Meeting of 3/23/2107
The Spoke
Rotary’s Most Widely Read Newsletter
March 23, 2017
Submitted by Joseph Corona
Rotarians: Ray Manginell, Joe Corona, Dennis Zink, Rich Comins, Robyn Whittaker, Herb Gauch, Ross Willink, Dolly McGuire, Tom Smock, Dolly Kujawa, Donna Hepburn, Bob Goldstein, Don Pegelow, Brian Winslow
Visitors: Dolly McGuire, Fritz Sierk
Pledge of Allegiance: Brian Winslow
Prayer: Ross Willink
Location: Penfield Country Club
Fritz Sierk – Owner of The Coach Sports Bar
- Eight years ago when Fritz turned 40 his step mother bought him the gift of Outward Bound
- Fritz chose the most difficult trip he could find; goal was to learn and experience something
- He selected Patagonia which is the mountainous region between Argentina and Chile for a 23 day trip
- Unfortunately, lost suitcase in Detroit on his way to South America
- They hiked through the mountains and lived on a glacier; they carried all of their equipment and food in and each carried a pack of 60-80 pounds
- Their hikes lasted 7-10 hours per day with 12 hours being their longest day
- Group consisted of 5 women and 7 men along with their guides
- The trip was the end of December through the end of January
- They consumed over 5,000 calories each day and rested each hour for 5 minutes; by the end he lost 20+ pounds
- Each member of the team went through Solo – 36 hours of solitude where you are provided minimal rations and are meant to not do anything
- Trip started at 3,000 feet above sea level and summit was 11,000 above sea level; camp was at 9,000 feet above sea level
- He prepared by hiking every day; showers were any time they found a lake or waterfall; typical water temperature was 23!
- Mountain was called Tronador – Thunder Herd in Spanish; it had a peak in Argentina and Chile
- They had to build walls of ice and snow to protect them from the wind and cold; they were 4 to a tent and had to use the refuge a couple of times due to incoming storms
- They trained daily in case of falls into the crevasse; bigger guys were at the end as anchors
- When they came back down the mountain, they did service work in town by helping to clean the water supply. As a thank you the town provided Pepsi and a traditional Argentinian meal
- The group still keeps in touch via Facebook
50/50 Winner
- Bob Goldstein was the 50/50 winner but pulled the 4 of diamonds
Happy Dollars
- Ray, Don Bob, Donna, Dennis, Joe, Ross, Dolly M, Tom, Dolly K - Speaker
- Herb – Grandson scored 2 goals in a tournament; Mary is able to drive
- Robyn – Back at the cat house
- Rich – Terry’s back in surgery at RGH due to some complications; their sister from Syracuse is recuperating from a hand infection
- Brian – Isaac recently installed a new furnace and AC system
Upcoming Schedule
- 3/26 – Foundation Brunch at Ravenwood 12-3 $30
- 3/30 – Induction of Dolly McGuire and John Doerner at Shadow Lake (Lake Room); it is a guest night!
- 4/8 – District Assembly @ Newark High School; thus far Robyn and Joe will be attending there is room for 4 more
- 4/11 – Joint meeting with Kiwanis and Lions @ Hedges 6:00 cocktails; 6:30 dinner
- 4/20 – Regular meeting
- 4/27 – Regular meeting
- 4/29 – Adopt a Highway at 7:30 am @ Gazebo parking lot; Sunshine Camp cleanup starting at 9, let Dolly K know if you will be able to attend
- 5/4 – Regular meeting
- 5/5 – Charities Dinner @ Columbus Center
- 5/11 – Regular meeting
- 5/13 – Gear Up Rotary bike ride
- 5/19-21 – District Conference in Erie, PA
- 5/25 – Regular meeting
- 6/1 – Regular meeting
- 6/8 – Regular meeting
- 6/15 – Regular meeting
- 6/22 – Regular meeting
- 6/23 – Robynpalooza @ Ontario CC 1:00 shotgun start
- 6/26 – District Changeover Dinner @ Woodcliff
- 6/29 – Changeover Dinner