October 22, 2004

Posted October 26, 2004

 

IN GEAR—October 22—Early arrivals to this meeting were greeted with good cheer from Gene Johnson and PDG Wilbert Hancock.  The AVS buffet featured fried chicken (Gerry Thomas ate three pieces), lasagna, green beans, slaw, cauliflower with cheese sauce, salad and a variety of desserts. 

Joy Menus returned to the piano and played a selection of pretty tunes.  When the bell rang, attention was given to President Mary Joan Pugh who invited members to exchange greetings and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

            Guests were welcomed by Sergeant-at-Arms Carole Gilliam.  Susan Yow was a guest of the club.  David Neely came with his father, Bill.  District Governor-Elect Phil Morris represented the Furnitureland Rotary Club.  Candie Rudzinski introduced student guests.  Jenny Baucom and Kristen Rich are seniors at Southwestern Randolph High School.  Jenny moved to this community from Denton while in the sixth grade.  She plays varsity softball and participates in the Beta Club, Spanish Club, and SADD.  Jenny is an honors student who plans to attend NC State and major in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.  Kristen Rich is a cheerleader and member of the varsity soccer team.  She participates in the Beta Club, FCA and SGA.  Kristen will attend UNC-CH or NC State.

            Zach Shandor and Cam Thomas are seniors at Asheboro High School.  Zach plays varsity soccer and tennis and participates in the Spanish Club, FCA, and SAVE.  He plans to attend UNC-CH and follow a pre-med curriculum.  Cam Thomas is a son and grandson of Asheboro Rotarians, Wayne and Dan Thomas.  He is president of SAVE, a member of FCA, and plays varsity baseball.  Cam plans to attend UNC-CH and major in business administration.

President Mary Joan made several announcements: Alice Dawson and Jim Rich won medals at the recent Senior Olympics and Jam ran in the Chicago Marathon.  Nightmare on Purgatory Mountain plays at night at the NC Zoo.  Club Assembly will be held on November 5 when nominations will be made for officers and directors of 2005-06.  Remember the Rotary Foundation Banquet in High Point on November 11.  November 19 is the date of the Rotary Leadership Seminar in Greensboro at Women’s Hospital from 8:30 a-4:30 p.  Happy Birthday wishes are extended to Bill Neely, Rodney Mason, and Rick Crawford.  The Board of Directors will meet prior to the general meeting on October 29.  Please make offers of travel/vacation accommodations to Peggy Morrison for the fundraising auction.

Rotary fact for today: Turn in a Commitment Statement to volunteer for the Asheboro City Schools Shadowing Program.  Green Talk: Biggest trash day of the year is the day after Thanksgiving; don’t wait; clear out your house and give to charity.

The program was arranged by the RCC/Rotaract Committee.  Dick Heckman is chairman and members are Brenda Holbrook, Lonnie Keogh, Thomas Murphy and Wayne Thomas.  Robin Johnston, Rotarian and Director of Development of the RCC Foundation spoke about Randolph Community College, the RCC Foundation, and Student Ambassadors of RCC.  Four Student Ambassadors also spoke.

RCC is one of fifty-eight such schools in North Carolina.  RCC serves 12,000 students in credit and non-credit programs.  The North Carolina community college system serves 267,000 students plus 500,00 in continuing education activities.  All corners of Randolph County are touched by RCC.  Many of the nurses at Randolph Hospital are products of the school.  One-third of students holds full-time jobs.  The price of tuition is $608 per semester, a really great value when compared to other colleges and universities.  On October 26 at 3:30 p.m. a tree will be planted in Bicentennial Park to commemorate the founding of RCC.

