June 24, 2005

 

Posted June 28, 2005

IN GEAR—June 24—Rick Morgan was at the piano today. He regaled us with tunes, in his own arrangements, such as People, Love Is Blue, Strangers In The Night, and The Girl From Ipanema. After President Mary Joan Pugh called the meeting to order with the last opening ring of the gong during her reign, she thanked Rick and called on Jaci Betts to offer the invocation. Jaci used a prayer from the 18^th Century by Queen Anne. It acknowledged the power of God and asked that we submit ourselves, (as Rotarians) to His will.

Last day on duty as Sergeant-at-Arms for Carole Gilliam. She introduced Warren Knapp, guest of Prithvi Hanspal, and Henry Trollinger, guest of David Renfro. Visiting Rotarians were Buddy Weill from the Greensboro Club and Ed Bunch from the Randolph Club.

President Mary Joan reminded us of the Eastern Music Festival Rotary Family Night on June 29. Picnic at 6; Concert at 8. Guest conductor will be not-quite PDG Don Allred. She also iterated that there will be no meeting on July 1.

Happy Birthdays to Huntley Bossong, Peggy Morrison (REALLY!), and H.R. Gallimore.

President Mary Joan reviewed the year and thanked the membership for their thorough support. She said she never had a problem getting a program two weeks in advance. In gratitude she called for the current board and officers to come forward to receive a Rotary pen made from recycled materials. Vice President Mike Freeland, Executive Secretary Alice Dawson, Secretary Ed Clayton, Treasurer Prithvi Hanspal, Sergeant at Arms Carole Gilliam, Assistant Treasurer Talmadge Baker, and Board Members Elizabeth Cox, Kathy Homiller, Larry Peraldo and Gene Johnson.

The accomplishments of the year included District Work performed by Jaci Betts (GSE Committee), Philip Shore (District Conference), new projects including Big Sweep, Trees Asheboro, Lunch Buddies and Job Shadowing, bell ringing, being Senior Boards judges at Asheboro High School. At the international level, Jim Culberson was a superb host for the visiting GSE team, the Rotary Club in Uganda has completed the groundwork to allow us to build a science lab for them, Pat and Nomie Kilpatrick are planning another trip to Brazil. In the next year Rob Reese will be the Area 8 Foundation leader while Bill Batten will be our club’s foundation officer.

PDG Henry Brown of the Pinehurst Club was introduced by President Mary Joan as the installer of our officers. He began by saying that Ed Clayton had helped him appreciate the magnitude of the honor of installing him. PDG Henry linked the success of a club to the Objects of Rotary. Acquaintance, high ethical standards, the ideal of service and the advancement of international understanding and peace were his main points. He called the new board and officers forward. Rodney Mason, Elizabeth Cox, Cooper Thornton, Rebecca Redding, Board Members. Assistant Treasurer Talmadge Baker, Sergeant at Arms Kathy Homiller, Treasurer Carole Gilliam, Executive Secretary Alice Dawson, Recording Secretary Prithvi Hanspal, Vice President Mary Joan Pugh, and President Ed Clayton who just could not come to the front like a normal human being. Hail to the Chief was struck up and the soon to be prez with his first lady, strutted to the fore.

The other officers and board members said, “Ready, Set, Bow” and bowed before the bald majesty.

PDG Henry asked them, “Do you accept the principles of Rotary? Do you agree to submit to and abide by the constitutions of Rotary International and the Asheboro Rotary Club? Do you accept the duties and obligations of your offices?” To Ed alone he addressed this question: “Do you agree to use your best effort to inform, inspire and motivate?” When the answers to all questions were in the affirmative, PDG Henry said, “By virtue of the authority I used to have, I pronounce you installed as officers.”

The membership stood and applauded. David Renfro took a photograph. Then President Mary Joan allowed as how Ed had been a great help all year, a team player. She said she appreciated all his support. With that she handed over the gavel to newly minted President Ed Clayton. First Gentleman Alan Pugh pinned a Rotary Past President’s pin on Mary Joan.

Jaci Betts presented PP Mary Joan with a plaque and a bouquet of flowers. Ed presented PP Mary Joan with a certificate good for one thousand gold points, if used before July 1, 2005.

