Pictured above are President Lorna, Capt. Christopher Melhuish, USN (Ret), and Gary Boswick.
Navy Capt. Christopher Melhuish, USN (Ret) took Rotarians on a nostalgic sea voyage at our December 10 meeting. Our speaker lives in Larchmont and served as a Boy Scout scoutmaster with Rotarian Gary Boswick, who introduced him. Melhuish, the 65th captain of the USS Constitution, highlighted the highs and lows of the acclaimed Navy ship first launched in 1797 in Boston. Melhuish, who was ship captain from 1995 to 1997, illustrated his talk with images of paintings and photos plus colorful stories about the ship and its captains. Among the images were photos of the ship visiting Hampton Roads.
The ship was made of oak, weighed 2,000 tons and sailed in the 18th century with a diverse crew. It battled with a Royal Navy ship in the War of 1812. In 1814, it was first referred to as Old Ironsides and came to be known as the Nation's Ship. Among the Constitution's exploits was capturing the slave ship Gambrill in 1853 and accidentally sinking a Royal Navy ship in 1878 while sailing to the Paris Exhibition.
The ship has deteriorated and been rebuilt several times. It was destined to be scrapped in 1830 until poet Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote an ode to the ship that helped save it. In 1905, it was saved after a plea from a business owner who wanted to buy it. In 1927 it was overhauled after children from around the country saved their pennies to help pay for repairs. The ship's more recent rebirth was in the early 1990s. Ported in Boston, the Constitution is an active Navy ship and the oldest commissioned warship afloat.
Our book of the week went to Taylor Elementary School in honor of our speaker.
The Meeting
- Sigur Whitaker led the group in singing the Four-Way Test and It's a Grand Old Flag, Barry Kesser delivered the invocation. Bill Gough reported that Bob Powell was feeling better.
- Our guest was Samaria Bingham, a recent Old Dominion University graduated who handled social media for Suds & Buds in the spring. She recently won two Pinnacle Awards from the Public Relations Society of American's Hampton Roads chapter for her excellent work. Sally Hartman introduced Samaria, who brought her awards, including a Best in Show Award.
- President Lorna gave holiday bonuses to our Scope serving staff and our secretary Lisa Barnes and bookkeeper Ann Morgan in appreciation for all they do for our club.
- Sigur reported that on Giving Tuesday our club raised $8,650 for the Rotary Foundation.
- Barbara Lipskis donned reindeer antlers to remind everyone of the club's holiday party on December 17 at the Mambo Room. She also gave happy bucks for the birth of a new grandson.
- Kelly Stefanko encouraged members to help give rides and entertain our Brazilian exchange visitor.
- Diane Wallach reported that at a recent food drive at Food Lion, our club came in second place among Rotary clubs for the amount of food and money collected. She also mentioned the December 20 deadline for high school students to submit an essay about being selected for the summer exchange trip to Tiel, Netherlands.
- Michelle Nettles donated happy bucks for the beautiful day and her 30th wedding anniversary.
- Bruce Wilcox is happy all six children and five grandchildren will be home for the holidays.
- Marilyn Gowan brought a Rotary flag from a French club she discovered at a winery while on a trip.
- Jim Kitz reminder Rotarians that grant applications are on the club website and to encourage area nonprofits to apply for funding.