Robin introduced four Student Ambassadors: Carrie Crouse, Kandace Landers, Juanita Martin and Amelia Phillips.  Carrie is from Denton and attended South Davidson High School.  She is an interior design student.  As an Ambassador she represents the college at public events or guides campus tours or promotes the school in other ways.  Kandace Landers is from Los Angeles and entered RCC two years ago.  She enjoys recruiting other students to RCC, talking about the value of education and representing RCC at public events She is in the college transfer program and plans to transfer to UNC-CH.  Juanita Martin is a “non-traditional student” who works full-time as a drivers license examiner.  She is 49 years old and studying information systems. After graduation her aim is teach adult computer skills.  She encourages adults to return to school to improve their vocational skills.  Amelia Phillips is from Greensboro and holds a BA degree in media studies from UNC-CH.  Not finding a job after graduation she came to RCC and entered the photography program.  First year photography includes general studies.  In her second year Amelia is following a biomedical concentration.  She will graduate in 2005.  She emphasized that the community college offers less expensive education than the university, but is not an easier curriculum!

Robin closed the program by recommending two special offerings of RCC.  For persons who desire a degree from a university, the “college transfer” program offers a less expensive alternative for the first two years of study.  There are excellent articulation agreements that make it possible to transfer all credits earned at RCC to the university.  And the “Dual Enrollment Program” offers the high school student the privilege of earning college credits which will be accepted by university and speed-up college graduation.

Jaci Betts and Mike Miller were recognized by Robin as having served as RCC Foundation directors and Carol Matney as a trustee of the college.  Ed Clayton wanted to know how a young woman from Los Angeles found Randolph Community College.  Kandace Landers (with tongue firmly in cheek) said she searched for a school in a dry county.  Then she explained that her mother was born here.

President Mary Joan thanked Robin Johnston and the Student Ambassadors for an interesting and informative program and rewarded them with ballpoint pens made from recycled wood.  The meeting was adjourned.

Written by Bob Walker

October 15, 2004

Posted October 19, 2004

IN GEAR—October 15—Greeting Rotarians to this meeting were Ed Clayton substituting as Treasurer and Past President Mac Whatley as Sergeant at Arms.  Rose Patterson played delightful tunes on the grand piano, including “Sentimental Journey”.  Table conversation included a report by Phil Koonce of a recent trip to Venice, Florence, and Rome.

            President Mary Joan Pugh presided.  After greetings were exchanged and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited she introduced Stan Beck to deliver the invocation.

            Guests welcomed by Past President Mac included Donna Clelland who came with Denny Jennings.  Jennifer LaPrade was the guest of husband, Al.  Visiting from Randolph Rotary Club were Linda Brown, Ed Bunch, Tom Nickens, and Reid Pollard.  John Toledano, Jr., introduced two student guests from Asheboro High School.  Ellen Thornburg is captain of the volleyball team and a member of FCA.  She was a summer volunteer at Randolph Hospital and sponsors a child in the Philippines.  She will attend UNC or High Point University to study sports medicine.  William Trogdon plays varsity football and golf and is a member of the Key Club and SAVE.  He is an Eagle Scout, attended Rotary Youth Leadership Program and was named to the National Honor Society. He plans to attend NCSU to major in construction engineering.

            President Mary Joan reported that District Governor Don Allred complimented our club for its good attendance for his official visit and he thanked members for their hospitality.  Rotarians were encouraged to click on nczoo.org and vote for the NC Zoological Park.  On November 19 a Leadership Seminar will be held in Greensboro.  For those who wish to participate the club will pay their tuition.  The District Foundation Banquet will be held in High Point on November 11.  The District Fellowship Outing will be November 13 at the Wake Forest vs UNC-CH football game in Winston-Salem.

            Peggy Morrison is chairman of the Fundraising Committee and spoke in favor of a project to raise sufficient funds to satisfy our commitment to “Raise the Roof” over the stage in Bicentennial Park.  The committee plans a live auction event with a travel theme to sell donated accommodations for travel or vacation.  Peggy and Bob offer “one week at Bald Head” in their place on that island in the mouth of the Cape Fear River.  Others are invited to donate similar accommodations on seashore or mountain or other desirable destination.  Please make offers to Peggy for this project at our meetings or by phone or on line at mfm@triad.rr.com.

            The Nominations Committee chaired by Past President Mike Freeland will meet on November 5 to nominate officers and directors for 2005-06.  Please offer yourself for service or suggestions to Mike before that date.

            HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes were extended to Elizabeth Mitchell and Ted Matney.  Rotary Fact of the Day is that the GSE team from Germany will be in Asheboro, April 9-13 and will visit Randolph Rotary, Pinehurst Rotary and our club.  Green Talk for the week: Check the filters on your home’s air system and check the water system for drips and leaks.

            The program was presented by the Career Development Committee, Jerry Hill, chairman.  Other members are Stan Beck, Kelly Garner, Denny Jennings and Candie Rudzinski.  Jerry described two projects of this committee.  The Asheboro City Schools Shadowing Program offers middle school students the opportunity to “shadow” an adult worker on his job for a day in February or March.  The student gains encouragement, ideas and inspiration about vocation.  Use the Asheboro Rotary Club Commitment Statement to volunteer for this project.  Another project of support to students is the “Buddy-Up for Lunch” with an at-risk student on a specified schedule.  The relationship between student and mentor often grows beyond having lunch to sharing other activities.  The progr4am encourages students to stay in school and prepare for success in adulthood.  Please contact a member of the committee to volunteer to “Buddy-Up for Lunch”.

When Kelly Garner introduced Denny Jennings to speak on “100 Years Of Excellence: this reporter really thought it was to be 100 years of excellence in Asheboro City Schools.  But Denny quickly made it clear that this was to be a very interesting, entertaining and fact-filled talk about the history and growth of Rotary International.  Dividing the Twentieth Century into 20-year periods, she related the significant events of Rotary to the significant events, people and products that occurred in the world.

            Until 1920:  Wright Brothers performed first powered flight; Model T Ford; plastics invented; World War I; Russian Revolution; Crayola Crayons; jigsaw puzzles; Oreo cookies; Paul Harris organized Rotary Club of Chicago on February 23, 1905.

20’s & 30’s: Lindbergh, Stalin and Gandhi; penicillin extracted from mold; stock market crash and the Great Depression; Hitler, Monopoly and Scrabble; flagpole sitting; zoot suits; Kool Ade and Spam; wheel becomes symbol of Rotary; Rotary Foundation begun with $26.15; Rotary goes international; Arthur Ross installed as first president of Asheboro Club on December 26, 1926.

            40’s & 50’s: US enters WWII; transistors; DNA identified; McDonald’s; Barbie; Slinky; Rotary adopts H. Taylor’s “4-Way Test” and translates into 100 languages; Paul Harris dies in 1947.

            60’s & 70’s: Russians in space; Armstrong walks on the moon; MLK murdered; Berlin Wall; women’s rights movement; Beatles; GI Joe; Dungeons and Dragons; hand held calculators and cell phones; Post It notes; Rotaract begun; GSE; Polio Plus.

            80’s & 90’s: Chernobyl disaster; Challenger crashes; Pathfinder reached Mars; cloning of Dolly; Berlin Wall falls; apartheid ends in South Africa; Nintendo and Pictionary; diet colas; Rotary International reaches membership of one million in 1986; $247,000,000 for polio eradication; women accepted to membership in Rotary; US and Europe polio-free.

            Since 2000: RI surpasses 1,200.000 members in 166 countries.  We may justly celebrate the past accomplishments of Rotary while celebrating the opportunities for service in her future.

            President Mary Joan thanked the Career Development Committee for an outstanding program and adjourned the meeting.

Written by Bob Walker

Centennial Fund-Raising Project

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

As you know our club has committed to provide half of the funding to “raise the roof” over the stage in Bicentennial Park as our special Centennial Project.  Your Fundraising Committee has been working on several ideas and have decided that the best one is a “real trip”.  Here’s how it will work:

1. A food and drink event (beer, wine and heavy

hors d’oeuvres) to which tickets will be sold.  We’re currently investigating several venues.

2. A live auction of time a members’ vacation homes.

3. The above may be in conjunction with a trip raffle similar to the one which I won at the club’s fundraising event back in ‘96 or so.  We’re exploring this option with Sandra Allen of the Randolph Club.

