Speaker Tom Quaintance with President Lorna
The Program
Barbara Lipskis was our Rotarian of the Day and introduced our speaker - Tom Quaintance the producing artistic director for the Virginia Stage Company. Tom highlighted their goal to make the community a better place to live. He was drawn to Norfolk by the supportive community atmosphere.
The VA Stage Company’s home in the Wells Theatre. This landmark was is 106 years old and built by Jake and Otto Wells. The VA Stage Company restored this building 42 years ago and again in 2016 to make it the top-flight venue that it is today. The theater was founded by interested community members and depends on community support to make it thrive. Their programming is developed to attain broad audience appeal and get the patrons out of their comfort zone.
The Company is now in season 41 – visit their website to see the full schedule of performances at vastage.org. Public Works Virginia is a company-wide initiative where the VA Stage Company seeks to engage the people of Hampton Roads by making them creators of theater rather than spectators. See their website for more details.
The Meeting
President Lorna Cochrane opened the meeting with singing, Pledge of Allegiance, the Four-way Test and an invocation from Ben Mason.
School of the week – Tidewater Park Elementary School
Visitation report from Irv Wells: Frank Whitman and Bob Powell are recovering from surgery and doing well.
Guests were introduced by Chip Finch:
- Noni Verketta visiting from the Chicago Lakeview Rotary Club
- Ashley Bell from Stratford University was a guest of Bill Moore
- Olivia Pettigo from the Virginia Stage Company accompanied our speaker
- Sebastian Reyes-Perez is an ODU Rotaractor and guest of Karintha Cary
- Crystal Rivenbark was the guest of Kelly Stefanko
- David Buzzard was the guest of Chip Vogan
Pam Tubbs presented a slate of nominations for officers and directors for the 2020-2021 club year. The slate was approved. Thanks to all current and future officers and directors for your service.
Club Business:
- Bob Kuhlo earned his blue badge – congratulations!
- Bill Moore updated the club on the progress at the Hunton YMCA; the walk-in freezer installation is nearing completion and the entire project will be finished in the near future.
- Elf Barb Lipskis talked about the December 17th holiday social – be sure to sign up.
- Kelly Stefanko announced that our new generations student, Amanda Akemi, has arrived and needs rides to work – call Kelly if you are able to help with this.
- Bob Latimer’s Annual Hot Dog Day is December 20th at noon.
- Jim Kitz announced that Norfolk Rotary Club grant applications are on the website under the "Our Club" tab. Please share the application with eligible 501(c)3 non-profits. Application deadline is January 31, 2020.
- Karintha Cary, ODU Rotaract president, asked for donations for the Rotaract District 7600 project to furnish a bedroom at the YWCA Women’s Shelter.
- Berhanu Mengitsu is back from Ethiopia and working on an international project – we’ll have a full report in January.
Happy Bucks and fines:
- Jay Kossman for a trip to Japan
- John Padgett, Chuck Spence and John McLemore for UVA’s football victory (at last!) over Virginia Tech
- John Cameron is celebrating his eight-year anniversary
- Marty Raiss contributed for her husband George's letter to the editor
- Lois Kercher for fun skating
- Bob Heely for an upcoming trip to Melbourne, Australia
- Chick Robison for a trip to Brazil
- Lisa Chandler for a new grandbaby
- Will King for his birthday
- Jim O’Brien and Jim Kitz for the Army/Navy game
- Chip Finch is celebrating Auburn's victory over Alabama.