Hello fellow Rotarians,

WOW!! I cannot believe this Rotary year is almost over.  It has been an amazing journey.  I cannot thank you all enough for the support I have received during the year.

A month ago, I asked everyone to acknowledge and share a story about someone who has inspired you.    Sandi and I are working on gathering those stories to publish in next month’s Pinion. Thank you to everyone who has shared their story.  This is still time for more.  Recognizing someone for being an inspiration continues on.  I would like to take some time now to share my “Be the Inspiration” story.  Being the President, I will cheat a little.

I actually have two “inspirations.” The first will be my parents, Dennis and Hattie Hughes.  Both have taught me so many things that I’m just now starting to see.  Dad taught me how to be a “Family Man” -one who looks over and takes care of the family – to be hard working, yet enjoy the special time with the family. Mom taught me compassion and being yourself.  She always encouraged us to do our best, give it your all, yet don’t be tied to the outcome as some things are just out of your control.  She also taught me the power of philanthropy and love for a community. Giving back has been an important role in my family.  We have been blessed in being able to support the hungry getting fed, the cold being warmed, a child getting an education, children with special needs getting a place to be, and supporting thousands of people walking for a cure.  It has been amazing to see and to be a part of.  Thank you Mom and Dad!!  Love you both so much.

My next inspiration is YOU, Niles Rotarians.  OH MY GOD!! Y’all are amazing.  The lesson I have learned is that 100 strangers can get together, support, and love one and another, just as family.  I have seen it firsthand this year alone.  We have faced tragedy and sorrow, and every time there has been a Niles Rotarian right there to lend a comforting hug.  We have helped and supported each other during these dark times because we are compassionate, caring, and most of all, because we are a Rotarian family. I have seen Niles Rotarians feeding the hungry, ringing bells for a cause, paint a map for education, and wishing strangers a warm Hello and Welcome.  We have been reaching out to a new generation of Rotarians with our Social Change. I have seen the joy and laughter as we “break bread” and share a bottle of our favorite libation.  You, a Niles Rotarian, are someone who inspires me and the world.  Thank you so much for your support and teaching me how “Mankind is our Business” and how to “Be the Inspiration.”  It has been an honor and privilege to be your President this past year.

HA!  And here you thought Walt Disney was going to be one of inspirations! Ok…. he is next on the list!  Haha.

Thank you all again, it has been a fun and magical year.  I will leave you with two though to end my year.

• If you see a turtle on top of a fence post, you know he didn’t get there all by himself. He got there by a helping and supportive hand of a Niles Rotarian.
• To all who come to this happy place – Niles Rotary is your home. Here age relives fond memories of the past…and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Niles Rotary is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have shaped mankind…with the hope that someday there will be peace and joy in the world.

In Rotary,

Brian Hughes
President, 2018-2019

 “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”– Walt Disney

Hello fellow Rotarians,

April showers bring May flowers! I sure hope so!  I’m ready for some warmer and drier weather.

WOW…. I cannot believe there are only two more months in this Rotary year.  Time sure has gone by for me.  I bet is seems like a “Groundhog Day” for you.  President Brian over and over again.  haha

I wanted to remind everyone to sign up for our District Conference.  You can register online at https://dc.rotarydistrict5170.org/.  The dates again are May 17^th– 19^thonboard the USS Hornet.  I know there is a LOT of great stuffed planned for this event. Remember, we want to retain the Cupertino Cup so please see Jeff Schinkel to help out.   I hope to see everyone there that weekend!

How is the “Be the Inspiration” challenge going?  I would like to post as many inspiring stories as we can in our final June Pinion. Remember, I am challenging everyone in Niles Rotary to find and recognize someone who is inspiring.   Take a look around you.  Is there someone you know who has done something special?  Is there a person who is just an amazing individual? Let them know by giving them our RI theme pin “Be the Inspiration.”  Take a picture with them if you can, then share the story as to why this person was an inspiration.  You can send the story and photo to me at brian.nilesrotary@gmail.com.  I will share some of the stories at the meeting and here in the Pinion.  If you need some pins, please let the COGS know.  They can get some for you.

Here are a couple emails I received.

Good morning President Brian. Your challenge to find someone that inspires us was an easy challenge to me. I would like to nominate Sandy Stabile as an individual that continues to inspireme. Her dedication to the children around the world warms my soul. She gives her time, money, and talents for this cause, and I am humbled to know her and call her a friend. She is truly changing this world!

 Terri Landon

 President Brian,

I gave a pin to two of my dear friends: Genevieve Angelides and Michi Yee. I need another one please. I will draft a brief reason for giving them each a pin. They have both been an inspiration to me!