 

The timing of the event will be established when we get a venue and have an inventory of vacation sites donated to the auction – and will avoid other major fundraising events in the community.  It is likely that the event will be either the spring or fall of 2005.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO:

If you or a friend own a vacation home or timeshare, consider donating time there to the auction.  The donor can dictate the timing and length of the availability (e.g.- Sept – May, only month of January, 3-day weekend, etc.) A long weekend can be just as relaxing as a whole week.  Consider ‘extras’ that will make your vacation package especially appealing (a round of golf, tickets to an event being held at the vacation site, a ‘gourmet’ picnic supper to start the vacation, etc. – let your imagination run wild!)

 

To help kick off this event, Bob and I have agreed to donate a week at our Bald Head Island home (capacity 6).  This will include ferry tickets, use of a 6-passenger golf cart (for transportation around the island), and a temporary membership at the Bald Head Island Club.

Following the meeting last Friday, several folks said that they’d check with spouses about donating their getaways.  So far, in addition to the Bald Head beach locale, we have 2 possible mountain hide-a-ways, and possibly another couple of beach spots.  Golf or ski weekends or time at Baden Lake would be welcome additions.  I know that y’all have lots of other good ideas for vacations as well.

 

Please let me know of your willingness to share your special place ASAP.  The sooner we have a list of vacations for auction, the sooner we can “raise the roof!”

Thanks for your willingness to make this Rotary Centennial Project truly memorable!

Yours in Rotary Fellowship,

Peggy Morrison and the Rotary Fundraising Committee

October 8, 2004

Posted October 12, 2004

 

IN GEAR—October 8—Anticipating a meaningful and fun meeting with District Governor Don Allred, Asheboro Rotarians joined in fellowship at AVS and enjoyed a lunch that featured baked chicken, country-style steak and a red apple cobbler.  Joy Menius was at the grand piano playing great tunes while friendly conversations abounded.  When the crowd swelled toward noon, extra tables were set.

            The assemblage was silenced by two strikes of the bell by President Mary Joan Pugh.  Greetings were exchanged; the Pledge of Allegiance was recited; and Past President Philip Shore raised an inspiring invocation.  Sergeant-at-Arms Carole Gilliam welcomed guests.  Pat Allred was there with DG Don.  Austin Oliver came with his father Allen. Nan Revell attended with husband John.  Ray Covington of Greensboro Rotary was the guest of Jaci Betts.  Dede Reese and Gail Crawford and April Thornton accompanied husbands Rob and Rick and Cooper.  Mike Macon was the guest of Dale Lambert.  Visiting Rotarians were Janine Thompson of Bakersfield, CA, Michael Trogdon of Randolph Rotary and District Governor Elect Phi Morris of Furnitureland and Past District Governor Stuart Fountain of Randolph Rotary.

            AHS student guests were introduced by Lee Malpass.  Lindsey Morgan is a member of the Key Club, Spanish Club and SAVE.  She plays in the band and with the tennis team.  Lindsey works at a veterinary hospital and plans to study biology at college before entering veterinary school.  Rob Brisley is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, FCA, and Teenage Republicans.  He plays soccer and tennis.  Rob plans to attend NCSU to study engineering or architecture.

            President Mary Joan recognized Elizabeth Cox and Carl Phillips as returning to club fellowship.  PDGs Sam Cranford, Wilbert Hancock and Stuart Fountain were welcomed.  Randolph Arts Guild and Philip Shore were congratulated for a successful Fall Festival.  Happy Birthday wishes were extended to Wilbert Hancock, Prithvi Hanspal and Vee Knott.

District Governor Don Allred was introduced to speak.  His visit with us completes a full cycle of official visits to clubs of District 7690. (Pat accompanied him to 35-40 of the fifty visits.)  Governor Don and Pat met at Pfeiffer College, have been married for 35 years and have one son and one daughter.  After Pfeiffer, they went to South Dakota where Pat taught math and Don served military duty.  Governor Don earned a Masters Degree from Duke University before establishing Duel, Inc. in Asheboro.  He is now semi-retired.  With Asheboro Rotary Club he has 22 years perfect attendance and served as President in 1990-91.