Ed introduced his family. He had with him today his wife Joyia, Daughter Caroline Baylor, grandson Matthew Charles Baylor, granddaughters Anna Elizabeth Baylor and Rachel Carter Baylor, daughters Laurie Culpepper and Tiffany Clayton.

Then Ed started riffing. No more ecology a la Mary Joan; no tax talk a la Mike Freeland; no more history a la Mac Whatley; no more culture time a la Philip Shore, we haven’t, he said, had a good president since Jaci Betts.

Ed stated that the emphases of his year would be membership and the RI Foundation. In his second official act of the meeting he ordered Sergeant at Arms Kathy Homiller to remove PDG Sam Cranford from the hall.

PP Mary Joan and President Ed gonged us to adjournment.

With fear and trepidation for the club this reporter signs off as editor of the club bulletin. His successors will have no shortage of things to report. Thank you very much for allowing me this privilege.

Philip Shore

June 10, 2005

Posted June 14, 2005

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

IN GEAR—June 10—Let’s don’t forget Naomi Kilpatrick (Room 343, Wesley Long Hospital) and Carolyn Cox (Room 241,Hospice Wing, Randolph Hospital).  A card would be a great cheer to both these Rotarians.

            Speaking of great cheer, Joy Menius played a sparkling variety of pop favorites on the piano.  Thank you, Joy, for adding so much to our gatherings.

            After Rotarians greeted one another loudly and happily, after the Pledge of Allegiance, Doug Pugh gave the invocation.  In it he thanked God for Rotary and asked blessing on the young men, our guests in town for the summer, who make up the Copperheads team.

            Sergeant at Arms Carole Gilliam introduced Stacey Walker, guest of Jaci Betts, Marissa and Jake Grey with their Dad, John Grey.  The lone visiting Randolph Rotarian was Susan Milner.  We welcome all our guests.  Please come back!

            President Mary Joan Pugh told us that Jim Rich is in Pittsburgh participating in track events at the National Senior Olympics.  Alice Dawson will go next week in tennis.  John Pugh, father of Richard Pugh and Alan Pugh, was playing racquetball in Pittsburgh as the young age of 91.

            There will be a Family of Rotary Night at the Eastern Music Festival, June 29.  Location and time will be in a future issue of the Tar Wheel.  Cost of admission is $12.  There will be a guest conductor—(one slightly used) District Governor (with two days to go) Don Allred.

            President Mary Joan invited Stacey Walker to the dais to say a few words about her GSE trip.  (She and the team will be giving us a full program in the new Rotary year.)  Stacey said she got back last Wednesday after an eight-hour flight after twenty-nice days of visiting castles, museums, chambers of commerce, and businesses.  She told us about going to the Rotary District Conference in Aachen where the first thing she saw was an Elvis impersonator.  She thanked DG Don Allred for supporting her.  She thanked Jaci Betts for the personal care she received.

            President Mary Joan reminded us that the installation of District Officers will take place on June 13. She invited DG Don Allred to say a few words to the club.  Don thanked the membership for their support this year.  Don thanked Mary Joan for the Family of Rotary events at the Zoo and the Copperheads ball game.  He thanked Jim Culberson for his work with entertaining and hosting the visiting GSE team.  Don thanked Ed Clayton for planning the installation that started the year off.   He thanked Jaci Betts for everything she did (and did so well)—District GSE Chair, decorations at the Rotary birthday party. And because she paid for a lot of these things on her own, he gave her a really big pocketbook. (This greatly resembled a Rotary attaché case.)

            President Mary Joan called on Doug Pugh, chairman of the Athletic Committee to introduce the program.  He described how things would work.  William Davis and Aaron Pugh, co-general managers, would speak first to describe the league and then introduce the players.  Coach Matt Boykin would bat cleanup and make a few final remarks.

            William went first. He informed us that the Copperheads had been in Asheboro since 1998 in a brand-new league begun in 1997, the Coastal Plain League.   The Copperheads team is a summer, collegiate wooden bat team. Only players who can return to college are eligible (no seniors).  There are fourteen teams, two added this year, Martinsville and New Bern.  The Coastal Plains League is one of nine summer collegiate leagues sanctioned by the NCAA and Major League Baseball.  This was cited as proof of the high level of competition.  William said the players come to Asheboro in hopes of playing in front of scouts and enhancing their skills.

