WHAT I'M THANKFUL FOR
Anne Bridgeman, Pender McElroy, and
Mark Norman
By Jim Kothe
Budd Berro
was our "MC" of today's unique program, featuring three Charlotte
Rotary members, each sharing what they have to be thankful for on
this, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. First, Budd reviewed the
history of the holiday. The concept of having a meal to celebrate
and give thanks dates back as far as the explorer Cortez. And, there
is historical evidence documenting an event celebrated by the
Pilgrims, so all of our grade school art projects were fundamentally
correct. The November holiday became official under President
Lincoln, with some minor tweaking of the date during the Roosevelt
years. It has been celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November since
1941. Our presenters were:
Anne Bridgeman: Family was the
primary theme of Anne's presentation, as she shared something she
has to be thankful for about each of her immediate family members.
She is thankful for her brother and an appreciation of their
differences; for her mother, "the most compassionate person I know;"
for her father and his positive attitude about life; and for her
husband, "my best friend," from whom she has learned the value of
setting goals. Finally, she urged each of us to "savor the moment
this Thursday, and know how fortunate you are to be loved by your
family, as I am by mine."
Pender McElroy: A lawyer by
trade, Pender presented his "case" very well, selecting seven areas
in his life for which he is especially thankful: first, the Creator
and "His presence in my life;" for his family, with its roots
tracing back to ancestors from England; for friends, from early
childhood to now, "who have been the people who listened;" for his
life's work, the law, for which, as a fourth generation lawyer, he
is very proud ("in spite of all the lawyer jokes"); for our country,
its freedom, democracy and diversity; for Charlotte, a city with a
heart; and finally, for Charlotte Rotary, an institution worthy of
our commitment. Pender not only touched on these as areas to be
thankful for, but he also cautioned us to be mindful of our
responsibilities to maintain them.
Mark Norman: "I'm thankful for
my senses," Mark said, "something we too often take for granted." He
then listed a variety of sensations for which he is thankful,
including: hearing his son's first cry when he was born; the smell
of his mother's pumpkin pie, of fresh cut grass and of honeysuckle
(see "first love"); the taste of his wife's kisses; the sight of the
American flag; the sight of his aging parents; the memory of
touching the "Play Like a Champion" sign in the Notre Dame locker
room; and today, the touch of his massage therapist "on my aging
body." In conclusion, Mark thanked God "for all the senses, through
which we experience this wonderful thing called life."
These excellent presentations illustrate that we each have much to
be thankful for as we celebrate this national holiday this Thursday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Head Table:
Pender McElroy, Sandy Osborne, Herb Harriss, Budd Berro, Janice
Stevens, Mark Norman, Anne Bridgeman; Invocation: Henry Bostic
Visitors &
Guests:
John Stedman; Health & Happiness: Tom Hutchins; Song: Alan Barnhardt;
Piano: Thomas Moore
|
*
* * |
|
|
|
Attendance
Record |
|
11/22/05 |
11/23/04 |
| visitors &
guests |
12 |
7 |
| club
members |
183 |
170 |
| total
attendance |
195 |
177 |
|
|
New Members | Resignations |
|
|
| Roaming
Rotarians |
|
Kurt Waldthausen, Germany |
|
|
Wedding
Anniversaries |
01 Laura and Randolph Smith
01 Regina and Kurt Waldthausen
04 Broocks and Ed Kale
05 Catherine and Bob Finley |
| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
29 Richard Early, Alton, IL
30 Byron Bullard, Lumberton, NC
30 Bob Freeman, Hendersonville, NC
30 Tony Marciano, Jersey City, NJ
30 Gayle Smith, Kinston, NC
03 Steve Meckler, Akron, OH
05 John Scharer, Derby, CT
05 Don Carmichael, Raleigh, NC |
|
|
|
*
* *
|
|
Rotary Club of Charlotte
841 Baxter Street, Suite 118, Charlotte 28202
chltrot@bellsouth.net 704-375-6816 |
|
 |
|
|
þ
Charlie Greer's father,
Retired Colonel Charles F. Greer, passed away on November
15th. Funeral services were held over the weekend at West
Point. Memorials may be made to the West Point Fund,
Association of Graduates, 698 Mills Road, West Point, NY
10996-1607.
