The Program It was Tiel exchange day Tuesday at the Rotary Club of Norfolk. We hosted four students that were visiting with us from the Rotary Club of Tiel. This event which has been going on 40 some odd years was being organized this year by our own Diane Wallach and Joe New. Joe provided a history of the exchange but spoke faster than I write so ask him about it when you see him.
The four students (2 girls-Eline and Moniek and 2 boys- Daan and Casper) gave a very nice presentation outlining where they lived, their activities, what their parents did and what they enjoy doing in their spare time.
Needless to say, the four students certainly represented their club well and were both articulate and entertaining. Mark Johnson, one of the hosts, said his wife was very upset when the two boys they were hosting had to leave their home as they had such a great time with them. During the Q&A session, it was asked what surprises they found in the US of A. Among them: “everything is so big; how bad the traffic is and the way people drive; the way people eat and they found us to be very patriotic (much more so than their citizens.)
Among their favorite foods-- French toast, pancakes in the morning; waffles with strawberries and whip cream-- but the Wendy's fries and Frosty did not go over so well. They were also shocked to see a motorcyclist drive by their car with an exposed gun on his hip (most of us would be as well I believe.)
They also entertained us with some facts about their AppelPop Music Festival with attendance close to 40,000.
They also have a Fruit parade with a raspberry character named ‘Flipje”- much like our mermaid so they said. The editor was pretty sure that he heard someone suggest that Shep may be a great grand marshal for the parade next year.
Rotarians that hosted the students included Walt Sobcyzk, Mark Johnson and Lindsay Russell. Outings were hosted by Ben Mason, Al Carmichael, Mal Branch, Gary Boswick Marty Raiss, Adam Foleck, Ed Lilly, Bill Davis, Jack Kavanaugh, Chip Vogan, Bryce Burton, David Brandt, Ann Sullivan, Chick Robinson (hope I didn’t leave anyone out) and certainly Joe and Diane. Diane and her mother-in-law will be taking them to Washington DC before they return home. What a team effort!!
Visitors In other news that's fit to print Jack Hornbeck introduced Sierra Brown who is Joe News granddaughter and perhaps a future Tiel exchange student.
Visitation Ann Baldwin also gave us updates on our club members Michael Desplaines who is back up and running again and let us know that Sue Wells is still recovering, albeit slowly and that Bob Latimer had to return to the hospital to get a new v8-powered pacemaker installed but the timing of the surgery was in question. It appears he may go home then return at a later date.
Paul Harris Fellows Prez Sally also announced that Dalton Dunbar and Jack Hornbeck have been made Paul Harris Fellows while Mark Shaw was awarded his + 2 and Kay Kemper her + 6. Way to go guys!!
Happy Bucks Michael Desplaines, Lisa Chandler and Joanne Batson were pictured in the Compass but I never heard for what or how much- must have been big.
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Ed Lilly contributed $50 for his 50th wedding anniversary.
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Lois Kercher paid a happy buck to announce that she will bring her social networking skills to bear for the benefit of the club. I think she said we were all going to get a free membership at Ashley Madison and promises to make it hack proof! (Part of the new flexible club program?)
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Then Harry McCoy made three contributions: the first was to celebrate his 71st wedding anniversary, the second was to celebrate his 93rd birthday and the third was just to help the Rotary Club along. I never did hear the total amount but large would probably be a good adjective. (I guess Harry is spending his children's inheritance!)
Then lo and behold Harry McCoy won the raffle and took home $12 leaving the big pot in place.
We also had a brief report on the Tides baseball game outing, it never was discussed who won but it was revealed that it was darn hot!
Club Receives District Grant In closing our president Sally announced that we were the recipient of a Rotary grant for $10,000 for the Elizabeth River Project. We partnered with the Portsmouth club and we were able to achieve this funding for many different educational activities for this very worthwhile project. It should be noted that the Portsmouth club also partnered with our club in years gone by for the Oyster Fund Benefit.
No Meeting This Week Remember the meeting is cancelled for this coming Tuesday the 28th and we have a variety of flexible club programs that you can avail yourself of. The list dates and times are below Please note that our own Steve (Civil War) Jones will lead the Elmwood Cemetery walking tour and as most of you know Steve is a CPA and is therefore an expert in grave matters. (I won’t go into the character similarities of CPA’s and the undertaken in this epistle)
Friday July 24 – Field trip: Horizons Hampton Roads: 9:30 – 11:30 am at Norfolk Collegiate School. Joey Rothgery host.
Friday July 24 – Walking Tour of Elmwood Cemetery: 7 pm Host Steve Jones.
Sunday July 26 – Big Bands on the Bay: 7 – 9 pm Ocean View Beach Park. Host Jim O’Brien.
Tuesday July 28 – Service Project at Good Mojo 2411 Granby St., 10:30 am – 12:30 pm.
