Meeting Notes from Sept 3rd

Dear Proud Sub-Westers,

What a wild meeting! Bill Sheffield got us started with a Groaner that came straight from the LIV Bible (Loose Interpretation Version). Harry Tuttle led us in Prayer, followed by Don Gregory with the Pledge to our Flag, and Bob Bothfeld with the 4-Way Test.

I passed on that the Dress the Prez for Polio campaign was up to $1581. With a goal of $2000 and 7 weeks to go, it’s not looking good for me (or maybe I should have said, I’ll be looking good for you). Super Rotarian John Capps is coming to Pensacola the week of Sept 13-18th. Thanks to Past President Bill Spain and his lovely wife Anna for donating their home for him to stay in and a car to drive while he’s here. Bill and Anna will be out of town at their son Everett’s change-of-command while John’s here.

Happy Dollars were laden with football rants and raves. We had visitors from the FBI and Bill Sheffield was asking to use one of their guns! If the teams play with the same level of energy as their Sub-West fans exhibit, they need to make the football out of steel.

Past District Governor Paul Parks introduced our Visitors and Guests. Our visitors included James Stewart, Tim Bragg; and Paul Sinor, all guests of Bill Sheffield. Visiting Rotarians included Carl Dickerson from Cantonment; and Richard Peterson and Kenny Morgan from Pensacola North.

We celebrated Rotarian anniversaries this week with Gordy Tyrrell (48 years); Mike Marshall (15 years); Jerold Hall (11 years); and Ronnie Arnold (4 years).

Heidi Blair, Executive Director of the USO, wants to share with Sub-West the USO is conducting a Food Drive to support the fine defenders of our nation who come to the USO. Many troops use the USO this time of year to watch football. Please help by donating non-alcoholic drinks, candy, snacks, packaged finger foods, napkins, plastic ware, etc., so our fine young men and women can enjoy some of the freedom they provide. If you can’t get the food, money also works. The USO’s phone is 850.455.8280.

I also mentioned Five Flags PE Malcolm Ballinger’s son Andy is battling leukemia. A fund raising effort is under way to help with the medical expenses. Raffle tickets are being sold for $10 each with the prize being a 14kt white gold, yellow sapphire and diamond ring. The ring was donated and 100% of the proceeds will go to help Andy. Remember what DG John Kuykendall said; we need make sure we help fellow Rotarians in need.

The Woolly Booger was Tim Couch who tested us on Football Mascot trivia. I’m still wondering how a higher education institution ended up being the Fighting Okra.

Huntley Johnson had the winning raffle ticket and drew the Queen of Spades from a deck with only 46 cards left to miss out on a $383 pot.

Brunie Emmanuel from the EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless told us how his organization operates and what its goals are. He included the efforts to work with the people that are being displaced so construction can commence on the Maritime Park.

Next week our speaker will be Frances Yeo from Junior Achievement.

Ervin Byrd is the new Social Chair and is looking for people to join his committee. Ervin plans parties for a living and is sure to make this easy for anyone who joins him.

I’m so proud you made me a member of Sub-West.

Be blessed or be a blessing,

Rick