Meeting Notes from Nov 12th

Dear Sub-Westers,

I was good to be back running the meeting in my regular work clothes. Bill Sheffield got us started with a Groaner. Reed Eubanks led us in Prayer, followed by Bobbye Carroll with the Pledge to our Flag, and Mike Marshall with the 4-Way Test.

I mentioned the good time we had at the Sub-West Wine Tasting at Blazzue’s Tuesday evening. Thanks to Ervin Byrd and the party crew for putting it together. It was an elegant time with wine and cheese, good friends and conversation.

Happy Dollars were started by me over my elation of what I got to wear for Dress the Prez. John Stein is thankful for the Marines. Bob Jacobson was happy Navy won. Bob Spillman let us know he became a Rotarian 33 years ago. Wayne Etheredge announced his and Nelda’s 4th grandchild. Betty Wasson’s grandson is costing her a fortune with 7 “A”s. Ferd Salomon III was happy his son was home from deployment. AG Ted Kirchharr was happy Central Michigan beat someone. Bill Spain, along with others, gave honor to our military veterans. And Ronnie Arnold was happy to find out he was not someone’s dad.

We celebrated Rotarian anniversaries with Harry Huelsbeck (35 years), Bob Spilman (33 years), Patrice Whitten (13 years), and Laverne Baker (13 years).

Roland Smith introduced our Visitors and Guests. Visiting were Alex Gonzales, guest of mine; Paul Bailey, guest of visiting Rotarian Charles Howard; and Brandon Smith, guest of Ronnie Arnold. Visiting Rotarians included Bob Rogers and Jeff Lewis from Downtown; Dan Livingston, Richard Peterson, and Chuck Hoskin from Pensacola North; Beverly Livingston from Gulf Breeze; and Bob Bailey from Cantonment.

I let everyone know Sub-West will be conducting a Bookfair at Barnes & Noble on Saturday, Dec 5th. The money we raise will be designated for our work being done at Hallmark/Ynestra Elementary Schools. Our Interact Club at West Florida Tech will be doing the same type of fundraiser for their club on Friday, Dec 11th. We get 10% of sales these days, so if you are going to buy books for Christmas, wait until Dec 5th or 11th.

The Woolly Booger was Past President Andy Hinton who gave us a lesson on who and what the Wooly Booger is. He also gave Brett Parra a lashing for going to school at LSU and accepting the title of Wooly Booger Emeritus. In Brett’s defense, the title was bestowed upon him by the unwitting president of the club (me).

Romesh Canekeratne had the winning raffle ticket and drew the Ace of Spades from a deck with 37 cards left to win a $602 pot. I want to go on record saying when Romesh came forward to draw the card, he said, “Show me where the Ace is and I’ll split the pot with you 50/50.” I graciously complied by fanning the deck in front of him and told him it was the blue card. He drew the Ace, but I didn’t get paid…

The program was Frances Yeo and Leanne Todd from Junior Acheivement. Frances and Leanne told us the purpose and mission of JA and how it adds to the education of our children in Pensacola.

Next week our program our program will be the 4-Way Test Essay Contest Awards.

Be blessed or be a blessing,

Rick