April 23, 2004

Posted April 27, 2004

District Conference was fun!  Wish most of you were there–start planning now for next year’s conference in N. Charleston, SC at the Embassy Suites Hotel and North Charleston Convention Center.  April 28-May 1. 

See you Friday!

Philip

IN GEAR—April 23—It was a genuine picnic at Asheboro Rotary Club on Friday, April 23.  Ed Clayton donned his Krispy Kreme hat as he greeted members at the door.  We were treated to a summer outing, complete with plastic plates piled high with hamburgers, hot dogs, and all the trimmings.  Joy Menius treated us to beautiful music, from Pachelbel to the Pink Panther.  We were missing quite a number of our group due to the District Conference and other activities, but those in attendance enjoyed the fellowship.

Past President Mac Whatley gonged us to order.  We shared a greeting time, followed by our Pledge of Allegiance.  David Roudabush offered our invocation, thanking God for the many blessings bestowed upon us and asking for guidance as we seek to serve our community through Rotary..

Sergeant at Arms Prithvi Hanspal introduced our sole guest from the Randolph Rotary Club, Ed Bunch.  Though alone, he was welcomed with warm applause.  Kathy Homiller introduced our two student guests from Asheboro High School.

Lauren Crozier is a senior, with 42 days left in high school, including weekends.  She is the daughter of Paul and Tamra Kirkland and has lived in Asheboro 14 years.  Lauren likes to be around children and help other people when possible, which explains her participation in Key Club, Spanish Club, volunteering at childcare centers, doing service projects, and working part-time.  Lauren plans to attend UNC-Asheville to major in elementary education. 

Brittany Mroczkowski is also a senior at Asheboro High School.  Her parents are Phoebe and Tim Mroczkowski, and she has four brothers and sisters.  Brittany enjoys being the morning voice of Asheboro High School by doing announcements.  She also serves as an editor on the yearbook staff.  Following study in biotechnology at Forsyth Tech, Brittany hopes to transfer to a university to study medical sonography, then move to the beach.

            Past President Mac did not volunteer an installment of “This Week in North Carolina” much to our chagrin.  He recognized that our own Don Allred is being trained to assume his role as District Governor, and several members from our club are attending District Conference with him.  Mac reminded the group that each member is expected to contribute $100 to our sustaining fund.  Announcements then followed.

            A community discussion will be held at the Exchange at 7:00 on Monday, April 26.  Guests will be Darryl Hunt and Allen Gale, both of whom were imprisoned then found innocent.  Mary Pollard, an attorney will also be featured.  The discussion concerns a proposed two-year moratorium associated with the death penalty. 

            Carolyn Cox is still a patient at Clapp’s nursing home and would appreciate cards. 

            Kathy Homiller announced that Asheboro High School will be presenting Smokey Joe’s Café, a musical review, on April 30-31 and May 1.  Tickets are on sale through the student services department at Asheboro High School. 

            In his introduction of our speaker for the day, Gale Thomas admitted he had been scuba diving since before there were tanks.  In the spirit of summertime picnics and fun, he introduced Jim Cooper, owner of J. Cooper’s Scuba Center in Asheboro.  Established in 1996, the scuba center has been a viable business in Asheboro for nine years.  There are 800 certified divers in Asheboro, including five instructors and twelve to fifteen dive masters (divers certified to teach other divers).  All ages can participate in dive training, and Jim has taught divers from ages ten to 72. 

            The Caribbean has been one of Jim’s diving destinations for 42 years.  Other wonderful world-wide destinations to scuba dive include Australia, Venezuela, and the St. Lawrence Seaway.  Actually, for the past three years the coast of North Carolina has been named the best spot for diving for shipwrecks with well over 400 shipwrecks to explore.

            The Scuba Center offers many programs for novice and experienced divers.  During the summer, a camp for divers lasts five days from 8:00-5:00 and introduces participants to diving, resulting in their initial diver certification.  Jim also leads diving trips six to eight times per year to various locations.  In June he will accompany 67 people to Mexico for a combination of dives and sightseeing.  The Scuba Center supports individual and group diving excursions.

            Locally, divers can use three quarries to hone their skills.  Beginners use the classroom at the Scuba Center as well as the pool at the YMCA.

            Jim helped to dispel several myths concerning sea life.  Sharks do not eat people.  In fact, statistics show that more people are killed from coconuts being shaken from trees into the water than from shark attacks.  Also, Manatees were once thought to be what sea-farers called Mermaids, although Jim said someone would have to drink a lot of rum to see a resemblance.  Jim had recently been on a dive where he saw fifteen of the Manatee-Mermaids. 

