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It was a good meeting, and I will do my best to reconstruct it, but I ask that you consider that I am filling in for a summaries committee member who was unable to attend the meeting. And of course I didn't take notes.
Anyhow, it was a good meeting. The Hospitality committee, chaired by Scott Paine, was on the reception line.
President Shirley rang the bell at about 12:28 and tried to get us to come to order,. Not the easiest job. When we finally did, we sang God Bless America, with Ray Silva and Paul Tumason leading us.
Suzanne St. John-Crane gave the thought for the day. Told us she'd devoted a day to her seven-year old daughter and when they were at the beach, the daughter something that I can't quote exactly -- which is a shame, because it was heart-warming -- said: Mommy, this is a lovely day to be alive.
Red Badgers CHRIS DUKE and BRENDAN HARRINGTON held the roving microphones, and guests were introduced.
It was time (according to Shirley's new routine) for JOHN MCLEOD and the news. But, as Shirley explained, John wasn't able to attend today.
Next, JENN VIANE REISE thanked the Fairmont Hotel for donating leftover food the fist Wednesday of every month to the Bill Wilson Center.
In a pleasant ceremony, John Lundin presented a couple (?) of laptop computers to two very small, very cute little girls from Washington School. They had won some kind of competition -- reading perhaps?
Next, DEBBIE BLACKWELL and ELIZABETH MONLEY talked about the Rotary Fish dinner, which is scheduled for August 10 from 5:30 to 9:00pm at Club Auto Sport 521 Chrcot Aveu. The cost is $60.00 person. Then ... we learned that somebody -- some XXX blankety blank -- had stolen the fishing rods, leaving the committee rod-less. Shirley observed that the rods cost about $15 apiece ... and she wondered whether Rotarians wouldn't consider coming up with the required amount to make up for that loss. Immediately, Debbie and Elizabeth started making the rounds of the dining hall. If you were there, you know how they made out: a total of $2,800! Let's see, divided by $15, that's 186 fishing rods! A very heartwarming event.
NORM HULBERG talked about the ELC committee, the group that takes a large number of high school seniors to Asilomar for two and a half days and gets involved in a wonderful exercise in economics. He said there would be a Red Badge social for the ELC benefit on August 23 beginning at 5:30pm at Club Auto Sport.
PRESIDENT SHIRLEY then brought up the weekly subject of shining the "Rotary Spotlight" on somebody. This time, it shone not on one person, but on an entire committee -- the Hospitality Committee. The bunch were asked to stand. For some reason, only a few really did.
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The day's program was introduced by LARRY STONE, who noted that LOUIS BELMONTE is an old friend of his and .... currently ... a business partner.
The speaker, dressed in an open, striped shirt, pretty much captured us from the beginning. No script. A very informal manner. I wish I had taken notes, because it was a splendid talk. It was on current national politics -- or, more specifically, on national economics. Larry had told us that he and the speaker don't often agree on politics. And it was clear why not. The talk was largely a defense of the Republican position, but not necessarily of the position held by the Tea Partiers. I was one of those who felt that it was a very good talk, especially in view of our expectations. Our expectations were that we would have a learned talk on politics by some very qualified person who was reading a script. Nothing could have been farther from the actual truth.
The popularity of his talk was manifested by the number of people who sought him after he'd finished. Among them was our Mayor, Chuck Reed.
Now, you don't need to take my word for the effectiveness of the talk. You can hear a recording of it on KLIV 1590 AM a week from tonight at 7pm. Respectfully submited by: Bob Kieve, Rotary Summary Committe Photos proided by: Bob Beaulieu, Rotary Photography Committee |
