gate city rotary

Tomorrow at Gate City

2010-10-27T15:36:00.000-04:00

Fellow Rotarians,

Tomorrow’s speaker is Rob Krieg of Hill Chesson & Woody, an employee benefit firm in Raleigh. Rob will tell us what the 2010 Health Care Reform Bill means for us. As it turns out, Rusty Hoffman’s also got a Rotary Brainstorming Session scheduled for tomorrow - 5:15 pm at Village Tavern. A health care reform bill debriefing session, with liquid refreshments, sounds wonderful. Thanks Rusty.

Have you ever in your life heard of, outside of Gate City Rotary Club, a CPA or CIA issuing a buy recommendation? I can tell you this simply does not happen, anywhere. But for our good fortune, Gate City Rotarians have Bonnie Bastow to be thankful for, and before her, Dennis Newman, and before him Dennis Snead. These persons actually tell us when to buy our raffle tickets. With only 6 cards left in the deck the winner’s share is $1,219 plus ½ of tomorrow’s take. Quick: can anyone tell me the intrinsic value of tomorrow’s winning raffle ticket?

I read this morning that a new double Polio vaccine holds promise for ending the virus. This could get us to the finish line of eradicating polio; you can read more here: http://bit.ly/c5fGrK. It’s a great day to be a Rotarian.

Rotary Meeting at Cone Elementary - BYOB

2010-05-05T14:40:00.000-04:00

We will have a great program tomorrow at Cone Elementary. I know you will appreciate the historic nature of the school and we will have the opportunity to hear from some students as well as an exciting update from the staff regarding their One Million Books goal.

Please park in the Page HS lot across the street (Alma Pinnex) from the Cone staff lot. Page is aware we will be parking there. Emily Hoole will have coffee and juice, and maybe some bagels in hand.

This is BYOB (bring your own breakfast) day at Cone School. The cost savings from not having to pay O. Henry Hotel for breakfast can enable Gate City Rotary to make a big dent in the Guilford County Schools One Million Books Campaign.

(via Hal Stancil and Emily Hoole emails)

The Secret Service will NOT be at Gate City Rotary this week

2010-04-28T14:30:00.001-04:00

Many of you are back from a weekend of presidential photo-ops, Rotary Fellowship, and feasting at the Grove Park Inn, and you’ll be glad to know Lisa Watts will present our program at Gate City Rotary tomorrow. Lisa is Director of Development for GO FAR Club. Diane Leonard will introduce her. Here’s a little info on GO FAR from their website:

GO FAR Club is:

A 10-week comprehensive fitness program initiated to help combat childhood obesity,
A 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization based in High Point, N.C.
designed for children of all abilities,
A curriculum that teaches children -- and adults -- how to set goals, reach goals and successfully complete a 5K run or walk/run,
A program to promote healthy eating habits, with samples,
A program to promote good character,
a flexible program that can be offered in the classroom, during a summer camp, or as an after- school program,
A fun way for adults to encourage children and serve as positive role models great fun!

I heard that Wilder Person is on the short list of new hires for the Secret Service, so don’t be surprised if Chip trades in his Hummer for a Black Suburban with tinted windows, battering ram, etc. Am sure Chip will fill us in tomorrow. Bring your stories of presidential sightings, autographed photos, and Happy Dollars.

This will be a great program to invite a guest to.

100% attendance is easier than you think.

NOTE: Posted from Jonathan Smith's email

Why the Raleigh RBC Center affectionately known as the Pork Palace?

2010-04-14T17:55:00.000-04:00

Dr. Mark Hammer, D.V.M. of Novartis Animal Health will present our program Thursday April 15, 2010.

He’ll tell us how the pork industry has changed and its affect on the economy. There's a good chance Mark knows more about pigs (Sus domestica) than anyone except ‘Gpappy Lewis.

To help conserve the club’s supply of our customary honorarium for speaker Hal will award Dr. Hammer a bottle of fine BBQ sauce instead of the Gate City Rotary pen.

100% attendance is easier than you think. Come hungry, the O. Henry Hotel is cooking up extra bacon, links, and sausage patties.

Why Gate City #6

2010-04-05T20:17:00.000-04:00

I recently asked our member to reposnd to the following questions.

1. Why, really, did you join GCR?

2. What keeps you here?

3. What is the most fun you have had as a member?

4. What is the craziest memory you have of the club?

5. Who, of ANYONE in the world, do you think should be our newest member? Why?

6. What will GCR be like in 100 years?

7. Have you been to District Conference? Good times? Why?

8. What the heck is a Sleeping Booty, anyway?

9. Anything else you want to say... (this one is for you Buster)

The next few posts will be about their response... enjoy!

