April 22, 2005

Posted April 26, 2005

 

IN GEAR—April 22—What a gorgeous day to be a Rotarian!  The brilliant sunshine brightened our spirits as we funneled into our meeting room, a bit smaller than usual but full of fellowship none the less.  Linda Cranford met us at the door with color samples.  Perhaps this was a test of color identification abilities as members tried to tell the difference between yellow, light yellow, and deep yellow, but it was all part of our Mix-Up Day as we matched our color to the colored paper on the tables.  This was a great way to converse with different folks.  Joy Menius provided us with wonderful music, as usual, and the meal was enjoyed by one and all.

            President Mary Joan Pugh gonged us into session with a “Happy Earth Day.”  We greeted fellow members and guests, and then joined in our Pledge of Allegiance.  Jason Hughes offered our invocation, asking us to open our hearts to our community.  Sergeant at Arms Carol Gilliam welcomed our guests.  Two students were visiting our meeting with their parents, Sarah Beth Gallimore with her father H.R. Gallimore and Worth Pugh with his mother, Mary Joan Pugh.  Chris Corsbie was the guest of Mazie Fleetwood, and Dede Reese accompanied her husband Rob Reese to our meeting.  Our visiting Rotarians from the Randolph Club were John Ogburn, Bob Wilboit, and Reid Pollard.  A nice round of applause showed our welcome of all guests. 

            John Taledano, Jr., introduced our guests from Southwestern Randolph High School.  Laura Pollard, daughter of Reid and Pam Pollard (so that’s why Reid was visiting today), is a senior who plans to attend UNC-Greensboro in the fall and major in music education.  Laura is very active in school organizations, including Beta Club, Future Teachers, concert and marching band, Wind Ensemble and serves as the band librarian.  Ashley Allmon, also a senior, plans to attend CPCC for two years then transfer to Clemson to pursue a major in apparel merchandising and marketing.  Ashley is the daughter of Sheila and Terry Allmon and is a member of Future Teachers, the FCCLA, Beta Club, and Spanish Club.

            President Mary Joan thanked Jim Culberson and his GSE team for their hard work in making the team visit such a special occasion.  She reminded us that District Conference begins April 28 in Charleston, SC and continues through May 1.  We are in need of door prizes, so bring them with you to the conference.  We will not meet on April 29, due to the district conference.  On May 6, Jim Rich, chair of the Scholarship Committee will present four scholarships to high school seniors.  Ed Clayton told of us surveys to be completed by each member present and for us to leave either the completed survey or $10 at the door as we left.  The surveys ask for our choices of service on committees for next year.  Also, we were to answer the two questions:  what do you like about our Rotary meetings, and what do we need to change.  Of course, our meetings are perfect as they are, according to Ed, but just in case a recommendation were to come to mind, we could jot it down.  Another request from Ed was to list our e-mail.  As of July 1, we will not longer print and mail “The Tar Wheel.”  Copies will be e-mailed, and a few printed copies will be available at the registration table each week for those members who do not have e-mail.  This is an effort to save the club funds in light of the rising costs of our meeting facility and meals.

We were reminded that the Mayor’s Grove in North Asheboro Park was being dedicated today at 1:30.  Birthdays for two weeks were announced for Doug Aitken, Keith Crisco, Mary Joan Pugh, Rob Reese, Candie Rudzinski, and Tom White.  Tom will be at the back table collecting donations for the Boys and Girls Home for the next few weeks. 

Alan Oliver encouraged us to go by Centennial Park this week and see the Rotary Stage going up.  He then introduced Louis Ledford, Director of State Parks, for our program.  Louis shared a video that emphasized the three focus areas of our state park system – recreation, environmental education, and conservation and preservation.  North Carolina has one of the oldest state park systems in the country, predating the National Park System.  Of the 34 state parks, Mt. Mitchell was the first to be established.  Over 13.2 million visitors enjoyed our state parks last year, creating a revenue source of $330 million.  The NC State Park System continues to expand and explore opportunities for recreational areas, working with schools and the public on environmental education, and seeking areas to protect for conservation and preservation efforts.  Sites to be added in the near future include Lake Lure, Haw River Park, and areas of the Mayo River in northern Rockingham County.  State legislation is critical is establishing these areas as part of the State Park System. 

Some funding of the State Park System comes through a trust fund, generating approximately $40 million per year.  The State and National Park Systems are complementary of each other and work collaboratively to achieve their mission.  Training programs and interaction with the national system help to support efforts of our state system.