Governor Don approached the podium in expectation of a thunderous ovation from his home club.  The arms that he expected to be open in welcome were, by pre-arrangement, firmly crossed against each Rotarian’s chest and the stony silence was broken by one pair of hands clapping.  Nevertheless, when the joke broke free in a tumult of laughter, he stated he was glad to be “at home” and praised the club for the many members who are serving District 7690 in various ways.   And his gift to each person was a jar opener bearing a reminder of the Centennial Conference of 7690 to be held April 28-May 1, 2005 in North Charleston, SC.  All Asheboro Rotarians are encouraged to attend.

            In commenting on the fifty club visits since his inauguration, Governor Don said it required nine visits in one week with three visits in one day.  He praised Pat for being a real trouper in making many visits with him.

            Our speaker described Rotary International as a “4X4 Force For Good” and he gave us a pass out to explain this.

I.                   The fourfold Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and to encourage and foster: 1. Development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; 2. High ethical standards in business, worthiness of all useful occupations; 3. Application of ideal service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life; 4. Advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace.

II.                Four Avenues of Service: 1. Club service; 2. Vocational service; 3. Community service; 4. International service.

III.             Four elements of an effective Rotary Club: 1. Membership—sustain and retain, grow the club; 2. Service—projects that serve individuals, communities and the world; 3. Support of Rotary Foundation—by clubs and by members; 4. Leadership—development of leaders for the club and beyond club level.

IV.             The Four Way Test asks of the things we think, say and do: 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

With anecdotes and illustrations, both inspiring and entertaining, Governor Don promoted the “Rotary 4 X 4 Force For Good” in a very effective way.  In closing he thanked our club the good support it affords him as District Governor.  A standing ovation with sustained applause revealed the pride and respect that Asheboro Rotarians feel for him as he serves District 7690 in an outstanding way.  President Mary Joan thanked Governor Don for his visit and for his service and she gave him a large and heavy gearwheel to commemorate the occasion.  The meeting was adjourned

Written by Bob Walker

October 1, 2004

Posted October 5, 2004

 

IN GEAR—October 1—The first meeting of October began quietly as Rotarians were slow to arrive and the hall was without the happy sounds of Joy Menius at the pianoforte.  But, by noon, most of the membership was present and we enjoyed the AVS lunch that featured roast pork, and grilled chicken.  The clatter of knives and forks and the chatter of friendly voices rose to a high pitch before President Mary Joan Pugh gonged the meeting to order and suggested greetings be exchanged between Rotarians and guests.

            Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Bonnie Renfro raised the invocation giving thanks for the opportunity to gather as Rotarians, thanks for rain and for sunshine, and asking blessing on our work of service to others.

            Sergeant-at-Arms Carole Gilliam introduced guests.  Jennifer Allred was the guest of Talmadge Baker.  Susan Yow, counselor at Southwestern Randolph High School, was guest of the club.  Visiting Rotarians were Alex Harrill of the Summit Club, Vickie Gallimore of Randolph Rotary and Michael Trogdon of Randolph Rotary.  Mazie Fleetwood introduced Donald Hayman of the Chapel Hill Rotary Club.  Dr. Hayman, a professor at the institute of Government, was in Asheboro to discuss a Rotary project against illegal drugs.

            Two student guests from SWRHS were introduced by Candie Rudzinski.  Manda Ritch is the daughter of Lisa and Michael Ritch and has three sisters.  She is a Beta Club member, captain of the tennis team, Vice President of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America and prominent in other school and community activities.  Manda will attend Meredith College or NC State to major in fashion design and marketing.  Robert Richardson is the son of Virginia and Colon Richardson and has one sister.  He is a member of the Beta Club, FFA, Mechanics Team, and Soccer Team.  His interests include classic cars, drag racing and sports.  Robert plans to attend UNCC to major in mechanical engineering with emphasis on motorsports.