1. Why, really, did you join GCR? Was asked

2. What keeps you here? The enthusiasm in our club

3. What is the most fun you have had as a member? District Conference

4. What is the craziest memory you have of the club? District Conference in Myrtle Beach. Can’t share

5. Who, of ANYONE in the world, do you think should be our newest member? Why? Anyone who is interested in our community and its future.

6. What will GCR be like in 100 years? We will have happy $100

7. Have you been to District Conference? Good times? Why? Grove Park will be my third consecutive. Great times. Experience with other clubs.

8. What the heck is a Sleeping Booty, anyway? Another can’t share

9. Anything else you want to say... (this one is for you Buster)

-Ralph Jones

Why Gate City #5

2010-04-03T20:13:00.000-04:00

I recently asked our member to reposnd to the following questions.

1. Why, really, did you join GCR?

2. What keeps you here?

3. What is the most fun you have had as a member?

4. What is the craziest memory you have of the club?

5. Who, of ANYONE in the world, do you think should be our newest member? Why?

6. What will GCR be like in 100 years?

7. Have you been to District Conference? Good times? Why?

8. What the heck is a Sleeping Booty, anyway?

9. Anything else you want to say... (this one is for you Buster)

The next few posts will be about their response... enjoy!

I joined Gate City Rotary to meet new people, make new friends, and connect with the community.

I stay around because I like to be around people who are wide awake at 7:00 a.m.

I went to the Homestead District Conference and it was my first. It was great fun--why? Well, besides all the great programs, skits, and scotch tasting I got to watch Wilder Person dance with Cindy Hooimeijer--and yes it was after the scotch tasting!

-Dale Susan Meltzer

Tomorrow!! Connie Logan.

2010-03-31T16:30:00.000-04:00

Connie Logan of Crescent Rotary will present our program Thursday April 1.

Connie teaches, lectures, and juries shows and has exhibited her own work in over thirty galleries, restaurants, and museums regionally. Twice a year, she opens her own studio to the public. She is currently teaching over 60 adult students at her own studio and has been the art teacher a Ridgefield Academy since its founding. She has organized and exhibited in the Artstock. Annual Open Studio Tour in Greensboro, which we’ll hear more about. For more info, click here and here.

100% attendance, it’s easier than you think, even for Grandpappy Lewis, that poet philosopher, who never was that big on the arts.

Why Gate City #4

2010-03-29T20:12:00.000-04:00

I recently asked our member to reposnd to the following questions.

1. Why, really, did you join GCR?

2. What keeps you here?

3. What is the most fun you have had as a member?

4. What is the craziest memory you have of the club?

5. Who, of ANYONE in the world, do you think should be our newest member? Why?

6. What will GCR be like in 100 years?

7. Have you been to District Conference? Good times? Why?

8. What the heck is a Sleeping Booty, anyway?

9. Anything else you want to say... (this one is for you Buster)

The next few posts will be about their response... enjoy!

To add balance to my life, to move to the center of the circle is why I joined. Sounds selfish. What keeps me here are the members. What is a Sleeping Booty can not be answered here. -Chuck Langdon

Why Gate City #3

2010-03-26T20:11:00.001-04:00

I recently asked our member to reposnd to the following questions.

1. Why, really, did you join GCR?

2. What keeps you here?

3. What is the most fun you have had as a member?

4. What is the craziest memory you have of the club?

5. Who, of ANYONE in the world, do you think should be our newest member? Why?

6. What will GCR be like in 100 years?

7. Have you been to District Conference? Good times? Why?

8. What the heck is a Sleeping Booty, anyway?

9. Anything else you want to say... (this one is for you Buster)

The next few posts will be about their response... enjoy!

I joined Rotary to be more involved in my community and enjoy the fellowship of like minded people

-Jim Kennedy

Why Gate City #2

2010-03-25T20:09:00.001-04:00

I recently asked our member to reposnd to the following questions.

1. Why, really, did you join GCR?

2. What keeps you here?

3. What is the most fun you have had as a member?

4. What is the craziest memory you have of the club?

5. Who, of ANYONE in the world, do you think should be our newest member? Why?

6. What will GCR be like in 100 years?

7. Have you been to District Conference? Good times? Why?

8. What the heck is a Sleeping Booty, anyway?

9. Anything else you want to say... (this one is for you Buster)

The next few posts will be about their response... enjoy!

