Of those kids in jail 60% have drug-use problems, and 60% will return to the jail cycle.

     We learned more about the Rotary Scout Show — volunteers wanted.

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POWELL'S
OBSERVATIONS

Powell Majors

     Tony Zeiss advocates that Americans change their educational expectations from K-12 to K-14 as the minimum to make a good living. The Business Journal carries an in-depyh interview in the March 12th issue.

     Pam Syfert's advice to those caught in media glare: "Try not to get offended."

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DID YOU KNOW?

     The 1999-2000 Committee Assignments will be coming your way SOON. Be looking for yours in the mail and look up your assignments for serving next Rotary year.

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William E. Loftin, Sr.

(Editor's Note: The following tribute was delivered at the April 13, 1999, meeting of the Rotary Club of Charlotte by Henry H. Bostic, Jr.)

     The man we honor today would never agree with the anonymous wag who wrote, "History is something that never happened, written by a man who wasn't there."  He would never concur with Sir Ralph Walpole who said "All history is a lie."  Nor would he side with the great French General Napoleon when he remarked that "What is history but a fable agreed upon?"
     No, our honoree would more likely side with H. G. Wells who said that "Human history is in essence a history of ideas." Or with the Philip Skelton who remarked, "History makes us some amends for the shortness of life."  But I know very well that our own favorite historian would definitely agree with the great German poet and dramatist Goethe who said that "The best thing which we derive from history is the enthusiasm that it raises in us."
     This is one for history, William E. (Bill) Loftin Sr. This is your day.  And I must say, you gave us all quite a scare earlier this year.  Since last July, President Ronnie and I have been planning a tribute to honor your contributions to Charlotte Rotary.  I, for one, am indeed delighted and filled with gratitude today just to be able to carry out this very special assignment.   It wasn't too many weeks ago that my heart sank when I learned that you were in Presbyterian.  "Why hadn't we paid tribute to Bill earlier in the year?" kept running through my mind.  But we never know what miracles life has in store for us.  And, today, Bill, you are definitely a miracle.
     Just as President Ronnie's year at the helm has been characterized by his peripatetic verse, Bill's year as president was epitomized by his love for history.  And, boy, did he make sure we got our lessons.  Each and every week for 52 weeks when he headed Charlotte Rotary in 1986-87.  Not that we minded, too much?  But every time Bill has gotten up to speak since his presidency, we just know a history lesson is likely at hand.
     I never will forget inviting President Tom Hearn, of Wake Forest University, to speak that year.  After Bill's lesson that day, the head of my alma mater had less than 15 minutes to speak.  Perhaps Bill should have done what President Ronnie has and start the meeting at Noon!
     But there is no denying that Bill Loftin loves Rotary and, especially, the Rotary Club of Charlotte.  There is no way to calculate the thousands of hours he has voluntarily spent on the Charlotte Reporter which he has lovingly produced since July 1973 - nearly 26 years. 
     I have had the pleasure of working with Bill on the Reporter for more than 15 years.  Each issue has to be just right.  The historian in him comes out in each issue.  Bill wants the Reporter to be the "publication of record" for Charlotte Rotary so that someone 100 years from now can tell who sat at the head table for today's meeting.
     I also serve as the backstop in case a reporter forgets his assignment.  I can tell by the sound of his voice if he's calling for help.   Never fear, Bill, you and I have already talked, and, yes, I'm covering this meeting.   As an old reporter, I want to be sure I'm quoted correctly.
     Bill's company has also prepared the club's roster since 1973.   God only knows how many calls he's had to make to one member or another who missed the deadline for information.
     But his crowning achievement for Charlotte Rotary was the 75th Anniversary history.  Truly, a labor of love.  I can attest that the 75th book would never have been accomplished without his dedication and dogged determination.   He called me more than once late at night to encourage me to get on with an assignment.
     Let me share a personal moment.  When Tom Warren died, I had a call from Bill on my voice mail asking if I would write his obituary for the Reporter.   Bill -- who has in the past written the obituaries of members -- allowed as how because of his recent illness he didn't think he could do the assignment justice.  Of course, I was delighted to do one more thing for Tom and Bill. 
     But to tell you how dedicated Bill is, he went down to the Rotary office and got Tom's file for me and even copied an article from the 75th Anniversary History so I'd have all the info I needed to write the obituary.  Then, he waited in the street later that evening to give me the information.
     To visit Bill's place of business is - fittingly - to take a step back in time.  At Heritage Printers, you won't be surprised to find out that they do it the old fashioned way.  Bill's company has one of the largest collections of linotype, ludlow and foundry type left in the entire country.  There's no buzz of the computer in this plant.  No smell of ozone from electrical components processing data.  This is the real thing.  Just the smell of melted lead and the unique clickety-clack sound of the linotype machine sorting letters back into font trays.   Gutenburg would know this is a printer.
     And Bill definitely has printers' ink on his fingers.  He is a director and treasurer of Loftin & Company which was established in Gastonia by his father in 1898.  Additionally, Bill co-founded McNally & Loftin Publishers Inc. in 1964 and Graphic Composition Inc. in 1974.
     A graduate of Davidson College, Bill did graduate study at Harvard Business School and the University of North Carolina. Prior to founding Heritage Printers in 1956, he held positions with Florida State University Harvard University, Chance Vought Aircraft and Burlington Mills.
     He has served as class secretary and reunion chairman for his graduating class at Davidson. He also is a member of Avondale Presbyterian Church, where he has served in a variety of positions.
     Son Bill Jr. says of his dad - who's 79 - "I know that up until his recent health problems Dad was working six-day weeks - a hard act for a son to follow or keep up with.  He remains an inspiration for his family and co-workers, whom he considers members of the family.  He 'lives to work' not 'works to live.'"
     And Bill truly remains an inspiration to all of us in Rotary.   If each of us could only exhibit the same dedication and hard work.  He lives "Service above Self" every day.  It is truly my great honor to recognize William E. Loftin, Sr., for all his many, many contributions to Charlotte Rotary since 1970.
     Bill, if you and your lovely wife Martha Jane will come down front here in front of the podium, I'd like to present you a token of the club's gratitude.   The club has made a gift to the Rotary Foundation in your honor, taking you to the third level to your Paul Harris Fellowship.  W know you would appreciate that as much as anything we could do. Here's a pin in token of that gift. And thank you again for all you've done for Charlotte Rotary and our community.  Bill, we truly appreciate your service to Charlotte Rotary.
     Celebrating with Bill today are several members of his family.   (He and Martha Jane have four children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.)   Let me just take an opportunity to introduce those here today.  Daughter Judy and her husband Walter Hobbs, granddaughter Laura Hobbs, daughter Martha Whitfield and her oldest son Forest, the grandson of long-time club member Hamp Whitfield,  and club member Bill, Jr., and his wife Nan.  Also, here today is Cathy Parris, one of Bill's long-time employees.

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