            The players undergo a short but intense season.  Fifty-six games during the summer months.  Besides playing, the players give camps for young children.  They’ve just completed two one-day camps with forty kids each day.  There will be a three-day camp in mid-July.

            The team has a business involvement with Asheboro as well as an athletic one.  Generous sponsors have provided giveaways for every weekend home game.  William thanked the sponsors and also the host families who house the players while they are hear.  From our membership, John Grey, Jaci Betts, and Owen George are keeping players.

            With that, William turned the microphone over to Aaron who introduced the players.  Because of the young people’s camp, several players were not with us today.  These young men were absent:

Casey Gordon  College of Charleston  Simi Valley, CA

Tyler Petty  Barton College  Rocky Mount, NC

Matt Meade  Davidson  Marietta, GA

Alan DeRatt  UNC-Asheville  Cary, NC

James Lewis  Texas at Tyler  Waxahachie, TX

Nick Schumacher  Wayne State College  Nebraska City, NE

Jared Rohrig  S. Connecticut State  Milford, CT

Michael Hauff  NC A&TSU  went to Eastern Randolph HS

            With us were:  Chris Pedroza  Wayne State College  Omaha,  NE  Keith Bolger  Eastern Kentucky  Cincinnati, OH  Bennett Mayfield  Augusta State  Cummings, GA  Daniel Hargrave  UNC-Wilmington  Clayton, NC  Jesse Lewter  Elon  Raleight, NC  Jeff Hatcher  UNC-W  Raleigh, NC  Corey Watkins  Lander College  Fair Play, SC  Kory Radford  Elon  Asheville, NC (in his third season).  From Randolph County:  John Pugh  Lenoir-Rhyne  AHS, Kyle Pugh  Pfeiffer  Greensboro Day, and Derek Pugh  Lenoir-Rhyne  Greensboro Day.

            Players Matt Spencer and Seth Williams will be arriving to the team from UNC-Chapel Hill today.

            The coaching staff in addition to Coach Boykin is Assistant Coach Matt Van Fleet and Pitching Coach Patrick Swift.

            Coach Boykin came to the speakers stand to say that this had been a summer of firsts for him.  His first head coaching job.  His first position as head of an athletics camp.  First experience with public speaking.  He said that he had played four years at Barton College, was assistant coach on graduation.  He is now an assistant coach at Appalachian State.  He described the team as a great bunch of guys that he met through direct contact or by recommendation from other coaches.

At the conclusion of Coach Boykin’s remarks, we were adjourned.

Reported by Agkistrodon Contortrix

June 3, 2005

 

Posted June 7, 2005

IN GEAR—June 3—Joy Menius, celebrated the beginning of summer today with pianistic hits of yore—Theme From A Summer Place, Windmills Of My Mind, and Walking In Rain among others.

            President Mary Joan Pugh called the meeting to order with the invitation for Rotarians to greet one another around the room.  Philip Shore gave the invocation.  He thanked God for the opportunity to join together in Rotary service.  He asked blessing upon the students graduating from high school at this time of year.

            Carole Gilliam introduced two guests: visiting Rotarian Derrick Grantham from the Randolph Club and Christine McDermott, new head of the Family Crisis Center, guest of Elizabeth Mitchell.  Welcome!

            Installation of District Officers will take place on June 13^th at the High Point Country Club.  Cost is $30 per person.  Let Mary Joan know by Monday to reserve a place. 

            Happy Birthday to John McGlohon and Al Laprade.

            Rotary Fact:  The GSE team is back—tired but having had a grand time.  For an account of part of the trip written by our own Stacey Edwards, check the District Newsletter online. (www.rotary7690.org/The-Piedmont-Rotarian/tpr0506.pdf)  Mary Joan thanked Jim Culberson for arranging entertainment and lodging for the in-bound GSE team.

            Green Talk:  Ozone. Did you know that running a lawnmower for one hour is equal to running a new car for 200 miles.