1. Why, really, did you join GCR? fellowship, to learn, grow, & serve others at the same time

2. What keeps you here? all of the above

3. What is the most fun you have had as a member? learning I could run after tagging along on a Rotary fund raising run with Tim Albertson

4. What is the craziest memory you have of the club? The April Fool's joke Buster played where Rotary was going to sell cookies like girl scouts

5. Who, of ANYONE in the world, do you think should be our newest member? Why? Tiger Woods - he could really get some help using the 4 way test

6. What will GCR be like in 100 years? We will have millions of dollars in an endowment fund and a long legacy of worldwide projects serving others

7. Have you been to District Conference? Good times? Why? No - haven't been able to attend due to work/family conflicts

8. What the heck is a Sleeping Booty, anyway? a child's pronunciation of Sleeping Beauty

9. Anything else you want to say... (this one is for you Buster) May the Force be With You!

-Bobby Christiansen

Why Gate City #1

2010-03-24T20:07:00.000-04:00

I recently asked our member to reposnd to the following questions.

1. Why, really, did you join GCR?

2. What keeps you here?

3. What is the most fun you have had as a member?

4. What is the craziest memory you have of the club?

5. Who, of ANYONE in the world, do you think should be our newest member? Why?

6. What will GCR be like in 100 years?

7. Have you been to District Conference? Good times? Why?

8. What the heck is a Sleeping Booty, anyway?

9. Anything else you want to say... (this one is for you Buster)

The next few posts will be about their response... enjoy!

1. Why, really, did you join GCR? I was born to be a Rotarian, being the son of a Past President, I grew-up with Rotary as a normal part of our family life. It was what you did to "give back."

2. What keeps you here? It is the highlight of my work week... and often the weekend. GCR is a family of friends who all enjoy being together under the banner of service.

5. Who, of ANYONE in the world, do you think should be our newest member? Why? Barack Obama...

-Rob Midget

Program for Thursday, October 9, 2008

2008-10-08T15:24:00.012-04:00

Red Dog Farm comes to Gate City Rotary Thursday October 9th. Don't know who's responsible for bringing Garland Graham of Red Dog to the O.Henry, but I've browsed their website and read the News-Record's articles of June 22 and September 21, and believe we're in for a treat. Garland's husband, Gary, is a member of Greensboro Rotary. If you've ever wondered what to do with that extra dog, cat, horse, goat, sheep, cow, mule, burro, pot-bellied pig, or llama that keeps banging around your trashcans at night, look no further. I once put a cat (all vaccinations and checkups current, litter box, litter, cat carrier, collar, leash, food, and the whole nine yards) on the neighborhood listserve, and she was gone (to a good home in the neighborhood) in a minnit! I am not making this up.

Rodney, the original Red Dog is pictured above.

Josh Sommer

2008-10-02T18:35:00.002-04:00

First and foremost, thank you to David Pike for introducing Josh to Gate City Rotary this morning. I am still in awe at the level maturity displayed by Josh and his "will conquer" attitude. His presence reminded me of my son, coincidentally they are both 20 years old, and while my son (Christian) is healthy he has made a priority in his life to help his mom live with Juvenile Diabetes.

Today's presentation is a good reminder, at least for me, of those principles and values that matter most in life. The events being dominated by the media pale in comparison to the challenges our own David and Josh are facing.

It is my privilige and honor to be a member of Gate City Rotary.

Program for Thursday, October 2, 2008

2008-09-30T12:14:00.011-04:00

David Pike is introducing a unique individual with a very exciting program at Gate City this Thursday.

Excerpted form the Chordoma Foundation website: "Josh Sommer is incoming executive director of the Chordoma Foundation. The Chordoma Foundation was started in February, 2007 by Dr. Simone Sommer, and her son Josh, after he was diagnosed with a clival chordoma in 2006, during his freshman year of college. Since his diagnosis, Josh has worked in an oncology lab at Duke University to find his own cure.

Chordoma is a slow growing, relentless bone cancer that occurs in the head and spine in people of all ages. Chordoma is typically resistant to chemotherapy and radiation, and is prone to multiple recurrences. The average survival after diagnosis is 7 years.

Josh believes that patients should play an active role in bringing about treatments for their own conditions, and that patients represent a largely untapped source of funding, energy, and know-how in the treatment development process.

Josh was a freshman at Duke University studying environmental engineering when he was diagnosed with chordoma. Soon after his diagnosis, Josh joined the lab of Dr. Michael Kelley, a Duke oncologist studying the genetic basis of chordoma, and the only federally-funded chordoma researcher. His research in Dr. Kelley’s lab included cell line characterization, gene-expression microarray analysis, candidate gene knockdown using RNA interference, and in vitro drug screening. To support his work in the lab, Josh switched majors to a self-designed bioengineering curriculum focused on modeling and solving biological “problems” that lead to disease.