            President Mac reminded us of a conference on business innovation:  “Surviving & Prospering in the New Manufacturing Reality” offered at Randolph Community College on May 12 from 9:00 to 3:45.  There being no other business, we were adjourned early with ten minutes to spare.

Written by Denny Jennings

District Conference Report

President Mike Freeland, Jaci Betts, Ted and Carol Matney, Mary Joan Pugh, Philip Shore, John Revell, Rodney and Elizabeth Mason and, of course their serene highnesses Don and Pat Allred attended the District 7690 Conference in Asheville.  Conference Chair Patrick Eakes of the Crescent Club arranged a rapid-flowing meeting that was strong on substance and short on wasted time.  It was, in a word of a single syllable, fun.  Food, festivity, fellowship plus plenty of time to enjoy Asheville.  The Renaissance Hotel was in easy walking distance of the Plenary Session site, the Asheville Community Theatre.  Plenary sessions presented information about world wide projects, the youthful branches of Rotary Interact and Rotaract, and the business of the distritct.  Keynote speaker was Martin Eakes who brought an incomparably strong message about service over self.  Hillbilly Hideaway, provided by the Clemmons club was a wild and welcome respite from  business sessions.  Next year’s site is North Charleston, SC at the Embassy Suites Hotel and the N. Charleston Conventin Center.  Please plan now to attend.

April 16, 2004

Posted April 20, 2004

  Greetings and felicitations and compliments (within the bounds of the 4-Way Test) to all.

 Several of us will be missing (and missing you) this Friday because we’ll be in Asheville at the District Conference–if you are missing this one, make plans to attend next year’s at North Charleston–plenty to do, see, and eat  there.  Permission slips will be issued soon.

 See you in two weeks.  Rotarian Jennings will be taking notes for the newsletter next week–give her something to write about!

 Philip

IN GEAR—April 16—Gathering together again after a week off for Good Friday and good behavior, members of the Asheboro Rotary Club greeted each other warmly on this beautiful spring day.  As creatures of habit it was difficult for some to veer to the left for our meeting in a different room, but all eventually made it.  Our close quarters in this new setting were conducive to lively conversation over a repast of pork chops, stewed apples, snow peas, and chicken tetrazzini. 

            President Mike Freeland gonged the group to order, encouraging those still in line to take their time.  There is no pressure, no hurry.  After all, it is the 16^th of April!  Mike recognized that he and the other accountants in attendance were true survivors as one more tax season is brought to closure.  Philip Shore offered our invocation, calling to mind that this part of the world is being treated to a spectacle of spring, with flowers blooming and birds nesting.  With thanks for the beauty, Phil asked for assistance for all of us to combine this beauty with the opportunities and principles of Rotary to do good in this world. 

            Prithvi Hanspal, our Sergeant at Arms, introduced our guests.  Robin Johnston was the guest of Dick Heckman.  Visiting Rotarians from the Randolph Club were Stewart Fountain, Jim Campbell, Bob Wolfe, and Helen Keys.  All were welcomed with a Rotary round of applause.

            Sam Cranford introduced our four student guests.  He also reminded us that Smokey Joe’s Café will be presented at Asheboro High School’s Performing Arts Center (the old auditorium for those of us who remember it thusly), April 29-30 and May 1-2.  Week night performances will be at 7:00 with a matinee at 2:00 on Sunday.  Tickets are $8.00 and can be purchased through the student services office at Asheboro High School.  This was all to introduce one of the participants in Smokey Joe’s Café, Kevin Jacobs, son of Ella and James Jacobs.  Kevin has four brothers and is very involved in music at AHS.  He is in the Park Street Ensemble and AHS’s Honors Band.  Additionally, Kevin is very active in youth at First Baptist Church of Asheboro.  He plans to attend East Carolina University to prepare as an emergency room doctor.  Our second AHS guest, Ashley Farlow, is the daughter of Tim and Un Farlow.  She is a teacher for the Randolph Community Partnership for Children and is very active in both music and dance.  Ashley plans to attend Salem College to become a secondary public school math teacher.

