The program today was shared by Joe New and Kelly Stefanko relaying their personal journeys of “Buen Camino – A Walking Adventure” with a PowerPoint presentation.
Joe’s journey started in Spain in 2017 where he and his wife went with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s Camino de Santiago 7 day, 75-mile hike. Joe informed us that Santiago in Spanish means St. James, who was the first Christian martyr. Before they started on this pilgrimage, they watched the movie, “The Way”, (An American father who travels to France to retrieve the body of his estranged son, who died while attempting the pilgrimage to Spain's Santiago de Compostela. He resolves to take the journey himself, in an effort to understand both himself and his son.) Joe told us of the many people he met along the way, making their own journey from many countries – Austria, Germany, as well as southern Spain. His Rotary connection was when he saw a Rotary International plaque along his journey. He met 3 fellow Rotarians who told him where he could go to a make-up meeting, however the meeting was cancelled due to St. John’s Feast Day. All in all, Joe said it was a lovely way to travel.
Kelly too told us of her journey on the Camino Portuguese Coastal Way. She laced up her walking shoes and moved! Her travels took her from Portugal to Spain, through tiny towns. Her Rotary connection was in Fatima where she saw a Rotary sign announcing the next meeting. Kelly relayed that the coast of Portugal was similar to our west coast. She walked with small groups of people and sometimes by herself for reflection. She discovered a lot along the way and it gave her a sense of achievement to make the pilgrimage. There were diverse landscapes, both rural and suburban towns, farm animals, foliage, food and new friends along the way.
Kelly suggested that our Club (when we are able) should have a walking tour to “Discover Hampton Roads”. There’s no telling what we will find!
President Lorna announced that a book in their honor will be donated to Blair Middle School.
The Meeting:
President Lorna began the meeting at 12:30pm. Pam Tubbs led us in song to “Sing Out a Song of Rotary” then she sang a wishful song “We’ll Meet Again” if hopes that we will soon be able to have our Rotary meeting face-to-face soon.
The invocation was given by Jim Baker.
Joey Rothgery reported that there was no visitation report, however if anyone is aware of a Rotarian that may need a call or help connecting with Zoom, to please let her know.
Jeff Wells announced that he has received a donation of 4 hospital gurneys if there is anyone who might need one. He also let us know that Hunton YMCA is truly appreciative of their new kitchen as it Is now serving approximately 700 meals a day Monday through Friday plus 150 food boxes for the weekend when there is adequate food.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM.
Club Business:
President Lorna read out the June birthdays and we all sang “Happy Birthday” She also read the list of June anniversaries both wedding and Rotary anniversaries.
Jim Kitz reported that our Club has raised over $11,000 for the FoodBank and that if anyone is still interested in donating to please contact him.
Laurie Harrison reported that our Club applied for and was awarded a District Grant for copper infused masks for the students, doctors and staff at EVMS.
Ed Ware told us about the social at the Mermaid Winery and how nice it was to see his fellow Rotarians.
We welcomed new members – Chris Bugg, Brian McGuire, Dr. Henry Butler, and Rafael Corredor.
President Lorna asked for a virtual vote for new members, Lauren Kiger (CHKD) and Michael Richardson (retired Microsoft Engineer). Both applicants were approved for membership.
President Lorna informed the Club that the 2020-21 budget will be presented at the next meeting. She informed us that the budget will change from what it’s looked like in the past as we are unsure of when we will be meeting face-to-face in the foreseeable future.
Happy Bucks:
- President Lorna gave Happy Bucks for the team Awesome Personified who won the Trivia game last week.
- Michael Desplaines gave Happy Bucks for the 2nd best day of having a boat – the day it got sold!
- Jim Kitz’s son got engaged and his cousin who’s been on the transplant list, received a new heart.
- Sally Hartman thanked everyone for playing Trivia, with a special thank you to Gus Stuhlreyer for joining us on his anniversary.
- Bill Lehew was happy for his great niece (his brother's granddaughter) graduating Cornell University and his grandson graduating from Norfolk Collegiate.
- Jim Sell thanked Michael Desplaines for keeping the Norfolk Botanical Gardens open as he has enjoyed his walks there.
- Marty Raiss has been on grandma duty for the last 2½ months but now her children have sold their house and have bought a house in Canton, GA.
- Marcia Conston has been busy on several Boards in the community and is now getting ready for students to come back to campuses in the fall.
- Sharon Laderberg gave Happy Bucks for her son and new daughter-in-law graduating veterinary school, buying a house and starting their careers in Virginia Beach.
