"The Changing Scene of Radio Broadcasting" was the theme of guest speaker Rita Thorn. Her lifetime in radio, starting from the ground up, uniquely qualifies her for both historical and futuristic perspectives.
     Radio began in the "Golden Era." This era is epitomized by families gathering around the radio, listening to news about the big war. Our current era of radio is the age of consolidation. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 allowed multiple stations within a market to be owned by a singular entity. This offered an outreach to varied audiences on the different stations.
     The current era will be replaced by the future era of digital technology. Digital clarity is transforming radio, television, cellular phones, and computing on the Internet. The consolidation of radio stations will give way to a new owner utilizing digital capability. It is hard to believe that radio was considered on its way out in 1953.
     I interviewed Lee Morris, who introduced our speaker. I asked Lee, "What is so unique about Rita Thorn?" His response was that Rita is genuine. This is a quality not easily found in the world of media, and is the reason for her great success.
     Rita worked for Lee while he served as VP and General Manager of WSOC in Charlotte. Lee hired Rita from WBT Radio, and she rose to become the top billing agent for the station. Her accounts included Charlotte Motor Speedway and Coca-Cola. Her current position is regional VP and General Manager for Cap-star Broadcasting. She manages three stations in Charlotte: WLXT, WRFX, and WKKT, as well as stations in Greensboro and Statesville.
     Rita talked about the pains of consolidation. There is always an emotional and personal toll similar to other corporate mergers. The current challenge she faces is changing an acquisition culture to an operational culture. After all the cutting is done, the business needs to run profitably.
     The final word from Rita was, "Radio is alive and well, and will be in the future." Radio's big edge is an instantaneous capability, which will never cease to be important.
     Hoke Nash had head table responsibility. Our head table included: Roger Sarow, Hal Bouton, Lee Morris, Rita Thorn, Ronnie Pruett, Gene Williams, Jack Smylie, and Andy Fair.
     Sharon King introduced visiting Rotarians and guests, and the invocation was given by Gene Williams.
     Jerry Orr handled Health and Happiness, and showed how his lighthearted personality helps him deal with the pressures of running an airport. His good news was that in the year 1998 nobody died in a domestic air flight in the USA. The bad news is that is a hard record to match. His tone and delivery on this thought drew many laughs.
     Jerry mentioned the egos of mechanics and pilots, neither of whom can ever be wrong. A pilot once wrote a work order that a front tire of a plane almost needed replacement, and the mechanic responded to the pilot that he almost replaced it.
     We actually skipped singing our song. Our voices were replaced by the lead singers of the Opera, "Don Giovanni." What a pleasure it was to listen to those talented artists sing. Special thanks to Jim Wright and Harry Daugherty for bringing them to us.
     One final note. Katie Tyler stressed our membership goals. We are gaining new members and losing old members. Currently, we are standing in place on membership. Please consider someone worthy of membership.

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PAUL HARRIS FELLOW

RICHARD N. BRIGDEN
...our 267th Paul Harris Fellow

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New Member

RICHARD SCOTT ANDERSON
Joined 1994
Rejoined 1999

Banking, Administration

Bank of Mecklenburg
P.O. Box 220927 (28222)
347-5591
FAX 347-5597

     R. Scott Anderson grew up in Charlotte and graduated from East Mecklenburg High School in 1973. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1977. Upon graduation, he joined Forsyth Bank and Trust Company, a community bank in Winston Salem.
     Scott spent 20 years with Forsyth and its successors, Southern National and BB&T, most of that time in Charlotte, but also Charleston, Raleigh, and Durham. In 1997, Scott joined Bank of Mecklenburg as its president.
     Scott has been an active volunteer in community organizations. He has served on the Boards of Florence Crittenton Services, UNC-Lineberger Cancer Center, United Way and United Arts of Durham, N.C., Boys and Girls Club, the County Library Commission in Raleigh, N.C., the Durham Regional Hospital Foundation, and the Heart Association of the Triangle, and has been President of Downtown Durham, Inc. Mr. Anderson also served on the Board of Southwest Durham Rotary Club as its community service chair.
     Scott is married to Suzan Bentley Anderson of North Wilkesboro, N.C., and they have two children: Katherine, 11, and Banks, 7. Scott's current hobbies are his two school-age children and an occasional round of golf.

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JUST FOR LAUGHS

"Well, then," snapped the little old lady, "why isn't it?"

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ROTARY AT A GLANCE

Rotary Village Corps: 2,396; Countries: 50.

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FUTURE CONVENTIONS OF R.I.

Singapore, Singapore, 13-16 June 1999.
Buenos Aires, Argentina, 4-7 June, 2000.
San Antonio, Texas, 2001 (dates to be announced).

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