Vol. 31, No.  33       March 31, 2006       Meeting 1460              Editor: Jean Patterson    

Today's program  
11:45 a.m. at Chickasaw Country Club.   Find out about what’s going on at the Memphis Zoo from  Michael W. Pelech, Jr., chief financial officer.  Mike is responsible for the Zoo’s overall financial plans and policies, education and information system services.  A member of the Memphis East Rotary Club, he and his wife are residents of Collierville and enjoy golfing.

Future programs    
04/07/06:  11:45 a.m. at Chickasaw Country Club.  Annual Character Achievement Awards, LeRoy Dahler, committee chairman and meeting coordinator.
 

Learn more about the extraordinary students chosen to receive this prestigious award bestowed by our club.  

            One Award Winner’s story; “I was born in Russia and when I was four, my mother who was unable to take care of me, took me to an orphanage. Despite losing my mother, experiencing terrible injuries as a young child and having to battle my fears, I have chosen to push through my pain.”  She continues; “I came to America with my adoptive mother when I was nine. I believe that God blessed me with two loving mothers, one who gave me up to live and one who gives me the chance to live. Each day I take this chance to help others to know we can rise above the pains of life to help save others and save ourselves”.
          The next Award Winner was born with club feet and a trachea not fully formed. He also has a “shortness syndrome” [4’3”].  Fifteen operations have been necessary to help correct these situations. His teacher says; “Contending with these three major challenges, this student has made it through all years of school without ‘missing a beat’. He carries a full load of regular classes. He is an honor roll student and serves as wrestling team manager. In thirty-seven years of teaching, I have not met his equal in toughness, perseverance and positive character”.
            This honoree was born with Trisome 18, a genetic disorder affecting breathing and mobility. Not expected to live past infancy, he has navigated the difficulties of many illnesses, hospitalization, treatments, learning problems, family breakups and financial disadvantages. Throughout these problems he has exhibited good humor and no expectation of special treatment. The student says; “I think my teacher nominated me because I have achieved my worth and have kept my anger in with out losing it”.
                                                                                                         

            Another Award Winner: Imagine seeing your home flooded with six feet of water and with the exception of your family, losing everything you hold precious. This honoree lived in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. She and her family evacuated to Memphis. Her teacher says; “She has maintained a positive attitude, excelled in five honors classes and finished her first semester with a 4.43 G.P.A. She lifts everyone’s spirits with her smile and pleasant demeanor”. The student says; “Though it has been difficult not to dwell on my situation, I know to be thankful for my life and not let this get me down. Thanks to my new school and the Memphis community, I’ve been able to move forward.”

04/14/06:    No meeting.  Good Friday.
04/21/06:    No meeting at Chickasaw Country Club.  Instead, meet at 12 noon at the    
                    Memphis Hilton for the kick-off lunch with other Rotarians attending    
                    the District 6800 Conference:  Memphis & the Delta – Celebrating Our  
                    Musical Heritage.
 04/28/06:    11:45 a.m. at Chickasaw Country Club.   Rotary Group Study Exchange
                    Team from Germany.  Dick Wieland is the program coordinator.                                                                
                 
Important dates to keep in mind
03/30-04/02:   This weekend in Olive Branch, MS:  Youth Leadership Conference sponsored by the District.
04/21-04/22:        District Conference.   Memphis Hilton.  The sponsoring organization is the Germantown Rotary Club.  Our club’s Jean Patterson has been asked by District Governor Vijay to serve again as chair of the silent auction. Jean is arranging for auction items from our club to be donated to the District auction.  If you or your business would like to take part by making a donation, please contact Jean at her office—332-5586, ext. 1295.
04/21:  No meeting at Chickasaw.  Instead, we will join other members of Rotary District 6800 for the luncheon at the Memphis Hilton.  President John plans to make attendance sheets available at our next three club meetings for those who plan to attend the luncheon on the 21st to sign up.  Our club will use the funds normally earmarked to pay for our lunch at Chickasaw to instead pay for lunch at the District Conference.
04/27-28-29:        GSE team from southern Germany will visit Memphis.  Our club has been asked to host the team.   GSE team members represent several professions:  pharmacist, banker, lawyer, software developer and a general manager for a city construction company.  Contact Dick Wieland if you would like to serve as a host or help coordinate the GSE team visit.  

