The Program:
Laurie Harrison introduced our Rotarian of the Day Sally Hartman, who introduced our speaker Barry Moss.
Barry Moss for many years was a prominent architect in Norfolk and left his mark on many buildings downtown on Granby Street. He decided he had worked enough and turned his life to painting and winemaking.
We were treated to a series of beautiful pictures of Italy (He first thought to move to Italy to make wine, but gave it up not being as rich as Bill Gates.) and the area around Charlottesville. It was on a mountain in western Virginia that he and his wife finally put in their vineyard in 2006. In 2010 they bottled their first wine a cabernet sauvignon. Barry is the owner of Moss Vineyards in Nortonsville, Virginia.
Since 2006 numerous exquisite buildings have been built at the vineyard including a tasting room and guest houses.
He walked us through the complicated process of winemaking and explained why he uses European oak barrels rather than California oak.
We all know 2020 was the year we never want to repeat, but for a Virginia winemaker, it was the worst ever. A late frost, drought, and then flooding rain. He will be lucky to get a 10 percent harvest.
There were many questions. Sally Hartman asked about the impact of Covid. Jay Kossman asked about the importance of France in winemaking. Eleanor Schoonover inquired about nitrates in wine which affect some people adversely. Pam Tubbs asked about organic wine. And Jim Sell asked the most important question of all. Where can we buy this wine? Go to Mossvinyard.net to place an order.
The NRC will donate a book in Barry Moss’s honor to Granby Elementary School.
The Meeting:
Jim Kitz called the meeting to order at 12:34. Pamela Tubbs opened the meeting by leading us in a rousing medley of armed forces songs in honor of Veterans Day. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test, Jim Sell gave our invocation.
Visitation Report:
The club seems to be in good health. Joe Massey didn’t report any members sick or in need of visitation. The only guest was our speaker. President Jim informed us that former member James Eugene Justice passed away on the 4th of November. Several members shared their memories of this fine Rotarian.
Club Business:
- President Jim thanked veterans on behalf of the Club for sacrifice. We have many veterans in our club.
- We were reminded that our only service project for November is Saturday the 14th at the Botanical Gardens. We’ll help put the plants to sleep for the winter.
- Remember to RSVP for the Holiday Social to be held on December 3rd 6:30 PM at Commune Restaurant.
- The membership voted unanimously to invite Clay Dills to become a member of the Rotary Club of Norfolk.
- Past President Lorna presented the slate of officers and Board members for 2021-2022.
President Michael Desplaines
President-Elect Laurie Harrison
Vice President Jeff Wells
Secretary-Treasurer Barbara Lipskis
Immediate Past President Jim Kitz
Directors: Dave Duncan, John Cameron, Christopher Bugg, Brian McGuire, Michelle Nettles, Bob Ash.
- Sigur Whitaker reminded us of the benefits of the Rotary Foundation and urged all members to become Paul Harris Fellows.
Fines and Happy Bucks:
- Chris Bugg was happy. Today is the birthday of the Marine Corps.
- Brian McGuire gave happy bucks to honor Pam Tubbs's exceptional piano skills and for Lorna’s introduction of potential new directors.
- Carlisle Wroton gave happy bucks. His father would have been 104 today.
- Joe Massey pays a fine each time Anchors Aweigh is played or sung. His house was built by the man who wrote the song.
- Jim Kitz fined himself for misspelling Anchors Away. But, who would expect us, army folks, to remember that type of naval esoterica. Jim also gave happy bucks again because he and his son got back from North Dakota where they hunted duck.
Meeting Adjourned 1:40.