Louis concluded by sharing the NC State Park website www.ncsparks.net and encouraging us to seek additional information about our park system, of which we can be very, very proud.  Louis was presented with our famous Asheboro Rotary recycled pen, and we were adjourned.  SEE YOU IN CHARLESTON!

No Meeting April 29 due to District Conference in Charleston.

            By Denny Jennings

April 13, 2005

Posted April 19, 2005

 

IN GEAR—April 13—Do not adjust your television set.  Our meeting really was on Wednesday this week as we joined with the Randolph Club to welcome our Group Study Exchange (GSE) visitors from Germany.  Rotarians enjoyed meatloaf and pork, with greens, corn, and mashed potatoes.  The room was filled with joyful conversation despite the cold, dreary rain outside.  Randolph Club President Steve Rumley asked Rev. Mike Holder to offer the invocation.  Rev. Holder lifted thanks for the fellowship, a beautiful creation, good food, and anticipated warmer weather.  We followed with our pledge of allegiance. 

Focusing on news for the Asheboro Club, Sergeant at Arms Carol Gilliam welcomed our guests.  Henry Trollinger was a repeat guest with David Renfro.  Joan Culberson attended as the guest of Jute Ramsey, although we wondered why she was not Jim Culberson’s guest.  Stacy Walker, a member of our GSE team to Germany, was the guest of Jaci Betts.  And Tassie Blake was the guest of Elizabeth Mitchell.  Lee Malpass introduced our student guests from Asheboro High School.  Kristen Hodges, daughter of John Hodges and Patti Williams, is a musical member of the class of 2005.  She is the uniform coordinator for the band, a member of multiple clubs, and a participant in four different sports.  Kristen has been active in Randolph County Teen Court and other community and church activities.  She plans to attend Southern Wesleyan University to study medicine, ministry, and international relations.  Amanda Smith, daughter of LuAnne Smith, is another musical Blue Comet.  She is in the jazz band, wind ensemble, National Honor Society, Park Street Players, French Club, and Health Occupations Club.  She is a featured trumpet player and has participated in several competitions and music events as well as all-district and all-Carolina honor bands.  Amanda plans to attend Appalachian State University and enroll in the Hayes School of Music there.

Asheboro Rotary Club President Mary Joan Pugh announced the availability of information on the Sam Bossong Memorial Gold Tournament, to be held on April 29.  Information concerning the Centennial Fundraiser was placed on each table.  This “Raise the Roof” fundraiser to place a roof on the stage at Bicentennial Park involves an auction of time at members’ vacation homes.  The date is Friday, September 16 beginning at 6:30 at Pinewood Country Club.  Cost is $50.00 per person.  See Peggy Morrison for additional information.  Earth Day is next week, and our speaker will be the director of our state parks.  President Mary Joan shared an editorial from the Wall Street Journal commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the Salk vaccine for polio and commending Rotary International for its valiant effort to eradicate polio world-wide.  Rotary’s campaign against polio began in 1985, and since that time over one million Rotarians have volunteered time and/or money to vaccinate over two billion children.  The editorial concluded with the comment that “Rotary’s unsung efforts deserve the Nobel Peace Prize.”

Jim Culberson presented our program for the afternoon.  He offered thanks to those Rotarians who have helped so significantly with the GSE team’s visit in Randolph County.  Ranbir and Harjit Singh hosted a restful gathering for the team members and host families.  Host families included Don Allred, Doug Aitken, Ralph Hardison, Ken Price, and Steve Rumley.  Mayor David Jarrell, John Ogburn, and Harold Holmes honored our guests by making them honorary citizens of Randolph County.  We then heard from our GSE guests.  Jochen Merkel was the team leader.  He expressed gratitude to the businesses and industries that had hosted the group.  Two gifts were presented to our clubs, although Jochen was overwhelmed that we had two presidents – a banner from his Rotary Club and a small bell used to keep track of wayward Rotarians.  Jochen then advised club members that we should remove from all of our license plates the North Carolina motto:  First in Flight.  It seems that security delays and cancelled flights greatly hampered the team’s travel from Washington DC to Greensboro.  It was only through the efforts of a fellow Rotarian from Greensboro, who helped the team rent vans to drive to Greensboro, that the team arrived in Greensboro, minus luggage, but arrived after all.  It proves that Rotary is everywhere. 

