Gallipolitan
Local author, Wanda Willis, Speaks to Gallipolis Rotary!
The Gallipolis Rotary Clu
b held its regular morning meeting at the Holzer Clinic Doctors’ Dining Room Tuesday, September 2nd, at 7:15 AM. President Deb Rhodes gaveled the meeting to order with the ringing of the Rotary Bell. Guests this morning included Evans Smalley and Wanda Willis.
There’s more below the fold!
President Rhodes reminded everyone that an important event is coming up in just five short weeks! The Bob Evans Farm Festival will be held October 10, 11, 12 and is only a few weeks away. This is our major fund raiser for the club and come rain or come shine we need all Rotarians, spouses, friends, casual bystanders, and all other able volunteers to stand with us as week dip and sell, dip and sell! That has a nice ring to it, don’t you think? Seriously, be sure this date is on your calendars!
Club Board Meeting–This Wednesday, September 3rd, our club board meeting will be held at 1:00 pm at the OVB Main Office, downstairs in the board room. This is a good opportunity to make up and missed club meetings and Red Badge members are required to attend at least ONE board meeting to move to the Rotary Blue Badge.
District Foundation Seminar–Our District 6690 Foundation Seminar will be held the weekend following the BEF Festival at Cherry Valley Lodge on Saturday, October 18th. We’d like to have a good carload from our club attend this important district event!
Split-The-Pot–Jim Morrison ran STP for the meeting, selling a good number of tickets for the drawing. Jim looked closely for an honest face to draw the winning number and asked our speaker to pull the winner. The ticket was held by none other than Jim Morrison! Margaret Evans had to take over the duties and shuffle the card deck REALLY WELL, at which point Jim drew the nine or spades. Really close, Jim! The Foundation Fine was assessed against anyone who DIDN’T stay up to watch the end of the Tennessee/UCLA football game last night. Jim said he didn’t make it either, and turned it off as it went into overtime. Final score was UCLA 27, Tennessee 24.
Rotary Coin Boxes–We had two Rotary Coin Boxes turned in today to benefit the Rotary Foundation. Shirley Doss and Chuck Clark both turned in full boxes. Shirley had to use tape to keep her’s together. Katrinka gave the statistics on the two boxes turned in a week or so ago–Marlin Rose’s box contained $35 and Dave Smith’s box totaled out at $27.15. Good job everyone! By just filling three of these during the Rotary year, you can make or exceed the annual gift of $100 to the Rotary Foundation. Remember, Every Rotarian, Every Year!
Fellowship–Gordon Amsbary helped out today with club fellowship as Lou Ellen was away for the meeting. Gordo reminded everyone that there was a birthday that was missed back in June for a very special member who was present today–Rep. Clyde Evans! Clyde chose to donate $5 to the club to call upon the special mystery singer to serenade him today. The mystery vocalist was none other than Clyde’s Granddaughter, Evans Smalley, who did a terrific job with Happy Birthday! This was quite fitting for the occasion as today is National Enthusiasm Day, along with national chicken month, and national bisquit month. Gordon extract a small late fine from member Greg Sojka, who came in after the bell. Thanks for your help, Gordo!
Program–Gallipolis Rotarians were treated to a special program by local author, Wanda Willis, wife of Rotarian Cleeland Willis. As a pre-introduction of our speaker, President Deb recalled sitting in Mrs. Willis’ fifth grade and testified her appreciation for Wanda’s dedication and hard work through the years. Rotarian and Program Chair, Tammi Brabham, provided our speaker’s introduction.
Our speaker gave members an overview of her book, The Beveled Mirror, a recollection of her experiences growing up in Yellowtown, attending a one-room school, and how her life has been impacted. “Everyone has a story to tell,” she added, “and these are the stories from my life.” She tells how the hard life in the country made indelible marks into her character. The solitude of the country still calls, especially when things are hectic,” it’s good to get back to the soil and breathe the air.”
Wanda reminisced about all the jobs she had as a youngster, baby sitting and even working as a ‘carhop’ at the Bob Evans restaurant in Gallipolis. She related a story in the book about her experiences in keeping a pet groundhog. Now years later, she talked about the changing priorities that take place in coping with family health issues and surgeries and how important her faith in the Lord has been through the years.
At the conclusion of her remarks, President Deb presented a certificate to our speaker on behalf of the club and for a special children’s book which will be donated to one of the county’s eight elementary schools in her name. Mrs. Willis next signed the personalized label which will go inside this donated book.
Our meeting was then adjourned.