A native of Indianapolis, our own Sigur Whitaker writes books for Indy car enthusiasts for years. At our May 3 meeting, she shared her research and enthusiasm as our featured speaker. The latest of her five books, Racing with Roger Penske, a History of Motorsport Dynasty, focuses on the current speedway owner. For those of us with little racing knowledge, she started her talk with the history of the Speedway and the difference between NASCAR (stock cars) and Indy Car (open-wheel) racing.
Roger Penske, Sigur’s book subject, is an 85-year-old American businessman and entrepreneur. He is a retired professional auto racing driver who owns a race car team, several businesses, and most notably, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Sigur spit-fired facts on the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in a storytelling way that had even people not familiar with racing, intrigued and wanting to know more. She noted that Penske had a college degree, which set him and his race teams apart, in that they always prided themselves on engineering. Bob Ash added that Penske racing was a big client of our local wind tunnel lab back in the early 2000s.
It was clear that Sigur did a lot of research, as she knew tons of facts and intriguing anecdotes. The meeting itself was an interesting observation of how Rotary connects the world. Sigur brought us in Norfolk closer to Indianapolis and they probably do a lot of talking about in their clubs…racing! We now know a lot more about the passions of Indianapolis and Indy car racing enthusiasts everywhere. Watch out for Rotarians at the next cocktail party, we have a whole lot of new topics we can talk about!
Our customary book will be donated to Tanners Creek Elementary School in Sigur's honor.
The Meeting
Chip Vogan led us in song, including “Happy Birthday” to Rotarians born in May.
Donald Dohmann gave the invocation.
Brian McGuire reported on the passing of Honorary member Dr. Roger Flagg
Rob Sult introduced guests:
- Edmund Russel and Anne Prince – friends of Sigur from church (Sigur Whitaker)
- Dr. Patricia (Tricia) Raxter – contacted Sally through our Facebook site, a former member of Oyster Point Rotary Club. She works as an investigator with animal wildlife trafficking. (Sally Hartman)
- Bobbie Gribble – a friend of Sigur’s, Regent of Great Bridge Chapter of DAR (Sally Hartman)
- Jeff Ryder – Virginia Stage Company
- Bob Strozak – Old Dominion University Rotaract Club Sponsor (Bob Ashe)
- Petra Momcilovic – Current ODU Rotaract president (Bob Ashe)
- Karintha Cary – Past ODU Rotaract president, current club secretary (Bob Ashe)
Club Business
Pints4Polio on May 14th has been canceled, but the “End Polio Now” Tides Baseball game is Sunday, May 15th at 1:05 pm. Tickets are $15, please see president Michael to buy your tickets in advance.
Past District Governor John Padgett presented our Major Donor Award to Sigur Whitaker for her outstanding contributions to the club. Sigur then presented Paul Harris Fellow pins to LauraBeth Dehority and Chick Robinson who received his PHF+5.
Please remember to buy your Suds and Buds tickets now and bring a bottle of wine over $20 to our next meeting or hand Chick Robison or George Compo $20 to shop for you, money goes towards wine to help the wine pull at the event.
Board meeting following immediately after the luncheon.
Fines and Happy Bucks
- Gus Struhlreyer – His wife recently celebrated her 50th anniversary of graduating from the University of Denver, which won the NCAA ice hockey championship. Also, his son-in-law’s nephew chose Clemson and he gave happy bucks for his 45th anniversary.
- Tom Koller - He’s back after 2 months of rehabbing from knee replacement, and paid a fine for not going to any Suds and Buds committee meetings.
- Marilyn Gowen - She bought a new car
- Sally Hartman – She noted that her guest (Bobbie Gribble’s) grandfather was a past Rotary District Governor in Hawaii. She also asked people to visit the club’s Facebooks post for Suds and Buds and like and comment on them to help them gain traction.
- Lisa Chandler – Asked that members sign up for volunteer spots for Suds and Buds. One need is for a volunteer photographer or two. She also paid a fine for leaving early, despite being ROD.
- Jeff Wells – Paid a fine as an admission of guilt. He was the audio-visual guy when Sigur last presented and had AV troubles. He came to set up early for today’s meeting but, despite all his intentions, left the cord for the projector and ran back to his office to get it! He also mentioned he’s currently the only one on clean-up duty for Suds and Buds and is hoping for more volunteers.
- Rob Sult – Paid for a smooth flight on a recent trip to Florida and a good time at the Chesapeake Rotary outdoor art festival, Rotarians all were identifiable because they wore matching shirts.
Bill McInnis ran the raffle with $14, $391 in the big pot. Tom Koller won the daily raffle and donated his winnings back to the club.