project that exemplifies Rotary’s dedication to serving others.

“It is bad luck to fall out of a thirteenth story window on Friday.” ~ American Proverb