After finishing his junior year in May, 2008 Josh was awarded a two-year Echoing Green fellowship for social entrepreneurs, and subsequently has taken a leave of absence from Duke to lead the Chordoma Foundation as full-time executive director. To complement his work for the Chordoma Foundation, Josh has joined Duke’s Program on Global Health and Technology Access as a Fellow in Strategic Philanthropy and Health. In addition, Josh continues to lead research projects in Dr. Kelley’s lab, and helps coordinate collaborations with research labs in eight countries.

In school Josh received numerous honors and awards including the USA Today All-USA Academic First Team Award, Prudential Spirit of Community Award, Coca-Cola Scholarship, and AXA Achievement National Award."

The website features a different Profile in Courage each month -

As everyone whose life has been affected by chordoma knows, it is a challenging, confusing, lonely, and often frightening disease. It is a disease that has, until recently, received little public attention, and was barely known to the public and to the research community. We hope that these candid stories of courageous patients and their families will shed light on what it means to live with, survive, fight against, or die from this disease. This is the human side of the cancer called chordoma.

For further reading, check out chordoma in Wikipedia.

Rotary | Make Dreams Real

Git-er-done part II

2008-09-27T12:32:00.003-04:00

Kelly sent out four great shots. Unfortunately the first three were the same shot, that is unless somebody went to Krispy Kreme three times, which is a real possibility, and everybody lined up the same way. Good work Gate City, the house is looking great!

Git-er-done!

2008-09-26T11:04:00.000-04:00

It's 8:57 am, Tom and Max start gripping and ripping.

9:55 am, studs start to appear, wall studs that is. Who's that holding up the wall?

Directions to Project Build House - 1109 Stephens Street

2008-09-26T08:51:00.000-04:00

View Larger Map

Richard Needham's Dad

2008-09-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

Richard's Dad died in his sleep early Tuesday morning, September 23, 2008, at his home surrounded by his loving family. I don't imagine many Gate City Rotarians knew him. After reading his obituary, I wish I had. I can tell his life was rich, just by just knowing the person Richard is. Richard's Dad had a Christmas Tree farm. So did my Dad. I'm glad we share that in common.

Dorothy Downey was kind to let us know visitation is tonight, Wednesday September 24, at Forbis & Dick North Elm Street Chapel from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 25, at First Presbyterian, 617 North Elm Street with Rev. Rhonda Davis officiating. Interment will follow at the Ether United Methodist Church Cemetery, 229 Ether Road, Ether, NC 27247.

Richard and Mary, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Here's a map to Ether United Methodist Church:

View Larger Map

Program for Thursday, September 25th

2008-09-24T08:15:00.000-04:00

Mark Tosczak is our speaker this Thursday. He says his last name is pronounced like "Toe Zack." He's originally from Canada (when I told Jim Kennedy Mark was from Canada, he smiled and said "we walk among you, unnoticed") but since this is the Southland, I think he should say it the same way Buster asks Grandfather Lewis to hand over his burlap bag, "Grandpappy, reach in that there tote sack (toe-sack) and whack me off a plug of chawin’ terbackky."

This post violates my blogging protocol. It’s not funny. It doesn't have pictures. And it's way too long. So if you just want to read about tomorrow’s program, scroll on down to ok, about tomorrow’s program…

I met Mark or rather he called up and introduced himself to me three years ago. He was then with Triad Business Journal and writing a feature article. That was 2003. Seems Buffett was busy, Templeton was meditating and so he had to settle for me. Anyway, he wrote the best piece of journalistic reporting the Triad Business Journal ever printed, if I say so myself. Maybe you remember it. Buster wagged it around from table to table. All I know is it cost me a happy dollar and I still couldn’t use it in our advetising and marketing efforts. Seems Mark did such a fine job, that if I sent so much as one copy to one prospect, I'd be guilty of violating the SEC's rule prohibiting the use of testimonials. Why? Good question. In interviewing our clients about their customer experiences with us, Mark asked questions in the same persistent way with which he asked us, and kept on scribbling until he realized this particular client wasn't going to utter a single unfavorable remark (unbelievable), and so Mark went on with the story, just like it was given to him. To this day, I do not know how Mark happened to choose the only client who happened to like us (hey, it was 2003), but he did. Like I said, he did such a good job that all I could do with the article was put in a happy dollar and frame it on my wall. Still, I have to say that reading that article today gratifies and humbles me greatly, as well it should. And not being able to circulate didn't take one thing away from JSCO.