We then met other members of the GSE team from Germany.  Rolf Bartmeier is an attorney who pointed out some of the cultural differences between our two countries, including the wearing of the wedding ring on the right hand in Germany.  Bernd Koschig is a mechanical engineer, and Olaf Duber is a doctoral engineering student.  Our main speaker was Elgin Blueher, a marketing researcher in an advertising agency who was born and reared in East Germany.  Through slides, Elgin shared that the Berlin Wall was meant to prevent people from the German Democratic Republic, or East Germany, from getting out.  The wall came down in 1989 after Hungary opened its borders to Austria and many East Germans escaped this way.  In East Germany only six to seven types of cars are available, and the waiting period for one of these is 14 years.  All forms of media are supervised by the state.  Commodities were scarce, as evidenced by long lines for stores and a 7-year wait for a telephone, but food was not in short supply.  Holidays could only be taken in Eastern Europe. 

School systems were quite different in East Germany.  Children attended Creche from age 3 months to 3 years, then entered kindergarten until age 6.  Grade 1-10 involved the same education for everyone, where Russian language was required and English was voluntary.  Higher education for students aged 16-18 depended on good grades and participation in the right political background.  Children joined political groups such as Pioneers or Free Germans to obtain proper political training in order to participate in the proper schools.  Elgin reminded us that normal can be different but not suffering. 

Jochen addressed the group again and ended in a true Southern fashion with, “I’m hope meeting y’all.”Each club president present club banners to each GSE team member.  President Mary Joan shared the Asheboro Rotary recycled pen.  Jaci Betts presented carry bags from the NC Zoo, and President Mary Joan thanked Jaci for her tireless work coordinating the GSE team program.  Our meeting adjourned, not with the gong, but with the tinkle of the bell from our German Rotarians and new friends.

            By Denny Jennings

April 8, 2005

Posted April 12, 2005

 

IN GEAR—April 8–Music returned to the air and to our meeting with the talents of Joy Menius at the piano.  Spring was definitely in the air as members enjoyed their lunches of lasagna or herbed chicken with mixed vegetables, potatoes, and salad. 

President Mary Joan Pugh gonged us to order with a reassuring tone.  The presence of a videographer should not inhibit us.  It is just that District Governor Don Allred needs some footage for the upcoming Disctrict Conference.  Truly, Don did have a very different look with the camera constantly at his eye for the entire meeting.  Rotarians greeted Rotarians with handshakes and smiles.  Tom White led the group as we sang “God Bless America,” and what a rousing chorus we made!  We again raised our voices in our Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Bob Walker’s invocation offering thanks for the fellowship and seeking special blessing on the Boys and Girls Home.

Sergeant at Arm Carol Gilliam welcomed our guests.  Dr. Ann Suggs was the guest of Mazie Fleetwood; Mike McNeely accompanied Jute Ramsey; Laura Wilson, a Rotarian from New Mexico, joined us with Privi Hanspal, and Lamar Crump attended as the Lunch Buddy of Kemp Foster. 

John Taledano took the dais appropriately attired in his Blue Comet jacket to welcome our student guests from Asheboro High School.  Maria Torres, daughter of Mirella and Antonio Torres, is a cast member of the upcoming AHS musical production The Music Man.  In her four years at AHS, she has participated in numerous extracurricular and community activities.  She is a member of the National Honor Society and Who’s Who among Students in America.  Maria plans to attend a two-year college then transfer to Chapel Hill for a double major in languages and physical therapy.  Lindsey Loewen, son of Steven and Kerry Loewen, works, is a senior at Asheboro High School and draws, writes, and enjoys movies and photography.  His future ambitions include the Air Force and a graphic design degree from NC State.  John abandoned the podium but quickly returned with information for our student guests from Southwestern Randolph High School.  Offering to change his Blue Comet jacket, he introduced Tenneil Greene, daughter of Sheila and Jay Greene.  Tenneil is a senior who enjoys participating in Honors Vocal Ensemble, writing poetry, and sewing.  She plans to become a cosmetologist or an interior designer.  Another senior from SWRHS is Angel Garren, daughter of Pamela and Herman Garren.  Angel has been in the marching band, indoor drumline, mock trial team, golf team, and several honor bands.  She plans a major in music education at UNCG to become a middle school band director.

