Memphis

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www.memphiscentralrotaryclub.org
for up-to-date news and background information about
our club, the District and Rotary International

The Tennessee Bar Association is working to boost the legal system image. William Haltom will tell us what’s being done to accomplish this goal.

If you’re interested in sports, be sure to attend next Friday so you can hear what Geoff Calkins has to say about the upcoming basketball season. What are the prospects for the Memphis State University Tigers? Will the new Grizzlies fit in well enough that the Grizzlies can qualify for the NBA playoffs again? Calkins no doubt will have a long question-and answer session, just as he did during his previous visits to our club.

President John May asked John Shepherd to give one of his popular "snapshots of life" about one of our members who would celebrate 85 years of life on Sunday, October 16. John was describing our own Floyd McDaniel. After John's remarks, Jean Patterson brought in a beautiful birthday cake with colorful balloons as the entire room sang Happy Birthday to Floyd.

It was one of the rare occasions when Floyd was speechless! Finally, after being asked to say a few words, Floyd responded that "the first 50 years were the easiest. It's the last 35 that have been hard.” He said he’s doing great – except for walking, sleeping and eating – oh yes – and memory. Floyd joined our club 20 years ago when he was 65 years young.

Congressman Harold Ford Jr. chats with President John May and Sergeant-at-Arms Rick James

Congressman Harold Ford Jr. arrived at our meeting just after returning from a sweep of several West Tennessee counties, making stops---both planned and unplanned---at constituents’ places of business and churches. This is the way he spent the week-long Congressional recess. He likes to keep connected with the people who sent him to Congress which for him is the “best job anyone could ever ask for.”

A balanced budget is very important to Ford. He shared with us that in 1998 he was privileged to vote for the first U.S. balanced budget since 1969, a year before he was born! Ford favors a Constitutional amendment to force the President to present a balanced budget with exceptions for recessions, war or extreme natural disasters.

Regarding the war in Iraq, Ford is not in favor of setting an exact departure date from that country by our troops. However, he is in favor of reducing the U.S. presence there.

The Congressman opened the floor for questions and fielded several before time ran out. He is very intelligent, informed and genuine -- not a typical politician! Our club would welcome him back any time!

You will soon receive a personal invitation, mailed to your home, to attend our spectacular Christmas party and silent auction on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 6:30 p.m. We're celebrating at the Nineteenth Century Club. Our dinner will be catered by the fabulous Castle Retail Group (Rick James) just as it was last year. We are also planning special entertainment for your enjoyment.

Several members of the Christmas Party committee are serving as Group Captains on our phone committee. Each member of the club has been assigned to one of the Group Captains. They will phone you regarding the party and the silent auction. Since the Silent Auction is one of the top fund-raisers for our club during the Rotary year, it is important (imperative?) that each member participate. Our goal is to receive a donation--either an auction item or monetary---from every member.

Several visitors joined us last week to hear what Congressman Harold Ford had to say.

It was interesting to hear the story of Simplice N. Toya, guest of Bob Neal. Toya, a native of Nigeria, came to the United States five years ago knowing only two English words – yes and no. Today he has a degree in international business from the University of Memphis. He also was outstanding in basketball – once he salvaged a game by sinking eight straight free throws as the game ended.

Harvey Marcom also introduced the following: Charlotte Neal and Sheriff Mark Luttrell, guests of Bob Neal; Ellis Smith of LaGrange GA; Herbert Montgomery, a fellow worker with Al Hollingsworth; Marcus and Marie Stewart, guests of Carlton Smith, and Katherine Eddings, wife of Bill Eddings.

Jeff Jones’ daughter Libby Kelley and her husband Roger have arranged temporary shelter for a New Orleans family left homeless by Katrina. Kathy Cabibi and three of her five children now have a place to stay. The other two are older and stayed in New Orleans to help with cleanup. Our club board voted to give the family $500 to help them with their living expenses. The three children living with Kathy are a daughter, 18, with a child on the way; a son 15 and a daughter 14.

Patricia McLean, school coordinator for Walmart, once again has presented a $1000 check to our club to be used for our scholarships and school programs. Chris McDermott picked it up and it is now in our Rotary Foundation. Walmart has been a major help to our programs for several years. Walmart has adopted Sheffield High School, just as we have.

Sergeant-at-Arms Rick James spun the Wheel and the arrow landed on 4 Several members made their way to the treasurer’s table to pay their fines. Bill Eddings handled the drawing for the Scholarship Fund. Jean Patterson returned to the club after several weeks’ absence just in time for her winning raffle ticket to be randomly plucked from the contest hat. Jean won $43.00 with the same amount going to the Scholarship Fund.

Our Fireside Chats will take place on Nov. 11. Sites and hosts will be announced soon. President John wants us to focus on money-raising ideas.

The Board of Directors accepted Yves Calvert as a new member. Yves is general manager of the Tower Room in the Clark Tower. Lee Whipple is his sponsor.

Our mailing address
Memphis Central Rotary Club
P.O. Box 772296
Memphis TN 38177

**Don Palmer 662-429-1542
Rod Ashley 363-6000 Jean Patterson 332-5586, Ext. 1295
L.D. Beard 369-9642 Chester Perry 685-0972
John Bennett 853-3460

Yves Calvert 767-8776                     Andy Peters 821-4145
Bert Canfield 634-2730.               Marty Petrusek 755-5945
Larry Conn 682-1800             Mike Robbins 363-5880
Jim Crone 754-0777             Randolph Reeves 681-0507
Leroy Dahler 362-9700                 Jack Robinson 213-3993
Fred Davis 761-9486              Gary Rutherford 753-7957
Jerry Daws 757-8578           *Tidwell Semmes 767-5752
Bill Eddings 386-3182          John Shepherd 850-1061