Founded in 1914 in Virginia

Rotations May 27, 2014

Posted by Robert Powell 
on May 29, 2014
 

Speaker 5-27-14

“All The News That’s Fit to Print and Some That Isn’t”©

 

Calling the assembled to order, “President Giggles” Donn gave her usual warning that cell phones should be turned off lest Rotary coffers be swelled.  With no Centennial Moment to get us going down History Lane, Lynne “Forever Young” Berg led us in those old favorites, “Red River Valley, The 4-Way Test, and the 4th stanza of “America.”

 

Following the Pledge of Allegiance Joe, “The Counselor” New moved us right into a thoughtful prayer which was followed by our leader’s announcing that Camp Allen Elementary School was our “School of the Week.”

 

“Dr. Ed, The Talking Doctor”, Lilly provided a visitation report.  “Dr. Ed” reported (1) that Ken “Mr. Perfect Attendance” Weeks was unchanged, (2) that Morgan “I Insure That Banks Are Insured at Banker’s Insurance” Trimyer was experiencing no pain from his fall at Rotary last week when he broke his nose but that the procedure to remove the abdominal fluids had only been partially successful and he was having some discomfort because of that, (3) that Tom “Semper Fi” Richards was in Virginia Beach hospital unconscious and with pneumonia, and (4) that Marty “Red Ribbon” Raiss had recently had a “thyroid procedure” and was doing well but experiencing some discomfort.

 

Barbara “The Greeter” Lipskis, having met everyone as they came in, next introduced our guests and Rotarians with guests.  They included:  “Doc Bill” Gough’s guest, Dr. Dick Broon who went to EMVS, left, and has now returned home; Carlisle “I’d Rather Be Golfing” Wroton with Toscina Johnson who is in the job finding business; Brett “Captain” Meredith who brought his wife, Mary “The General” Meredith who was off last week welcoming her new grandchild into the world; and John “Stamp Out Aids” Chittick with two interns, Samantha Brown and Dan Barnes.

 

“Cherubic Chuck” Spence, poised and ready to spill the beans on the Rotarian of the Week,” “Wild Bill” Jonak, was left sitting empty handed when the Rotarian of the week pulled a disappearing act.  “Wild Bill” was nowhere to be seen.  “Giggles” immediately turned to the head table, saw Judge Friedman, had him issue a capias, and dispatched the Flea Market Security team to arrest “Wild Bill” and bring him to the next meeting.  We expect that by the time you are reading this, the desperado will be in cuffs and behind bars!!  Justice will prevail.

 

Then there were 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 Ray “I Love Taxes” Norton would discuss the Rotary Foundation.  “I Love Taxes” stated that the Marines taught him about leadership and mentioned that Jim “High Return” O’Brien had set an example by giving to the Foundation on a monthly basis.  “I Love Taxes” Norton went on to say that each years he reads the Form 990 filed by the Rotary Foundation and you could see from that form that the RI Foundation is a very worthwhile charity doing much good in the world.  When he mentioned that we only have 38 people who have not yet contributed, you could see a few people squirming with the expectation that he was going to read names off the list (That will happen next week.) but he didn’t.  He did encourage those who had not given to at least donate $1 or $10 so the Club could achieve 100% of its membership as having contributed.

 

Diane “I Have Eyes for You” Wallach announced that the next Community Service Day is scheduled for June 7th when we will have “Clean The Bay Day” in Ocean View.  Bring work gloves, dress appropriately, and bring your friends, family members, and others who want to participate in a worthwhile program.

 

If you want more information on the Cross Egypt Challenge, a motorcycle/scooter rally being sponsored by the Alexandria Cosmopolitan Club, just call our Club President.

 

Bernie “Good Things Come in Little Packages” Cohen introduced The Hon. Jerome “Here Come De Judge” Friedman as our newest member.  Moving to Norfolk as a youngster in 1952, he graduated from Maury HS in 1962, then ODU in 1965, then Wake Forest Law School in 1969.  As one of the Founders of Pender Coward, he tired of time sheets and billable hours and became a Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court Judge in Virginia Beach where he served from 1985-1991.  In 1991 he was elevated to the Virginia Beach Circuit Court where he served until 1997 when the President selected him to serve on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia where, after being confirmed by the Senate, he served until 2011.  Now doing mediation work with The McCammon Group, he fills some of his spare time serving on the Board of Visitors of Wake Forest Law School and the rest perfecting his golf swing on the golf course.  Welcome Judge Friedman.

