Greg brought to the meeting a very special guest, Gary the Tegu (large Argentinean lizard) and his handler, Brie Ford. Gary is one of the Zoo’s educational ambassadors and it just so happens, Gary was gifted to the Zoo by Dr. Danny Laderberg and his wife Dr. Melissa Shaughness, our member Sharon Laderberg’s son and daughter-in-law.
The Virginia Zoo is home to more than 700 animals, representing over 150 species. The zoo had a record number of visitors last year -- 450,000+. The role of the Virginia Zoo is to maintain viable populations of a variety of species, promote conservation education, fundraise for field conservation and to create behavior change in our communities. One endangered population is the Indian rhino. Its habitat is disappearing and rhino numbers are dwindling with only 4,000 left. Greg was pleased to announce the newest addition to their population was just born at our zoo.
The Virginia Zoo is renovating and expanding its facility, including a Turtle Oasis, Rhino Valley, In-Vessel Composting as well as an Animal EdVenture Campus that can host conferences and workshops. New initiatives are partnerships with national and local non-profits designed to enhance and educate visitors of all ages.
Zoo partners include the Elizabeth River Project, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Action for Cheetahs in Kenya, International Rhino Foundation and Tiger Conservation Campaign to name a few. The Virginia Zoo is also providing veterinary care for the animals. Its cardiology specialists recently examined the ape population for hypertension and heart disease, as heart issues are a huge concern for the species.
Greg closed his presentation by highlighting events and activities happening at the Zoo. He thanked our club for its financial contribution to the popular Nature Play area.
The Meeting:
Vice President Elect, Barb Lipskis, opened the meeting promptly at 12:30pm. Mary Insley and Pam Tubbs led us in song with Sing Out a Song of Rotary, He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands and America. Barb gave the invocation. We were then treated to our own small parade of inflatable Gingerbread Men who reminded us that the Downtown Norfolk Grand Illumination Parade is this week and volunteers for our Rotary Club of Norfolk float are welcomed.
Introduction of Guests:
After we settled down from our Gingerbread Men visit, guests were introduced; they were Chris Beach from the Rotary Club of Richmond. He heads up the Happy Fatherhood Foundation and is partnering with Sentara Healthcare for Dad 101 classes: and a former Rotarian, Dr. Tara Harl, a retired aviation expert who has a passion for professional development and workplace diversification. Also attending was Brias Cortinas, a Rotarian from Marlow Thames Rotary Club in the UK.
Club Business:
- Jeff Ryder informed the club about a service project with the Salvation Army. On December 9 we will sort and pack toys from 9 a.m. to noon at Chesapeake Square Mall just behind the Chick-fil-A. To volunteer, sign up on the club website.
- Sigur Whitaker reminded us that Giving Tuesday is approaching and that on that day last year our club raised the most money worldwide. She hopes members will donated to the Rotary International Foundation through My Rotary on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
- Red Badge Rotarians will meet this Friday at Cafe Stella.
- Our next meeting will be November 21, where our speaker will be Peter Kraus on Artificial Intelligence. The monthly raffle will have a prize of four tickets to the Virginia Zoo and two passes to the Virginia Aquarium. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20, and the winner will also be entered in the Big Pot drawing in June.
Happy Bucks:
- Jim Tucker is happy about the birthday surprise his wife gave him on a trip to Cambridge, MD where his daughter and grandchildren showed up.
- Laurie Harrison is happy about the fundraiser of the year award she won and appreciates her fellow Rotarians who came to the AFP luncheon where she was honored.
- Dr. Diane Wallach’s picture was in the newspaper, and she presented a check from the Rotaract Club at Norfolk Collegiate where her son is the president. The Rotaract Club held a fundraiser for the Rotary Foundation and PolioPlus.
- Eleanor Schoonover gave some Bucks for the “Not No” she received for our club’s international grant application.
- Dr. Armistead Williams just came back from San Francisco where he was visiting family.
- Dr. Abby Van Voorhees was happy to visit with her daughter, family and friends.
- Gus Stuhlreyer checked off a “Bucket List” entry by treating himself to a golf trip to Pinehurst
- Tom Koeller also checked off a “Bucket List” entry by booking a golf trip to Pebble Beach.
- Barbara Lipskis donated for her brother-in-law’s 70th birthday celebration where she got to spend time with family, including her dad.
- Ben Mason donated for his guest his guest from NATO who got lost getting to meeting.
- Sharon Laderberg gave some Happy Bucks for our speaker’s special guest today -- Gary the Tegu.
