 Charlotte
Rotary Club Takes Time to Reflect and Give Thanks
By John Galles
Following Charlotte Rotary Club tradition, three members led the
group in taking time to stop, reflect, and give thanks for our
blessings at Tuesday's meeting. The tone was set prior to the
program when Harley Dickson shared some insightful remarks on
Thanksgiving during the Health and Happiness portion of the meeting.
Harley reminded the group of the history of Thanksgiving, which
officially caught on in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln declared
the fourth Thursday of November as a National Day of Thanksgiving.
President Lincoln in his declaration invited his fellow citizens to
"set apart and recognize this day of praise giving thanks to our
magnificent Father in Heaven."
The theme continued when Rotary member Katie Tyler shared what she's
thankful for this season. Katie reflected on the holiday season from
October to January, which begins with costumes and treats in
October, moves to food, family and friends at Thanksgiving,
transitions into gift buying, holiday parties and celebrations in
December, and wraps up with resolutions and parties on New Year's
Day. Too often the Thanksgiving season gets caught between all the
other celebrations, but Katie reminded the group of the importance
of taking time to pause, reflect and give thanks. Referred to as the
"gems in her life," Katie shared what she's thankful for this
season, beginning with her parents. Her father Tom Burgess
introduced Katie to Rotary 19 years ago and has been a very
influential force in her life along the way. She thanked her parents
for their patience during her "hippy days" in the 1960's and for not
giving up on her. Katie also referenced the "luck" that has been
with her all of her life. Twenty-four years ago, Katie had the
vision to begin Tyler 2 Construction Company with $250. Today, she's
been blessed with a highly successful company with revenue earnings
of more than $35 million. A fanatical dog lover, Katie said her dogs
have taught her to be a human "being," rather than a human "doing."
She also gave thanks for her former diagnosis of melanoma she
received and the wonderful health she's experiencing today. This
eye-opening experience led Katie to understand that life is precious
and short. Katie expressed the tremendous love and gratitude she has
for her husband, Scott, quoting "he's the only man for me."
Referencing the resemblance in hairline and teeth, Tim Newman played
the role of David Letterman and gave his "top 10 list of things he's
thankful for." His list included:
- The Bible,
which Tim noted as his foundation and hopefully a
reflection of who he is and what he's about. It's the
one book he reads every day.
-
Being a
U.S. Citizen
- His
mother, who sacrificed much for Tim's success. He
referred to her as "his hero."
-
Food
- University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Tim, a Morehead
scholar, shared his gratitude for his education.
- New York
City, where he landed his first job and met the love of
his life.
- His wife,
his 13-year-old daughter, and his twin sons - Tim shared
with the group the challenge and the blessings that come
from having sons with autism, and how he and his wife
give thanks every day for their children.
- Charlotte
- a great place to live and work
- The
Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, where Tim serves
as Chief Executive Officer. Tim noted that Charlotte is
a great city to show people. He stated, many come, but
few leave.
- Charlotte
Rotary Club - Tim expressed his appreciation for members
of the club and the opportunity to serve.
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Arch McIntosh, headmaster of
Charlotte Latin, thoughtfully wrapped up the reflections with a
wonderful tribute to his father, mother and his coach. Arch quoted
Mark Twain stating, "when I was 17 I thought my father was ignorant,
but at age 21, I was amazed at what my father had learned." Arch
proudly shared what his 86-year-old father has taught him along the
way. A general practitioner and OB/GYN doctor, Arch's father had two
passions - medicine, and helping and encouraging young people in the
town of Marion. His father had a love for all people - rich and
poor, black and white, and he was a strong advocate for race
relations in his town. His father authored the book, "Little Doc,"
which shares some of the stories of his efforts to build
relationships in his little Southern town.
Arch's mother helped instill in him a love for education and
learning. A teacher for several years and mother of four children,
she taught Arch the value of friends, the love of learning, the
importance of hard work, and nurtured his strong faith in God. Arch
referred to his mother as "Thanksgiving, Christmas, the Fourth of
July, and his birthday - all rolled into one." Following in his
father's footsteps, Arch authored a book about his mother entitled,
"Beginnings and Endings: A Tribute To My Mother."
