The Westward Ho 4/14/23 (Apr 11, 2023)

Coming Up 4/14/23

Professor John Hay

University of Nebraska

"Solar Energy Collection"

Chair of the Day: Charles Shapiro

Invocator: Warren Whitted III

Cashier: Butch Ethington

Greeter: TBA

Sgt. At Arms: Stephanie Olson

Click HERE to register for our annual Senior Recognition Event which will be at the Marriott at Regency this year. Friday, April 28th featuring Astronaut Clayton Anderson as the keynote speaker.

Social Events

Join us for a monthly Happy Hour to mingle in an informal setting. All metro-area Rotarians and guests are invited! Our next Happy Hour is Thursday, April 13th at the Public House in Rockbrook Village. 4:30- 7pm

Then save the date for our Quatro de Mayo party hosted by Michelle Schrage!

Blood Drive

Consider donating blood for our upcoming blood drive. Go online and sign up!

Tree Planting Opportunities

If you attend one of these tree-planting events, please wear your Rotarian at Work t-shirt (Jennifer has them for $15 if you need one) and let her know you did so for attendance credit.

We have an opportunity to help plant trees this spring with The Big Garden whom we've partnered with in the past on Saturday, April 22nd. CLICK HERE to sign up.

We also have an opportunity to plant trees on April 29th

Volunteers needed for Douglas Sarpy UNL Extension Office – Tree Planting
Saturday the 29th of April starting at 9 am in Lincoln Place Park in Gretna.
The park is on the left going west on Lincoln Rd. Take Hwy 31/6 and go west on Lincoln Rd. Leo Royal Park is on the left and you go past this park and Lincoln Place is also on the left just past a group of evergreen trees. The park doesn’t have a sign but you can see the baseball field on the left side of the road.
Jim Keepers, cell number is 402-618-8837.

Pitch Competition

Omaha West Rotary Pitch Competition is back this year!

On June 8th we are sponsoring the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition at the third annual Minority Small Business Summit hosted by the Nebraska Business Development Center. For the second year our club has committed $18,000 in prize money to help these existing businesses level up and grow.

In the coming weeks Elizabeth Hallgren will be looking for volunteers to serve in a variety of roles including application evaluators, practice judges at a pitch practice session, volunteers at the summit and competition, and hosts for the business owners visiting our club.

About Us

Please keep Scott Hahn in your thoughts and prayers as his father passed away last week. You can read his obituary HERE. Condolences may be sent to Scott at 6121 Lafayette Ave., Omaha, NE 68132

Please keep Dr. Mark Manhart and Bonnie Gill in your thoughts and prayers as well. Mark's sister passed away last week. You can read her obituary HERE. Condolences can be sent to 8813 Harney St., Omaha, NE 68114.

(If you have information for the About Us section, please let Jennifer know.)

Bloody Mary Fest

Mark your calendars and share with your friends. CLICK HERE to buy tickets.

We are looking for event sponsors. Click here to see sponsorship levels. Please contact Dan Lassek for more information.

Get to Know your Fellow Rotarian

Each week we will feature a different member so you can get to know him/her better! We are getting low on volunteers- please click HERE to complete a form and send it/give it to Jennifer if you haven't yet been featured.

This week's Rotarian is Henry Kammandel JR

Occupation: NextHome Signature Real Estate Broker and Sales

Membership: 34 years

Why did you join? I joined as I basically grew up in the club as my father was a member of Omaha West. New friends and relationships.

What do you get out of Rotary? Different views and associations.

Spouse: Connie Heiden

Kids: Step-daughter Christine Dumich, Henry Kammandel III, Donald Cory Kammandel

Grandchildren: Will Dumich- 7

Would you rather spend a week on the beach or in the mountains? Both

Favorite Vacation spot: Vail, Naples

Hobbies: Golf, skiing, bike riding, photography

Favorite Movie: Blazing Saddles

Favorite Ice Cream: Any kind of sugar-free

One thing on your bucket list: Visit Dubai

Dream Job: Attorney

One thing that no one knows about you: I have had 3 hole-in-ones on the same home two years apart-2010, 2012, and 2014 at Happy Hollow on #3.

Monthly Meeting Sponsor

Thank you to our April Meeting Sponsor!

Patricia Cantu and Next Step Fitness

Visit Other Clubs

Keep engaged and entertained while attending Rotary Club meetings from around the Metro/District online or in-person.

Monday: Millard at Noon - at the German American Society

Bellevue Papillion Rotary Club meets at DJ’s Dugout in Bellevue on Mondays at noon.

Tuesday:

Omaha Morning Rotary and Northwest Rotary are holding joint meetings at a new location - the First Responders Foundation, 10605 Burt Circle, Omaha, NE 68114.

Update on Weekly Rotary Meeting:

As a result of the recent Club Assembly, Omaha Morning and Omaha Northwest will continue to merge meetings and will be alternating the meeting time on a monthly basis as follows:

February 2023 - Morning
March 2023 - Lunch

April 2023 - Morning

May 2023 - Lunch

June 2023 - Morning

Unless requested by the speaker, Omaha Morning will continue the meeting in hybrid format. This means Morning meetings will be available both in person and in zoom.

Wednesday: Omaha Downtown at Noon at the Field Club

Council Bluffs Centennial 7am at HyVee on Madison upstairs

Thursday: Omaha Suburban at noon: in person, German American Society also hybrid

Council Bluffs at noon- Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center

In Lincoln:

Lincoln #14 Rotary Club - Tuesdays Noon - Embassy Suites 1040 P Street
Lincoln Giving Spirits Evening Rotary Club - Every-other Tuesday 6:00 PM) - JCMF Children's Charities 8445 Executive Woods Dr Ste B Lincoln
Lincoln East Rotary Club - Wednesdays at 11:45 AM - The Garage
Lincoln South Rotary Club - Fridays noon - The Venue Private Dining Rooms - 4111 Pioneer Woods Dr