Speakers

Rotary Trivia Potluck - A Rotary, Impact, and Interact Mingle at the Local 338 Union Hall on Main Street in Downtown Elkhart

No cost to attend, RSVP Here 

...And it's a potluck, so indicate what you are bringing in the comments box, please!

Today we welcome fellow Elkhart Rotarian and Executive Director of Church Community Services, Keith Sarber.

Church Community Services is a faith-based agency helping people of Elkhart County weather life’s storms and build more secure futures through emergency assistance and intensive job and life-skills training.

Church Community Services (CCS) was created 56 years ago by a caring collaboration of area churches to serve the immediate needs of our neighbors with food and financial challenges.  Today, that mission continues along with our expanding mission of helping families break the cycle of poverty through intensive training and counseling.  Our Soup of Success program is an example of that kind of life-changing program.

CCS is at “ground-zero” in the fight against generational and situational poverty.  Our food pantry is the largest in Elkhart County. The financial services team helps folks with sorely needed rent, utility, and prescription assistance.  

Across Elkhart County there are 44 Seed to Feed gardens. Many of the gardens are production gardens, providing fresh vegetables to families coming through our pantry. Seed to Feed gardens also provide a hub for communities to come together and share in the planting and harvesting of food. 

The backbone of our organization is committed volunteers, 100’s of people pitching in and helping out. 

Join us as we serve the immediate needs of families and the long-term needs as they learn to break out of the cycle of poverty. Call for a tour 574-295-3673 or click the donate button to help immediately. 

-Keith Sarber, Executive Director

Please welcome Chris Mahlmann, Founder of GreatNews.Life and Jenny Craig-Brown, Executive Director of GreatNews.Life.

GreatNews.Life is a media platform dedicated to sharing positive news and highlighting the good happening in Northwest Indiana. They focus on creating a community-driven network where local stories, events, and businesses are celebrated. The company offers services such as event coverage, content creation, social media, and news publishing, working with partners to spread positivity and connect people with meaningful stories in their area. For more details, visit their website at: https://greatnews.life/

Chris bio: Chris Mahlmann, founder of GreatNews.Life, launched ValpoLife in 2009 and expanded with PortageLife, LaPorteCountyLife, NWIndianaLife, and Michiana.Life, creating a thriving network of good-news media that uplifts communities across Northwest Indiana. Drawing on his background in market data, news, and technology, Chris built GreatNews.Life as a unique platform that connects people through all-positive stories, events, and visual media. His work has garnered numerous awards, including the Small Business Journalist of the Year and permanent fellowship in the Northwest Indiana Society of Innovators. Today, with over 30 employees and over 65,000 stories published, Chris and his team continue to bring communities closer through the power of positivity. 

Jenny bio: Jenny Craig-Brown serves as the Executive Director of GreatNews.Life, where she has been instrumental in driving the company's mission of community-focused, positive news since 2013. With a background in graphic design and a deep commitment to promoting positive news, Jenny leads daily operations, manages business development, and builds marketing partnerships to ensure company and client success. She is also the founder and host of All About the Girls, an annual event and podcast that spotlights and celebrates the incredible women of Indiana.

Please welcome South Bend Rotarian, Founder and Principal of J2 Marketing, and co-owner of Black Squirrel Golf Club, discussing:

"Black Squirrel Golf Club Acquires Bent Oak Golf Club"

Elkhart, IN — Bent Oak Golf Club is proud to announce its acquisition by Black Squirrel Golf Club, effective at the turn of the year, marking an exciting new chapter as the club enters its 40th season in business. This milestone coincides with a significant transition, as the current owners, who saved Bent Oak from potential closure four years ago, pass the baton to a team dedicated to preserving and enhancing the course’s legacy.

The new owners—Kyle Johnson, Grant Sassaman, Nathan Martin, Erik Johnson, Marion Schrock, and Hugh Johnson—bring with them a shared vision and passion for golf. Committed to retaining all existing staff, they plan to continue the club’s tradition of high-quality service while investing in improvements and growth to elevate the golfing experience for all members and visitors.

