The Program: Rotarian of Day Kelly Stefanko introduced guest speaker Jutta Page, Director of Barry Art Museum, which is a 24,000 square foot facility at 43d St. and Hampton Blvd on the ODU campus and made possible through a $37 million grant (largest in ODU history) of arts and funds from Richard and Carolyn Barry.
Page is a noted curator and international expert on art glass. She comes to Norfolk from Toledo Museum of Art where she was Senior Curator of Glass and Decorative Arts. Previously she was Curator of European Glass at The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY.
In addition to benefiting ODU faculty, staff and students, the museum will serve as an exceptional resource for Coastal Virginia community and cementing Norfolk’s reputation as the state’s art hub. The museum showcases the extensive Barry collection, which includes American modernist paintings, historic fashion dolls, European automata and Carolyn’s personal favorite-art glass.
Page explained the extensive staging logistics of iconic pieces, while the museum was under construction, such as a massive 2,000-pound artistic fountain and Dale Chihuly chandelier. The museum’s first exhibit by an outside artist will feature world-class class “metaphysical abstractionist,” Joan Thorne January 30 to May 10, 2020.
The Meeting: President Lorna convened the luncheon with recitation of pledge of allegiance and four-way test. Noting the tragic El Paso and Dayton mass shootings of the past week she observed that the Rotary experience provides a place of reflection, comfort and unity during such troubling times.
Bob Powell delivered the invocation. Musical accompaniment was provided by Chuck Spence and Fred Whitman.
Visitation report was delivered by Chick Robison and noted that Susan Donn had recovered from shoulder replacement and Bob Latimer was doing ok.
Al Carmichael introduced Rotarian Pam West from Norfolk Sunrise.
Lorna recognized August birthdays and wedding anniversaries as well as Rotary anniversaries. Of special note Roger Flagg is celebrating 89 years young and Angus Hines 96. Who says we need younger members?
Lorna gave a tribute to former NSU President Harrison Wilson, who passed away recently and was a Norfolk Rotary member from 1984-1991. Also, Walt S mother-in-law passed away.
Updates were given by Bryce Burton, Growl Fest being held on September 14; Sigur Whitaker, District 7600 Conference being held on September 20-22; and Kelly Stefanko, New Generations intern from Brazil November 2019 to January 2020.
Lorna acknowledged excellent work by Diane Wallach and committee for Tiel, Netherlands exchange experience. She further noted that there have been 70 responses to Norfolk Rotary member opinion survey.
Happy Bucks: Michael Desplaines for a new home in Virginia Beach,
- Jim Kitz who was prominently featured on the jumbo-tron at the Jimmy Buffet concert
- Bob Powell who forgot the Rotary motto "Service Above Self" while giving the invocation
- Gus Stuhlreyer for a low net score recent golf tournament,
- Chip Vogel for his son’s new job and his musical group upcoming concert at ODU,
- Angela Kerns who has a new car,
- Joe Massey for Gary Boswick’s taking his place at the Satellite Club meeting.
A book was presented on behalf of speaker to school of day Ocean View Elementary.
Bill McInnis conducted the raffle. The Queen of Spades remains in the deck.
