Posted March 9, 2004
Remember: Have you made your annual RI donation?
Family of Rotary coming up soon. More about it in the newsleter.
Participate, volunteer, have a good time!
Tim Womick, the national treeman has the program–a joint meeting with Randolph Rotary.
See you Friday!
Philip
IN GEAR—March 5—There was a good attendance for this meeting, encouraged perhaps by the weather cancellation of the prior week. Ed Clayton was absent from the treasure’s post but Assistant Secretary Talmadge Baker served ably by collecting dues and marking attendance. Joy Menius offered great piano music as we ate pork chops, pepper steak and various trimmings. The banana pudding was especially good.
Cheerful greetings were exchanged among Rotarians and guests and we pledged allegiance to the U. S. flag. Bob Mason raised the invocation, giving thanks for an abundance of God’s grace, for good friends and for the bounty of food that strengthens us for service.
Past President Allen Oliver substituted for Sergeant at Arms Prithvi Hanspal and welcomed guests. Debbie Auman and Kathleen Thompson were guests of Jaci Betts. Beverly Beck accompanied Stan Beck to support their daughter Allison who was a student guest and program speaker. Deborah Davies came with Carole Gilliam. Kelly Garner was the guest of Jerry Hill. Visiting Rotarians from the Randolph Club included Maggie Anderson, Linda Brown, Ed Bunch, Vickie Gallimore, John Ogburn, III, and Reid Pollard.
Kathy Homiller, chairman of the Youth Leadership Camp/Student Guest Committee introduced student guests. Ben Tonkin is a senior at Asheboro High School and the son of Libby and Ned Tonkin. Ben has participated with the very successful Mock Trial Team, runs with Cross Country Team, attended Governor’s School, plays the guitar and participates with the Spanish Club and other school clubs. Allison Beck is the daughter of Beverly and Stan Beck and has two brothers, Kent and Josh. She is president of the local chapter of the National Honor Society, treasurer of Interact, and participates in other school clubs and activities. Allison will matriculate at UNC-CH next fall.
President Mike announced that “Family of Rotary Outing” will be held at the NC Zoo on April 3, 2004 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Lunch is $12.00 for adults. Reservations should be made by March 21. To register for participation or to volunteer to help with arrangements, Rotarians should call Rebecca Redding or Mary Joan Pugh.
Rotarians who will attend the District 7690 Conference were called to the podium to be commissioned and presented a delegate’s pin. Among them are Jaci Betts, Wilbert Hancock, Don Allred, Mary Joan Pugh and Philip Shore.
A happy birthday wish was extended to Jaci Betts, Jim Finison, Lonnie Keogh, Duffy Johnson, Mike Freeland, Carole Gilliam, Evan Minier, Carl Phillips, Richard Pugh, Jim Rich and Jamie Stitt. All enjoy the turn of another year during March.
The newest member of Asheboro Rotary Club was presented to the membership by Jerry Hill. Kelly Garner grew up in Greensboro and went to UNCG. For seven and a half years she has been in the Asheboro area and is associated with Ablest Staffing Services. She lives with her husband Eric in Denton. Eric operates North State Grading Company. Kelly’s agricultural qualifications for membership in our club come by way of chicken farming. Her family decided that the high cost of grocery store eggs would justify buying some chicks and raising their own laying hens. But, as the project matured, the hens didn’t produce (and, this reporter presumes, were converted into chicken salad.) Now, Kelly and Eric enjoy golden retrievers on the farm. President Mike welcomed Kelly to our club..
For the Trade and Professional Committee, Bob Mason introduced the program. Learning late that he was responsible for the invocation and for the program Bob described how he scrambled by telephone to make arrangements. Lucky for Bob (and for the membership) Kathy Homiller put back together the program that was cancelled because of snow on February 27. Kathy described how the Interact Club at Asheboro High School had ceased to function some time ago but was recently reactivated. She introduced co-presidents Andrew Edwards and Allison Cox and Treasurer Allison Beck. The reactivation of Interact was made easier when the Octagon Club decided to disband and left a faculty advisor and student officers available to associate with Interact. Andrew and Allison and Allison described the various service projects in which this club participates. Gifts for needy children at Christmas, a class ring for a needy senior student, help with Relay For Life, a school yearbook for a needy student, help with Special Olympics and Senior Olympics were some of the projects. These young people are to be congratulated for their service to others through Interact!
The second half of the program was pure entertainment. Kathy introduced three young men from AHS to provide a musical program. Percussionist Thomas McNeely, guitarist Michael Libramento and guitarist Brad Morton demonstrated outstanding skill and creativity. Two pieces were performed with guitars and drums. Then, for a third offering, Libramento switched to the piano for a piece with piano, guitar and drums. It was an enjoyable performance!
Before adjourning the meeting, President Mike congratulated the young men and women for the talents they show and for their good work at school and in the community.
Written by Bob Walker