            Our guests from Southwestern Randolph High School included Courtney Hayes, daughter of Johnny and Patricia Hayes.  Courtney is a member of the Beta Club, National Vocational-Technical Honor Society, and Future Teachers of America.  Her hobbies are cooking, shopping, and interior design.  Attending UNC-Charlotte for two years then transferring to either Wake Forest of UNC-CH support Courtney’s future plans for a career in diagnostic medical sonography.  Andrew Cranford (no relation to Sam) is the son of Roy and Judy Cranford and a senior at Southwestern Randolph.  As a winner of the Top Cat Award, he has lettered in track and enjoys the Science Club, Beta Club.  Andrew’s interests are filmmaking, weight training, and music.  He plans to attend UNC-Wilmington in the fall and pursue a career in filmmaking , also continuing an interesting in statistics which will lead to becoming an actuary for a major insurance company.

            Since Tax Talk was all talked out, President Mike recognized several members for announcements.  Philip Shore reminded the group that The Moving of Lilla Barton will be presented by RSVP Theater on Friday and Saturday evening at 8:00 and on Sunday at 2:00 in the Sunset Theater.  Tickets are $8.00 at the door and the public is invited.  On Sunday three local groups will have a fundraising concert, also at the Sunset Theater, at 7:00.  The Randolph Chorale, the Piedmont Children’s Choir, and the Randolph Jazz Band will perform.  Tickets are $5.00 at the door.  Mary Joan Pugh reminded members to secure their copies of the new committee assignments for 2004-2005.  A leadership retreat for members of the Board of Directors and Committee Chairs will be held on Tuesday, April 20 from 4:00-6:00 at the zoo.  Those involved were encouraged to attend.  Birthday celebrants in April were asked to stand:  Joe Bossong, Ed Clayton, Sam Cranford, Keith Crisco, Don Durham, Glen Pugh, Mary Joan Pugh, Rob Reese, Candie Rudzinski, Cindy Schroder, Everett Thomas, Mac Whatley, and Tom White. 

            The Rotary District Conference is April 22-25 in Asheville.  Those attending who also wish to attend the Hillbilly Heaven Event should see President Mike.  Mike also asked for any past president willing to preside at next week’s meeting to see him.

Representing the Fellowship and Social Committee, Linda Cranford introduced our speaker for the afternoon.  Benjamin J. Frazier grew up “in the slow lane” in rural Randolph County.  He left Seagrove for Campbell College life at the tender age of 16, earning a degree in mathematics by the age of 19.  After a year in the National Guard, Benjamin returned to Randolph County to begin a twenty-eight year career with Klaussner Furniture, serving as Executive Vice-President of Operations for the past fifteen years.  Well-traveled through his business, Benjamin identifies his favorite sites are the southern Virginia mountains, the South Carolina coast, and Badin Lake.  He now resides at Doul Mountain Farm near Asheboro with his wife Tanji, where he writes on his veranda overlooking a large catfish pond.

Shelley’s Diary is Benjamin’s first published novel.  A murder mystery set in the mountains of Southern Virginia, it recounts events in the lives of two young friends who find themselves on trail for murder and robbery.  Mr. Frazier presented character sketches from the book, performing as the main character, Shelley Reid.  Complete with props, Benjamin introduced us to “Dough Boy”, his mom Kelly and his Dad; “log lady” Dr. Arrington with her low county Southern accent formed in Charleston; and Percy Ward and Miss Clemmons – lawyers hired to defend Shelley and her wrongfully accused friend Jesse.  The performance, complete with props, thoroughly enthralled the audience. 

Publication of the book took two years, although the planning process evolved over four years.  Actual writing time was approximately nine months.  Benjamin’s daughter and a friend actually did travel to the Virginia mountains to paint a cabin, just as the two main character’s in Shelley’s Diary, but places and people were fictionalized beyond that connection.  Mr. Frazier has an unpublished book written prior to this one and is working on another murder mystery, Thicker Than Water which is set in Georgetown, South Carolina.  Benjamin was available for autographs of his book following the meeting.

President Mike called Dick Heckman to the podium to greet our newest Rotarian, Robin Johnston.  Robin is the Vice President for Development at Randolph Community College.  There being no other business, we stood adjourned.

Written by Denny Jennings

April 2, 2004

Posted April 6, 2004

 
Hello!

 Happy Spring and Seasonal greetings to you all!

 Remember:  No meeting this Friday!

 Philip

IN GEAR—April 2—Past President Philip Shore was at the helm for this weekly meeting of the Asheboro Rotary Club.  President Mike Freeman was stuck in Oklahoma City on a one-day business trip that was not one day!  Members enjoyed down-home vegetables of okra, collard greens and pinto beans with turkey and, for international flair, lasagna.  Familiar tunes crafted by Joy Menius raised the musical question: Is that “The Shadow of Your Smile” since “I Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” because you are “Killing Him Softly” with “Batman” and “My Girl?”

