Monday's meeting was the Annual Joint Holiday Meeting of the Elkhart Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club of Elkhart. This was Rotary's year to host, leading the meeting, but inviting Kiwanian leadership to make announcements and help with Sergeanting. Co-Sergeant's this year including Rotary's 'Captain' of the Sergeants, Anthony Hunt and Kiwanis' Steve Brown. Both raised fun fines supporting our November-December Salvation Army Fundraising. The meeting also welcomed visiting Rotarians from South Bend, Mishawaka, and Wawasee! Elkhart Rotary President Julie Cotton presided over festivities which included a performance by the Elkhart High School Madrigal Choir, led by Elkhart High School Choir Director Jeff Reinert. Students joined us for lunch and gave a terrific performance, entertaining the entire gathering of Rotarians, Kiwanians, and guests.
The Madrigal Choir is an auditioned choir at Elkhart High School that sings music from the Renaissance Era and beyond, focusing on a-cappella repertoire sung without accompaniment. Students earn a spot in the Madrigal Choir through a competitive audition process. Students must be concurrently enrolled in a concert choir. The Madrigal Choir rehearses during the school day, with occasional after school rehearsals. The Madrigal Choir performs several times throughout the year, including the Fall Concert, Madrigal Dinner, the Wintersong Concert, and other community events, like Rotary Club Meetings! Our club's sincere thanks to Elkhart High School, Choir Director Jeff Reinert, and the student-singers who give of their time and passion to engage in the community!
Rotarians are an integral and engaged part of our active community! Here’s a list of upcoming events represented by Rotarians from the Elkhart Rotary Club. If you’d like more information, contact the Rotarian listed for the event or email elkhartnoonrotary@gmail.com and your message will be forwarded to them. Are you a Rotarian with an event to share? Put it in the format below and email to Eric Garton, he’ll add it to the list.
November 24-25-26, December 1-2-3, 8-9-10, 15-16-17, 20-21-22-23, 26-27, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights at Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Bigger and Brighter than ever with over 1.4 million lights! You can purchase tickets at the gate when you arrive, or in advance at https://35522.blackbaudhosting.com/35522/tickets?tab=3&txobjid=5b77815b-9227-4b15-bfb7-fed9c934479e
December 7, 1-4 p.m. Honoring Rotarian Bill Rieth’s contributions to Crossroads United Way. An open house to say hello and thank you to Bill for his many years of service as Executive Director as he moves on to the next chapter in his life. Location: Crossroads United Way offices. Contact: Bill Rieth. All Rotarians are invited to attend.
December 9, 9 a.m. start, Rotary Bell Ringing for Salvation Army. Contact: Paul Warning for signups.
Early May, 2024. In September, Rotarian Carl Dickerson of Dickerson Literacy Initiatives presented a program at the club about a project in Costa Rica in cooperation with Peace Corps volunteers to distribute books in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Rotarians have distributed books in recent years in connection with eye clinics from IU and the Goshen Rotary Club. We are considering doing a trip to Costa Rica in early May that would distribute books in connection with five Peace Corps volunteers and also distribute eyeglasses that will be made for people from a February 2024 eye clinic trip. If you wish to support such a trip or travel with the group, contact either Doug Risser or Ashley Bowen for more information.
