Rotations July 22, 2014
President Sigur rang the bell on schedule. Chuck Spence led us to fill the room with mellow voices: My Gal Sal, Sing Rotarians, and the second verse of America. After the pledge Jerry Friedman offered the invocation noting especially the Malaysian air tragedy and the lack of peace in the Mideast. School of the week was Ingleside Elementary School.
Bill Gough gave the visitation report and noted that both Ken Weeks and Morgan Trimyer remain in stable condition.
Will King introduced guests: There were no visiting Rotarians. There were two Rotarians with guests: Gary Boswick had Bob Johnson who has moved here from Richmond and we may be seeing more of him; Lindsay Russell brought former member Brad MacDonald. A third man was a guest of the club, David Zobel, a member of the Cape Henry Club, but here in his capacity as director of the Norfolk Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs. He came to receive a check for $30,000 that we allocated from our giving budget. David was invited to say a few words about the clubs, and he observed there are eleven clubs in the area and 3008 children served. He is in the Calvert Square Club which is struggling since the city cut back funding. David went on to report how one of the former members had made the front page of the Pilot recently by emerging from a dysfunctional family situation to reach the point where he was now going to JMU with a full scholarship.
President Sigur went on to congratulate Rotarian Adam Foleck who participated in our Rotary Smiles program, making dentures available to 100 people through Access Partnership as a centennial gift to our community. Currently we have two short videos that are well worth a look, and there will be a professional one in the future. Check these out:
1. Adam Foleck talks about the importance of Rotary Smiles and why he loves being a Rotarian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlsrisSTnWA (3:15)
2. Two Rotary Smiles participants share how their new teeth will be life-changing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ1Lfio9n6Q (:58)
It was ‘fine’ time, and here is a sampling of some: Sally Hartman paid $20 for 19 who attended a clinic, Dean Thomasson also contributed. Shep Miller rose in support of David Zobel and complimented and endorsed Dave on his post-legal career with a tribute of $100, a good example of “service above self.” Win Lewis reported his support for the Boys and Girls Club work, and also his excellent trip to Scotland. John Searing and Susan Donn both contributed to the Adam Foleck project. Harry McCoy celebrated 70 years of marriage with a gift. Mal Branch and Sharon Laderberg each contributed Happy Bucks.
Anthony Radd rose to introduce our speaker of the day, Bobette Nelson, Cultural Arts Manager representing the Bureau of Cemeteries. She was educated in Florida and later studied at ODU. She has always had a fascination with historical cemeteries, and is responsible for tours which are now held. Anthony endorsed the two he had taken as being interesting, and noted that Rotarian Steve Jones has also done cemetery tours.
Ms. Nelson presented a power point describing a brief history of the eight cemeteries in the city. Cedar Grove opened in 1825 and is the oldest, prior to that St. Paul’s was available, but it was filled. Cedar Grove is at 238 Princess Anne Road, and Elmwood and West Point are listed at the same address. West Point was a potter’s field for many years. Bobette Nelson’s office is at Calvary Cemetery (opened 1877) on St. Julian Avenue. Calvary was African-American until the 1970’s, cemeteries are no longer segregated. Forest Lawn at 8100 Granby, is known for its seventy different trees. Magnolia Cemetery in Berkley was established in 1860 was taken over by the city in 1911. It contained more indigent people. The Hebrew Cemetery at 1200 Tidewater Drive is rather small but has lots of history in it records of the early Jewish community. Riverside Memorial is on Indian River Road and was taken over by the city in 1971. The Bureau would like to see this become an arboretum, part of an urban forestry program, Our speaker directed us to several programs and volunteer offerings as she hopes to help preserve history. Theft and vandalism have left an ugly or empty mark on some beautiful and valuable assets. Volunteers to maintain and repair damaged memorials are needed. Ms. Nelson can be contacted at 757 510-5879 or Bobette.Nelson@Norfolk.gov . During Q&A we learned that some cemeteries are filled, but there are a few lots available and space for another mausoleum.
Our President then showed our speaker the book gift given in her name to Ingleside Elementary School. Jim Clary won the small pot for $22 and left the bigger one for another day.