The April 6 Rotary Club of Norfolk meeting was a peaceful one. Kim Austin-Peterman, a massage therapist and long-time Norfolk yoga instructor, shared the benefits of yoga and inspired Rotarians to give it a try.
During times of pandemic stress like we all have endured the past year, yoga can improve our bodies and help us become calmer and centered. Kim started her Zoom presentation with a rubber band wrapped around her thumbs to show how our muscles are similar in that a little tension can help stretch them.
Kim led Rotarians and guests through a series of gentle yoga poses while seated in a chair. She recommends regularly doing basic stretches during workdays or long days of sitting to help relieve back pain and increase mobility and flexibility.
Following Kim’s lead, her audience slowly inhaled and held their breath for up to five counts before slowly exhaling. She then had heads gently turning, upper bodies rotating and then leaning forward and arching backward in the cat and cow poses, legs stretching out and then one leg crossing over the other in a figure four stretch. All these poses are variations of ones typically done on a mat but easily adapted to being in a chair.
The Meeting
President Jim Kitz opened the meeting with a moment of silence for long-time member Barry Kesser, who recently passed away. Several members fondly remember Barry. Jim Sell recalled how he and Barry joined Rotary at the same time and enjoyed wearing their Papa Bear hats to meetings.
Chuck Spence talked about carpooling to University of Virginia games with Barry, who insisted Chuck sit by his grandson at games so Chuck would feel like part of the family. Joe New’s invocation was inspired by Barry who served with him on the Chaplain Committee. Barry liked to share the opening prayers given by the U.S. House of Representatives chaplain. Joe then read a recent opening prayer by House Chaplain Margaret Kibben in honor of Barry.
Visitation Report
Jim let us know that Ann Morgan, club bookkeeper, is in the hospital and improving and that Rotarian Michelle Nettles’ mother recently passed away.
Club Business
Past District Governor John Padgett made a special presentation to Sigur Whitaker for becoming a new Rotary Foundation major donor with donations of totaling $10,000. He highlighted the good work the Rotary Foundation does around the world with help from generous donors like Sigur.
Sigur then reminded us that April 6 was the Rotary Day of Giving when our Rotary district matches donations of $100 or more given online. She pointed out that of 30,000 Rotary Clubs ours typically is among the foundation’s most generous clubs.
During the meeting club members voted to approve a member application from Deb Davis, a retired teacher. Next week we will induct new member Donald Dohmann, who leads the area Salvation Army unit.
Walt Sobczyk has several service projects planned. April 9 is food distribution to people living in the St. Paul’s Quadrant. April 22 is a Foodbank workday. Details for registering to volunteer are on the club calendar.
Bill Moore updated the club on the Hunton Y Zoom rooms. Our club has put in large, smart TVs in the library and a conference room and mesh routers that will help the 45 students doing remote learning keep a steady Internet connection. Bill hopes Rotarians can soon read remotely with students at the Y using the new technology.
April Birthdays
George Compo, Michelle Nettles, Ray Moses, Winston Whitehurst, Bernie Cohen, Mark Shaw, Joe New, Kelly Stefanko, Susan Donn, Brian McGuire, and Chris Bugg.
Wedding Anniversaries
Walt Sobczyk and his wife, Donna, are celebrating 26 years of marriage this month.
Rotary Anniversaries
Anthony Radd, 42 years; Skip Burton, 36 years; Alan Nelson, 35 years; John Padgett, 32 years; Shep Miller, 30 years; Jerome Adamson, 26 years; Jack Kavanaugh, 24 years; Lorna Cochrane, 12 years; Laurie Harrison, 7 years; Walt Sobczyk and Michelle Nettles, 6 years; Berhanu Mengitsu, 2 years; Chris Bugg and Stephen Kirkland, 1 year.
Reminder
Rotary dues are past due for many members. Please make sure you have paid the invoice that went out in January.
School of Week: William H. Ruffner Academy
Happy Bucks & Fines
- Jim Sell for his grandson being accepted to Carnegie Mellon University.
- Bill Moore for his and Margaret’s 43rd wedding anniversary.
- Michael Desplaines for a family trip to Hawaii with his mother who always dreamed of going there.
- Sharon Laderberg in honor of her late cousin Barry Kesser, who was her Rotary sponsor and for the club singing her son’s favorite Rotary song – R-O-A-T-R-Y.
- Chris Bugg for some basketball happiness.
- Eleanor Schoonover for her success in leading a Zoom meeting with people in three countries.
- Barbara Lipskis for the sale of her home and the move to her new one.
- Will King for his grandson graduating from the University of Virginia.
- Sally Hartman for her husband finally starting 45 days of proton therapy.
- Beranhu Mengitsu for getting to see his grandchildren for the first time in a year.
Adjourned: 1:49 pm
