Aug 08, 2018
Bo Aylin ran the meeting as John Chandler was unable to be there. Thank you Meagan Johansen for stepping up to be our Trafficking liaison. There will be a club photo late September. Bob Jones is having throat surgery (pray for him that he does well in surgery) so Susan O’Neil sang the song O Shenandoah. Inspirational minute was given by Laurie Murphy who read an Iroquois Prayer. Greeters were James Grayson and Jonah Yang. James also did the happy dollars, and introduced guests etc.
Chuck Standfuss gave a short synopsis on the Board retreat and spoke about the re-organization of areas to: 1. Club Experience, 2. Membership, 3.Rotary Foundation, 4. Service Projects. Make up at another Club by Oct. 1. Deb Katzmark gave a little synopsis of her years in Rotary: 27 years, retired from her own business Flowers in the Park, has run the Rose Sale, and has been to Disney World at least 25 times!!!
Jay Pfaender introduced the speaker for today: Andrea Watkins. She is a Rotarian, a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, so she knows all about Rotary. Andréa spoke about her 444 mile walk to celebrate the Merriweather Lewis Expedition. She read Undaunted Courage by Steven Ambrose who was the inspiration for her book and hike. Lewis committed suicide at age 35, which is sad. He couldn’t handle being a politician. Some say he was murdered though…. Lewis was our first known scientist. Andrea walked the 444 miles at 15 miles per day. She contacted lots of her friends but they all had work or kids so she ended up spending most of her time with her 80 year old father. ! At first it was tough going with her dad but it ended up being a wonderful experience for both of them. This was a 10,000 year old road, path called a “trace” because it was traced out by foraging animals and later blazed by Native Americans. The walk is through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. She also talked a little about Clark; who died at 70 years old. He has many claims to fame but the one least talked about is his buying up Native American land for very little money. It was a wonderful trip, especially the memories she made with her Dad!
Laurie Murphy
Scribe
