THE GALLIPOLIS ROTARY CLUB BLOG

The Gallipolis Rotary Club enjoyed hearing from G. Patrick Connors, Chief Executive Officer of Holzer Clinic at the club’s regular meeting.  Others attending from Holzer Clinic included Marjean Kennedy and Marie Dremner.  Dr. James M. Wellington, a local Chiropractor, attended Rotary for his second time today and expressed his interest in joining Gallipolis Rotary.  President Deb Rhodes welcomed guests and Rotarians to the meeting.

National Library Week–Debbie Saunders spoke briefly to inform members about the upcoming celebration of National Library Week at Bossard Library.  April 17-18 the library will have another “Antiques Road Show” where patrons can bring small heirlooms and have them appraised by local antique dealers.  There will also live Bluegrass music and food!  For Lincoln Day, the library will have a Lincoln impersonator on hand to provide a personal tribute to our 16th President.

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Editor’s Note: Here is last week’s Gallipolitan and many thanks to Margaret Evans for taking careful notes and attendance for our meeting.

John Ellison turned in a coin box.   Pres. Deb pointed out that this is an easy way to contribute to the Every Rotarian Every Year campaign which encourages all Rotarians to contribute $100. every year.

Rotary Guest–James Wellington, a new chiropractor in town was Kevin’s guest this morning.  He grew up in Vinton and has returned to practice in Gallia County.  We are hoping that James decided to join us in our endeavors.

Save these dates:  

April 25, 2009, for the Rotary Relays.  We will need as many Rotarians for as long as possible that day.  This year, we are hosting a junior high meet.

March 26, 2009, is the annual French Art Colony volunteer dinner.  The club has received an invitation so if you’d like to represent Rotary at that dinner, please contact Debbie.

May 19, 2009, for the annual RO-LI-KI meeting.  It will be an evening meeting at O.O. McIntyre Park.

April 6 and 7, 2009.  RI President D.K. Lee will visit the Columbus and Newark clubs, respectively.  If you want to go, please notify Debbie Rhodes since you will need a reservation.

Our President Elect, Bonnie, reported that the PETS was highly motivational for her.  Bonnie was impressed that our club is on par with the larger clubs in terms of what projects we accomplish and our overall club-health.  Bonnie won a raffle prize of a tie but quickly exchanged it with a fellow male Rotarian who had won a ladies’ scarf.  The scarf was imprinted with the motto: “Make Dreams Real.”  Bonnie presented the scarf to President Deb as a token of the club’s appreciation for the great job she is doing.

Bonnie noted an article on page 14 of the recent Rotarian magazine which talked about how the Athens county Rotary clubs had helped with projects in India and the clubs in India then reciprocated by purchasing text books for underprivileged children in Athens County.  It is just one example of how RI works.

Bonnie and Matt shared their appreciation for the keynote speaker at the conference.  The fellow was a survivor of the 911 attacks.  He was on the 105 floor when the planes struck and was able to make it out of the tower.  He emphasized the importance of remembering what happened to us as a nation that day and also trying to make decisions that are best for everyone in the group. Bonnie reminded us that our club is only as good as we individual members make it.

Split-The-Pot–Marlin Rose won the small pot of $6.00.  The “large” pot was only $6.00 also since Paul Koch won it last week!  Marlin pulled the 8 of spades so the pot will begin to build again.  Marlin fined everyone who showed up for Rotary this morning.

Fellowship–Gordon Amsbary led fellowship with interesting facts about things that happened and people who were born on this date. 

Happy Buck$–Bonnie McFarland bought five happy bucks to again emphasize how much she enjoyed the PETS conference.  She also “bragged” that the Relay for Life kickoff yesterday was well attended and everyone was energized. Margaret Evans also bought a happy buck to advertise the musical, “HONK Jr.” which will be performed at the elementary school at Rutland this Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.  Any child or grandchild will enjoy the show about the ugly duckling.

Matt Willis, our assistant district governor for next year, reminded us of our sister clubs of Wellston, Jackson and Ironton and encouraged us to make up there.

Jodi Anderson announced that a Young Professional Network is forming and that if any member is eligible (21-40 years old – NOT, as Gordon and Jim tried to interpret, 21+40 years old!) or knows of someone at work who would be eligible, a meeting will be held on April 16, 2009, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the banquet room at the Courtside Grill.

Gallipolis Rotarians received a special update on the progress of the construction of the new Gallia Academy High School by Superintendent Jack Peyton and his staff.  Visiting today were Jack Peyton, Jim Craft, and Lance Clifford from Gallipolis City Schools.  Our other special guest for the meeting was Evans Smalley.

Club President Deb Rhodes called the meeting to order promptly at 7:15 am and the invocation was provided by Matt Willis.  VP Bonnie McFarland just returned from this past weekend’s PETS training.  Bonnie will give the club an update next time as she had to leave for an appointment in Columbus.  President Deb also welcomed PDG Mel Simon back from his Operation We Care medical mission to the Philippines.  Mel displayed a banner from one of the six clubs he visited during his trip.  Mel also turned in four makeup certificates to keep his perfect attendance continuing.  We’ll hear more from Mel about his trip, but one of the highlights was attending the Macao District Assembly held at the Macao Venetian Hotel which included clubs from Macao, Hong Kong, and Mongolia.

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This week’s guest speaker was Lorraine Walker, owner/operator of Silver Bridge Coffee Company, a local roaster of specialty coffees.

President Deb Rhodes, recently back from Jamaica, called our meeting to order promptly at 7:15 am.  Matt Willis provided the invocation.  Our attendance was a little light today—could our AWOL Rotarians be victims of Daylight Savings Time?  President Rhodes reminded members about the important events that are coming up:

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