You can pretty much skip this unless you're starved for info. Explanation: Section 206(4) of the Investment Advisors Act [15 U.S.C. 80b-6(4)] states that “it shall be fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative act, practice, or course of business for any investment adviser registered or required to be registered under section 203 of the Act [15 U.S.C. 80b-3], directly or indirectly, to publish, circulate, or distribute any advertisement which refers, directly or indirectly, to any testimonial of any kind concerning the investment adviser…” Section 206(4), in my opinion, was intended to deal with any untrue statement of a material fact, or which is otherwise false or misleading, of which there are legion, and then somebody thought that a crooked investment advisor might just try to buy votes (wonder where he got that idea) and then somebody else felt well, just because so and so had a favorable client experience with such and such firm doesn’t mean that every client will and so we better not such and such firm advertise with the testimonial because some future client might not have such a favorable experience with such and such firm, but if they hadn’t read that testimonial, they wouldn’t have made the decision to go with that guy who gave them an experience that wasn’t as delightful as the guy in the testimonial.
You can skip this too. Merrill Lynch can use testimonials. So can AIG, Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers. These firms can hire any celebrity or athlete to say anything they want them to say, pretty much. My personal favorite is the cartoon animated housewife whining to her friend about transfer fees, of all things, as if eliminating transfer fees was all that stood between her and sustainable financial utopia found at Charles Schwab.

I digress. I learned later anyone could have asked for a copy of Mark's article and I could have sent it to them or told them where it was on the Web. But if they didn't ask for it I couldn’t have sent it. With Wall Street coming unglued, it sure makes me wonder just how many places there are to put blame. And then this stupid testimonial rule raises its ugly head and sticks out its tongue at me. Surely you’d think the Securities and Exchange Commission can find bigger fish to fry than those of advisors advertising customer testimonials, even if true. Now maybe you’ve got some idea of the biggest, most messed up company of all, the United States Government. Sorry, I didn't mean to get wound up.

Back to Mark and tomorrow’s program. Don't hold it against him, but he and I are still friends. He's been incredibly helpful, like turning me on to LinkedIn, transforming the mess I made of out of Justin's press release into this stroke of clarity, plus other ideas to grow our business.

Ok, about tomorrow’s program…

With 14 years of communications and journalism experience, Mark joined RLF for the opportunity to help build a great marketing and public relations firm. At RLF he has worked on national and local media relations for clients in health care, financial services and real estate. He has also managed marketing collateral projects, online communications and client strategy. Before RLF, Mark, an award-winning journalist, was a senior reporter for The Business Journal of the Triad and a staff writer at the Greensboro News & Record. He worked as a freelance writer and consultant, writing for The New York Times, Wired News and a variety of local and state publications. He started his professional career at The Herald-Sun in Durham, N.C., where he was a copy editor, reporter and business editor, and, to be sure, in charge of the coffee pot. Mark has a master's in business administration from Elon University and has a bachelor's degree in English from N.C. State University, where he was editor of the student newspaper. I better stop here or I won't have anything left with which to introduce him tomorrow.

No trash left behind

2008-09-19T14:32:00.007-04:00

David Pike sent an email earlier today including a link to a video of Richard and him demonstrating the correct method for picking up trash out of Greensboro's streams. Now if you can figure out how to operate the DigTriad site and launch that video, you're one smart Rotarian, smart enough to operate that grabber tool David used. Hey, isn't that Bobby's running shoe in the video? They said every Gate City Rotarian needs to meet them in the parking lot at Sears on Friendly Saturday morning at 8:00. And they said if you can't be there on time, be early. Click below to launch the video. (Actually hit the PAUSE button, this video shouldn't self-launch. Hit the play button only if you want to play it. David and Richard appear right after her introduction.)

Program for Thursday, September 18th

2008-09-17T12:24:00.009-04:00

Our speaker on September 18th is Andrew J. Courts, Jr., a Greensboro native, a graduate of Greensboro Day School, received a B.S. degree in Economics from Clemson University, and broker in charge of Crenshaw-Jenkins.

Mike Slane sent me Andy’s bio to post to the Gate City Rotary blog. Now maybe my mental bandwidth has been marked to market along with Lehman, AIG, and a host of other spectacular financial shenanigans, but for the life of me I couldn’t figure out (from reading what Mike forwarded me) what it was we’re going to hear about, so I asked him (Mike), who knows all about Lucent and a thing or two besides, what it was Andy was going to talk to us about. To quote,

“In talking with him (Andy) it sounded like energy efficiency – but more focused on the home. I had to Google VOCs (volatile organic compounds, one of the things on Andy’s bio) to figure out what that was.”

