Rotations May 6, 2014

My view from table 23 at the Rotary Gala celebrating 100 years of service:

The event, held at Norfolk’s Marriott could not have been more perfect.  Now, more perfect is an oxymoron, but how else can one describe it?  Over the top? Elegant? Festive?

Allow me, please to stick with my first thought.  The Gala could not have been more perfect!

President Susan Donn opened the meeting at 12:30 p.m. at our regular Scope meeting venue.

Lynne Berg led us in song to include our book slapper number 80 (You’re a Grand Old Rag). You will recall that was George M. Cohan’s original name according to the Library of Congress.  It related to a meeting with a Civil War Veteran who carried with him a tattered American Stars and Stripes.  However, Mr. Cohan bowed to public pressure and renamed the song as we know it today.

Jim Baker was our Chaplain of the Day.

The School of the Week is Willard Model Elementary School.

Bill Gough reported for the Visitation Committee. Tom Richards and Ken Weeks are about the same. Morgan Trimyer, Jr., now undergoing chemo therapy, is having a tough time.  He would like to receive phone calls.  Let’s pray for him as he continues his cancer treatment(s).

Jean Owens introduced visitors and guests.  Cy Grandy introduced Jim Kitz.  Bernie Cohen introduced Kim Friedman.  Sally Hartman introduced Mark Layne and Amy Drewry.  Grier Ferguson was in attendance from the Suffolk Club and announced their upcoming Road Rally.

Regarding Announcements, Fines, Happy Bucks and Tattle Tales, I am able to report the following:

• George Nottingham had an article in the paper.  His fine is deferred until next week.
• John Chittick had his letter praising flowers and the good life in Norfolk published in the Pilot.
• Shep Miller has been fired by our new Governor.  He is no longer on the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
• Sigur Whitaker is again a distinguished published author.  http://sigurwhitakerbooks.com/?page_id=119

The Rotarian of the Week is Bob Latimer.  He is a retired teacher from the Norfolk Public School system.  However, his experiences and contributions to the betterment of the four way test go much farther than his 30 years of employment with Norfolk’s School’s.  For example, how much effort does it take to keep our Club’s own Linwood Beckner under control at Taylor Elementary?  Well, Bob has the answer to that!  Bob is a real Norfolk product having graduated from Old Dominion University.  He served with the United States Army in Korea, a 105 Howitzer unit, and is a Past President of The Rotary Club of Norfolk.  Bob is famous for his skills as a wood worker and especially his hand made analog clocks.  Traditionally, he presents one to each outgoing Club President.

The Vice President in charge of programs is Sally Hartman.  The Rotarian of the Day was John McLemore.  John is an attorney who was president of our Club in 2002-2003.  John introduced his twin, Mike Drewry. I said twins because both John and Mike are practicing attorneys and both have family ties to very old and historic family farms in Wakefield, Virginia.  It stops there, however, as John is a City Mouse and Mike is a full time independent and sustainable farmer.

Mike Drewry and his wife Amy own and operate Drewry Family Farms Located 3 miles North of Wakefield, Virginia on Route 31.  Please, please go to http://www.drewryfarms.com/ and then visit in person.

Mike and his wife had all the politically correct buzz – sustainable, healthy, taste, environmentally friendly and more, all of which are true.  I can attest from formal nutrition classes that processed food contains too many chemicals and that the Drewry method is better.

The question becomes, can we afford their concept?  According to Mike the answer is yes if he can sell to retail direct and not through a wholesaler.  He aims to feed 60 families plus his own to turn a small profit.  If you work the numbers, it can really be done.

Current and future plans include marketing and festivals to attract visitors, stalls at Farmer’s Markets to include Norfolk’s Five Points Farmers Market, direct home delivery and subscriptions by internet.

Mike showed us a video of sausage making the real way, the way it should be done.  Watch it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4o8HGgVEcY&feature=youtu.be .

Under questions, Mike reported that government regulations are a both a help and a hindrance.

The last matter of business was the raffle.  I won with ticket 562365. The small pot was $40 which I was happy to receive, but I failed to win the big pot of $485 as I drew a three of hearts.

The meeting adjourned right on time.