 PHIL
KIRK
Has North Carolina Wine Reached Its Prime?
By Suzanne Bledsoe
Phil Kirk, former chief executive officer of
NCCBI, the state Chamber of Commerce, has returned to his native
Salisbury to serve as Vice President of External Affairs for Catawba
College. He joined us today to educate us on the status of the wine
business in North Carolina in his capacity as spokesperson for the
Yadkin Valley Wine Growers Association.
North Carolina's involvement in the wine industry dates back to
1524, when grapes were first cultivated in our state. In fact, the
first winery in the United States, built in 1835, was located in
Halifax County. North Carolina was the leading wine producing state
until the impact of Prohibition effectively stopped the production
of wine in the state. Today, there are 57 wineries in North Carolina
and it is a growing component of our economy with, on average, the
opening of one new winery a month in the state. Our climate and the
soil composition in many parts of the state are conducive to grape
cultivation. Both Surry Community College and Appalachian State
University offer degrees in Viticulture and Enology (the cultivation
and growing of grapes).
While we have a long way to go before we catch up with California
with 1300 wineries, wine making has become a significant factor in
the economic make up of our state. Currently, there are
approximately 360 growers of grapes on 1500 acres in North Carolina.
Employment in the industry is in excess of 5,500 employees and sales
of North Carolina wine was $50,000,000 in 2006. North Carolina is
now the 10th largest producer of wine and grapes in the United
States. The economic impact of grapes and wineries in North Carolina
was estimated to be in excess of $79,000,000 in 2006.
Some other fun facts that Phil shared with us:
- Screwtops are better
than corks because they are cheaper for the manufacturer
to produce, easier for the consumer to open and keep the
wine fresher longer.
- There are a whopping
44,000,000 bubbles in a bottle of sparkling wine.
- We can help promote and
grow the wine industry in North Carolina by trying it,
buying it, drinking it, giving it for gifts, asking for
it in stores and restaurants, and visiting the wineries
and attending special events.
- Although wine sales beat
beer sales in North Carolina in 2006, the southeast
remains the lowest per capita wine consumption region in
the United States.
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On my way home tonight, I am
going to stop by my neighborhood grocery store and pick up a bottle
of North Carolina wine, take it home and give it a try. While I am
sipping my wine, I am going to surf the 'net for upcoming winery
events and festivals (see visitncwine.com). Not a bad way to boost
the economy of our beloved state!
Head Table:
Tom Bartholomy, Bob Freeman, Luther Moore, Natalie English, Robert
Freeman, Byron Bullard
Visitors &
Guests:
Martin Waters; Health & Happiness: Phil Van Hoy; Song: Meg McElwain;
Piano: Thomas Moore
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NEW MEMBER APPROVAL |
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The Classification and Membership
Committee recommend and the Directors approve for consideration
for all members, the following NEW MEMBER. Should you question
the eligibility of any nominee, please call the Rotary Office by
January 29th. You will be contacted by a member of the
Board. Otherwise, no reply is necessary and election will
proceed according to our bylaws. |
Vanessa W. Ramseur
Public Library of Charlotte Meck. Co.
Classification: Libraries, Public
Sponsor: Byron Bullard
Endorsed: Leland Park, Carol Jordan |
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Rotary Club of Charlotte
841 Baxter Street, Suite 118, Charlotte 28202
chltrot@bellsouth.net 704-375-6816 |
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Jerry Walters has been
promoted to a shareholder of Littler Mendelson, P.C., the
largest law firm in the US devoted exclusively to
representing management in employment, employee benefits and
labor law matters; Thomas Moore
and Pam Meister sing
with the Charlotte CommUnity Choir and were participants in
the Martin Luther King Memorial Concert held January 15 at
the PAC; Thanks to the Classroom Central volunteer group for
January: Rich Campbell, Ruth
Castleberry, Michael Elder, Elsie Garner, Kitty Musard, Al
Nikles, Sandy Osborne, and
Tom Robertson; The
Observer's Lake Neighbors insert had a photo of
Alan Adler's daughter,
Sloane, in her homemade cardboard boat, the SVA SpongBob.
