Vol. 31, No. 18 December 2, 2005 Meeting 1445 Editor: Henry Francis

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Today’s program

Name That Tune, Christmas-Style

Evonne Siemer and her husband Don are well-known locally for their murder mysteries and special programs. Their presentation today is going to be different and interesting – “Name That Tune, Christmas-style.” The show will run all the way from Rudolph to Oh Holy Night. It will be filled with fascinating facts, lyrics and music.

Evonne is a past president of Executive Women International. She also has been chairman of Memphis City Beautiful and the Memphis Bar Association.

Christmas party

Jean Patterson, chairman of our Christmas party, reports that there will be lots of good items available at our silent auction. “Even so,” said Jean, “we would like to have more. Our silent auction is one of the major ways we use to raise the money necessary for our special projects. It’s a win-win situation – you get something you want and our Foundation builds at the same time.”

It’s going to be a great party – excellent food, good entertainment and lots of fellowship. The party will take place on Thursday, December 8, at the Nineteenth Century Club.

As we did last year, we are requesting that those members whose last names begin with A through L bring an appetizer to the party. Those whose last names begin with M through Z should bring a dessert.

The menu that will be provided by Rick James and the Castle Retail Group:

Tossed salad with variety of dressings
Chilled shrimp with cocktail sauce
Beef tenderloin
Twice-baked potatoes
Asparagus
Steamed vegetable medley
Yeast rolls
Iced tea and coffee

It’s necessary to know approximately how many will attend. By now you should have received your invitation. Just call Jean and tell her how many will be in your party. Bring your friends.

Jean can be reached at 332-5586, Ext. 1295. And don’t forget – we need more items for the auction.

John Bennett injured in freak accident

John Bennett suffered severe chest injuries in a freak accident recently. He is at home now after a stay in the hospital.

About a week before Thanksgiving, John gave blood and was returning home in his truck. Suddenly he felt light-headed and decided to stop to rest before continuing home. Fortunately for John, he was about a block from Covered Bridge Cove where he lives, so traffic was light. The next thing John knew, he was in a field and had hit a fire plug! He had been unconscious as his truck swept through the field.

John was hospitalized for internal injuries---a cracked sternum and several broken ribs. He received a transfusion and his blood had to be stabilized so that he could receive oxygen. He's now at home taking the oxygen and using a prolonged pain-relieving patch.

Be sure you add John and Edna to your prayer list. They have both been through a lot these past two weeks, and John has a way to go before he can make a complete recovery.

Our November 18 program

A visit from our adopted school

Tamika Carwell, Henry Francis, Linda Williams and Janessa Johnson

Three representatives from Sheffield High brought us up-to-date on what’s going on at our adopted school.

Linda Williams, who is in charge of the Adopt-a-School program, pointed out that Sheffield has students from all over the world. “We have blacks, Hispanics, whites, West Africans and Southeast Asians,” she said. “Altogether we have 12 ethnic groups in our school.” The school is making a strong effort to have the students become career-oriented by means of Career Awareness and Job Shadowing programs.

Jalissa Johnson, a senior who attended the Rotary Leadership Conference last year, told us that she is learning more and more about leadership every day. She feels that the conference was a very favorable experience. She recognized Marty Petrusek as one of the conference leaders last year.

Tamika Carwell, assistant principal, feels that the special Freshman Program will result in more students getting their diplomas. “We usually have about 400 new freshmen every year, but only about 250 make it all the way. We are going to have Freshman Retreats, Peer Monitoring programs and Service Learning projects which we hope will make more students interested in learning. Freshmen often have difficulty figuring out what’s right and what’s wrong. We’re going to help them find out.”

Member’s granddaughter in Walk the Line

Hailey Anne Nelson, granddaughter of Henry and Dorthy Francis plays the part of young Roseanne Cash in Walk the Line, now showing at local theaters. The movie, which details the life of Johnny Cash, is highly watchable. Both Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter gave excellent performances. Hailey Anne previously played a major part in Big Fish.

Special notes

Lots of members were puzzled when they discovered a charge for “additional club assessment” on their bills. Treasurer Pedro Fernandez explained it – it’s the charge for the Christmas party.

Three members – Al Hollingsworth, Tom Michael and Doyle Lemons – each contributed $5 for failing to make up a miss.

Chris McDermott did a fine job running the meeting in place of President John May, who was on vacation.

Club meetings in area

For the convenience of our members, here is 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 Memphis area.

TUESDAY

Collierville – Noon, Baptist Memorial Hospital, 1500 West Poplar

Memphis – Noon, Cook Convention Center
Olive Branch – Noon, Olive Branch Country Club, Germantown Road

Oxford – Noon, Oxford University Club, 300 N, Lamar St.

WEDNESDAY

Germantown -- Noon, Germantown Country Club,1780 Kimbrough

Hernando – Noon, 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 Pot Restaurant, 55 Church Rd. (near Civic Center)
Tunica – Noon, Women's Club Building, corner River and School Streets

FRIDAY

Senatobia – 12:15 p.m., United Methodist Church on Gilmore Street!

Our mailing address

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

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