Rotations March 11 2014
“All The News That’s Fit to Print and Some That Isn’t”©
Pushed onto the stage with well wishes of “Break a Leg”, “Director” Donn summoned the all-stars on center stage to be hushed for the performance to be presented and directed that cell phones be turned off lest Rotary coffers be swelled.
The Act 1 was led off with Sigur “Rotary Writer In Residence” Whitaker leading the choral group in "R-O-T-A-R-Y” followed by “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” Scene 2 was the Pledge of Allegiance and in Scene 3 Kellie “I Have Lots of Money to Lend” Dickerson gave a thoughtful prayer.
The Director next called on Bob “Brother Rat” Heely who was the lead actor for this drama, for a “Centennial Moment.” He recounted how Dr. Ed Haskell, Superintendent of Norfolk Schools, got the Vocational Visitation Program started in 1980. Heely’s highlights have been an integral part of this Rotary project for almost 35 years.
The Director turned to the audience and said: Sewells Point Elementary School is the school of the week. There was no standing ovation. Sensing she might be losing the audience she quickly called on “Doc Bill” Gough for a visitation report. He performed admirably and reported that “Wild Bill” Jonak hoped to return next week (I sure hope so because he has Rotations duty and the members have been screaming for his prompt return.) He reported he had spoken with Tom “Semper Fi” Richards who is still in the hospital but sounded better and who said he could have visitors. “Doc Bill” also spoke recently with Ken “Mr. Perfect Attendance” Weeks who was getting ready to go to physical therapy and who hopes to get back to Rotary real soon.
The Director next called on Bill “Fly Boy” Burnette for introduction of guests. He did not appear but she introduced “Dr. King,” former Superintendent of Norfolk Schools, when he appeared. He, however, had to correct the Director since it was Dr. Steve “The Educator” Jones who was standing at the podium – he must have been an understudy for “Fly Boy.” Perhaps she confused him with Dr. Martin Luther King. [N.B. (“Captain Latin” Keesling told me this stood for nota bene):The editorial staff of Rotations has suggested to the Board that it purchase or print a pictorial directory for the Director so she can learn the names of the actors prior to the next production.] “The Educator” also introduced Tom Herbert visiting us from the Oyster Point Club and Adam Kahrl, the guest of John Padgett.
Scene 4, performed flawlessly by “Cherubic Chuck” Spence, was Rotarian of the Week featuring Bill “The Man of Steel” Sherman. Starting his career in the family business of Norfolk Iron & Wireworks, Bill “The Man of Steel” has been semi-retired since 2010. He still consults and advises on the steel you might need for everything from your mountain retreat that you want to withstand avalanches to your beachfront cottage that you want to stand up against the storm surge and hurricanes. Living in the Baylake Pines area of Norfolk where he grew up, “The Man of Steel” has been quite active in Freemason Street Baptist Church where our own Steve “The Baptist” Jolly eats locust and baptizes the faithful in the Elizabeth River. But back to “The Man of Steel” Sherman. He has an engineering degree, 1 daughter, 1 dog, and 1 cat.
Act 2 was headed Announcements and Club Business. We started Scene 1 with birthdays. March’s celebrants are as follows:
March Birthday List
Name Day Name Day
Joe Boone 9 Bob Powell 18
Bryce Burton 24 Anthony Radd 16
John Egan 20 Marty Raiss 29
Sally Hartman 27 Clay Riales 21
Bob Lockery 24 Dean Rogis 13
Colin McKinnon 12 Irv Wells 21
After singing “Happy Birthday” we dined on birthday cake that had been prepared for last week’s birthday celebration that had apparently been overlooked.
Scene 2 had more announcements. Marty “Red Ribbon” Raiss congratulated the Club on the number of sponsorships obtained for the Gala but urged us to get more. Dean “EREY” Thomasson reported that the Rotary Foundation is in full swing. The Director mentioned that dance lessons for the troupe are still available. At my table, Harry “The Mayor of Terminal Towers” McCoy, Fred “The Headmaster” Walker, and Dick “I’d Rather Be Playing Golf” Lammers all decided to sign up for the foxtrot lessons. The Director mentioned that there would be a Rotary Board meeting at the offices of Kaufman & Canoles on March 17th at 4:30 p.m. and that this was a great opportunity for you to come and see how Congress – I mean the Board – operates and to get a make-up. “Dr. Ed, The Talking Doctor” Lilly was called forward and presented his PHF + 1 pin. Congratulations Dr. Ed. Diane “I Have Eyes for You” Wallach announced that the next Community Service Day was scheduled for March 29th at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Bring work gloves and tools and get some great exercise and have some Rotary fun. Finally, Steve “The Baptist” Jolly announced that 3 students have applied to go to Tiel on the Youth Exchange Program and that there is room for 4.
Scene 4 was very brief since there were not many fines. Mike “The Chief” Goldsmith, conspicuous by his absence, was recognized for the notoriety he received in Sunday’s paper. Sally “I get Your Speakers” Hartman gave $5 in memory of the speaker we had earlier who spoke on ALS and whose wife suffered from the disease. She passed away. “Lisa Is My Name, Opera Is My Game” Sands announced the upcoming Carmen production, “The Director” contributed a mere $5 for her trip to Florida and Jim “I Passed Econ. 6” Clary paid a small fine in recognition of his wife having been recognized as THE Young Health Care Professional for Tidewater.
Act 3 started with the Director’s announce that Sally “I get Your Speakers” Hartman was the VP in Charge of Programs – that’s why she gets the programs! And that the Rotarian of the Day was none other than that performer who loves center stage, the one and only Bob “Brother Rat” Heely. He joined our club in 1977 and served as president in 1984-85. He is a current board member in charge of membership. And, for several years (actually decades) has spearheaded our annual High School Career Day Visitation program. He shared highlights of the essays Norfolk Public School seniors' wrote about the time they spent recently with members of our club after calling on Monica Robinson, the English coordinator, who recounted the experiences available to students and then introduced the various school representatives who were there.
In Scene 2, we did learn some interesting facts. Jim “High Return” O’Brien is cool; Lois “Nightingale” Kercher “is one of the most fascinating people I’ve met in my life;” Mark “Full of Pep” Johnson “is well-dressed, not too flashy, and kept us on the edge of our seats as we headed to SunTrust”; “Dr. Bill” Gough “is able to feel out his patients without using all that high tech equipment”; Rick “The Quiet One” Coradi “did not know what he wanted to do when he was my age [do you think he’s figured it out yet?]”; and Cynthia “Miss Arts Festival” Carter-West “has an office that works like an ant colony where everyone has a job that is just as important as everyone else’s job.”
Scene 3 was the highlight where the four winners read their winning essays. Dara Bright from Maury HS visited with Bruce “Here Come De Judge” Wilcox. Nia Williams from Booker T. HS visited with Lisa “I’ll Sell Your Real Estate” Chandler. Tangmo Thistle from Maury HS visited with Capt. Brett “We Save” Meredith of the Salvation Army. And finally, Montae Wood from Booker T. HS read probably the most inspiring and moving essay that I have ever heard. He visited with Joe “I’m Not Old” New. Each was presented with a $50 gift card and all received a tremendous round of applause. A job well done.
In Scene 4 the Director announced that the book was being dedicated in honor of Bob “Brother Rat” Heely for a job well done. As the curtain was coming down to close the show, The Director announced that Barbara Hamm Lee, the host of WHRO’s Another View would be our speaker next week. Her topic: “The Melting Pot Myth: Why Diversity and Inclusion Matter.”
And with that, the curtain was down and the meeting adjourned.
“Scoops” Powell