Rotations March 25, 2014
If you were there, you certainly had to be impressed by the energy of the crowd milling about in the outer lobby. There is something about the effusive greetings, the well-wishes, the smiling faces, that quickly makes you feel welcome and back among old friends - particularly so when, like your Reporter, illness had interfered with the recent meetings schedule. There's nothing shy about your fellow Rotarians. You're made to feel welcome with a smile, or a handshake, or just a nod. It's a good environment to find yourself immersed in!
Inside the underground, Inner Sanctum, folks were already finding assigned places, the food line was crowded, and Officers and Dignitaries were being welcomed to the Head Table. President Donn was darting about - smoothing out seating and final arrangements. Nothing out of the ordinary; just the momentary confusion that precedes a well-run Rotary Luncheon Meeting. Off to far end of the room was the 'glue' that holds it all together: food and drink - being disbursed by our competent Wait Staff. The food was 'first class', and seemed to broaden the smile on those Rotary faces.
Our faithful 'piano player' was on station and thumbing through the Rotary 'hymn book' - preparatory to striking the chord that would bring the crowd to its feet and musically initiate the luncheon program. Scattered about the Head Table were our leaders... President Susan, Shep Miller ready to introduce the Speaker; Smiling Bill Burnette, and Colin McKinnon - for a little added window-dressing, as well as Reverend Win Lewis - to add a smidgen of dignity.
The motley chorus, under Win's direction, presented two familiar favorites: "All Hail To Rotary", and a verse of the rousing "Battle Hymn Of The Republic". Jim Clary delivered a thoughtful Invocation; and Colin McKinnon used his "Centennial Moment" to recall moments from the Club's interesting history of Service to the Norfolk community (and, coincidentally, to the Lafayette River oyster reefs!).
St. Helena Elementary School was spotlighted as the Club's favored Norfolk School. The absence of Ken Weeks and Tom Richardson, due to illness was noted; and Bill Jonak was effusively welcomed back into the Fold, after his several weeks of confinement at Sentara Leigh and Harbor's Edge. Bill, looking a little worse-for-wear, claimed to be on the recovery road, but in need of some good old 'home cooking' - Rotary style!
An erudite 'English' (200 miles North of London) visiting Rotarian was introduced. His visit inspired by family stationed at the NATO complex. An effort was made to introduce former Rotarian Greg Jonak; however, since his Dad was asleep-at-the-switch, Greg had to introduce himself, which worked out just as well!
Eleanor Schoonover did a much better job of introducing her friend/guest, a Psychological Nurse; as did Billy Eisenbeiss, who had brought along Tom Enright, President of the Norfolk Kiwanis Club. Padget also had another guest - Adam - a young fellow soon to be taken into Rotary membership. "Rotarian of the Week', introduced by Chuck Spence, was the distinguished, gray-haired, Norfolk Attorney, Harry Gustin. Mention was also made of Norfolk's branch of the aggressively philanthropic Rotary Foundation. Echoing through the dining hall were cries of EREY! EREY! EREY! (Every Rotarian; Every Year!) - a reminder of every Rotarian's informal promise to make an annual contribution to support Rotary International's ongoing program of charitable endeavors in hundreds of 3rd world countries and villages. It's a good time to send in your own donation. Don't forget!
We were reminded that 'Norfolk Botanical Gardens Day' is upcoming this Saturday; and that the annual St. Patty's Day Parade Grand Marshall was our own 'Chief' Goldsmith. Gus Stuhlreyer interrupted to proffer $11 for recent notoriety! Eisenbeiss' daughter, in the far West, has delivered a beautiful daughter, which cost Bill several green-backs; while Ed Lilley claims to have mustered enough operatic talent to serve as an unpaid supernumerary in the recent local production of Carmen. Barbara Lipskis waxed nostalgic for a moment to recall (for $20!) Norfolk Rotary's long, happy relationship with the Norfolk Senior Center.
Shep Miller, in a rare moment of self-containment, delivered a 'brief' introduction of Guest Speaker, Macon Brock, Chairman and CEO of one of Norfolk's most successful, homegrown enterprises: The Dollar Tree - now with something like 5,000 stores spread across the Nation. The story of Dollar Tree's founding, at Ward's Corner, by members of the Ken Perry family, is both intriguing and remarkable; and stands as another fine example of 'The American Dream'... how an entrepreneur, with an idea and a penchant for hard work, can evolve a neighborhood Barber Shop and a Toy Store into an envied, 'Fortune 500', enterprise with a stellar national reputation. Many of us, who knew Ken and Kay Perry, as truly ordinary, just-plain-folks, still marvel at the evolution, from humble beginnings to remarkable success. Perhaps truth really is stranger than fiction!
Our Speaker, Macon Brock, along with Mr. Perry's family, was a key player, from the beginning, in growing the enterprise. While Macon's brief remarks concentrated on the statistical side of the story, with little time for reminiscing or reaching deep into the personal challenges of such phenomenal growth and success, there were landmarks, opportunities, and moments of decision that combined to make it all happen and succeed. Our hope is that, at some near future date, Macon can be persuaded to come back and share 'the rest of the story' with us!!! Think about it Macon...
Respectfully submitted... Bill Jonak, Part-time scribe!