 Genevieve Angelides longtime friend since 1975. She’s been an inspiration to me ever since I met her. She’s a pace setter and educator. We revitalized AAUW from 77 to 150 members in 2007. We work so well as a team. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Jan. 2019 and given 2-4 weeks to live. She’s exceeded that time frame and has educated her family and friends on death and dying and her Greek Orthodox religion. She’s been under hospice care for the past 10 weeks and going to leave hospice to go back to Kaiser to get an update on her pancreatic markers for a week and then go back on hospice. She looks fantastic! Genevieve has been a real inspiration to me. She told me I have been her inspiration also. 

 Michi Yee also a longtime friend who has revitalized the CCWTWC (Country Club of Washington Township Women’s Club), which started in 1896 and was about to be terminated three years ago. She’s recruited many new younger members, educated us on the history of the CCWTWC. She’s a real inspiration to ME!

 Ambassador of FUN photographer, Mary Lynn Pelican

I’m looking forward to hearing more about the great people in our community.

In Rotary,

Brian Hughes
President, 2018-2019

“If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else!” – Yogi Berra

Hello fellow Rotarians,

April is now upon us.  Spring has sprung.  It’s hard to believe that I only have 3 more months to go as your President.  Ok…I heard those cheers!  Haha…oh wait…that was me cheering…oops.  tehehe

I would like to thank everyone for your participation and help in this year’s Elimination Raffle.  Y’all should be very proud of the success of this event every year.  Congratulation to President-Elect Bruce and his team for showing us how to “Let the Good Times Roll!!”  Everything was a big success and a great time was had by all.  The final numbers are still to be calculated.  We will let you know when it’s all done.  Who will be this year’s winner of the Big Kahuna?  Did Jasmine go wire to wire?  Did John Dutra or Daren Young sneak in at the last minute?  We should soon find out.

This year’s Rotary theme is to “Be the Inspiration.”  I am going to challenge everyone in Niles Rotary to find and recognize someone who is inspiring.   Take a look around you.  Is there someone you know who did something special?  Is there a person who is just an amazing individual?  Let them know by giving them our RI theme pin of “Be the Inspiration.”  Take a picture with them if you can, then share the story as to why this person was an inspiration.  You can send the story and photo to me at brian.nilesrotary@gmail.com.  I will share some of the stories at the meeting and here in the Pinion.  If you need some pins, please let the COGS know.  They can get some for you.

I’m looking forward to hearing about the great people in our community.  Now go out there and flood my email with great stories.

In Rotary,

Brian Hughes
President, 2018-2019

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made the feel.” – Maya Angelou

Hello fellow Rotarians,

My apologies for not getting a full Presidential message to you this month. I have been busy doing research on Let the Good Time Roll in New Orleans.

In Rotary,

President Brian

Brian Hughes
President, 2018-2019

“Always welcome the new morning with a new spirit, a smile on your face, love in your heart and good thoughts in your mind.” – Unknown

 

Hello fellow Rotarians,

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Ah, the start of the Chinese New Year, which is also known as the Lunar New Year and Spring Festival.  I would try to explain how they all tie together, but my flowchart was way too confusing.  2019 is the Year of the Pig (Zhu). If you were born in 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, or 2007, you too fall under the Year of the Pig. According to a Chinese New Year website, people born in the Year of the Pig think logically and are able to fix whatever problem they’re in. They aren’t good communicators, but they’re kind and able to provide for the family. Most of them are wealthy. Their only obvious fault is that they lose their temper easily.

As we celebrate the 15 days of the New Year we will end February with the start the celebration of Carnival. In the United States it is more commonly known as Mardi Gras!  Carnival typically involves public celebrations, including events such as parades, public street parties, and other entertainments, combining some elements of a circus. Elaborate costumes and masks allow people to set aside their everyday individuality and experience a heightened sense of social unity. Participants often indulge in foods and drinks that will be forgone during upcoming Lent. Rio’s Carnival is considered the biggest festival in the world averaging about two million people in the streets celebrating.  It’s so popular; the government built a stadium designed for the parade called the Sambódromo (Sambadrome).  Rio’s Sambódromois 2,300 ft. long with a capacity of 90,000 people.  It’s big!

I want to wish both celebrations a very safe holiday season.

Elimination\Reverse Raffle! Let’s get this event SOLD OUT ASAP!! Reminder…..EVERY Niles Rotarian MUST sell or buy at least ONE ticket!!  No excuses.  It’s easy! Just buy or sell one ticket.  I know you can do that!  We have 335 tickets to sell.  SELL, SELL, SELL!!  This fundraiser helps support SEVERAL nonprofits in the area, plus it helps with RYLA and Rotary Interact Scholarships! Help President-Elect Bruce and make this event a sellout!!

There is a link to the Reverse Raffle webpage from our nilesrotary.org website.  You can download a copy of the flyer/ticket form as well as get details about the event, or forward the link to others.

In Rotary,

Brian Hughes
President, 2018-2019

“Always welcome the new morning with a new spirit, a smile on your face, love in your heart and good thoughts in your mind.” – Unknown