So if you're sick and tired of hearing about credit default swaps, CDOs, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Stoozing, Structured Products, and derivates, take a deep breath (that is NOT me in the photograph), turn off your TV, and come on down to Gate City Rotary Thursday at 7:00 am. In addition to expanding our friendships and waistlines, we’ll be expanding our vocabularies, for example, LEED, NAHB Green Building Program, and R-value.

Remember the Four Way Test

How Do I Access Members' Information

2008-09-08T13:32:00.006-04:00

If you are interested in accessing basic contact information for your Gate City Rotary members, you can do that via our website, but you have to know the secret formula.

Ok. The secret formula is...

Go to http://www.gatecityrotary.com/
Click on Member Directory
Click on the member's name (a small pop-up screen should appear)
In the white block enter the last name of our club President (if that doesn't work try our former President)
That should give you a gander at their contact information.

Tune in next week for detailed instructions on our secret hand-shake.

Program for Thursday, September 4th

2008-08-29T16:45:00.008-04:00

Thursday, September 4th, our guest will be author Dena Harris.

Hailed as the “Erma Bombeck of cat writers,” Dena Harris’s stories charm readers in her short-story humor collection, Lessons In Stalking…Adjusting to Life with Cats (2005). A former humor columnist for Cats & Kittens magazine, Dena’s work appears in Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover’s Soul (2007) and Cup of Comfort for Cat Lovers (2008). She is also the author of For the Love of Cats (2006, Publications International), a glossy 315-page coffee table book covering every aspect of the furry feline. Her humor writing has won numerous awards and accolades.

A freelance magazine writer by day, Dena’s articles have appeared in over 50 national and international publications including Writer’s Digest, Art Jewelry, The Toastmaster, 2007 & 2008 Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market, Puppies USA, and many more.

Dena speaks at events and presents workshops around the country. Her courses Scared Speechless: Public Speaking Made Easy, Write Here! Write Now!, and Get Published! The Ins & Outs of Magazine Writing are favorites at area colleges, universities, and writer’s conferences. She has taught magazine writing at the National Speakers Association (NSA) University and is currently completing a book on public speaking for the everyday speaker.

Dena is a member of the American Society of Journalists & Authors (ASJA), Toastmasters International, and the international Cat Writers Association.

Prior jobs include insurance claims adjuster, librarian, and job-coach for displaced homemakers at the Greensboro Women’s Resource Center.

Dena resides in North Carolina with her husband and their two cats. You can follow her unique perspective of life via her blog, "Why Aren't I In Charge."

Program for Thursday August 28

2008-08-27T16:48:00.010-04:00

Vicky Jarrett, Editor in Chief for Our State Magazine, is this week's speaker.

I don't know what she'll talk about, but I do know this:

I don't want to be (a) late, or (b) leave more than 18 minutes early (unless I'm going to toss my cookies), or (c) leave with less than 18 minutes on the clock, unless I've first introduced myself to her and to apologized to her for ducking out early, and situated my self near the back of the room. Thanks, Mike, Rob, and Chuck for speaking up - any reflection on any one of our members is a reflection on the club.

There aren't too many magazines out there that have been around for 75 years, much less a printed magazine that's experiencing growth in a world where digital media seems to rule. Just in case Vicky lays a a pop quiz on us, here's the most recent cover. You can actually position your mouse pointer over the picture and click or double click (go on, it won't blow your computer up) and learn what all this edition includes.
Chuck, I hope the prison tour was enjoyable (as much as possible) and that attendance was good. To be sure, Gate City will be a stronger club to the extent each member understands what every other member does, how their uniqueness adds to the beauty and value of this life. And I really hope you didn't have to leave anybody behind after the tour was over. I hated to bail (no pun) out on you at the last minute, but son Justin and I were signed up for a no-excused-absences class that I had forgotten about when I signed up for the prison tour. Turns out Justin and I were with another arm of the law, The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission - we were taking the Hunter Education Course, and for our first class, learning about what happens to people who don't pay attention during Hunter Education Class. We saw a video reactment of a true story about two high school guys - one, who paid close attention to the Hunter Safety instructor, and the other, he listened to his iPod and snoozed while pretending to be paying attention; anyway they went out in the woods with a .22 semi-automatic, shooting cans and bottles and everything else that wasn't nailed down, until they set up a contest to see which one could hit the most number of five beer cans (with five rounds each). The paying attention kid shot three cans with his five rounds but the goof-off kid beat him, shooting four cans with four rounds, and forgetting the fifth round was still in the chamber, hopped down the ravine to look at the cans, slipped on the leaves, bounced the butt of the loaded rifle, which was pointed at the good kid's stomach, and the gun went off, sending that fifth and final round into the other kid's stomach, where it traveled thru his spleen, liver, large and small intestine, before coming to rest. And he died five hours later on the operating table. I am not making this up.

