In light of COVID-19 mandates, MT Sunrise Rotary will be hosting virtual meetings until further notice. Our next meeting will be 7:00 AM Friday (5/8).

Our virtual program will feature April P. Bentley. April is the founder of RUBIES. Her topic, "Changed Lives, change lives". (See bio below) 

Also joining us from Austria will be former Rotary Youth Exchange student Sara Kickmayer. Scroll down to the article below for a brief bio on Sara. Thank you Bob Blazich.

The virtual 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:

• Doug Hansen (5/8)
• Julie Irvine (5/15)
• Brian Kendzor (5/22)
• Mike Kim (5/29)

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

While some are familiar with Zoom, there are others for which this will be an opportunity to experience something new

Helpful Resources:

• Joining a Meeting Instructional Video: Click Here
• Join a Test Meeting: Click Here

It's as easy as one-two-three. Honest! (You may want to check off the first two steps in advance of the meeting start time)

1. Device connected to the internet - Check
2. Zoom app installed on your device - Check
3. Click "Join Meeting" button below - Check

The “waiting room” will open at 6:50 AM with our meeting starting at 7:00 AM. Attendees should mute themselves when not speaking, or if they have background noise. Attendees can communicate with one another through the “Chat” icon. Click button below to join our Zoom meeting!

Hope to see you Friday!

• One tap mobile: +13017158592,,614896091# US
• Dial by your location: +1 301 715 8592 US

Visit our website at mtsunriserotary.org.

Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis

We are not partisan combatants - we are human beings, equally vulnerable and equally wonderful in the sight of God. - George W. Bush

I was born and raised on Washington Island Wisconsin. I feel very fortunate to have been raised in this community of 700 residents with a strong Scandinavia heritage. Those of you who have listened to Garrison Keillor and his description of living in Lake Wobegon will understand the people and community which raised me.

My parents had a strong work ethic and our family had a mink ranch, Christmas tree farm, local heating fuel and propane business and we raised our own beef cattle, sheep and pigs.

The school system on the Island at that time had 125 student and there were 12 students in my graduating class. I received my undergraduate degree from UW Milwaukee and a graduate degree from UW Oshkosh. I received an ROTC commission after college graduation and retired from the US Army Reserves with 25 years of service. My undergraduate work with a degree in social work lead me to a 20-year career working in the addiction treatment field. I then did a career change and entered the insurance field operating my own business for 28 years. I just retired in December 2019.

My current occupation is devoting as much time as possible to my 4 grandchildren and spending as much time as possible at our summer home on Washington Island.

The best decision I made in my life was marrying Pam who has been my life partner for the past 48 years.

This week's international student visitor is Sara Kickmayer.

Sara came to us from Kreuzen, Austria for the 2012-13 school year. During her time at Homestead, she was hosted by three families: The Rowes, The Lookers, and the Blazichs.

Since leaving the US, Sara has pursued a career in the fashion industry. She is currently working, studying, and sheltering in place in Paris.

Today's food collection run by our friends at The Adult Literacy Center of Ozaukee County brought in over 2600 pounds of food and $2,957 for Family Sharing. I'm sure Julie Hoover, our Friday speaker, will be very pleased when she sees the filled bins, checks, cash, and gift cards.

Bob Blazich