Arch wrapped up his thanksgiving list with his childhood basketball
coach and lifetime role model, Ken Brackett. He shared that this
man, who was small in stature, but a giant in his ability to nurture
and guide, led his basketball team to a number of victories.
Although the team may have been limited in talent, they won 84 of 96
games as a result of his coach's ability to motivate the team. Arch
was blessed to be able to serve as an assistant coach in Alabama
with Ken for 18 months before this friend and role model lost his
battle to cancer.
Arch commented that these three taught him two important lessons in
life - 1. It is more blessed to give than receive, and 2. Seek to
serve others before self.
Head Table:
Cecily Durrett, Arch McIntosh, Luther Moore, Ed Kizer, Katie Tyler,
Tim Newman, Don Haack; Invocation: Pam Daigle
Visitors &
Guests:
Ed Turner; Health &
Happiness: Harley Dickson; Song: Biff Virkler; Piano: Thomas Moore
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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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þ
Collections for Crisis Assistance Ministry will wrap up next
week. Tom Senger and his helpers report another good day on
Tuesday.
þ
Powell Majors is
seriously under the weather with his back and will be
visiting the doctor on Wednesday. Powell, we're all thinking
about you and wishing you relief in the coming days. There
is still time to make your contribution to support the
Powell Majors Endowment Scholarship.
Checks are payable to The Rotary Foundation DAF.
Please make a notation in the memo section (Powell Majors
Scholarship) and mail your check to the Rotary Office.
þ
Biff Virkler as a
Reindeer - Tony Marciano
as Elvis - what will happen next week! Biff reminded
everyone to sign up to ring the bell for the Salvation Army
then led the group in a rousing version of Rudolph the Red
Nose Reindeer. Check the website for the bell ringing
schedule; Carlos Sanchez
(BellSouth) and Edwin Peacock
(Pomfret Financial) will participate in Leadership
Charlotte's Class of XXVIII; Tony
Zeiss will be Grand Marshall in Thursday's
Carousel Parade; Frank Watson
(owner of Charlotte Van & Storage) will continue his 25 year
tradition of bringing in the Thanksgiving season by dressing
up as a Pilgrim and entertaining school kids in one of his
Mayflower moving vans. Frank says "It renews the spirit of
being thankful for the blessings we have";
Catherine Browning
(First Charlotte Properties) received a Certificate of Merit
from the National Association of REALTORs for her dedication
to community service and her unselfish commitment to
improving the quality of life for others;
Powell and Dot Majors
received the Outstanding Legacy Award (exemplary
philanthropic contributions made in legacy form via bequest,
trust, or other planned gift) at the National Philanthropy
Day luncheon; Thanks to Jim and
Gloria Hintz, Charlotte University City Rotary,
for displaying the beautiful handmade greeting cards from
the Creaciones Angel Cardmaking Vocation Center in Arequipa,
Peru; Janet Fortner
(Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region) is the new
chair of the Advisory Board for the College of Health &
Human Services at UNCC.
þ
John Galles introduced
Debbie Daniel as the
newest Rotarian. Debbie is President and co-founder of
Daniel, Ratliff & Company, a public accounting firm with
offices in Charlotte and Mooresville. Contact Debbie at
d.daniel.cm192@danielratliff.com. |
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NEW MEMBER
APPROVAL |
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 28th. You will be contacted by
a member of the Board. Otherwise, no reply is necessary and
election will proceed according to our bylaws.
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Bill Staton, The Staton
Institute
Classification: Financial Publishing, Money Management
Sponsor: Phil Volponi
Endorsed: Tom Robertson, Luther Moore
Mike Hummer, Charlotte 49ers Athletic Foundation
Classification: Education, Public University Foundation
Sponsor: Sadler Barnhardt
Endorsed: Ed Kizer, Phil Volponi |
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Attendance
Record |
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11/21/06 |
11/22/05 |
| visitors &
guests |
12 |
12 |
| club
members |
171 |
183 |
| total
attendance |
183 |
195 |
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New Members | Resignations |
Trent Merchant
Debbie Daniels |
n/a |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
01 Regina & Kurt Waldthausen
04 Broocks and Ed Kale |
| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
29 Richard Early, Alton, IL
30 Byron Bullard,
Lumberton, NC
30 Bob Freeman, Hendersonville NC
30 Tony Marciano,
Jersey City, NJ
03 Steve Meckler, Akron, OH |
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