HAVIN' A BALL AT SMS
By Marilynn Bowler
               
We were greeted at SMS Catering on Tuesday evening by the delectable aroma of barbecue and all the "fixin's," and we were awestruck with the beautiful hanging lights, carved fireplaces with full-sized mirrors overhead, framed glass doors and windows through which we could see the decorative tables and chairs placed here-and-there on the patio, as well as the incredible hanging plants. It was warm and lovely and it smelled so deliciously good at Bob and Robert Freeman's catering headquarters that we knew right away that this Rotary gathering would be FUN!
 
SMS performed their usual magic with the buffet table. It was laden with the most succulent barbecued pork and chicken, juicy corn on the cob, baked beans cooked just the way grandma used to do them, hush puppies that melted in your mouth, Brunswick Stew, coleslaw, potato salad, and any kind of drink you could possibly ask for. (The lemonade was pure heaven!) To top it off, our soon-to-be-newest Rotary member, Mary Erwin, swung into action to help serve the meat. (Get ready, fellow Rotarians. It's been confirmed … Mary is, indeed, a cousin of the infamous Barnhardt clan!)
 
Alice Harrison set the tone with her poignant Invocation and then our favorite musicians - Pam Jefsen, Thomas Moore and Greg Walker - took over. Pam acknowledged the contributions of the entire music committee which earned that esteemed group a sincere and heartfelt round of applause. Greg kicked off the program - appropriately dubbed by Thomas and Pam - "A Musical Sharing From The Music Committee." His haunting but uplifting solo entitled, "What I Did Right" ( … "figure out what I did right and do it the same way for the rest of my life …") meant something special to each one of us.
 
Thomas thanked the music committee for always being there to "pitch" in (was that a pun, Thomas Moore???) and he tickled the ivories to a "blues-y" jazz number that got our hands clapping and our feet tapping. The man is an astounding musician!
 
Al Allison was invited - coerced, actually - into hopping onto the stage and stunned us with his amazing harmonica playing. We were captivated and - WOW! - were we impressed. We loved every minute of Thomas and Al's spontaneous duet.
 
Pam called the music committee onstage (Shay Merritt joined Thomas, Pam, Greg, and Al) to lead us in singing "God Bless America" and a rousing version of "Happy Birthday" … the latter to Leland Park who celebrated his birthday on this very day. Earlier we had serenaded Lila Rash who was also born on this day. (Are Lily and Leland twins? We noted that both names begin with "L's."

• The Public Relations Society of America has chosen Tom Bartholomy to receive its 2008 Pegasus Award for professionals outside the industry who have exhibited superior knowledge and use of public relations.
   
HELP NEEDED

• BizTown volunteers: BizTown is the outstanding Junior Achievement (JA) program for 4th and 5th graders to get hands on learning about the free enterprise system. Charlotte Rotary supports JA both financially and with volunteers at BizTown. The next volunteer day is 8:30 - 1:00 on Thursday, December 4th. Bob Webb (bwebb@myers-chapman.com) is coordinating this effort. Contact Bob for questions or to volunteer.
    
• Crisis Assistance Ministry: Local charities have been hit harder than usual. Inventories are low and demand is high. Effective November 4th, Jim Adams will have a drop-off table set up on the 1st floor of the parking garage at the Crowne Plaza (McDowell St. entrance) to receive warm clothing items for men, women, and children.
   
• Second Harvest Food Bank: A collection barrel for canned foods will be set up at Rotary meetings during the month of November. Items needed: canned food, fruit, soup, vegetables, peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, cereal. Thanks to Carol Jordan and Shay Merritt for setting this up.
    
CALENDAR ITEMS
 
• November 4, 2008: Flu Shots will be given before and after Rotary (11:30 to 2:00). The cost is $38.40 (cash or check). Medicare will be accepted and they will file a person's insurance. (NOTE change in price and insurance/Medicare availability)
    
• November 10, 2008:  Rotary Foundation Banquet. Embassy Suites Charlotte-Concord Convention Center (just down from Concord Mills); Reception at 6:00; dinner at 7:00. Speakers: Carolyn Jones, first female elected to the Foundation Board will share her experience as a volunteer in Russia helping children affected by the Chernobyl disaster and Shai Tamari, Rotary World Peace Fellow who is searching to find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. $40 per person.
    
• December 16, 2008:  Excellence in Leadership Award.  Rotary Club of Charlotte, Charlotte Business Journal and the Charlotte Chamber will present the 21st winner of the Excellence in Leadership Award on December 16th. Nominations for the award may be submitted to the Rotary office by November 17th. Criteria for the award is available by clicking here.