Carol Matney was recognized to discuss District Conference.  Catherine Cranford had sent pictures of Charleston to encourage attendance and Carol reminded us that we can still register online.  Door prize donations are needed, and if conferees want an “All-Red” shirt, they should contact Carol.  Last Saturday’s Zoo Day went well, with 310 Rotarians and their families in attendance.  Hats off to Rebecca Redding for such great organization.  Jim Culbertson announced that the GSE team arrives at 3:00 Saturday, April 9, at the Chamber of Commerce.  On Sunday team members will be with their host families.  Monday will involve a tour of local businesses and industries.  Tuesday the team will tour the pottery museum and travel to Pinehurst.  On Wednesday the team will address a joint meeting of the Randolph and Asheboro Clubs, and on Thursday they will leave our area.  This is a meaningful event, and all Rotarians are encouraged to come next Wednesday – not Friday – to hear team members speak.

Remember:  We will meet on Wednesday, April 13, rather than Friday, April 15.  Also there will be no meeting on April 29 due to the District Conference.  Greensweep will be from 9:00-11:00 on Saturday, April 9, at Guy B. Teachey Elementary and at Ramseur Park.  Earth Day is April 22 when the director of the state park division will be our speaker.  Happy Birthday wishes were sent to Cindy Shroeder, Ed Clayton, Sam Cranford, Everett Thomas, and Mac Whatley.

Tom White introduced Tom Lamont of Wilmington to share information concerning the Boys and Girls Home of NC.  Mr. Lamont is the Director of Civic Club Development for the Home and has a distinguished career in broadcast journalism.  Last December, the Boys and Girls Homes of NC celebrated 50 years of caring.  Staff work focuses on the importance of students going home and staying with loved ones.  Often, though, children do not have that structure at home, and the organization of the Boys and Girls Home becomes more important than ever.  Nurture and support are not the only areas of service.  Education focuses on academics as well as on greeting skills, respect for adults, and appropriate language skills.  Fourteen young people from the Boys and Girls Home are currently in College, and several more will follow them next year.

Boys and Girls Home of NC was started in 1954 by A. D. Peacock.  Children stay at the home an average of one to one and one half years.  There are nine cottages, one of which was built by Rotarians in 1966.  Currently 65 children ages 9-18 reside at the home in Lake Waccamaw, NC.  The cottages can accommodate up to 80 children in the residential group care program.  The organization is now starting foster homes in 10 counties, providing foster care for 71 children who can be closer to their relatives in foster care than in residential care. 

Spiritual development and educational opportunities are important components of the residential program.  Columbus County operates a school on the campus for grades 4-8.  High School aged students attend Columbus County high schools.  A vocational workshop provides opportunities to study welding, and a strong athletic program has produced a basketball conference championship.  The students and staff operate a Country Store that provides revenue for the Home. 

Tom announced that he is trying to re-establish Rotary Day and offered an open invitation for us to visit the Boys and Girls Home at any time.  Funding has been cut significantly by the state and the hope is to maintain civic gifts.  Also planned giving opportunities are available to provide support for these needful children.  Mr. Lamont closed with a portion of a touching essay, encouraging us to continue our support to provide caring for these children.  Donations will be taken at the back table for the next several weeks.

President Mary Joan presented Mr. Lamont with the Rotary Pen and we were adjourned.

By Denny Jennings

April 1, 2005

Posted April 4, 2005

 

IN GEAR—April 1–Glad to be back after a week off for Easter and good behavior, members of the Asheboro Rotary Club convened to enjoy fellowship and a hearty meal of London broil, chicken tenders, vegetables, and two kinds of cake.  Lacking our usually lively piano accompaniment, members created conversational cacophony.  President Mary Joan Pugh gonged us to order, wished us good afternoon, and announced that the meeting was adjourned as she and the head table guests left the dais.  No one in the meeting left, but we did check to see if our shoes were also untied for this April Fool trickery.  President Pugh returned to the podium and asked all of us to share a round of applause for Don Durham in celebration of his birthday on this day.  We greeted other Rotarians and turned to Alan Pugh for our invocation.  Alan recited Psalm 121, which begins, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my strength.”  Alan and his entire grade school class were required to memorize this psalm in 1961. 