Kyle Johnson, a member of the new ownership group, shared, “We’re excited to make this happen. We think the marriage between the two courses will be beneficial for everyone. We can’t thank Greg, Tom, Ron, and Jeff enough for the work they’ve done to save the course and carry it to its 40th year. We’re committed to golf excellence through every experience on the course.”

The current owners will remain involved as mentors and supporters, ensuring a seamless transition and continued success for the club. This dedication underscores their lasting commitment to Bent Oak and its valued community of players and supporters.

With deep gratitude for the current leadership’s contributions over the past four years, the new ownership is excited to build on this strong foundation and lead Bent Oak Golf Club into a future of continued excellence and opportunity.

2025 memberships are now available, inviting both new and returning members to join in celebrating the club’s milestone 40th season under new ownership.

Please welcome Mark Evans—Extension Educator-ANR-Plant & Soil Science. Mark will discuss Purdue Extension Elkhart County's role and share information about nvasive species in our area.

(From The Farmer's Exchange-Online Edition, Published November 15, 2024)

Mark Evans Joins Elkhart Co. Extension

A change of season also brings a new staff member to the Elkhart County Extension office in the role of plant science Extension educator. Mark Evans started on Nov. 4, transferring from Putnam County Extension where he served nearly 16 years as county Extension director and 4-H youth development educator.

Evans has nearly 32 years of service to Purdue Extension with his initial 11 years in Purdue Agronomy in the role of Extension soil conservation specialist, followed by five years as county Extension director in Owen County and serving as agriculture and natural resource educator in both Owen and Clay counties.

When asked what he was most excited about with the position, Evans said, "Elkhart County has a rich and diverse agricultural heritage, ranking second in number of farms, though farm size is small ranking 88 out of 92 counties in farm size. There is a lot of opportunity to teach about soil health and plant science. I hope to work with producers to increase the use of cover crops particularly on green chop silage fields where no cover exists two thirds of the year. These fields are losing in terms of soil health relative to a field with plant roots and more microbial activity."

Evans also expects to offer numerous programs including topics on vegetables, cropping systems, soil health and woodland programs. He plans frequently to have news releases and updates for local farm, horticulture and lawn topics relative to the season.

Though he grew up in Union County in southeastern Indiana, he was married in Elkhart County to Beth who grew up in nearly St. Joseph County. They have two sons; Justin is in the workforce as a welder while younger son Cody is a junior at Penn High School in Mishawaka. Mark enjoys Purdue basketball, the outdoors, attending his son's school events and serving the community in various aspects, especially through faith-based activities. 

Please welcome Randy Sharkey & Enos Yoder who will share about Friendship Flights.

Our Mission
To extend the hand of friendship by providing 'Good Samaritan' air transportation, surveillance flights and educational experiences to those who can benefit from the gift of aviation.

Our Story
Friendship Flights first started in the 1990s when local pilot and Goshen Airport Manager Randy Sharkey offered his time and energy to a few families in a travel emergency. Randy was willing to go above and beyond to help anyone. One 'Good Samaritan' flight led to another, and the team grew. Zane, Roger, Kristi and others pitched in to help make life-changing moves for people in need. Eventually, the Goshen community -- the mayor, churches, hospice communities and more -- consistently called on the crew to pair pilots and planes with people in need. This sparked newfound friendships, and the Friendship Flights Foundation has been flying ever since. 

Over 25 years later, the team has helped deliver medical aid to Haiti, performed "rescue" operations in times of tragedy or grief, and helped members of the Goshen community make life-changing connections. Friendship Flights has also expanded to provide youth and educational experiences as well.

When the Goshen community calls, we'll answer by "Extending the Hand of Friendship to Lift Others."

For more information visit their website at https://friendshipflights.org/

No Meeting Today.

Remember and Honor deceased service men and women who stood for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Today we welcome our NonProfit Grant Recipients for their brief Presentations and Check distribution. Congratulations to all and thanks for making our community a better place through your hard work.

Funds are raised directly from the Elkhart Rotary Club Members throughout the year through fun 'fines' and other donations.