"Who's the dashing man behind the Ray Bans?"  It's Charlotte Rotary's Randall Groves (Odom & Groves, P.C.) welcoming our visiting Rotarians and guests.

We had an auspicious head table for our May 11th meeting:  Our popular speaker, Head Soccer Coach at Davidson College, the always well-dressed Tom Norwood (MTN Consultants,) the irrepressible Bob Knight, and the esteemed E.K. Fretwell, Jr. (University of North Carolina at Charlotte.)

"Business Problemist" David Anderson (Anderson Capital Consulting) introduced our newest Charlotte Rotary member - John Tabor (U.S. Mortgage Group and head of our County Commission) - with a smattering of personal info that tickled the audience - and brought a wide grin to John's face.  Payback is hell, David!

As always, Tom Hutchins  provided an especially entertaining Health & Happiness report.

City of Charlotte Fire Chief, the esteemed Luther Fincher, welcomed Leonid I. Ukhin, Department Head of the Internal Affairs Ministry of RF State Fire Prevention Service in our Russian sister city.

Luther Fincher's warm remarks brought applause from Charlotte Rotary members and from our Russian delegate Leonid Ukhin, as well.

Peggy Wesp (the brains and flair behind our Sister Cities program,)  special guest Leonid Ukhin, and Luther Fincher say "cheese" in any language for the camera!

Our Russian guest brought ten firefighters to the United States with him on this trip.  In speaking to Charlotte Rotary, Mr. Uhkin said in Russian, "Thank you Mr. President and Rotary members for your kind invitation.   The ten firefighters joining me on this trip to our sister city have enjoyed this time spent experiencing your fine city.  Good health, good luck and best wishes." And so we experience the brotherhood of man.

Wu Qui (an interpreter from China,) Charlotte Rotary President Ronnie Pruett, Liu Xeucheng (president and CEO of Fushun Institute of Photoelectricity Technology, a manufacturing company located in Fushun, China,) and Lewis O.Crawford (a NC businessman specializing in trade between the USA and China) stand shoulder-to-shoulder as friends and as business compatriots.

Dr. Sam Spencer (formerly president of Davidson College and 42-year Rotarian, ) our dynamic speaker Charlie Slagle, and our President Ronnie Pruett make an impressive triumvirate.

Charlie Slagle and Leland Park (Davidson College Library). Who's minding the store?

One of Charlotte Rotary's very finest- Byron Bullard - is joined by a guest.

Bishop Charlene Kammerer (Western NC Conference United Methodist Church) chats with a visiting Rotarian.

Ed Kizer and his table-mates seem to be studying the Rotary manual!