Rotations April 15, 2014

We were "singing' in the rain" on Tuesday but there was almost a sell-out crowd for the show! The program--courtesy of Virginia Arts Festival--is always a hit and this week was no exception!

But first we should conduct our business. Eleanor and Rodger Schoonover led us in song with Frank Whitman at the piano. Rodger, a Rotarian from Cape Henry, has a well-tuned instrument. Then, after pledging allegiance, Anthony Radd reminded us of our blessings and our duties as Rotarians.

President Susan called upon Joe Boone to deliver the Centennial Moment. It seems that our club has a long history of supporting medical care. In 1958 a local group of physicians identified the need for a laboratory in this community to enhance the ability of medical scientists to apply for, and receive research grants. Our club established the Medical Research Foundation in 1959 and seeded it with $2,500. Assets of this Foundation were eventually transferred to the Norfolk Area Medical Center Authority, which was empowered by the Virginia Legislature to create the Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Our School of the Week is Tarrallton Elementary. Matt Shriver gave an update on our friends who are convalescing. Ken Weeks is improving but not enough to make a meeting. Tom Richards is in the Virginia Beach Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. He would welcome visitors. (It's located on Camelot Drive.)

Cy Grandy introduced many guests. In addition to visiting Rotarian Rodger Schoonover, we met Belinda Rodebaugh and Henry Thrasher from the Chesapeake Greenbrier Club. Sharon Laderberg introduced Dona Overstreet; Chief Mike Goldsmith brought his son, Zach along to enjoy the show; Sally Hartman brought her neighbor, Susan Perkins, who just finished a Peace Corps stint in South Africa; Chip Vogan brought his neighbor, Dr. Earl Williams; and Cynthia Carter West brought Kimberly Schuette and Luke Hartman (son of Sally doing an internship at their organization).

Then Chuck Spence focused our attention on longtime member, John Egan. John has not been seen much of late. It turns out he's been investigating and exposing money laundering by Al Quaeda and other terrorist organizations. Of course, he cannot reveal his secrets until much later. John has been in this club twenty-eight years. His background was in the Marines, then with Price WaterhouseCoopers, and finally, with the IRS (as director of the Norfolk office). In our club John served on the Audit, Budget and Raffle committees. John always prepared our IRS forms (yes, our charities are a 501.c.3 entity) and kept us out of trouble. John has two daughters in their thirties and two grandsons whom he hopes will become Marines.

President Susan then called upon Marty Raiss for a Gala update. Folks: get your reservations in!! If you want to get a table of ten together, get those names on a reservation card and send to Jane by the 25th. Marty also announced that the Marriott is offering a free room with breakfast for a raffle to be conducted during the next two weeks; the cost of a ticket is $5. It can be used on many dates (with a few exceptions). President Susan also exhorted us to EREY. If we all do, then we can stop with the reminders.

Congratulations and Fines: Bill Eisenbeiss noted that Reading is Fundamental has finished for the year. He pointed out that Jim O'Brien, Henry Saenz, Jim Baker and he had led the four teams this year. He also noted that The Virginian Pilot had provided forty readers for a team and that they have consistently supported this effort to promote literacy in our schools. Jim O'Brien also noted that the Pilot conducted a book drive to increase the amount of books available.

Harry McCoy, Jr., was pleased to announce that his son, Harry McCoy III, had received the Frisk Humanitarian Service award from Hospital Corps of America. As an aside, Harry also revealed that he is beginning his sixtieth year in Rotary. Skip Burton contributed for his new vehicle. Win Lewis contributed for a cell phone violation; it seems he's a repeat offender. John Searing kicked in 'happy bucks' because he survived an Ironman competition in New Orleans; it did not sound like much fun. Lois Kercher offered up bucks because she completed her first 5K race and she was first in her age group. Cy Grandy donated because he was happy to see Rob Cross and an excellent Arts Festival program this year. Shep Miller contributed because he was glad to see John Egan, but worried about his sudden reappearance on April 15th.

Finally, President Susan called upon Cynthia Carter West to introduce our program. Rob Cross hardly needs any introduction; his leadership of the Virginia Arts Festival has made the difference. This is the eighteenth season with fifty-five performances. Rob is still a drummer and continues to perform; he understands the needs of audiences and performers. He went over several of the more challenging programs, e.g., the Alpine Symphony with ninety-eight performers on stage. In the question and answer period he was asked how he comes up with new programs and new artists. He explained that he goes to other festivals and collaborates with other directors. An unusual program, Beowulf, was one which he attended six years ago in Scotland. He thought it might be difficult to promote but the tickets sold out rapidly. Rob shared the fact that people make later decisions than they used to. It's more stress for planners as they are not sure which events to promote.

Then we were introduced to three members of Juilliard 415, a group that sings Baroque music. It seems that tones were not standardized in that period; the note "A" was produced at 415 hertz whereas today an "A" is at 440 hertz. Raquel Gonzalez, Elliot Hines and James Kennerley are students in the group. James explained the story behind the opera Actaeon and urged everyone to attend. Raquel then sang a lovely French love song and Elliott sang an operatic piece in English about a young man enjoying the scenes in Paris--which was appreciated by all. If you enjoyed it, go out and buy tickets to other programs!!

At last, Belinda Rodebaugh was introduced and she told the story of a young, very sick man in the Philippines. He desperately needs a kidney transplant and the Chesapeake club is seeking donations to help him out. Flyers were on the tables for all to learn more about the need.

Tables 4 and 17 were at full strength. Harry McCoy won the first prize (tickets to an Arts Festival event) and Rick Ruehe won the daily pot. Next week VADM Bruce Grooms will be our speaker from NATO. We will be on stage at Chrysler Hall again.