            Philip Shore invited members to greet each other then join together in the Pledge.  Maxton McDowell was called to raise the invocation.  Maxton asked for understanding of our community and its needs. 

            Ed Clayton ascended the podium to announce that we had good guests and bad guests.  Among the bad were Litchard Hurley, Randolph County’s Sheriff, Deputy Bobbie McDowell (related to Maxton by marriage), and Wanda McDowell (also related to Maxton by marriage).  Robin Johnson was also present as a guest of Dick Heckman.

            Before introducing our students guests from Asheboro High School, Richard Pugh asked Sheriff Hurley to please take Ed Clayton with him when he left.  Miss Dawalt and Mr. Moore were our student guests.  (More information to follow.)

            Philip announced that Tom Tolar had passed away during the past week.  Cards to the family would be greatly appreciated.  Don Durham turned 80 on April 1, which Philip declared an appropriate date for such a fete. 

Rodney Mason was presented with his district conference pin for planning to attend the District Conference in Asheville.  There is still time to register for the district conference, and interested members should see President Mike.  Rebecca Redding reminded everyone of the Family of Rotary Day at the NC Zoo on Saturday, April 3.  Our club is hosting the district for this event.  To date 340 people have registered, but there is room for many more.  Mary Joan Pugh reminded everyone to complete their surveys for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd choice for committees.  Those who do not complete surveys must be resigned to serve on the committee to which they are appointed.  John Grey made two important announcements.  The Southern Piedmont Children’s Choir will have an auction and event on Saturday, April 3, beginning at 4:00 at the First Baptist Church.  Sunday, April 4, the Randolph Chorale will perform its spring concert at 7:30 in the First Presbyterian Church. 

The final announcement was by Philip:   NO MEETING NEXT WEEK, APRIL 9.

Maxton McDowell again addressed the assemblage to introduce our speaker.  Before the introduction, however, Maxton shared that he had spoken with President Mike and was instructed to offer Tax Talk to our group.  After posing an incomprehensibly detailed tax question to Philip, Maxton reminded us that there are fewer than 300 hours left in tax season.  Not wanting to waste time, he quickly moved on to introduce our speaker.

John Reid, a native of Stanley County, is the Assistant Special Agent with the State Bureau of Investigation district office in Greensboro.  John admitted that SBI agents do not get many invitations to attend social functions, so he was glad to be with us.  The SBI was founded in 1937 under the Office of the Governor, but in 1939 control of the agency was moved to the Attorney General’s office.  The SBI is organized into eight districts, with a Special Agent in charge of each district and four Assistant Special Agents in supervisory roles in each district.  The Greensboro field office serves nine counties.

Agent Reid described six types of investigative agents in the SBI:  criminal agents, drug agents, crime scene agents, bomb squad, computer crimes, and “dirty” law enforcement officers.  While specializing in homicide and hostage negotiations, Agent Reid has served as an undercover drug agent.  He recounted that the hardest part of his job was to tell someone that a family member has been killed, then to tell another family that one of their members killed somebody. 

The SBI serves as a resource to other agencies.  An FBI agent is assigned to each district office so these agencies can work seamlessly on cases.  The SBI laboratory in Raleigh is one of the few nationally certified crime labs in the nation.  DNA testing is quickly becoming a hallmark of this laboratory, with testing programs rapidly expanding. 

While SBI agents do not get many “pats on the back,” Agent Reid mentioned two mentors that had been very influential in his early career.  One of these was Sheriff Hurley, who allowed Agent Reid to “cut his teeth” in the law enforcement profession.  Another influence was Ralph McSwain, his stepfather, who, like Andy Griffith, spoke softly but followed his duty as a legendary law enforcement officer. 

In answers to questions from the group, Agent Reid disclosed that undercover agents are never assigned to the counties in which they live.  These are typically young agents assigned to undercover work.  He also shared that the SBI has positive relationships with municipalities such as Asheboro and Randolph County.  One of the biggest issues facing law enforcement in this area is drug trafficking.  Where the I-95 corridor was once the drug pipeline, Asheboro and Randolph County have become the center of drug trade for the east coast. 

            After announcing a brief meeting of the Scholarship Committee, Philip Shore adjourned the meeting.

Written by Denny Jennings