Make Dreams Real

Remember the Four-Way Test

ps. if anybody wants to read more about Our State Magazine, here's something from the News-Record

Program for Thursday August 21

2008-08-20T11:07:00.007-04:00

Bonnie Bastow will introduce Thursday's speaker, Jim Whiting, Vice-president Oncology Services with Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center, who will unveil expansion plans and discuss community programs. Click here to read more. On a separate note,

Dennis Newman just announced over the squakbox:

"...wanted to let you know that the prize is currently $275 plus 50% of what is collected tomorrow." That's a Buy Recommendation that would make old Phianeas T. Barnum proud!

Bring a guest, introduce to Rotary, have friend for life.

Remember the Four-Way Test.

Rotary Make Dreams Real.

Round-trip tour of Guilford Correctional Center August 26 at 6:30 pm

2008-08-14T23:16:00.005-04:00

Chuck Downey, who has been closely involved in Prison Ministry for several years, is offering a one-hour tour of the Guilford Correctional Center on Tuesday, August 26th at 6:30 P.M. Experience first hand a life-changing mentoring work that is Greensboro's best kept secret.

Let Chuck know if you're interested by phone (336) 255-5702 or email . I'm sure space will be limited, so be sure to let him know now.

(If you have any outstanding warrants, parking tickets, or tax liens, please be sure to bring a toothbrush and a laundry bag.)

Congressman Howard Coble visits Gate City Rotary

2008-08-14T22:21:00.008-04:00

Dr. Eric Cole and Congressman Howard Coble at Gate City Rotary Club, August 14, 2008, the 63rd anniversary of President Truman's announcement that Japan had surrendered unconditionally, ending World War II. Cole, professor of mathematics at Bennett College, doesn't need a HP Business Calculator to tell him that Coble was a mere lad when the War ended and the Congressman does't need a slide rule to know that Cole was still in diapers while the future legislator was working on his Juris Doctor. Still, the two became fast friends.

Right after President Rob gives the Congressman the Gate City friendship coffee mug, Coble tells Midgett that if he didn't have so many Official U.S. Government Business envelopes back up on the hill, he'd gladly take one of Rob's postage meters off his hands.

Anyone wanting a hi-res image of either of the above images drop me a note.

Our Four-Way Test

2008-08-13T21:45:00.000-04:00

My grandfather always said, “Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.” He spoke these words with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes, of course, but it is amazing how often I have been surprised by the un-truth in life.

Each week at Gate City we stand and recite The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do:
1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it Fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

In speaking these words, we are claiming a noble commitment that begins with the truth. What is the truth? Is the truth simply based on accurate facts? Am I free to speak, think, or do whatever I please as long as it is factual? Perhaps we can better understand what the truth is by looking at what it is not.

I made up an old saying that says, “A lie is anything that is done, said or thought with the intention of deceiving.” So by comparison, the truth would be speaking not only factually, but doing so in such a way that eliminates deceit. In fact, this is largely what I see the second through fourth elements of the Four-Way Test to be about: refining our understanding of truthful actions to eliminate harm, deceit and ill will.

What we are about as Rotarians needs to be not only factual (true) but fair, beneficial, friendly and done with good will. In holding ourselves to these standards we are elevating our lives to be truthful to the fullest extent.

Thought for comments - I believe there is another, very important assumption about the Four-Way Test. In holding ourselves to these four tests we are claiming that we can, in fact, choose and change our behaviors. If I find myself dwelling on negative thoughts, the Four-Way test can help me recognize the need to change my thinking. When I catch myself wanting to speak less than helpful words about another, the test empowers me to hold my tongue. The desire to act in an uncaring way toward a colleague can be stopped short by a quick application of the test. Have you found the Four-Way Test to be helpful? How?

Program for Thursday August 14

2008-08-12T09:40:00.008-04:00

U.S. Congressman Howard Coble, representing the North Carolina 6th District since 1985, will be our speaker. One of the more approachable Congressman in America, you can check out what he believes about various issues here. Howard listens with grace and humility to those who may not fully believe as he believes, but he always does his duty, to his District, the State of North Carolina, and America. If you call or write him, don't be surprised if he wakes you up when he returns your call one early Saturday morning.

