The annual Apple Dumpling Project is the longest running annual project of the Rotary Club of Michigan City. The Apple Dumpling Book Project has been one of our most successful and satisfying projects since 2009. It is a legacy of the Rotary presidency of Mike Hackett. This years' project leaders are Jessica O'Brien and Nora Ryska. Working in teams of two, MC Rotary Club members go into every 3rd grade class in Michigan City, public and private to read Andy and Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Book with the class. This year’s project runs from Monday, March 25 to Thursday, March 28. There are 28 time slots to fill and all Rotarians (or friends) are called to sign up for service. The total time commitment for each reading is 30 minutes to 1 hour. It is not too early to check your calendar and sign up for one or more readings. The sign-up button is in the top banner of our Rotary web page: https://mcrotary.org/
Andy and Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure tells the story of two young men and a young lady who embark on an idea to build an apple dumpling business. Throughout the story, the young people encounter tough decisions to which voices in their head recite the 4 Way Test to them and help them make the right decisions. The Club then gives the class the book to keep as well as giving each child an Apple Dumpling coloring book, book mark, and Rotary 4 Way Test bookmark.
If you are new to this project you can watch the video reading of the book at the following link.
This project has a duel purpose. The first is to promote literacy to the youth of our community. The second is to share Rotary’s 4 Way Test and promote the tenants of the 4 Way Test with these youngsters. In addition to that the project provides the opportunity to work closely with another Rotarian building friendship and camaraderie. Past Rotarians have reported that this is the project they enjoy the most.
Nearly every graduating senior in 2024 was introduced to the 4 Way Test when they were in elementary school. The Andy and Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Activity Book gifted to them by Rotary was in their homes. How many lives have we touched in the past 15 years? As you review the available dates and times for sign-up remember our ethic, “Service Above Self.”
Monica L. Komasinski who has served as the Executive Director of Leadership LaPorte County since January 2011. In her position, she manages the day-to-day operations of the non-profit organization which has a mission to develop leadership skills in youth and adult community members.
She was born and raised in LaPorte County and attended New Prairie High School. Monica received her B. A. in Communications and Advertising/Public Relations from Purdue University and is a 1991 graduate of Leadership LaPorte County’s Adult Leadership program. Monica is also a certified Real Colors ® Facilitator.
Monica has enjoyed a career in marketing for more than 30 years, focusing primarily on financial services and non-profit management. Her work experience at the Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce and as a former community bank marketing manager gave her a passion for community leadership. She enjoys enriching the lives of youth and adults and considers herself a life-long learner.
She is a past President of Crichfield Elementary PTA and has volunteered with many community organizations, in a variety of ways, including: The United Way, Junior Achievement, Hours for Ours school-based mentoring, the Michigan City Family YMCA, the LaPorte Jaycees, the Purdue Extension, and the Slicer Champions Mentoring Program Steering Committee. She has also served as an instructor for the American Institute of Banking (AIB).
Monica resides in LaPorte with her husband, Dan. They are the parents of two adult children, a son who lives and works in Indianapolis and a daughter who is a junior studying Public Health at Purdue University. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, kayaking, enjoying lake life and walking with her two Golden Retrievers.
Monica will be speaking about the Mission, Programs, and Other Services provided by Leadership La Porte County.
What a great Thirsty Third Thursday we had with Rotarians and friends. In spite of a last-minute venue change we gathered and had a party at Fiddlehead.
Mark your calendars for the next Thirsty Third Thursday on March 21st.
Chief Marty Corley, MCPD, provided the club with a very informative update of the MCPD. Hats off for what they all do for us everyday and Salute to Freya, a fine therapy dog, newest member to the Team! ( Chief Corley was provided with a copy of the following. )
Wearing protective suits, 20 young people open the gate of a fenced yard and enter. Immediately, dozens of large dogs swarm around them.
The dogs wag their tails, lick people’s hands, spin in place, and playfully nudge their heads against the visitors. Their overwhelming joy threatens to knock people over. It’s just another day at this animal shelter in Icheon, Korea.
“You must wear protective suits because these dogs love you so much,” says Song-Hee Lim, the executive secretary/director of the Rotary E-Club of MZ, Gyeonggi, Korea. “They get so excited that their shed fur sticks to you, and sometimes your skin can be scratched.”
The animal shelter the club members are visiting is called Yugigyeon Soop, meaning Forest for Abandoned Dogs, and specializes in large dogs. The shelter provides a home for around 100 animals and hosts breeds such as Korea’s native Jindos, shepherds, Siberian huskies, and Labrador retrievers. For most of the dogs, though, their exact breed is unknown. Many also are missing limbs or have eye injuries.
Jun-Sung Park, the owner of the shelter, initially ran a dog hotel. Sometimes people abandoned dogs there, and Park began to care for them. One dog became two, two became 10, and eventually Park established an animal shelter.
“There are not many shelters that accept big dogs – especially dogs like the ones here. They have nowhere else, having been in fights or gotten injured,” Park says. Although Park was initially able to find homes for a few of the dogs, most of the adopted dogs were eventually returned to the shelter.
“I don’t want them to go through that again,” he says. “I just hope these dogs can live happily here until the end of their days.”
Monica L. Komasinski who has served as the Executive Director of Leadership LaPorte County since January 2011. In her position, she manages the day-to-day operations of the non-profit organization which has a mission to develop leadership skills in youth and adult community members.
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