Greetings, my fellow Rotarians! Welcome to #201 Brambleton Avenue and the SCOPE underground. The Scope complex at ground level is awash in greenery... a profusion of flowers, vines and Magnolias.
Here in the basement it's a bit drab, but lit up with smiling faces and the murmur of friends chatting friends. It's a happy place! And, as you'll soon learn, the source of some appetizing food! We have "Greeters" to welcome you and random Members who just enjoy shaking your hand and making you glad that you came. 'Limewood' Beckner, for example, can always be found at the Dining Room threshold, engaged in 'serious' conversation or 'high-fiving' the passers-by. Secretary Jane is in many places at once, keeping the Rotary machinery well-oiled and the 'messages' delivered. A little farther on, at a table of his own, is our Lottery-master, doling out tickets and wishing each buyer some elusive 'good luck' (Good luck on that!). Guests and Members with program duties have taken their place at the Head Table, and Sally Hartman, gavel in hand, is ready to chair her first meeting as President (Don't be nervous, Sally!).
We're led in song: "America the Beautiful" (verse 3) and a rousing rendition - especially for Sally - of "She's a Jolly Good Fellow". Joe New quietly delivers a thoughtful, inspiring Invocation; and Jean Owens follows with a 'welcome' for our several guests.
Resolution in memory of Morgan Trimyer. We were joined by the family and special friends of Past President Morgan Trimyer (2000-2001) for a presentation of a Resolution in honor of his service to the community as well as to our club. Pictured above are Morgan's close friends Dan and Trish Heflin, his brother, Hervey, his widow, Tracey, his son, Nate and daughter-in-law, Tory.
The Program: "Brazil - 2015" was the theme of the 106th Rotary International convention held in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and attended, as a prelude to her Club presidency, by our reigning monarch, Sally Hartman. We learned that Brazil is the world's 5th largest country (in population) and 6th in geographic size, and that Rotary is huge in that South American democracy! Brazil is a 40% mixed-race 'melting pot', with more Italians, it is said, than residing in Rome.
Sally traveled with new friends, Anne and Jim Bright, who had a years-ago relationship with both Norfolk and Newport News. In Rio de Janeiro, with husband, Ron, she visited the famous, mountain-top statue of Jesus, with arms upraised. They stayed in a Copa Cabana beach hotel and were fascinated by sidewalks paved in sinuous patterns. She noted that "Futbol" (Soccer) is king in Brazil, with many, many passionate fans. She and Ron also took a small boat ride through the Iguazi Falls, which are a World Heritage site, taller and twice as wide as Niagara, and visited a zoo, where they were fascinated by the resident Coata Mundi (a small, fuzzy, tropical animal!) and managed to get lost, briefly, then found before panic could set in. She remarked on the abundance and beauty of the colorful 'street art' and the delicious local food.
It was then back to the Convention, where she met Rotary International President Gary C. K. Huang and his wife, Corinne, and enjoyed the numerous plenary session Speakers, including the best-of-the-day given by a bright, 10-year old named Lucia. President Sally enjoyed her trip to beautiful Brazil and would recommend it highly as a vacation destination. There's more, incidentally, from the lips of Sally or on the Rotary internet link.
Announcements: There will be a 'PolioPlus' fund raising event at Harbor Park on Monday, July 20. We are urged to attend. Ticket deadline for this event is July 10th
Happy Bucks: Next was the traditional reciting of "Birthdays of the rich & famous" (including mine!) and a segue into "congratulations and fines".
- Lois Kercher was called out for two historic events: her 30th wedding anniversary and a recent newsy article about Lois and her canine companion.
- Our pianist-in-residence, Pam Tubbs was given to boast of not only her 20th wedding anniversary, but a continuance of the lineage represented by the recent wedding of her son!
Raffle: Finally, table #6 was found to be 100% in attendance; and lucky Lottery ticket #48948 won the daily pot, of $14, while an unlucky card selection left behind the big $434 pot.
...And that's the way it all came down on Tuesday noon, July 7, in the Scope underground!
Respectfully submitted by Bill Jonak, Amateur Scribe