Remember -

Please rise when Howard takes the podium,
The Four-Way test - yes you could be summoned to the podium to lead the club in its recitation,
Please rise when Howard leaves the podium or whenever etiquette chairman Midgett nods or winks or gives us the sign to follow his lead. (Hey, what's the worst that could happen?)

Noteworthy coincidence - Sixty-three years ago today, on August 14, 1945, President Truman announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally, ending World War II (go to article).

CaringBridge

2008-08-06T17:58:00.007-04:00

Through the miracle of technology, David Pike and his family have a link to the outside world at a time when their worlds are turned upside down. Through CaringBridge, a non-profit, specifically geared to help families keep in touch with a wide community of friends on this thing called a weblog, or blog for short, this miracle happens.

David, Patricia, Kris, Roman can write in a Journal; they get to tell their community of friends (subscribers) anything. Subscribers can jot David and family a note in the "guestbook" (click the guestbook link), just browse, or even elect to receive David's updates delivered to their mailboxes immediately after David writes in his Journal.

CaringBridge keeps families and friends connected and with ease. The family doesn't have to say or write the same message over and over when it's hard to remember what they've said to whom. Several friends we know are on CaringBridge and they say it's a great way to keep in touch, send updates, and share the life-blood of encouragement, thoughts and prayers with friends.

So if you haven't checked in on David's CaringBridge, click here now. Just follow the links to visit and sign his guestbook and to sign up to get updates automatically.

Tim, Richard, and I went to the Hoppers last night with our families. Anne and I wanted to hear about David, having seen his Caringbridge journal for the first time that morning. And so, in the spirit of Rotary, we got to "share" our friend, David, with each other, and affirm the true example of courage and hope he is to our entire club and beyond. David, if your ears were burning, it wasn't the chemo, it was us talking about you!

Right there and then we three made a pact to sport buzz haircuts no longer than a #2, in honor of David, until he's all well. We want to encourage all Gate City Rotarian guys to join in this salute to our friend as he battles pancreatic cancer, day and night. Richard and Tim, GQ guys that the are, were already rocking buzz cuts when we got to the ballpark. Jim was too, when I saw him last week. Eric, too, Rick and Alex might be on the permanent plan, and maybe Buster is too, though I can't tell whether he's got Grandpappy Lewis' balding genes or not.

Here's me getting a buzz cut today from Chuange, a guy from Viet Nam (sort of like slurring your speech and saying John) was knows all of five words, but he's really nice and has steadier hands than any surgeon I know. John, for short, cuts hair at Gene's Style Shop on Spring Garden. Old fashioned hot lather, ice-cold Coca-Colas in glass bottles, and a massive neck massage too.

John didn't quite understand why someone would want to buzz all their hair off for a friend with cancer, but Frank (the older guy wearing the blue golf shirt - in the mirror), who has been cutting hair for 50 years, translated what I wanted for Chuange. "He wants it cut off special, for a friend," he said with a smile, knowing exactly what having a friend meant. Thanks Frank!

Program for Thursday August 7

2008-08-06T17:23:00.005-04:00

Gate City's Jim Kennedy, Controller for the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro (CFGG) will introduce our speaker, Patrick Weiner, Vice President Development and Planning for the CFGG.

Remember the Four-Way Test

07:00 Thursday August 7, 2008
O. Henry Hotel
Gate City Rotary Club Make Dreams Real
Bring a guest!

Program for Thursday July 31

2008-07-30T11:46:00.005-04:00

Human Trafficking operates beneath the water line, right here in Guilford County. Thursday's program will be introduced by Eric Cole who brings us Ms. Sandra Johnson, executive director of Triad Ladder of Hope. Triad Ladder of Hope Ministry is a faith based, non governmental, non profit organization… helping women and girls trapped in modern day slavery, giving them HOPE, safety, security and freedom in a Christ-like manner.

Its Mission: Triad Ladder of HOPE works to liberate women and children trapped in modern day slavery and give them HOPE, safety, security, and freedom. Affiliations: Partner with the Dept of Health and Human Services Rescue and Restore Campaign. A National Christian Women's Job Corps Site and a part of the NC RIPPLE Collation.

It's website: http://web.northstate.net/~sandratrustgod/TLH/index.htm

the Gate City blog

2008-07-30T11:40:00.005-04:00

Gate City Rotary has a common bulletin board, Gate City Rotary blog. The blog can facilitate club announcements, calendar events, updates from our fellow members, concerns, feedback, and comments to mention a few categories.