Vol. 31, No.  20       December 16, 2005       Meeting 1446              Editor: Jean Patterson

 
Today's Program

Welcome Charlie Nelson from the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA).    Laura House is today's program coordinator.  

“We change our community by changing lives"

The Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) is comprised of 20 programs that serve approximately 60,000 people a year. The nonprofit organization is headquartered at 910 Vance Ave. in the poorest zip code in Memphis, 38126. Besides the main building, MIFA employees and volunteers work from several satellite locations in Memphis-Shelby County and surrounding areas. Forty-percent of its funding is private and 60 percent is public. Donations of time, leadership, service and dollars from individuals and community groups are critical to MIFA's success.

NOTE:  This week's meeting will have an earlier start to allow us time to conduct a live auction for several of the items that either did not receive bids or the minimum bid was not met.  Come to the meeting ready to bid up and often on a beautiful antique-look lamp from Jack Springer's antique store.  The lamp is valued at $300.00.  Jack requests that we start the bidding at $150.00.

Other items include a certificate for a complimentary stay at one of Davidson's hotel properties in Florida, valued at $250.00.  This item is donated by Andy Peters.  We also have a 4 x 6 foot mahogany campaign desk donated by Dick Wieland.  The desk will probably not be at the meeting, but if you were at the Christmas party and silent auction you have seen what a beauty it is.  Bidding for the desk begins at $100.00 and Dick has promised to deliver it to you before Christmas!  

Future programs

12/23/05:  NO MEETING

12/30/05:  NO MEETING

01/06/06:  12:00 Noon:   Lunch & tour the National Civil Rights Museum
                                        450 Mulberry Street
                                         Phone: (901) 521-9699

01/13/06:  11:45 a.m. Fireside Chats  
                 Tower Room American Grille
                 33rd Floor – Clark Tower
                 5100 Poplar Avenue
                 Memphis, TN  38137

01/20/06:  11:45 a.m. – Chickasaw Country Club
                 Speaker:  Keith McDonald, Mayor of Bartlett


A card of thanks from John Bennett

John Bennett continues to recover from a recent vehicular accident near his home.  "The truck I was driving was destroyed," says John.  "Fortunately, I was the only person involved in the accident and although it's slow going, I expect to make a full recovery.  I want to thank all the members of the club for sending Edna and me the beautiful shiffilera plant.  It reminds us every day of all the wonderful friends we've made through our association with the Rotary organization."

A word from the President

President John May says, “My heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended our recent Christmas party and silent auction.  As of today, gross income from the auction stands at $4,300.00.  This was a great occasion and I want to extend a special thank you to Jean Patterson, chairman of the event and her committee for their hard work and dedication.  Each committee member-----Jim Crone, Bill Eddings, Rick James, Doyle Lemons, Tom Michael, Gary Rutherford and Gordon Wilson-----contributed to the overall success of this major fund-raiser.  Kudos also go to Rick James and his Castle Retail Group, for providing us with a spectacularly delicious meal that won’t soon be forgotten.”


Shirley Morris receives Rotary's highest honor

Lee Whipple really surprised his wife, Shirley Morris, at the recent Christmas party.  Shirley expected to have a wonderful time at the party and auction (which she did).  What Shirley did not expect was to hear Past District Governor Dick Wieland announce that Shirley had become the club's most recent Paul Harris Fellow.  Following a brief ceremony on the beautiful staircase at the Nineteenth Century Club, Shirley received her Paul Harris Fellow pin and framed certificate.  Congratulations, Shirley!  

 Report from the Board    

The club's board of directors met on Monday, December 12. Several important matters were discussed, including:

Jean Patterson was named editor of the weekly Rotarian.  She replaces Henry Francis who plans to cut back on some of his activities within the club.  "After all, says Henry, "I expect to celebrate my 80th (!!!) birthday in February.  It's time to take a rest and let some of the younger folks take over a few of the club's projects and activities."  

Francis & Perry named honorary members

Henry Francis and Chester Perry have several things in common:  both are long time members of the Rotary Club of Memphis Central with more than 50 years combined service between them.  Both Henry and Chester have served the club with dedication and in Rotary spirit, participating in most every activity and project the club offers.  

Now, these gentlemen have another common bond-----on Monday, December 12, the club’s board of directors proclaimed Henry Francis and Chester Perry “Honorary members of the Rotary Club of Memphis Central”.  Although we may not see them quite as often as we would like, Henry and Chester will be welcomed when they attend our club meetings, as are our other honorary members.  The only difference is now Henry and Chester won’t need to worry about making up missed meetings as they did in the past to perpetuate their perfect attendance records.   Each of them holds perfect attendance in excess of twenty years!   Chester will continue to serve as “official greeter” for the club.

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  

Club roster

Rod Ashley 363-6000                                  Mike Robbins  363-5880
L.D. Beard  369-9642                                    Randolph Reeves  681-0507
John Bennett 853-3460                                 Jack Robinson  213-3993
Yves Calvert 767-8776                                   Gary Rutherford  753-7957
Bert Canfield 634-2730.                                  Mabel Rutherford  755-3815
Larry  Conn 682-1800                                     *Tidwell Semmes  767-5752
Jim Crone 754-0777                                       John Shepherd  850-1061

Leroy Dahler 362-9700                                 Carlton Smith  690-1203
Fred Davis  761-9486                                    *Henry Springer  757-9005  
Jerry Daws 757-8578                                Jack Springer  681-0025    
Bill Eddings 386-3182                                     *Jim Vandenburg  735-7003

Pedro Fernandez  568-1575                          Lee Whipple  755-8350
*Henry Francis 754-3405                                 Dick Wieland  322-8630
**Doc Harris 662-429-4551                             Gordon Wilson  678-4101
Al Hollingsworth 767-3600      
Laura House 323-6216          
Rick James  362-3492 X27    
Jeff Jones  853-8109                                * Honorary member      
                                                  ** On leave of absence
Doyle Lemons 756-6536  
R.E. Linkous 754-0700  
David Luiken  382-3823
Harvey Marcom 761-2016  
Bill Matthews  345-5650  
John May 259-3631  
Floyd McDaniel  327-2013
Tom Michael  759-2143

Bob Neal  685-7772
**Don Palmer 662-429-1542  
Jean  Patterson 332-5586, Ext. 1295  
*Chester Perry 685-0972  
Andy Peters 821-4145  
Marty Petrusek 755-5945  


Jean W. Patterson
Manager of Customer Services
American Contract Bridge League
2990 Airways Blvd.
Memphis, TN  38116-3847

901-332-5586, ext. 1295
901-398-7754  (Fax)
www.acbl.org

"Excellence in Customer Care for Bridge Players in North America"