Chip Vogan (l), Sigur Whitaker (c), and Bill Gough (r)
The Program:
Our recent past president Sally Hartman introduced another past president and keynote speaker Sigur Whitaker, an author and automobile historian. She has authored four books, three on the Indianapolis 500/Indianapolis Motor Speedway and one on Christ & St. Luke’s Church. Her fifth book “The Indianapolis Automobile Industry: A History 1893-1939” will be released in October.
The history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway had its genesis with the Zig Zag Cycle Club where three of the four founders of the Speedway became friends and cut their teeth on bicycle racing. When the bicycle industry collapsed at the end of the 1890s, they were quick adapters to the new fangled automobile.
Carl Fisher, one of the four founders of the Speedway, represented the United States at the Gordon Bennett Cup races in France in the early 1900s. The American manufactured cars did not do well and he came back with a mission to build a race track where the weaknesses of the automobile could be discovered. The Speedway was built in 1909 by Fisher, Jim Allison, Arthur Newby, and Frank Wheeler.
Their dedication to improving the Indianapolis and American automobiles resulted in many firsts evolving from the Speedway including the rear view mirror, seat belts, disc brakes, aerodynamics, wide profile tires, front wheel drive as well as modern road paving techniques.
Within 15 years, Indy was a major auto industry center rivaling Detroit and known for quality manufacturing and innovation. Hometown Indy manufacturers included Marmon, Stutz Bear Cat and Duesenberg. Sigur summed it up by saying Indy offered quality design and engineering versus Detroit mass production.
A book in Sigur’s honor was donated to school of day Ruffner Middle.
The Meeting:
President Gary Boswick opened the meeting. Chuck Spence led the singing accompanied by Frank Whitman on piano. Jim Baker delivered invocation.
Joe New reported that Bill Jonak is feeling better and Walt Grandy is not driving. Dyteya Lewis presided over guest introductions which included fellow Rotarians David Rosenthal, District 7600 Assistant Governor, and Rodger Schoonover, Cape Henry. Others included Susan Leidy, Chrysler Museum (Sigur Whitaker), Jean Shorter (Anthony Radd) and Jason Drane (Lois Kercher).
Happy Bucks:
- Ray Norton’s son, Will, recently received BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). His specialty is sequential art and motion media. He has taken a position in Fort Lauderdale office of Omnicom Group working on Nissan account.
- Anthony Walters, VA Pilot Compass section,
- John Lynn gave in memory of his wife, Roma. They would have been celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary,
- Barbara Lipskis on her Alaskan cruise,
- Michelle Nettles has been selected as an interior designer for Homearama
- Roger Schoonover for Cape Henry Club upcoming event.
The raffle was won by Carlisle Wroton. The Queen of Spades was not drawn so the big pot grows a little bigger for next week’s raffle.