Our Rotarian of the Day was Carlisle Wroton who is one of our more active Rotarians. While he is well known for donating much of his time toward our many projects, his real claim to fame is that he once got to perform on stage with the Doobie Brothers!
Vice President of Programs Laurie Harrison introduced our speaker, Gary Ryan, Executive Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Virginia Beach. While the museum is now a prominent fixture in Hampton Roads, it has humble beginnings. It all began when a group of community members staged an art show to defray the medical bills for a neighbor and it just grew from there!
Gary told us that the stated mission of MOCA is to foster awareness, exploration, and understanding of the significant art of our time. Through excellence and diversity in its changing exhibitions and educational programming, MOCA stimulates critical thinking and dialogue throughout the Hampton Roads community.
That mission was greatly threatened last year as COVID-19 forced the museum to briefly shut down. She says the current operating philosophy is that the “building is closed, but the museum is open. She and her staff have partnered with WHRO to deliver arts curriculum to area schools and they are perpetually live streaming a wide array of events to the public.
Partnering with companies and organizations such as Sentara, EVMS, and Norfolk State University, MOCA has been able to host many exciting programs, including projects that support local artists who are putting the spotlight on important issues such as food deserts in urban areas and the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Despite the constraints of a virtual environment, MOCA has seen record attendance with 70 percent of attendees living outside of Virginia Beach and approximately 1/3 coming from out of state!
The Meeting
We began the meeting with music led by Pam Tubbs, and while her selections of Let Me Call You Sweetheart and God Bless America were quite good, she treated us to a new version of Rotary with lyrics she wrote herself. After hearing her rendition, President Jim was moved to exclaim, “There are probably thousands of Rotary meetings going on around the world today, but I bet we are the only one that had a world premiere of a new song! Music was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer led by Jim Sell.
Visitation Report
We were asked to keep two people in our thoughts and prayers, Jason Drane who had knee surgery, and Ann Morgan who has been under the weather.
Introduction of Guests
Jeff Wells brought his colleague Brian Phelps and Jennifer Dilworth was accompanied by her friend Elizabeth Hopkins. During announcements, Michael Desplaines reminded us that we are now seeking applications for $50,000 worth of small grants being awarded by our Club. Bill Moore, who has been deeply involved with the Hunton YMCA, says that many of the children who it serves are struggling to keep up with school during remote learning because far too often their computers do not work properly. That’s why he is raising money to help purchase as many Surface Pros as possible for their use. Contact him if you would like to donate.
School of the Week: Poplar Halls Elementary
Happy Bucks
- Bob Healy was delighted to inform us that his son, who is a Navy Captain, has decided to retire and eventually return home to Norfolk. Before that happens, however, he must serve three more years. His final assignment: Commanding Officer of Naval Base San Diego.
- Jim Kitz recently enjoyed spending time with his son and fiancé in Charleston, South Carolina. Also, he was pleased to announce that both his parents and his wife’s mother have now received their COVID-19 vaccines.
- David Brandt shared the good news that his son, Lucas, has graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a business degree and has taken a job with ADP in Norfolk.
Meeting Adjourned 1:27 pm.