þ
As of November 23, there are
53 Rotarians with
outstanding balances from either their 2nd Quarter
dues/meals invoice or pledges to the Rotary Foundation. Your
prompt attention to clearing this up is most appreciated.
þ
Mike Butler's franchise
marketing company, PRstore, is featured in the November
issue of Entrepreneur magazine.
þ
Be sure you read Thomas Moore's
article on Community in the Viewpoint section of the
11/22/05 Observer.
þ
Good Friends president,
Catherine Browning,
extends an invitation to the Ladies to attend the December
6th luncheon - 11:30 at the Merchandise Mart.
BG Metzler is one of the
featured speakers. To secure your reservation you will need
to contact Janice Stevens
at 704-523-1222. And for the Gentlemen -
Goodfellows will meet at
Noon on December 14th at the Convention Center. Questions
may be directed to Martin Waters
at 704-333-0794.
þ
Everyone could relate to John
Snyder's pain as he shared the story of wrecking
his brand new car into his son's car, which had just been
repaired after an earlier accident. John also provided an
update on the good work being done by the Myers Park
Interact group, who has been busy with the clothing drive
and raising funds for Katrina victims. President Herb
expressed his thanks to John for his involvement and
leadership with Interact.
þ
President Herb had everyone
do a practice "wave" to Jim
Woodward, who will serve as Grand Marshall at the
Thanksgiving Day Carousel Parade.
þ
Biff Virkler explained
the good work of the Salvation Army and thanked those that
have signed up to ring the bell on the Square. There are a
few dates left to volunteer. Please check the schedule on
the website.
þ
Thanks to Catherine Browning
for setting up flu shots on Tuesday and to
Jill Santuccio for
assisting the nurse. |
|
*
* *
|
|
NEW MEMBER
APPROVAL |
The Classification and Membership Committee recommend and
the Directors approve for consideration for all members, the
following NEW MEMBER. Should you question the eligibility of
any nominee, please call the Rotary Office by November
28th. You will be contacted by a member of the Board.
Otherwise, no reply is necessary and election will proceed
according to our bylaws.
|
Proposed Member
Company
Classification
Sponsor
Endorsed |
Karen N. Calder
Classroom Central
Education, Supplies
John Johnson
Herb Harriss and Tim Newman |
|
*
* *
|
|
CLOTHING DRIVE TO ASSIST CRISIS
ASSISTANCE MINISTRY |
|
Jim Adams and his band of helpers have
carried several car loads of clothing to Crisis Assistance
Ministry throughout the month of November. Next Tuesday will
be the final collection day and Jim wants to have a little
fun. He's asking every member to bring at least one article
of clothing. As a way to thank the membership, names will be
put in a hat and a few nice prizes will be awarded. |
|
|
|
MOVE TO THE BEST WESTERN
HOTEL |
|
President Herb signed a contract with the
Best Western Hotel on Tuesday. The first meeting at the new
location will be December 13th. The Best Western is looking
forward to serving Charlotte Rotary. With the opening of the
City's new parking deck on December 5th, previous parking
problems should be resolved. |
|
|
|
ROTARY AT A GLANCE |
ROTARIANS: 1,224,297
Clubs: 32,507
Districts: 529
Countries: 168
ROTARY FELLOWSHIPS: 94
INTERACTORS: 237,337
Clubs: 10,319
Countries: 118
ROTARACTORS: 184,874
Clubs: 8,038
Countries: 158
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
Malmo, Sweden, and Copenhagen, Denmark
June 11 - 14, 2006
|
|
|
|
