Vice President in Charge of Programs—Laurie Harrison, introduced the Rotarian of the Day, Bob Heely. Bob has been a Rotarian for 44 years. He joined in 1977. What he likes about being in Rotary is the strong integrity and character of Rotarians around the world. 

 

A fun fact about Bob is that his son Teddy and Sally Hartman's son Luke played in a band together. Luke played the guitar while Teddy played the drums. 

 

Bob introduced Sally Kirby Hartman. Sally is a graduate of the University of Arkansas. She recently retired from HR Community Foundation as the VP of Communicating, and she has been the NR Club Past President. She lives in Norfolk with her husband Ron and dog Lucy. Her son Luke lives and works in Salt Lake City.

 

Sally took us on a trip down her memory lane with her presentation of Ritan to Japan – 42 years later. Sally was 22 years old when she ventured to Japan for a semester at Kansai Gaidi's Foreign Studies University. Although Sally didn't speak the language, she found her way around the country. 

 

She shared her memories of experiences she encountered with the other students from the US and Canada. Those experiences included field trips, walks, learning how to speak the language, eating with her very own chopsticks, outings, and visits to parks in the beautiful fall season. She also shared her love of her host family – father, mother, and twins.

 

Sally taught the girls how to sing songs and all about Snoopy, and they introduced her to Hello Kitty. In 2018, after a thorough search of her host family, Sally took Ron and Luke to Japan to meet her host family and experience the places and things she experienced so long ago. Many things have changed since her last visit in Japan, but many have not, such as the honesty and respect of people, friendliness, love of simple beauty, respect for nature, historical sites, children's song, and love of Snoopy. 

 

In closing, Sally told us that she found her 1976 Journal from her Japan trip; in the Journal, she wrote - What do I tell people when they ask – How was Japan? She said, "I can just say it was the most wonderful experience and leave it at that." But, instead, she would tell people, like the Norfolk Rotary Club 42 years later, that she had a wonderful experience and couldn't wait to go back again with her family. Sally encouraged all of us to travel while we can, visit foreign countries and learn about their cultures. 

 

While we are still in relative isolation, she suggested we take free online tours through www.heygo.com 

 

 

We were led in invocation by Joe New. Joe Massey gave the visitation report and informed the club that Chris Kennis, daughter of Pat and Collin, has had slight improvement. She will be in an induced coma for 30-60 days to allow her brain to heal. Please keep them in your prayers. Jim then gave us an update on Ann Morgan, she is out of ICU and the infection is under control. Her children and family are visiting. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Joe introduced a new member application from a past Rotary Club member. Lauren LaBonte (2012-2016), and also self-reported that he will undergo surgery on Thursday. 

 

Jim introduced Pamela West from the Norfolk Sunrise Rotary Club. Pamela will be the new Asst Governor following in Sigur's shoes. 

 

 

 

School of the Week: Suburban Park Elementary School.

 

Speaker: Clay Dills, Architects 

 

Virtual LUNCHEON MEETING NEXT WEEK May 4, 2021