            Big Sweep was reported by President Mary Joan to have been a success.  A total of 4200 pounds of trash was gathered by 105 people.  H.R. Gallimore and Carole Gilliam attended the Rotary Membership Seminar.  H.R. said that “membership retention” was the major problem discussed at the seminar.

            District Governor Don Allred will make an official visit to our club next week, October 8.  At 11:00 a.m. he will meet with the Board of Directors and committee chairpersons.  Could we manage 100% attendance for a leader from our own club?

            Happy Birthday wishes were extended to Hassell Patterson and to Dale Lambert.  A speedy recovery was wished for Lonnie Keogh (detached retina) and for Larry Peraldo’s mother.  Concern was expressed for Gene Johnson’s father who had been missing overnight (but returned safely home on Friday afternoon).

            Rotary Fact of the day is that our contributions to international projects are multiplied by cooperation with our Rotary District and Rotary International.  We are giving $1500 to Uganda and North Carolina’s International Teaching for the Environment (UNITE); District 7690 adds $1500; Rotary International adds $2250; so that the total gift becomes $5250.

            Green Talk for today is the suggestion to become familiar with opportunities to recycle waste products.  Learn the location of recycling receptacles and the products that can be recycled.

            The program was presented by the Trade and Professional Committee.  Bonnie Renfro is chairperson and Keith Crisco, Lyn White, Bob Mason, Frank Williams, and Ken Gobel are members.  Bonnie introduced Dianne Blackwood to speak in favor of “Amendment One”.  Ms. Blackwood represents Time Warner Cablevision, has twenty years experience in that industry and has served as national president of Women in Cablevision.  She lives in Burlington and has participated in the Triad Leadership Network.  With the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce she is a volunteer speaker to promote voter support of the constitutional amendment to be on the ballot of November 2, 2004.

            Our speaker described Randolph County as “God’s country” and said she is actively seeking a piece of property here for a home site.  She opined that Randolph County has been a successful area for Time Warner.  And Time Warner is interested in economic development—the purpose for which “Amendment One” has been proposed.  Alex Harrill was introduced as the “local community information expert” for Time Warner.

            Ms. Blackwood used a series of big screen illustrations to describe “Amendment One” and to invite support for it.  This constitutional amendment is about “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” or a way of replacing the 180,000 jobs lost in North Carolina.  The amendment will authorize the use by local governments of self-financing bonds.  North Carolina and Arizona are the only states without this “job development” tool.  These bonds are said to pay for themselves through taxes collected on increased property values.  No referendum is needed and local communities are not pledging their taxing power.  Revenue from the bonds may be used for public improvements that encourage private development such as re-use of abandoned industrial factories, affordable housing, commercial development, etc. Improvements include streets, water and sewer service, sidewalks, etc.  95% of such projects have been successful.

            Success stories for self-financing bonds include: 1. West End District of Greenville, SC; 2. Lynhaven Mall of Virginia Beach, VA; 3. Lake Country, Indiana; 4. Atlanta Station District of Atlanta; 5. Industrial Park of Brooklyn, Iowa; and 6. Hollywood District, Florida.  Bonnie told a story of Randolph County losing a Japanese auto parts company for lack of needed utilities on a property near Liberty.  That company took its investment of $35,000,000 elsewhere to a property with the needed utilities.

            Three past governors of North Carolina are co-chairmen of the effort that favors a positive vote on this amendment:  Jim Holshauser, Jim Martin, and Jim Hunt.  Other prominent North Carolinians were listed as officers of “North Carolinians for Jobs and Progress”.

            In answer to questions it was said: 1.that North Carolina has failed twice to approve this amendment; 2 that Randolph County Commissioners favor this amendment; 3. that increased property values support the taxes to pay off the bonds; and 4. that local governments would be given right of eminent domain to condemn private property.

            President Mary Joan thanked Dianne Blackwood and Bonnie Renfro for an interesting and educational program.  The meeting was adjourned.

Written by Bob Walker