Rotations June 24, 2014
President Susan rang the bell and we learned that Bob Heely was not leading the music as scheduled, but a capable sub filled in for him. We filled the room with Clementine, R-O-T-A-R-Y, and a satisfying participation of God Bless America. After the pledge Julie Keesling offered the invocation noting especially those who have recently passed away.
Jean Owens gave the visitation report and noted that Ken Weeks was much the same. She added that Tom Richards had recently passed on (June 18th) which was news most of us. Tom was a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Marine Corps and a generous and enthusiastic Rotarian. There will be a service at H.D. Oliver at 2002 Laskin Road on Saturday, July 12, at 1:00 PM.
Bill Eisenbeiss introduced guests: Visiting Rotarians included: Kent Johnson from Portsmouth. Rotarian Will King rose to announce he knew one of the speakers, Brad McMurran, who graduated from Norfolk Collegiate in 1993. John Chittick brought an intern from Maury H.S, Sally Hartman had her husband with her today. Lisa Sands introduced her guest, Lydia Wheeler, a staff writer for Inside Business.
John Padgett was honored as the Rotarian of the Week. He started his career on an assembly line making chain saws, moved on to law school. He is a 25 year member of our club and served in many leadership roles, including president during the 2011-12 year. In addition to Rotary, he is active in the “Tusk and Trunk: Club (perhaps Republican?); he likes baseball, UVA, and lives life to “sprint to the finish line.”
Julie Keesling volunteered a happy buck in honor of John Padgett for helping her so much when she assumed presidency of the club after John.
A few more happy dollars came from Jim Clary who had accomplished, among other things, ten years of successful marriage. A reluctant Adrien Latta acknowledged being in the newspaper as a potential candidate for the Norfolk School Board.
Dean Thomason was absent so President Susan made a noble effort to let us know that “EREY” was not forgotten, and this was the last chance of the Rotary year. Gala photos are available online at a reasonable price. Condolence cards were on the sign-in tables for Ken Palmer and Joe Newell, former members who have recently died. Tom Richards’ wife was also remembered with a card signed by all.
New member, Dona Overstreet, was inducted in the club. Sharon Laderberg introduced her and shared some of her history. She is in the moving business and grew up in Suffolk. She has been a member of the Junior Achievement, 4-H Club with an interest in horses and ponies, and active in the PTAS of SE Elementary School. Dona has two children.
Rotarian of the Day, Sally Hartman is vice president of Hampton Roads Community Foundation. She loves comedy and appreciates the speakers of the day, Brad McMurran and Sean Devereaux. They are active in the Granby Arts District where they plan to operate in an old theater and presently teach writing. They have been creating “sketch comedy” which uses a script, and improvisational comedy, which they effectively demonstrated. This is accomplished by two ‘actors’ who are given a word or two, such as noodle or water melon, and one actor makes a statement. The other responds in a positive away, by say saying, “yes, and ,. . . .” The important thing is that there MUST be a positive response. When Sigur Whitaker and John Padgett were improvising, John responded with a “Yes, but . . .” and the dialogue was stopped because he was introducing a conflict response. All responses had to be positive and brief, even saying “yes, and . . “ is not essential as long as a positive response is given. The situation worked fine, and the club showed great interest. Two others did just as well, Jim Clary and Lisa Sands role played. Brad went on to state four points that had to be obeyed: 1) no argument, 2) no question in a response, an assumption is OK; 3) no transactions, such as buying and selling acts, and 4) no teaching, this is for fun. Dead air, when no one speaks for a moment or two, is OK. Participants in this activity should learn to “listen like a thief” to other conversations to gather ideas.
During Q&A we learned more about the plans for the Norfolk Comedy Festival at the Generic Theater (215 St. Paul Blvd.). Shows cost $5 for a seat. Website is: Pusherscomedy.com
The activity can be done with teens and children. The acting out might be good therapy.
Proper and correct language is important. Topics like social class are all right, such as two rich women discussing how much money they have.
The presenters received good applause, and President Susan showed them the book that could be placed in Crossroads Elementary School in their name.
Bob Powell won $17 in the daily raffle and left $610 in the big pot for another day.