President Sally rang the club to “attention” with the new centennial bell received from the Richmond Rotary Club on the occasion anniversary. She began with a moment of silence for the passing of Rotarian Ken Weeks at the age of 92 with more than 50 years of perfect attendance. Ken will be missed.
Eleanor Schoonover, with the able piano accompaniment of Frank Whitman, led the club in singing Edelweiss, follow by the third verse of America. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Pam Tubbs offered a traditional Japanese prayer for lunch, impressing all with her fluent Japanese!
The Program: Chip Finch, Rotarian of the Day, introduced John Stewart, a retired Navy officer and librarian and founder of the Lafayette Wetlands Partnership. John shared the work of his citizen led partnership that has had significant impact restoring the Lafayette River shoreline. Based on citizen leadership, the partnership has accomplished much since its establishment in 2007. It has already restored eight wetlands along the river in Norfolk – starting with ones at 46th and 47th streets and Colley Avenue. The Partnership’s model is to engage and support citizen volunteers who take on the challenge of restoring wetlands near them. John expressed great appreciation for the recent grant from our club’s Norfolk Rotary Charities for the 47th Street wetlands. He hopes our club members will volunteer for upcoming planting projects. It was gratifying to see what our funds are accomplishing.
Upon completion of John’s presentation, President Sally thanked him and showed him the book “As an Oak Tree Grows” that will be presented to Richard Bowling Elementary School in his honor.
Visitation Report: Ann Baldwin then gave the visitation report. Sue Wells is doing much better, but still has a lengthy several month recovery ahead of her following her surgery. Bob Latimer is home recovering from his surgery. Michael Desplaines was at home recovering from a recent “procedure” and “hurt like hell!” Dick Lesters wife is not doing well. Keep all in your prayers.
Visitors: Jack Hornbeck then introduced our guests. There were no visiting Rotarians. Rotarians with guests were: Michelle Nettles who introduced Tony Valencia; John Chittick introduced his Austrian intern Robin Prim; Lisa Sands presented Ed Ware, a prospective member from NRHA; and Chip Vogan introduced Alex Moumaw of Northwestern Mutual, also a prospective member.
Announcements: President Sally then had several important announcements.
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Leading the list was the great news that our club had received the Award for Community Service from District 7600.She praised the hard work of all involved.
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Our own John Padgett was installed as the District Governor Nominee.Next year he will join the five other Norfolk Rotarians who have served in that high capacity.CONGRATUALTIONS, JOHN – well deserved!
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Sally then drew attention to the centennial bell from Richmond – a year late, but much appreciated.
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Polio Plus night at the Norfolk Tides is July 20th.
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June makeups due to Jane.Tiel exchange student have arrived.
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Please complete the survey on future speakers.
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11 Rotarians attended the Attucks Theater tour with Lisa Chandler to see one of our grants in action.
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Upcoming events can be viewed on the club website.There are many already scheduled, so check it out.
Congratulations and Fines.
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Bob Powell confirmed that there had been 5 Norfolk Rotarians who had been elected to the District 7600 Governor position.
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Angela Kerns announced that she had a new car.
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Lynn Berg gave happy bucks for the Prime Plus development of 8 exercise sessions for seniors that are getting a lot of “press”.
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Joe Massey “called out” Marty Raiss for her recent appearance in a “yellow truck commercial”.
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Cy Grandy happily announced the birth of his grandson, Cyrus Wiley Grandy VII.
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Dean Thomasson confessed that he had participated in a “groundbreaking” that had gone viral on UTube before he was able to get back to his office.
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Past President Sigur happily announced that her church choir had given two concerts in NYC – and next year it’s off to England.
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John McLemore celebrated his 2009 Rotary Career Day student who received his Law Degree in 2014.
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Gary Boswick saluted Ed Ware and pushed his speaker survey.
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Sharon Laderberg expressed her gratitude for the Mid Atlantic Power Boat tournament that benefited Susan G. Komen.
Pam Tubbs had the winning number for the raffle, but left the “magic card” in the deck for another day. The Tiel Exchange Students will make their presentation at next weeks meeting. ADJOUNRED.
