Rotations September 23, 2014

“I’m late; I’m late for a very important date.”

President Sigur Whitaker opened the meeting at our regular Scope meeting venue.

Jim Clary led us in song to include My bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, The Four Way Test, and a new one, the fifth verse of The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Joe New gave the invocation.

The School of the Week is Oceanview Elementary School.

Jim Baker reported for the visitation committee.  Morgan Trimyer is back in the hospital.  John Lynn is doing well with Physical Therapy the next procedure.  Ken Weeks was reported about the same.  Kelly Dickerson had surgery and is doing well.

Lisa Sands.  Tom Herbert was a visitor from Oyster Point.  His classification is architects and engineers.  We had two Rotarians with guests:  Cynthia Carter West / Cammy Huston; Mark Johnson / Kevin Turner.

Jerry Friedman was awarded his Paul Harris Fellow pin.  Thank you.  Thank you.

Bob Latimer is now a PHF SEVEN TIMES. Bob deserves thank you seven times over and more.

Ellen Duckworth is our newest Rotarian. She moved here from Florida bringing a long list of accomplishments.  Of all things she teaches deer hunting!

Barry Kesser was recognized for 32 years of perfect attendance.

Regarding Announcements, Fines, Happy Bucks and Tattle Tales:

Gene Justice came to the microphone to honor Jim Baker.  Jim has been nominated for the Gavel Society at VMI, a very distinguished honor.

I regret that my hearing disability, even aided by the most modern of electronics, did not allow me to hear the remaining distinguished Rotarians who had significant events to report.

The Vice President in charge of programs is Bryce Burton.  The Rotarian of the Day was Michael Desplaines, he is Executive Director of Norfolk Botanical Gardens.

Our speaker was the Executive Director of the Virginia Aquarium, Lynn Clements.

OOPS!  Name change.  In the interests of marketing and branding, the Virginia Aquarium is now The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center.  Not to worry, it is still the same wonderful place that has been there for some 30 years.  It is simply new and improved.

Lynn is what the United States Navy would call a plank holder having been part of the Aquarium from its inception through the present.

She cited numerous statistics to prove that it is a successful venture both financially, as a tourist attraction, and as a stranding center and research facility.  I would label her competitive as she produced visitor statistics that rival Colonial Williamsburg.  She plans to topple those numbers, and I am convinced that she can do it.

Ms. Clements also showed us plans for continued growth.  Some are very ambitious, very long range, and expensive in implementation.  However, she is a person who never heard that refrain, “It can’t be done.”  I am sure she will make the ambitious plans come true.

On the aspect of operations, Ms. Clements remarked that 900 volunteers contribute over 100,000 hours of their time to make the Aquarium a success.  To say that volunteers make a difference would be an understatement.

The Aquarium, as we all know, is situated on Owls Creek.  What we learned is that Owls Creek is the only undeveloped salt marsh is Virginia Beach.  She intends to keep it that way. Expansion will come by way of developing the parking lot and creating alternate modes of transportation to the site.

The last matter of business was the raffle. There was $26 in the small pot and $800 in the big pot. The Queen of Spades remains.

The meeting adjourned right on time.