Charlotte Rotary president Don Steger called the meeting to order and asked that we remember the family and friends of the late NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt who was tragically killed in Daytona two days ago. Bill Kinney then introduced our guests and visiting Rotarians. For his Health & Happiness report Curt Farmer read a particularly poignant article by Paul Harvey dealing with very good advice for a father or grandfather to heed in raising a child— tidbits involving hand-me-downs and bedmaking and sharing a bedroom with a younger brother and digging in the dirt and reading books and what Ivory soap tastes like if you've told a lie. Richard Early led us in two choruses of "Shall We Gather at the River?" followed by the invocation offered by Jeannie Falknor.
     Paul Harris Foundation chairman Don Haack and committee member Larry Sagehorn introduced several of our new (and, in some cases, repeat) Paul Harris Fellows and their spouses. Those who participated in today's program included: Frank Martin, Ralston Pound (50 years of perfect Rotary Club attendance and a 53-year Rotary member), Sadler Barnhardt (25-year Rotarian), Bob Culbertson (25-year Rotarian and second-level Paul Harris Fellow), Price Gwynn (25-year Rotarian), Harry Daugherty (third-level Paul Harris Fellow), Jack Smylie (25-year Rotarian and second-level Paul Harris Fellow), Tommy Johnson (25-year Rotarian). Bob Poole and Hugh Cathey were not present but have achieved Paul Harris Fellowships and will be introduced at an upcoming meeting. Don then talked about the Rotary's mission to help provide fluoride in Ecuador and Peru, and the $400 million Rotarians have contrib­uted toward the eradication of polio worldwide.
     Michael Elder advised us that Good­will sponsors several job fairs for disabled workers like the one next week in Charlotte. Our Rotary committee for disabled workers is also working with Sister Cities on a program to assist disabled workers all over the world.
     Our president introduced those seated at the head table: Suzanne Fetscher, Winn Maddrey, Richard Early, Jeannie Falknor, Brian Gibson, Marilynn Bowler, Darrel Stephens and our speaker. President Don reminded us that the annual Joint Rotary Meeting will be held at the Adams Mark on Tuesday, 27 February from 11:45 a.m.- l:45 p.m. We were ad­vised to arrive early to facilitate parking. President Don then announced that Ed Kizer has been nominated to fill the board position left vacant by Bill Furr. Ed's name will be presented to the membership at our next meeting.
     Darrel Stephens introduced our speaker Bruton Smith. Bruton has been the Chairman, CEO and a director of Sonic Automotive since its inception in 1997 and is currently a director and EO of each of Sonic's dealerships. Bruton is also the Chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, which owns and operates NASCAR tracks in Atlanta, Bristol, Charlotte, Las Vegas, Sears Point, and Texas. He is a North Carolina native, conducts business in 24 states and is a strong supporter of a variety of civic and community organiza­tions including afterschool programs and summer camps for kids.
     Bruton spoke of the impact of Dale Earnhardt's death on race car drivers and the racing industry. He told of some personal encounters with the driver which showed Earnhardt's humorous side, including when he referred to Ross Perot as "Rossie" (okay in Dale's mind, since the billionaire called him "Racer") and the time when the racing legend stepped into the Winner's Circle on the afternoon before race day and declared, "This is MY property!" Bruton described Dale Earn-hardt in adjectives such as "awesome," "great father," and "empire builder."
     Changing the topic to his plans for an Arts & Science Museum in uptown Charlotte, Bruton advised us that he's planning a 300,000-square-foot facility with an estimated building cost of $300 million, raised without public funds. He pointed out that just as the textile industry began in the north and eventually moved their headquarters to the south, so, too, is the automobile industry settling in the south. Initially coming out of Detroit and Indianapolis, the auto industry is now producing cars in Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina, hence making an automobile science and technology museum in Charlotte a leading contender to attract visitors year-round. He cited magnificent displays and ever-changing exhibits which would bring worldwide visitors. He has already had discussions with architectural firms from Europe and Asia who have created similar museums, i.e. the Volkswagen Museum in Germany.
     In responding to our members' Q&A, Bruton concluded by telling us that the standard reminder issued to drivers before any NASCAR race is "tighten those belts," and perhaps in the near future that mandate will include a reference to the protective HANS. It is important, Bruton said, that the driver in his/her protective equipment become part of the vehicle to assure safety.
     President Don closed the meeting at 1:30 p.m.

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New Member

BENTON   SELLERS  BRAGG

2001

Financial Asset Management

Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc.
100 Queens Road (28204)
704-377-0261
FAX 704-334-9754
email: benton@braggfinancial.com

     Benton is the president of Bragg Financial Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor firm which manages money for individuals and corporate retirement plans. Bragg Financial Advisors focuses on comprehensive financial and estate planning in conjunction with disciplined asset management.
     Born and raised in Charlotte, Benton graduated from Wake Forest University in 1990 and received his MBA there in 1997. He currently serves on the Wake Forest University Poteat Scholarship Committee. Before joining Bragg Financial Advisors, he worked for Bank of America in Burlington, N.C., as a branch manager. He earned his CFP designation in 1995, became a Chartered Financial Analyst in 2000, and is a member of the Association for Investment Management and Research.
     Benton and his wife Alice Carlton Bragg are the proud parents of seven-month-old Benton Sellers Bragg, Ir. His family is active at St. John's Baptist Church where he is a Deacon. Benton is a board member of the new Camp Tree-Tops, a nonprofit that will build a sum­mer camp for kids who otherwise could not afford such an experience. For several years he was a Right Moves for Youth Club Leader at Lincoln Heights Elementary School. In addition to his work, community service, and spending time with his family, Benton enjoys swimming, running, reading and hard labor on the family farm.
     Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Benton.

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POWELL'S
OBSERVATIONS

POWELL  MAJORS

  Christie Taylor is a finalist for the Business Woman of the Year sponsored by Queens College and Wachovia Bank.
     Al Allison is lobbying with other small business owners to stop the rising health care costs which he provides for his employees.
     Byron Bullard in a letter to the editor of the "Observer" pointed out that Ericsson Stadium has paid off and so will an uptown arena.
     Mike Crum expects the Independence Arena to take on the name of Cricket Communications in March as the result of a $750,000 naming rights deal.
     LifeSpan is the new name of St. Mark's, headed by Leigh Derby.

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OBJECT OF ROTARY

       The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
     FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
     SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
     THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
     FOURTH. The advancement of inter­national understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

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