            President Mary Joan called on Linda Cranford to introduce Bob Williams, our speaker.  Bob Williams is a familiar figure in our community.  He is in his 36^th year with the Courier-Tribune, serving as reporter, editor and columnist.  His four-times-a-week column focuses on humor but looks also for poignancy.  He is a 1965 graduate of Asheboro High School. He went into the Army just out of high school and served in Vietnam.  There he kept a journal which fueled his interest in journalism.  Upon return he married a New England girl and came back to Randolph County and began working at the paper.  Over the years he has been appreciated by his readers locally and by the North Carolina Press Association as well as national awards from the Stevens Media Group.

            Bob has been asked if it’s difficult to write four columns a week.  He said he wishes that were all he had to do.  Bob gave credit to one of his mentors, Rotarian Barron Mills, for telling him that the purpose of the newspaper is to inform and to entertain.

            Bob began by telling a story about Red Skelton.  Bob interviewed him while he was in Greensboro. Skelton told Bob that he passed his day walking around the Four Seasons Mall.  Why?  To be seen by people and let them tell him jokes that he would then put in his act. 

            When Bob interviewed Mickey Mantle he asked what kind of salary he would demand at modern ballplayer prices.  Mr. Mantle said he wanted to go to Mr. Steinbrenner’s house and say, “Howdy, Partner.”

            After the year Mantle won baseball’s triple crown of top numbers in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in, he achieved high but slightly less figures the following year.  Mantle told Bob that he was asked to take a $10,000 salary cut.

            Bob reminded us of some notable local figures.  First up was Willie Plummer—a self-made man, Chairman of the County Commissioners, instrumental in the creation of what is now Randolph Community College.  Bob was sent on assignment to ask if Willie was a millionaire.  Willie told Bob he couldn’t say that.  So Bob left.  Willie caught him before he got gone and said, “You can’t say I’m a millionaire, but you can say I pay taxes on that much.”

            Willie, when asked what was meant by there being a Randolph County unemployment rate of less than 1%, said, “Lots of folks have jobs who shouldn’t.”

            During an alcohol election Bob recalled being assigned to ask restaurateurs of size enough to benefit from alcohol sales what they thought about the election.  One businessperson responded that he was totally against it, because his place where everyone came to sober up.

            Another personality, WGWR radio personality Andy Brown, asked for listener comments on Daylight Savings Time.  One woman called in to say she was against it because her garden got too much sun as it was.

            Bob described Louella Hammond as unique.  She said exactly what was on her mind.  A very individualistic person, some thought eccentric.  In searching for another way to say this, Bob asked around and it was suggested to say that she had “great personal style and you don’t see that much anymore.”

            Judge Hal Hammond Walker was another Asheboro figure that looms large in memory.  When Walker’s law partner Dean Bell came back from a trial in Greensboro, Walker asked, “Lawyer Bell, was justice done in Greensboro?”  Bell replied affirmatively.  Walker said, “Well, hell, let’s appeal.”

            Bob’s first column was about Walker’s dog Duke, the dog with his own charge account.  Duke followed the Judge on his evening walks to Pritchard’s Feed & Seed on Worth Street.  As a treat for waiting outside Duke was given a Zero Bar.  Duke began coming to the store by himself.  He was a large dog and the storekeepers thought he might discourage customers from coming in, so they gave him a Zero Bar after which he would go home.  The Judge heard about this and said that the storekeepers could put the candy on his bill.  The next development was that other dogs began accompanying Duke for the treats.  The Judge’s charge account doubled.  Walker said he didn’t mind paying for Duke “but I’ll be damned if I’ll pay for his friends.”

            Bob was asked who his favorite columnists were.  He quickly answered “Art Buchwald.”  Asked if he liked Andy Rooney he answered that he liked Rooney’s style.

            To answer the question “What has changed in the newspaper business since you began, with the exception of computerization?” Bob said, “Folks don’t read.”

            To conclude his presentation Bob recalled Worth Coltrane, the chairman of the Republican Party when Bob started.  Bob asked him to make a prediction on the outcome of a primary.  Coltrane declined to answer until some time had past.  Then he said, that after great consideration, the person who wins will be the person who gets the most votes.

            Mary Joan thanked Bob and we were adjourned.

Writ with great personal style by Philip Shore