 

Judge Friedman did not hold the title of “newest Rotarian” very long however.  Cy “You Can Trust Your Banker” Grandy introduced Jim “Another High Return” Kitz as our newest new Rotarian.  A NY Hudson Valley and West Point grad, Jim spent 5 years of his Army career at Ft. Eustis.  Apparently, this convinced him that he’d had enough of the Army so he left and went to work for Kidder Peabody, now a part of UBS, as a Senior Portfolio Manager.  Jim lives with his wife and daughters in Smithfield and currently serves on the Hampton Roads Regional Board of the Virginia Opera.  Welcome Jim.

 

There was only time for a few congratulations and fines before the Club’s time keeper, Linwood “J. Edgar” Beckner signaled “Giggles” to put an end to it and to call on our Rotarian of the Day for the introduction of the speaker.  But before we get to that, here are some of the fines and Happy Bucks:

 

  1. $5 from Winston “Health Care” Whitehurst for his letter to the editor espousing more government in health care;
  2. Gene Justice/Dr. Jim Baker, roommates at Tech, joined to contribute $60 in recognition of having attended their 60th college reunion in Blacksburg;
  3. $5 from Will “The Headmaster” King in recognition of Sammie Rappaport, an Interact Club member recognized in Saturday’s paper;
  4. $5 from Dean “EREY” Thomasson for the fine job done by Ray “I Love Taxes” Norton promoting the RI Foundation;
  5. $20 from Lois “Nightingale” Kercher for her new Nissan Rogue (she justified the reduced “new car amount” because of having to go to Lynchburg to get it.);
  6. A few bucks from Ann “We Have Books” Baldwin for her grandson, David Baldwin, who recently graduated and will be attending NC State in the Fall;
  7. $7 (attempted) from Dean “EREY” Thomasson - $5 in honor of Judge Friedman and $2 for a phone ringing during the meeting – it was generally recognized that $2 was grossly inadequate for the phone;
  8. $5 IOU from “Dr. Ed The Talking Doctor” in thanks for Judge Friedman but his wife has all his money this week and he’ll pay next week;
  9. $20 from Jim “I Passed Econ. 6” Clary in memory of Rev. David Anderson, his chaplain at St. Christopher’s School who passed away this morning.
  10. $??? From Chip “The Singing Lawyer” Vogan for a son’s fifth semester at Hampden-Sydney;
  11. $??? From David “Proprietary Schools Are The Answer” Brandt for his daughter’s internship at Towne Bank; and
  12. $??? From Mark “Full of Pep” Johnson to promote LEAD Hampton Roads.

 

With Sally “Give Until It Hurts” Hartman as VP in charge of Programs, and “Nurse Nightingale” Kercher as Rotarian of the Day, “Nurse Nightingale introduced our speaker Valeria Mitchell.  Nightingale said that Valeria, manager of the trauma center at what its 4,000+ employees refer to as “The General” (Sentara Norfolk General) had been known to move mountains to insure that patients got what they needed.

 

Started in Roanoke, Valeria brought FREE (Foundation for Rehabilitation Equipment Endowment) to the South Hampton Roads area.  FREE provides wheelchairs and other medical equipment to people in the area who cannot afford it.  The individuals are adults

 

  1. In need of rehabilitative equipment
  2. With a physician-determined medical need
  3. Without any other means to acquire the equipment and
  4. Who have a confirmed financial need – 200% below the poverty level.

 

Several examples of recent people helped included a teacher with MS who needed a standing frame.  Although it had been suggested that she retire, she wanted to continue with her passion of teaching children but MS prevented her standing.  She got the frame and is still teaching.  In another case a lady who’d lost her motorized wheelchair in a flooded basement in Ocean View had it replaced thanks to FREE.  In another case, a grandmother was provided a bariatric wheelchair.  She wanted to be able to go to her grandson’s ball games and to attend church.  Her wishes were filled.

Last year 424 items having a combined value of over $113,365 were given to 327 individuals.  A $1,000 grant from the Norfolk Rotary Club aided by permitting FREE to purchase batteries for wheelchairs.

 

In addition to Rotary some of FREE’s key partners are Hampton Roads Community Foundation, Goodwill, Physicians for Peace and Sentara Foundation.

 

All wheelchairs and other medical equipment donated to Goodwill are made available to FREE.  FREE repairs the equipment (often it has never been used), cleans and sanitizes it, and then makes it available to those in the area who meet the qualifications for assistance.  All of the work is done by volunteers with the exception of one paid part-time worker.

 

Following a warm round of applause, “Giggles” presented the book that is being given in honor of Valeria to Camp Allen Elementary School.

 

Alan Nelson was the winner of the raffle (daily pot) but with his drawing the eight of hearts, the big pot continues to get bigger.

 

As the curtain was closing on today’s meeting, Giggles announced that Terry Bond, Antique Automobile Club of America, would be next week’s speaker.  His topic:  “1914’s Marvelous Model A.”

 

And with that, the show ended and the meeting adjourned.

 

                                                                        “Scoops” Powell