What a thrill to see 80 people present at the recent YMCA informational meeting held in Dino's main dining room. The Portage Rotary thanks everyone who helped set up the meeting, and a special thanks to all the enthusiastic people who attended. Rob Wilkinson, CEO of the DeKalb, Ill., YMCA, drove three hours that morning especially to discuss what needs to be done to bring a Y to our area.

It is obvious that a project of this magnitude - creating a new YMCA, civic or community center - can be accomplished only with the cooperation and collaboration of all the interested groups who would be served by such an entity. There was a wonderful turnout at the initial meeting, and we're still hearing from folks who want to be involved who could not attend on that day.

Your Portage Rotary Club is humbled by your warm and energetic response. What a great community.

George Beasley, president, Portage Rotary