Rotations November 18, 2014
Masquerading as President VPICOP, Bryce Burton charged the podium and banged the bell to commence the meeting.
Immediately abandoning his post he called on an undisclosed (undisclosed, due to my Christian spirit) member who led us in “song”. Loch Lomand (refrain only) was undoubtedly the worst performance by our carolers in the last decade. Even the charitable Winn Lewis exclaimed, “WHOA!” Obviously my melodious capabilities were missed but I was having difficulty writing and singing simultaneously. We slogged on to the Von Trap favorite, Edelweiss, offending all Austrians within earshot, moved to #93 All Hail to Rotary and in a final struggle towards redemption, added a fourth “tune” God Bless America. I must confess that we did improve over time but President Sigur will likely fine all of us upon her return. We then honored our country with a flag salute. All was forgiven.
Tablemate and venerable Rotarian Doc Baker was next, offering an invocation. Smooth as silk, he preached from the heart after discovering that his prepared remarks were MIA. Doubling down he gave us the visitation report and reported that colleague Ed Lilly was outfitted with “boxing gloves” after recent hand surgeries (he looked like the Champ to me), that Hiz Honor Joe Massey was rehabbing well and hoped to rejoin us in a couple of weeks. Jack Magee is also doing well.
VPICOP then charged headlong into Fines, skipping over the Introduction of Guests and Announcements, which later cost him.
Ponying up some dough for the good of the cause was Irv Wells, celebrating the adoption of Milton Bradley, 10 years ago; Jim Probsdorfer (Warwick) in his capacity of District RIF Chairman, saluted our club for last year’s EREY; The Reverend Win Lewis ($50!), for his daughter’s graduation from the University of St Andrew’s, his name mentioned in the Chrysler Museum brochure and honoring Mr. Cool, Harry McCoy. Ann Baldwin announced the arrival of her granddaughter, her 7th grandchild who is doing well after coming 7 weeks early; Jim O’Brien pushed his Healing Waters Project; Lindsay Russell encouraged us to visit the Munro Light Show at the Hermitage, supported by sponsors KITCO Fiber Optics and Earle Bortell; Lorna Cochran saluted John Chittick, back from Africa, Win Lewis for ministering to some Canadian and British folks and Mayor Fraim for rescuing some visitors from the rain; Lois Kercher took the heat from our speaker for a SPCA article; PP Julie Keesling saluted Harry McCoy and EREY and Marty Raiss celebrated her “much older” husband George’s 70th Bday.
Returning to the proscribed order Wayne Shank introduced his guest Pat McCarty from Norfolk Christian School…New Member???
Alan Nelson informed us about the success of the new member reception at the Botanical Gardens. The XMAS Party is 12/16 at Kaufman & Canoles, home to Scoops Powell, then Will King and Jim O’Brien were awarded Charles Woodard Fellowships for their generosity to our Norfolk Rotary Endowment.
VPICOP Bryce then moved into the program. First we were honored to hear from PDG Deborah Walters, who was introduced by Ann Sullivan. Deborah told us all about her mission of helping kids she met in a garbage dump in Guatemala. During a visit to that country she was moved to help these kids she met. She is doing so by raising educational funds by way of her Atlantic coast kayaking expedition. Deborah educated us on the situation. In Guatemala, only 10% of kids graduate from high school and those that don’t earn only 1/5th of those that do. Deborah is paddling to raise $150k to fund a grade of students. She has already raised 53% of her goal and she is only 1/3rd of the way. Way to go Deborah.
Our second program featured Rob Blizzard, who was introduced by Lois Kercher. Rob, who heads the Norfolk SPSA was saluted by way of a Rudyard Kipling quote about a “first friend”. Rob, who is trained in business, presented us with an overview of the refocused SPSA. He reviewed their newly approved Mission and Vision statements. One of their most important goals is to achieve a NO-Kill Hampton Roads. The SPSA wants to reduce the need for sheltering but to ensure high quality and “shelter well” when they do. They are also focused on their spray and neuter program. This year they have placed 556 animals with returns down 15%. They also have a Seniors for Seniors program, they work on behavioral rehab and provide hospice care. They do euthanize, but only for mercy reasons, not population control. They are in the midst of enhancing their financial stability and launching a capital campaign.
Upon conclusion VPICOP Burton, announced that a book would be given in honor of Rob and the SPSA, to our school of the week, St. Helena Elementary School. Table 15 was 100% and Chuck Spence won the daily pot but whiffed, drawing the 6 of spades.
The bell of adjournment rang promptly and the members were pleased to have the garage exit gates working properly.
Respectfully submitted,
Shep Miller