            Due to spring break, we had no student guests, but Carol Gilliam welcomed our adult guests to our meeting.  Harris Mason was the guest of his father, Rodney Mason.  Michelle Dawes, guest of Jerry Hill, and Mike McNeely, guest of Pat Kilpatrick also joined us this day.  Frank Sefcik and Bob Wright were guests from the Randolph Rotary Club, and Pike Johnson was visiting from the Liberty club.  Harris Mason addressed the group requesting participation in his Eagle Scout project, a Red Cross blood drive on April 10 at the Church of the Good Shepherd.  He reminded us that 1500 pints of blood per day are used in Randolph County and his project is intended to help with a shortage in this area.  Jerry Hill then introduced Michelle Dawes, President of the Board of Directors of CUOC.  Michelle called Bonnie Refro to the podium to receive a plaque designating appreciation for service and exemplary fulfillment of the mission of CUOC. 

            President Mary Joan congratulated the Thomas family for 57 years of business at their present site.  The business will move to a new location next week.  Further announcements followed.  April 2 is Family of Rotary Zoo Day.  440 Rotarians have signed up, thanks to chair Rebecca Redding’s hard work, but other helpers are needed. On April 9 the GSE team from Germany arrives in Asheboro.  A reception at the Chamber of Commerce will begin at 3:00. We will meet  with the Randolph Rotary Club on April 13 to hear the GSE team and share their visit.  District Conference will be held in Charleston April 28-May 1.  Many members of our club who have responsibilities as home club to the District Governor Don Allred received bright red shirts that will quickly identify them as the All-Red team.  Asheboro Rotary will not meet on April 29 due to the district conference. 

            Peggy Morrison represented the fund-raising committee by announcing that our Raise the Roof Event will be held on September 16.  This is an auction of vacations in several vacation homes owned by members of our club.  Also, for those who might not want to get away, members who have special events tickets (such as concerts, NASCAR, etc.) or local services or opportunities can also donate those items.  It was duly noted that events or services must occur AFTER September 16, the date of the auction. 

            Birthday congratulations were issued to Don Durham, Joe Bossong, and Mac Pugh.  In Rotary Facts, 890 clubs worldwide celebrated Rotary’s centennial at noon of February 23.  Green Talk announced a Spring Sweep on April 9 at Teachey Elementary Schools and the park in Ramseur.  April 22 is Earth Day, and we will have a presentation from the Director of State Parks.

            Rebecca Redding introduced our speaker, who is not stranger to our group.  Dr. Stuart Fountain, a former professor at the UNC School of Dentistry, has been very active in dentistry organizations on regional, state, and national levels.  Additionally, he served as Rotary’s District Governor in 98-99 and again in 01-02.  Dr. Fountain was assigned by Governor Easley to serve on the State Board of Community Colleges, and he brought to us information about his recent trip to Thailand in this capacity.

            Thailand was formerly known as Siam.  At one time, countries in the region were being taken over as French and English colonies.  Not wanting to follow this trend, Thailand enlisted the services of an American to negotiate with governments and maintained its independent monarchy.  This established a strong tie with Americans, and the government requested assistance in establishing a community college system based on North Carolina’s model.  Funded by a US Agency for International Development grant, a team from the NC Community College Board traveled to Thailand to train new members of these institutions’ Board of Trustees in their proper roles.  This board as a governing board is a new concept in Thailand, where everything else is owned and run by the government.  During the group’s seminars, Dr. Fountain observed some of the difficulties of talking through an interpreter, but remarked on the courteous and polite nature of the Thai people. 

            Thailand is facing an economic struggle.  Financial support of the king and queen as well as support of a large number of Buddhist monks puts significant strain on the country’s economy.  Basically an agricultural economy, new economic trends include tourism for the many beautiful temples and beaches in the area.  Ecologically the country faces disaster, with open burning, polluted rivers, and unsafe construction practices – an OSHA nightmare according to Dr. Fountain.  Yet in this diverse country, Rotary is very strong.  Dr. Fountain shared a story of meeting a Rotary former president and being invited to a local meeting at his hotel. 

            Dr. Fountain ended his presentation with a final plea for assistance for our 42-year-old community college system.  North Carolina supports 58 community colleges serving 800,000 students.  The budget proposed by current legislation includes a 4% cut to community colleges which would result in a 10% reduction of staff at Randolph Community College, or 500 community college positions lost across the state.  Members were asked to contact their legislators to urge no cuts to the community college system.

            President Mary Joan thanked Dr. Fountain and presented him with the Asheboro Rotary pen.  She then adjourned the meeting, for real this time.  Happy April Fool’s Day.

                By Denny Jennings