Three Personal Thanksgiving Messages
By John Galles
            
Three Rotarians provided their personal thanksgiving reflections on blessings that had been bestowed upon them that affected their lives. Andy Zoutewelle, Janice Stevens and Ray Killian expressed their thanks for important people, events and occurrences that changed their lives.
 
Andy Zoutewelle focused his remarks on three people. The first was from his youth. His scout master was Jim Pugh, a small business person and a chemist, who also became a mentor to him. His business was the manufacturing of chemicals that matched the needs of his clients. While he only employed 30 people, he never intended to match the capacities of Monsanto or 3M, but his entrepreneurial spirit motivated his American dream. Mr. Pugh told him, "If you want to help someone, start a small business!" Andy was inspired by Jim Pugh's words and actions. The second person that Andy mentioned was Julia Maulden, whom Andy traveled with to Haiti in the 1980's. The times were especially tough in Haiti at that time. Not only were they worried about violence from the dictator "Baby Doc", but they were also concerned with malaria and the water supply. They hiked mountain trails, crossed rivers and even passed the city dump that was filled with refugees living in the stench and the squalor. Throughout that experience, Julia Maulden exhibited her leadership and diplomacy that engendered goodwill. Andy remarked how she taught him one-on-one interaction and to relate to people on a personal level. The third person identified in Andy's presentation was a retired gentleman who lives alone, remembers serving at Camp Green, serving in World War II and has a workshop that is bigger than his house. He is known as Santa Claus because he has so many toys in his workshop. At one point in his life, he agreed to be called Grampy by a young girl who died two years later. He missed her so. Andy took his 15 year old daughter to meet Mr. Hope to learn about his thoughtfulness, his caring and his kindness. Together, they appreciated his warmth and his goodness.
 
Janice Stevens remembered her mother, her sister, Dr.Bill Miller, David Rhew and Catherine Browning for their impact on her life. She remarked that she was so blessed and wanted to speak about her gratitude. Janice was born two months premature and because of a staph infection within the hospital, she was kept in the room with her mother. She is so gracious about her mother and her sister for all their support. Since her father died when she was 13, she has found her mother to be her best friend and her source of great wisdom. She remembers her mother for her comment... "Be a master of your habits and your habits will help you master your life." At Peace College, she was proud and pleased with her mentor, Dr. Bill Miller, for leading her to her career in association management. She was also pleased for her friendship with David Rhew at Sharon United Methodist Church and with Catherine Browning and her relationship in Rotary. She is indeed grateful for her blessings in life.
 
Ray Killian started with a comment about having only 6 ½ minutes for his remarks. He was grateful to be born in America. He was pleased to be number seven out of eight children. Ray was proud of his service in the armed services on a ship in the Pacific and especially grateful for surviving. He is grateful for the GI bill for his education. Ray then mentioned that he had married his sweetheart who is still his sweetheart even after 60 years together. He also mentioned his career with Belk and his ambition to write. Waking at 5 a.m. each day, he has written 5 books and has spoken on many occasions in many places. Ray also is proud of his travels having reached all fifty states and six of seven continents. He is thankful for his family, his children and their spouses. Baptized at two weeks old, he is also grateful for his relationship with Myers Park Presbyterian Church as a member for 55 years. He concluded with thanks to all and he enjoys his view on Charlotte from Sharon Towers.
        
Head Table: Pam Jefsen, Andy Zoutewelle, David Zimmerman, Janice Stevens, Ray Killian, Alice Harrison, John Snyder;
Invocation: Chip Scholz;
Visitors & Guests: Jeff Searcy; Health & Happiness: John Tabor and Natalie English; Song: Pam Jefsen; Piano: Thomas Moore

• Tony Zeiss introduced Tod Thorne to club members on Tuesday. Tod owns Thorne Properties which specializes in commercial and land sales, marketing and real estate investments. Contact Tod at todthorne@aol.com.
           
• Powell Majors has been in Presbyterian Hospital for the last week and hopefully will be released within the next few days; Meg McElwain had foot surgery and will be hobbling in a boot for the next six weeks.
     
• Todd Stevens recognized supporters of The Rotary Foundation: Craig Simpson, Paul Harris Fellow; Lamar Thomas, Level Four; Biff Virkler, Level One.
    
• President David announced the contract with the Crowne Plaza Hotel has been negotiated through June 30, 2009. Effective January 1, 2008, meals will be increased from $18 to $20.
    
• Donald Haack will have a book signing at next week's meeting. As always, Don makes a donation from the proceeds to The Rotary Foundation; Ron Kimble was photographed in the crowd of dignitaries and media members riding the light-rail train.
 
• Peru container project update: In July, Charlotte Rotary, Dilworth Rotary, and three Catholic Churches launched an effort to collect a list of items needed in Peru. Ed Wadsworth, Regina Patton, and Will Barnhardt worked to coordinate a most successful campaign to make this dream a reality and reported receipt of over 2,600 items - ranging from furniture (thanks to Dick Klingman and David Zimmerman), tools (thanks to Catherine and Bill Browning), clothing (thanks to Luther Moore). Countless other items round out the donations that are packed and ready to be shipped out of Charleston Harbor in the next couple weeks. Hopefully, to arrive in Peru about the same time as the team of Charlotte Rotarians arrives. Frank Watson is to be commended for his work in providing trucks at two collection points, drivers, trailers, and international contacts. A great club effort!
 
• MAKE NOTE: The December 4th meeting will be held at Myers Park Country Club.
 
• Group Study Exchange: A team of 5 (1 Rotarian, 4 non-Rotarians) will travel to Taiwan for a thirty day visit as part of Rotary's Group Study Exchange Program. Team members must be between the ages of 25 to 40, cannot be lineal descendants of a living Rotarian, must be employed, and either live or work within the 11 counties around Iredell, which make up Rotary District 7680. Applications are due by December 1st. Contact Regina Patton 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 November 26. You will be contacted by a member of the Board. Otherwise, no reply is necessary and election will proceed according to our bylaws.

Committee chair John Stedman needs sixty volunteers to ring the bell for the Salvation Army beginning Monday, November 26. Two volunteers will be stationed at a kettle located on the Square. One-hour shifts are from 11:30/12:30 and 12:30/1:30. You can sign up or check the schedule here. John has raised the bar and would like to see total donations come in around $4700. Don't forget to wear your Rotary pin. Coverage is good the 2nd and 3rd week. We have a few gaps the first week.