The Program
The Rotarian of the Day, Wayne Shank, introduced our speaker Steve Sterling of the Norfolk Airport Authority.
Mr. Sterling gave us a lot of interesting information about planned changes at the airport. Because the airport cannot expand into new space, the authority has developed several innovative ways to expand within the current footprint. Much of this rests on getting permission to decommission the small crosswind runway which is used less than 1 per cent of the time. Once that decommission is done, there will be a new parallel runway built, expanded cargo facility, more hangers for general aviation, Concourse A will be stretched out and Concourse C may be added. In addition there will more efficient use of space inside the terminal, vastly improved technology in the parking garages. A new parking garage is already being built.
2019 was the best year ever for the Airport. Ridership hit 4 million and two new, ultra-low cost airlines were added, bringing in new riders.
We also learned about Wings for All, a wonderful program to enable people with autism and intellectual or developments disabilities to become familiar with the procedures of air travel in a calm, non-threatening way.
One question concerned the disappearing, moving walkway. Turns out the old one was so worn it could not be repaired. The airport authority is considering installing a new one.
If you forget where you parked, the airport has technology that records all license plates. If you can give them your plate number, someone will tell you exactly where your car is parked.
A book in honor of Steve Sterling will be presented to Blair Middle School.
Bill McInnis conducted the 50/50 raffle. Bob Ash won $12 but did not draw the Queen of Spades for the big pot. Tables 5, 8, 10 had 100% attendance.
President Lorna adjourned the meeting right on time. We will convene again on February 18, 2020.
The Meeting
As the meeting opened, Chuck Spence and Frank Whitman led us in song. Let Me Call you Sweetheart in honor of Valentine’s Day and verse 3 of that patriotic standard America the Beautiful. We followed the usual route of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four Way Test. Joe New gave the invocation.
We had a large number of guests. They were introduced by Anthony Mia.
- Past District Governor Bill Pollard introduced Chris Bugg of local Sandler Training. His great grandfather, Eugene Newsom, was RI president in 1929-1930. Chris is a potential Rotarian.
- Wayne Shank introduced Robert Bowen, the executive director of Norfolk Airport Authority
- Dr. Bill Gough introduced prospective member Dr. Henry Emerson Butler
- Former member Cynthia Carter-West was a guest of president Lorna.
Winston Whitehurst reported that Bill Gresham has had elbow surgery and has now returned to work.
It was with great pleasure that we welcomed Dr. Marcia Conston as a new member. Marcia is a former Rotarian and the new President of Tidewater Community College. She was born and educated in Mississippi and has lived and worked in Columbia, S. C. and Charlotte, N. C. It is our good fortune that she is now in Norfolk and a member of our club. In addition to her obvious achievements in education, she is a musician, theologian and loves driving sports cars. Pictured with Dr. Conston are her mentor, Dr. Steve Jones and president Lorna.
We were a very happy group so close to Valentine’s Day and a great many members gave happy bucks. Among the number were
- Diane Starkey gave happy bucks to encourage Rotarians to attend the various artist offerings at the Virginia Arts Festival
- Michael Desplaines for a two week vacation to Hawaii which he claims was to preview the Rotary Convention for president elect Jim Kitz.
- Mel Branch gave happy bucks because ORF has set its first 4 million passenger for a 12 month period in January, and the airport had its highest number of passengers ever, also in January
- Barb Lipskis was happy to return to Norfolk from a skiing trip without a cast or a boot. Last year, she broke her leg.
- Lois Kercher is happy nearly 40 people will join her at the ODU Women’s Basketball game to help cheer the team to victory over # 1 ranked Rice.
- Jeff Wells was happy to take his wife, Sherri, and daughter Maddy to the Wells theater for a celebration.
- Joe Massey paid for Dr. Marcia Constan's article in the Virginian-Pilot.
- Jim Sell confessed that his cell phone rang at last week's meeting.