Sloane won the Peninsula Yacht Club's Cardboard Boat Regatta
and People's Choice Award for most creative cardboard boat
design; Bill Stegelmeyer
provided an update on restoration efforts he observed during
his most recent visit to New Orleans;
Pender McElroy presented an
overview of the history of The Rotary Foundation and
recognized the following for their support and
contributions: Floyd Davis, Bob
Phifer, Bob Freeman, Robert Freeman, and
Leland Park.
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The Southern Spring Home & Garden Show will
open at the Merchandise Mart on February 28th. The Show's
Preview Night, held the evening before the Show officially
opens, will benefit the Council for Children's Rights.
Co-Chairs Larry Dagenhart, Amy Brinkley, and Council for
Children's Rights board member Joan Zimmerman has set an
ambitious goal of raising $225,000. Kudos to the generosity
of Southern Shows, whose prez is our own
David Zimmerman.
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Contact John Snyder if
you would like to be a sponsor of the Boy Scout Eagle
banquet. A donation of $75 will cover dinner for you and a
scout. The banquet will be held at Quail Hollow Country Club
on February 22.
¢ John Johnson led the group in reciting the Four-Way Test
and passed along a tip from David Norman, who says he has
the Four-Way Test stated under his name on all of his
emails.
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John Johnson led the
group in reciting the Four-Way Test and passed along a tip
from David Norman, who
says he has the Four-Way Test stated under his name on all
of his emails.
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Charlotte Reads Book Drive:
Tuesday, January 30th, will be the final day for collection
of books or donations to support the Charlotte Reads
literacy project. Several bags of books have been brought in
and the donations have risen to $795. The committee's goal
is $1000. If you are interested in making a donation, please
make your check payable to The Rotary Foundation DAF,
and show "Charlotte Reads" in the memo line.
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Best Western PARKING Update:
The paving project at the McDowell Street entrance will
continue into next week and the entrance will be closed.
Please enter the hotel by using the 3rd or 4th Street
entrances.
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Off to Peru! A
team of Charlotte Rotarians will join several members of the
Dilworth South End club as they head off to Arequipa, Peru
on January 26th. While in Peru, the group will have the
opportunity to observe and work on several home improvement
initiatives. Prayers and wishes for a fantastic trip!
Representing the Charlotte Club will be
David Anderson, Herb & Karen Harriss,
Carol Hughes, Warren and Amy Kean, Ed and Greg Wadsworth,
Frank Martin, and Lamar
Thomas. Thanks to Pam
Daigle's efforts, the Red Cross has donated 30
teddy bears and 200 bars of soap, handy wipes, razors, and
shampoo. And Eckerd Drugs gave
Lamar a great deal on purchasing 200 bottles of
vitamins, aspirin, etc. What an opportunity to Lead The Way.
The group returns February 4th - stay tuned for the stories.
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Bill Constangy has
arranged to have a tour of the new Courthouse following the
Rotary meeting on February 6th. The tour will take about an
hour and if you are interested, contact Sandy at the Rotary
office no later than February 5th.
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Invitations to attend the CLUB GALA
at Charlotte Country Club on February 20th have been mailed.
Please RSVP by February 13. The price is $50 per person and
checks are payable to Charlotte Rotary. (use your invitation
as your invoice - this charge will not be reflected on your
March invoice.) |
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Attendance
Record |
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1/23/06 |
1/24/05 |
| visitors &
guests |
9 |
13 |
| club
members |
189 |
182 |
| total
attendance |
198 |
195 |
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New Members | Resignations |
Roberta Smith
Carroll Gray |
Jeff Triplette
Chuck Panoff |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
2 Ann and Don Carmichael
2 Judith and Bill Underwood
4 Lynn and David Erdman
4 Miriam and Jeff Searcy
5 Jeanie and Tom Cottingham |
| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
2 Alice Harrison, Concord, NC
3 Rock Miralia, New York, NY
3 Jesse Hite, Staunton, VA
4 Hamp Whitfield, Clinton, NC
5 Bill Griswold, Clifton Springs, NY |
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