So You Think You Know About Your Cultural Community?
By Jerri Haigler
   
Charlotte Rotarians found out just how much they know, or really don't know, about cultural arts in this community at the April 8 Rotary meeting. Lee Keesler, Arts and Science Council (ASC) President and CEO, tested the group on their knowledge about the history, current offerings, and future plans for arts in the Charlotte region. Keesler, who has served as President of ASC since 2004, began by thanking the group for building and supporting the cultural community.
 
As the son of a devoted Charlotte Rotary member, Keesler recalled how important the club was to his father. "My father was actively involved in this club for many years, and he talked about the importance of community service that continues to be so much a part of what Charlotte Rotary is all about," Keesler explained.
 
For more than 50 years, the Arts and Science Council has served and supported Charlotte-Mecklenburg's cultural community through grant-making, planning, programs and services to ensure a vibrant community enriched with arts, science and history. Organized in 1958, ASC combines resources from the Annual Fund Drive, allocations from local, state, and federal governments, and its endowment to support cultural organizations, educational programs and individual artists throughout the region.
 
You may have known some of this information, but Keesler shared additional facts and figures that most Rotary members didn't know. Listed below are some of the well-known, and little-known, facts about cultural arts in Charlotte:   

• Charlotte Rotary welcomes two new Rotarians - Jessica Dupree and Shay Merritt. Jessica, sponsored by Jill Santuccio, owns Media Services Agency and oversees all aspects of media and advertising for her clients. Contact Jessica at jdupree@dupreemedia.com. Shay is the community development coordinator for Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and was introduced by Cecily Durrett. Contact Shay at shaymerritt@yahoo.com.
    
• Alan Adler and John Lassiter shared good news on the club's Rotary Scholarship Golf Classic, scheduled for October 7th. Alan introduced and thanked Loretta Allman, Greater Charlotte New Car Dealers Association, for their commitment as a $10,000 Gold Sponsor; John introduced Chuck Hood and Jenn Snyder from Hood Hargett Breakfast Club. Hood Hargett is having a Public Safety Scholarship Breakfast on April 18 and proceeds from the breakfast will be directed to Charlotte Rotary's Golf Classic. The event will be opened to the public and individual tickets, as well as tables ($400), are available at www.hoodhargettbreakfastclub.com. Tickets are not available at the door.
   
• David Norman has been elected to the Institute of Management Consultants National Board of Directors for 2008-2009; Marilynn Bowler and Robert Freeman will serve on the board for the Better Business Bureau of Southern Piedmont Inc.; Phil Van Hoy is in the Super Lawyers Directory for 2008; Ed Turner was featured in an article about newcomers finding a job and it looked like Jeff Searcy was sitting in the audience;
   
• Frank Timberlake is feeling better following a rather long stay in the hospital and is looking forward to returning to Rotary; Congratulations to Shannon Young on the birth of son TJ this past weekend. Shannon remains hospitalized due to complications and our well wishes are extended to her.
  
• Congratulations to Catherine Browning - Distinguished Rotarian 2007-2008!
      
• CARDS FROM PERU will be for sale next Tuesday. Please stop by and support the project. This is the wrap-up weekend for the HABITAT project. Volunteers are still needed for Friday and Saturday.