2006 - 2007 Club Assembly
By Henry Bostic
   
New President David (Zimmerman) told the rowdy crowd gathered at SMS Catering for the club's annual assembly that one of his goals for Rotary year 2007-08 is "to have a lot more opportunities to socialize and have a good time." With the help of Underground Detour, a Dilworth basement band that features three Charlotte Rotarians, he helped his own wish come true with a blast of rock music even Founder Paul Harris may have heard.
 
Underground Detour was making its second appearance - the first being the same occasion two years ago. "Evidently you can't remember how we sounded," club member Al Allison, group keyboardist, dressed in a garish combination of yellow and orange, told the assembled crowd.
 
The band got its start several years ago when club member Mike Rash and real estate attorney Ralph McMillan jointly decided to learn to play the guitar. The group practices weekly on Thursday nights in the basement of McMillan's home on Lynhurst Ave., thus the band name. The other Rotarian in the nine-member group is David Barnhardt.
 
All members of the group have some connection to real estate and the band has played for state and local gatherings of realtors. Other members are Jerry Perillo, lead guitar; Kelly Campbell, bass; John Powell, vocalist; Jim Garrett, lead guitar; and Danny Williams, lead guitar. Note that there are three lead guitarists!
For one of the songs last night, Mustang Sally, the group was joined by Thomas Moore and Pam Daigle, both playing saxophone.
 
President David said he'd save his serious remarks for the July 3 meeting when he takes over officially from President Luther. He did introduce his leadership team and thanked retiring members of the board.
 
The following have leadership roles next year: Chuck Lew, programs; Tom Bartholomy, membership; Ken Poe, club service avenue; John Snyder, community service avenue, Biff Virkler, vocational service avenue; Don Millen, international service avenue; Todd Stevens, Rotary Foundation; Leland Park, secretary; George Rohe, treasurer and Mac McCarley, president-elect.
 
Directors rotating off the board include John Johnson, Pender McElroy, Tim Newman, Natalie English, Ed Turner and Peggy Wesp.
 
The directors for 2007-2008 are Al Allison, Carol Jordan, Brenda Lea, Thomas Moore, Hunter Widener, Elsie Garner, Frank Martin, Pat Millen, Chip Scholz, Lamar Thomas, Martin Waters, Neil Burkhead and Carol Hughes.
 
In other business at the meeting, President Luther presented a $2,000 check to Brenda Lea, representing Central Piedmont Community College. The check is to be used to pay for testing for those who have completed their GED work at CPCC. It's part of the club's three-pronged literacy effort.
 
Bill Staton introduced Wes Sturges, the club's newest member. Richard Bailey gave the invocation and Lee Morris recognized visitors.
 
As always, Bob and Robert Freeman of SMS Catering Services did a superb job hosting the event at their facility on Norland Road; the barbeque and all the fixings were excellent.

• Sympathy is extended to the Carroll Thomas family. Carroll's grandson, Thomas Edward Brown, was killed in an automobile accident in Georgia last week.
     
• Bill Staton introduced the club's newest member, Wes Sturges. Wes is president of Bank of Commerce and can be reached at wsturges@bocnc.com. Welcome!
      
• To celebrate the opening of An American Vision: Henry Francis du Pont's Winterthur Museum, the Mint Museums will offer FREE ADMISSION on Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1. Phil Kline would like to invite all Charlotte Rotary members, their family and friends, to visit the museums this weekend
 
• CELL PHONES…please remember to turn off your cell phone during Rotary meetings.
 
• Edwin Peacock will join John Lassiter and Anthony Foxx in the run for City Council.
 
• Several club members traveled to Austin, TX on the Chamber's annual trip: Anthony Foxx, John Lassiter, Ron Kimble, Tony Zeiss, Jerri Haigler, and Trent Merchant.
   
• Rotary Scholarship Golf Classic Early Bird Specials available through June 30. Golfers already registered: 97
  
• Committee Assignments are available on the club's website: Excel workbook set up by Avenue and alphabetically by member name.  Click here to view.

• CPCC Summer schedule at the Halton Theater: The Odd Couple, July 6-14; Seussical Theater for Youth, July 2-14. Call the box office at 704-330-6534 or visit arts.cpcc.edu.
 
• HOST FAMILIES ARE NEEDED to cover December 1-March 1 and March 1-June 1 for incoming exchange student Isabel Masa Tejeda. 16-year-old Isa will be attending Charlotte Country Day, and for transportation logistics, a south Charlotte family would be ideal. Contact Ed Wadsworth (ed@wadsworthgroup.net) or Lamar Thomas ( lthomas@washcycle.com) for additional information.

The Classification and Membership Committee recommend and the Directors approve for consideration for all members, the following NEW MEMBERS. Should you question the eligibility of any nominee, please call the Rotary Office by July 2nd. You will be contacted by a member of the Board. Otherwise, no reply is necessary and election will proceed according to our bylaws.