Message from Chester Perry
        I called Chester and Amanda Perry to convey our greetings and good wishes.  Chester continues to have a variety of health issues but keeps a positive outlook.  He asked me to tell the other club members that he misses you and would love to be able to attend our meetings again in person, rather than in spirit, as he does now.  He enjoys reading our Rotarian newsletter which I mail to him every week.  I assured Chester that his place as the official club greeter remains "open" for him and that no one could ever replace him and his cheery, friendly smile.  Chester and Amanda do not have e-mail service but I know they would love to hear from you----either by card or phone call.  Their home address is:  337 Meadvale Street, Memphis, TN  38120-1748.  Phone:  685-0972.

Two new members are added to our club roster
Please welcome DeeDee Fowler, sponsored by Randolph Reeves, and Ray Darby to our club.  DeeDee owns Hidden Safes, a company that---obviously---provides a security product to clients.  DeeDee says of the thousands of clients her company has worked with 450 have subsequently been robbed.  The good news is that the robbers did not find one hidden safe in any of these clients’ homes or businesses.  DeeDee is the mother of one 11-year-old son who is a student at Christ United Methodist School.
Ray Darby is president of Junior Achievement in Memphis.  A former Rotarian from Ohio, Ray was initially contacted by our club's membership committee. The committee was working under the initiative to increase membership by reaching out to newer members of the Memphis community.  Ray was delighted to receive our welcome letter!  He visited the club several times and made the decision to join our group.    
President John assigned Jim Crone and Rick James, both membership committee members, to serve as Ray’s sponsors.  Ray has logged more than 25 years of service with the Junior Achievement organization.  Married for 30 years, he is the proud father of two daughters.  One is in college and the other “works in the horse industry (cleans stalls)”, according to Ray.  Longevity seems to be one of Ray’s strong suits---married 30 years, more than 25 years with his company---and we hope the same will be true of his membership in our Rotary club!

Last week’s meeting

Special entertainment was provided before our meeting by Joann and Dick Wieland’s grandson, Thor Imsdahl, concert flutist and 18-year-old freshman at Princeton University who performed several selections accompanied by Vicky Person, organist-pianist from Lord of Life Lutheran Church.  
President John May presided at meeting #1459.   David Luiken offered the invocation and led us in the pledge of allegiance. John Shepherd introduced visitors and guests including Joann Wieland, guest of Dick Wieland and Jimmy Crone, student at University of Tennessee and son of  Jim Crone.
        Announcements:  R. E. Linkous, member of the golf tournament committee, reported that as of Friday, March 24, eleven teams had signed up to play in the tournament on May 16.  “We’re working hard to reach the 32-team limit and encourage others to sign up now!” says R. E.   Later in the day, Chris McDermott sent all members with e-mail service an application for entering a team(s) in the tournament.  Chris asked that we respond regarding our intent to play, sponsor a hole, or sponsor a team or all of the above. Chris said, “the Wyndyke venue should interest a lot of you and your clients; they run a great tournament.  Thanks for your support.”
         Sgt. at Arms  Rick James spun the Rotary Wheel to issue a fine to those who did not take him up on his offer of an installment plan if they forgot to wear their Rotary pin or missed a meeting or two.  The wheel spinner landed on an “X” which meant that the next number spun would be doubled.  The number was “4” so the fine was doubled to $8.00 for each infraction of our rules.  This was bad news for several Rotarians who visited the treasurer’s table to pay their fines. Wheelies included Yves Calvert, Al Hollingsworth, Jeff Jones, R. E. Linkous and Carlton Smith (forgot to wear his pin).  It was a great day for the Scholarship Fund coffers.
        Bill Eddings collected $76.00---$38.00 to the winner and $38.00 for the club--- in the Floyd’s Fund raffle.  The lucky ticket was #3826158 which was held by John Bennett.  Congratulations, John!
Tom Michael introduced guest speaker Amy Burke Shumate, marketing and sales manager for Downtown Productions, publisher of the Memphis Downtowner. The magazine features in-depth coverage of current events, personal profiles, history expos, a calendar of events, restaurant guide and more. It is dedicated to informing, entertaining and educating readers about Memphis and the Mid-South community.
        Amy presented a very informative synopsis of the many building projects going on downtown today.  The old Kress building has been restored to its former grandeur.  It serves now as a hotel and event location.  The North End----formerly the Greenhaw neighborhood---known as the first subdivision in Memphis----has become a multi-family-oriented area offering a safe environment for its inhabitants.  Amy lives on Mud Island so she is understandably proud of the Island’s 5000 residents and its neighborhood elementary school, grocery store and more.  Mud Island has been named the official model for projects of its type in the USA!  Amy also briefly covered what’s going on now in the Pinch District, Court Square, Cotton Row, the old Goldsmith’s neighborhood and the SoFo (South of the FedEx Forum) district.
Club meetings in the surrounding area    
For the convenience of our members we’re providing an updated list of nearby club meetings where we can make up our misses. Please save this list for future reference.  

