Wall to Wall Music

     From beginning to end, Rotarians enjoyed Christmas tunes at this meeting.  First came background rhythms from a combo composed of Chuck Lineberry (bass), guest Greg James (piano), and Thomas Moore (sax and vocals).

     And for the Christmas program, we enjoyed a wide assortment of holiday music inspiringly presented by the West Charlotte High School Chamber Choir, directed by Joselyn Thompson.  The choir consisted of twenty-five students in the Audition Group, the select part of the 150 enrolled in the choral program at West Charlotte.  Members of the group represented a wide variety of characteristics. Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores and Freshmen, with interests in many sports, student government, and different musical instruments.  Of special note were the facts that they stood in “mixed format” with sopranos, altos, tenors and basses alternating in each line (instead of having all members of each voice grouped together); and that they sang a cappella.

     Ms. Thompson, a native of Gaston County, graduated from UNC Greensboro with Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education, as well as a Masters in Special Education, and has taught choral music at West Charlotte since 1992.  During her tenure the school’s choirs have won many awards and traveled nationally, auditioning at Carnegie Hall in 1999 and 2000 and singing as competitors in the Heritage Festival of Gold in 1998, 2001; with plans to compete again in 2003.  Her other responsibilities include teaching at Belmont Abby College, accompanying the Mainstage Choir of Carolina Voices and directing that group for the 2001 Singing Christmas Tree.  No wonder that under her leadership, West Charlotte students are expected to perform at the highest levels, and often without accompaniment (about which she admits to being very “picky”).

     The program of seven selections began with a Swahili composition, “We Are Marching In The Light Of God,” followed by a French selection, “Praise, Praise, Praise God’s Holy Name, Alleluia.”  Switch then to the classic  “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”, to round out the sacred pieces.

     The next group of three consisted of popular Christmas songs: Christmas Bells from Ukrainian composer M. Leontowich; Christmas Eve by the late Loonis McGlohon, Charlotte’s widely loved musician; and Jazz Gloria by Natalie Sleeth.

     For a finale the choir sang “It Takes A Village” a contemporary piece by Joan Szymko.   A complicated creation, this song began with the heartbeat of the village and included solo lines by Tia Morrison.  In response, Rotarians gave a standing ovation for excellent and inspiring music!  What an appropriate prelude to the Christmas holidays.

     Between the music, President David managed important club business, including a gift presentation to Sandy Osborne for running the club on an even keel, presentations of two new members, Floyd Davis and Don Esposito, and raffling door prizes from the Inner Wheel won by Bill Loftin, Jr., Harry Daugherty, and Kurt Schollar.

     Head Table: Jody Morris, Catherine Browning, Tim Newman, Paul Solitario, Myra Johnston, Mike Whitehead, David Anderson.

     Guests & Visitors - Jeff Triplette; Health & Happiness-John Tabor; Invocation-Darrel Stephens.

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Did You Hear…

è Polio Eradication Update

Club Pledge:               $54,000
Received To Date:    $43,830
Representing:            167 members

 è Rotary Breakfast Bunch will not meet in December.

è THANKS! to all contributing to Crisis Assistance Ministry.

 è Leland Park was featured in the Club XXV section of the Charlotte Observer’s Business Monday.

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New Member

Lori Shaffer Hurd

Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council

7007 Idlewild Road (28212)

704-731-6552

Fax: 704-596-4342

Email: lshurd@hngirlscouts.org

     Lori is Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council, which serves over 12,000 girls and nearly 5000 volunteers throughout our community.  Having served in her capacity just over one year, Lori brings to our community a 17-year professional career as a leader in Education and Human Services.

     Lori has always been active in community service from her teen years as a candy striper at her neighborhood hospital to her recent years of non-profit Board service in Charlotte.  Most recently, Lori has served on the Boards of Mecklenburg Partnership for Children (Smart Start) where she chaired the Early Leaning Committee; served as President of the NC School Age Care Coalition; Steering Committee for the Homeless Services Network, and continues her service as a member of Foundation For The Carolinas POST Steering Committee. From her first professional position as Executive Director of the Rape Crisis & Prevention Center in Bowling Green, KY – now called Hope Harbor, Lori has thoroughly enjoyed being an elementary school Teacher for Special Education and Kindergarten students, serving as CMS Director of After School Enrichment Programs; and most recently as Executive VP and Chief Development Officer of YWCA Central Carolinas.

     Lori is a graduate of Western Kentucky University with undergraduate degrees in Education and Psychology.  She has completed graduate studies through the UNC-CH Early Childhood Leadership Development Program and Duke University’s Non-Profit Management Certification Program.

     Charlotte has been Lori’s home for the past ten years.  She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Lori and her husband, Jeff, have three children – Lauren Faith, 4 years; Megan Joy, 8 years; and Andrew, 16 years.  The newest addition is just 4 months old, a “semisweet” chocolate lab puppy named Maggie.  Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Lori!

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Dates to Remember

January 11^th       9:00 – 12:00

Mid-Year Assembly will be held at the Mooresville Citizens Center.  The meeting is open to all Rotarians, but at a minimum, Officers, Directors, Elects, and Committee Chairs are encouraged to attend.

 February 25^th         12:00

Joint Rotary Luncheon will be held at the Adams Mark Hotel. Reservation forms will be mailed in January.  The Club will pick up the cost of this meal for our members, however, those making a reservation and NOT attending will be billed $25. Peter Browning from the Graduate School of Business at Queens University will be speaking on the subject of Business in Corporate America.

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     Several of our members played an important part at the Emergency Restoration Center during last week’s ice storm.  Deep appreciation is extended to Darrell Stephens, Luther Fincher, Joe Becker, Winston Kelly, Susan Hutchins, Harry Weatherly, Ron Kimble, Doug Bean, and Joe Penner.

     Phil Volponi has agreed to complete Mary-Stuart Brooks’ term as club secretary.  Mary-Stuart has resigned from the club and will be getting married and moving to Hilton Head.

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