Dear Proud Rotarians of Sub-West,It was beautiful outside and I was blessed to be a Rotarian today. I'm not sure everyone knows how hard it is to look out the windows of our meeting room and stay focused from the lectern. Please pardon me if I start to stare off more than usual.
What a great meeting! Mike Marshall got us started with two Groaners with the second being the real thing. Laverne Baker led us in prayer, followed by Roland Smith with the Pledge to our Flag, and Wendy Simon with the 4-Way Test.
Bill Sheffield started the Happy Dollars inspired by the American Flag that flies in front of Joe Pattie's. Bob Bothfeld said his wife is doing well with her medical treatments. Bob Jacobson and Tim Couch are proud of the accomplishments of their sons. Wayne Etheridge was happy the District Governor was visiting our club and that he only had to say his last name wrong once.
Johnny Fayard introduced our Visitors and Guests. Our visitors included Marilyn Tuttle, wife of newly inducted Rotarian Harry Tuttle. We had Visiting Rotarians Malcolm Thomas and Rex McKinney from Downtown and Olevia Yates from the new Seville Club.
I was my great pleasure to induct our first Rotarian this Rotary year. Harry Tuttle became Sub-West's newest member today and DG John Kuykendall presented him with the Rotary pin. Thanks to his sponsor, Bill Spain, for proposing him to our ranks and to his wife Marilyn for attending his ceremony. Please take time to welcome and get to know Harry.
The Woolly Booger was none other than Bill Spain who reminded us how a pretty blond can separate a smart man from his money. He continued on (and on, and on) with some Rotary Trivia and raised $82.00 (yeah Brett, I'm keeping track) for the Foundation.
Bill Sheffield had the winning raffle ticket and drew the 6 of Clubs from a deck with only 51 cards left to miss out on a $285 pot.
District Governor John Kuykendall was our speaker today and shared some of the things our District has committed to do this year. He talked about taking care of our membership, especially during these hard economic times. He also discussed the District projects that need support to include the Long-Term Youth Exchange and Rotary Youth Camp. He encouraged us to attend next year's District Conference that will be held at the HarborWalk Village in Destin. We thanked John and his wife Catherine for coming with a donation in his name to the Foundation, our "imported" travel coffee mugs and the "Pensacola is a Paradise" Pelican figurine from the Pelicans in Paradise collection.
The August issue of the club's newsletter was given out at the meeting. It's also attached to this email. Please say thanks to Bobbye Carroll and Jane White for the new format. It looks great! If you have something for the newsletter, the deadline is August 13th for the September issue.
Next week our speaker will be Jenny Campbell from the Pensacola Museum of Art.
For those who read all the way to the bottom, next week is when the $5.00 fines start for not wearing a symbol of Rotary to the meeting. No more Mr. Nice Guy!
Be blessed or be a blessing,
Rick