MONDAY  
No meetings close to the Memphis area.    
TUESDAY    
Collierville – Noon, Ridgeway Country Club **note:  this is a new location    
Memphis– Noon, Cook Convention Center  
Olive Branch – Noon, Olive Branch Country Club, Germantown  Road    
Oxford– Noon, Oxford University Club, 300 North Lamar
WEDNESDAY    
Germantown-- Noon, Germantown Country Club, 1780 Kimbrough    
Hernando – Noon,  the Magnolia Restaurant, 131 Commerce  
Holly Springs – Noon, Christopher’s  Personal Care Home, 885 Highway 178E    
Memphis East – Noon, Racquet Club,  5111 Sanderlin Dr.  
Robinsonville -- 8 am, Hollywood Diner, Old Highway 61      
THURSDAY    
Bartlett/Cordova – Noon, Colonial  Country Club, 2736 Countrywood Pky, Cordova      
Southaven – Noon, Boiling Point Restaurant, 55 Church Rd. (near Civic Center)    
Tunica – Noon, Women's Club Building, corner of River and School Streets  
FRIDAY  
 Senatobia –  12:15 p.m., Northwest Junior College campus, Haraway Center      

Our mailing  address    

Memphis Central Rotary Club  
P.O. Box 772296  
Memphis TN 38177

Club roster    
Rod Ashley 363-6000                Jay Hudson  529-3632                          Mike Robbins  363-5880
L.D. Beard  369-9642                Rick James  362-3492 X27                     Randolph Reeves  681-0507  
John Bennett 853-3460              Jeff Jones  853-8109                                  Jack Robinson  213-3993          
Yves Calvert 767-8776              Doyle Lemons 756-6536                            Gary Rutherford  753-7957  
Bert Canfield 634-2730             R.E. Linkous 754-0700                           Mabel Rutherford  755-3815  
Larry  Conn 682-1800                  David Luiken  382-3823                        *Tidwell Semmes  767-5752    
Jim Crone 754-0777                  Harvey Marcom 761-2016                      John Shepherd  850-1061  
Leroy Dahler 362-9700                Bill Matthews  345-5650                        Carlton Smith  690-1203    
Ray Darby  
Fred Davis  761-9486                  John May 259-3631                              *Henry Springer  757-9005    
Jerry Daws 757-8578                   Floyd McDaniel  327-2013                         Jack Springer  681-0025        
Bill Eddings 386-3182                 Chris McDermott   377-1000                     *Jim Vandenburg  735-7003  
Pedro Fernandez  568-1575        Tom Michael  759-2143                         Lee Whipple  755-8350  
DeeDee Fowler  485-1678
*Henry Francis 754-3405            Bob Neal  685-7772                              Dick Wieland  322-8630            
**Doc Harris 662-429-4551       **Don Palmer 662-429-1542                  Gordon Wilson  678-4101  
 Al Hollingsworth 767-3600        Jean  Patterson 332-5586, Ext. 1295      
 Laura House 323-6216             *Chester Perry 685-0972  
                                                      Andy Peters 821-4145      
                                                      Marty Petrusek 755-5945    
    * Honorary member          
** On leave of absence