The Program
Rotarian John Cameron introduced our speaker, Dr. Austin Jersild, who is Chair of History at Old Dominion University. Dr. Jersild has published three books and is specialist on Soviet/Russian-Chinese relations.
The Professor had excellent slides and a well-crafted presentation. He guided us through the history of relations from the late 1940’s up to today. For many of us, the events were familiar but the interpretation was new. He pointed out that people, even policy wonks, did not see the long-term consequences of China’s rise as a global economic power. He also noted that from the American side, nobody foresaw the decline of the American industrial base. Of special note was the financial dimension of the Cold War. Professor Jersild informed us that the Soviet Union asked and received money to remove troops from Eastern Europe after the collapse in the early 1990’s. Another interesting assertion was that the destruction wrought by Mao’s Cultural Revolution enabled the Chinese to scrap the Soviet model (central planning as the foundation of traditional socialism) and start over with better approaches.
An excellent presentation which kept everyone awake and engaged!
The Meeting
Eleanor Schoonover led us in singing; President Lorna led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four Way Test. Julie Keesling offered a very brief invocation.
Our School of the Week is Academy for Discovery at Lakewood.
Visitation/Introduction of Visitors
Chip Finch introduced Dave Duncan (prospective new member) and Amanda Teixeira. Jim O’Brien introduced his guest, James B. Olsen; Jeff Wells introduced Bob Batcher, no stranger to our club!
Bob Powell updated us on Dean Rogis and Ace Tubbs (husband of Past President Pam).
Club Business
President Lorna presented our New Generations Exchange person, Amanda Teixeira, with a banner. Amanda has been shadowing people at The Salvation Army, Norfolk Botanical Gardens and The Norfolk Zoo. Kelly Stefanko worked hard to organize Amanda’s schedule and get her engaged with a wide variety of Rotarians. Pam Tubbs hosted Amanda and also introduced her to everyone. Amanda showed slides of her hometown of Maringa, Brazil, and told us about herself and her aspirations.
Pictured above front row: Ann Baldwin, Will King, Pam Tubbs, Sigur Whitaker, Lorna Cochrane; back row Collins Gooch, Bill Lehew, John Searing, Gary Boswick, Chick Robison and Jim Kitz.
Jim Kitz presented Benefactor Wings to Sigur Whitaker; Sigur is a Paul Harris Fellow +8. Then Sigur and Jim presented pins to the following Rotarians for their support of The Rotary Foundation:
- Willette (Bill) Lehew PHF +1
- Collins Gooch PHF + 2
- Gary Boswick PHF + 2
- Charles Chick Robison III PHF+2
- Ann Baldwin PHF +4
- John Searing PHF +4
- Pamela Webb-Tubbs PHF+6
- Will King PHF +4
Past President Pam then encouraged all Rotarians to attend Pints4Polio on Saturday, Jan. 25, or at least to purchase tickets and sponsorships ($100). Pam informed us that the children’s game CandyLand was designed in 1949 for polio patients in iron lungs to give them hope for the future.
Jeff Wells announced that he had 300 tickets to our annual Suds ‘n Buds—and that some would be left after Bernie Cohen sold his! (Rotarian Bernie is a stellar salesman for our annual party!)
Happy Bucks & Fines
- Ann Baldwin started off with happy bucks for her 85th birthday; her family gave her 55 books for the Hunton YMCA. Ann wants the rest of us to step up and donate more!
- Bill Lehew donated to promote a new restaurant, The Coach House on Colley Avenue.
- Lisa Chandler also contributed because she had worked in the original Coach House way back in the dim time.
- Steve Schultz contributed because the ODU Rotaractors met their fundraising goal.
- Joe Massey kicked in happy bucks because it was National Hugs Day.
- Mal Branch was happy because he cruised around South America and Antarctica for six weeks and has photos to prove it.
- Gary Boswick was very happy that his son, Weston, got an award for stealth technology (or cybersecurity) that none of us would understand.
- Jeff Wells and Sally Hartman both spoke up about a lecture that was scheduled for Tuesday night.
- And Eleanor Schoonover gave happy bucks for Kelly Stefanko’s work supporting our Exchange person, Amanda.
Conclusion
President Lorna thanked Dr. Jersil and showed him the book to be given to the Academy for Discovery at Lakewood. There were so many winners in the raffle. Chuck Spence won the ticket to Saturday's Pints4Polio and Mark Shaw won the tickets to "Waitress" a musical which will be at the Chrysler from January 28 until February 2. Pam Tubbs won the small pot but since she failed to draw the Queen of Spades, the big pot continues to grow.
President Lorna reminded us that there will not be a meeting on January 28th. She also reminded us that there will be a resolution for Teddy Baker at the February 4th meeting. Our speaker will be Brian Smith from the HRT.