Carmi Rotary Club meeting
The Carmi Rotary club had several visitors at their Thursday meeting this week.
First up was Don Winkleman, who came to give the club a quick update on the fundraising project for the Murphy brothers. Don spoke briefly then turned the stage over to pastor Michael LeBuhn, who has been the lead person on the benefit project. Pastor LeBuhn told the club that amazing things have been happening with this event.
He told the Rotarians that an individual who was from Carmi, but now lives away from here, heard about the fundraising efforts, and stepped in to pay for the new home. Another former Carmi resident also heard the news, and has paid for a shed and equipment to “smash” the cans. Still another former Carmi person recently wrote a check for a thousand dollars toward the project.
All told, there is around $4500 in the bank now that will go toward expenses such as homeowner’s insurance and other household items. Pastor LeBuhn stated that all of the appliances have been donated as well as furniture from various sources, which will all be delivered and installed within the next week or so.
The fundraising dinner will be held on Saturday, April 27th at the Lion’s Den in Carmi. Tacos and spaghetti will be on the menu from four until seven that evening, and tickets are only ten dollars per person.
Next up on the Rotary agenda was craftsman Greg Dietsch. Greg is a painter by trade, but was on hand to show the Rotarians his incredible array of artistic items.
Greg explained that several years ago, when the painting business was in a slow period, he was sitting in his workshop looking at the many, many deer antlers he had on display from years of hunting. He made the decision to try using some of these antlers in art pieces, and his “hobby” was born. He now works every free moment turning antlers and unique pieces of wood into truly stunning works of art.
He showed the club many of his pieces, including pieces of wood that now feature images of eagles in various poses, antlers carved in to intricate statues and figurines, and stainless steel drinking straws adorned with beautiful sting and paint that make each one a unique piece.
Greg stated that he recently put his works up for sale at an art/craft show in Indiana, and sold out of almost every piece he had. He said he will work for two years to accumulate enough pieces to do another show of that size.
In club business Kent Armstrong won the day’s 50/50 raffle but did not claim the cash prize. Pastor Randy Douglass was named as the day’s phantom.
The Carmi Rotary club meets every Thursday at noon at the First United Methodist Church on Main Street in Carmi. Anyone wishing to learn more about this civic organization is welcome to attend a meeting or speak with any Carmi Rotarian.
