19 faithful Rotarians arrived for the last luncheon before Christmas.  We were joined by visiting Rotarian Dan Dozer from the Whitehall/Bexley Rotary Club.  Dan says he has property in the area and will be visiting us more often in the new year.

 

Mike McGreevy was in fine voice for the prayer today, and the flag was back so we could all pledge appropriately.

 

Monday was the final food distribution at Smith Chapel Food Mission and the line was unbelievably long when we were arriving, and still was when we were leaving.  Our thanks to Rotarians Joe Murtha, Mike McGreevy, Larry Willard, LeeAnn Helber and Susan Aldridge for serving on the distribution line.  It is heartbreaking to know there are so many people in need right here in our own backyard.  Please keep those less fortunate in your prayers and Christmas wishes this year.

 

With Lottery Master Doug MIA today, Mike McGreevy stepped in to handle the event.  After a few choice comments regarding the trustworthyness of the assembly, McGreevy selected our visiting Rotarian Dan to pull the winning ticket.  Today's small pot of $13 was won by Jon Mesarch, but he failed to find the Queen of Spades for the big pot of $36!  Let's hope that pot will grow a bit before we have another winner.

 

Jim Rogers was on duty today and managed to make the necessary fines despite his reputed health issues --nothing that losing a few years or a few pounds wouldn't cure!

 

First to be fined was the usual latecomers Jon M. and John S.  Attorney Bob Lilley was tagged for the unsolicited advertisement provided by visitor Dan, and LeeAnn Helber was hit for a buck for her "fashion statement" with the pink headband/earwarmer.

 

Lottery winner Jon was asked to rebate $2, Kathy and Larry Menchhofer were caught with no pin/badge, and most of the assembly had to kick in a $1 for not having their Christmas shopping done.

 

Happy Bucks:  Bob Lilley paid a $1 to announce he will soon have twin grandsons; Dick Brandt paid to announce his son and family were arriving today for a two week visit, and that he would probably be paying another $1 to announce when they left!; LeeAnn kicked in $1 in honor of her weekend visit with her two great-nieces this past weekend.

 

President Dave and Joe Murtha gave a final report on the bike project.  The Posse spent only $474 and was able to rehab 58 bicycles this year.  In addition, donations ( $2775 including $500 from the Logan-Holl Foundation and $700 from the Christmas Brown Bag Auction ) purchased 111 new bicycles. 

 

Special thanks go out to Joe Murtha for the use of his heated garage for working on the bikes, to Rotarian and Walmart Store Manager Susan Aldridge for her generous discounts on the bikes and also for assembling and storing them until we needed them last Sunday, and to the Teen Sunday School of the First Presbyterian Church who helped to move the bikes to the distribution site at Century National Bank.  Thanks to Citizens Bank for the use of the second floor storage area in the old Western Auto building. 

 

The Posse had a goal of 160 bikes for this year, so they exceeded their own goal.  Together with about 40 bikes from another local individual, there were enough bikes to fill all of the requests this year!  What a happy Christmas there will be for 200 girls and boys in our area this year!

 

The January Board meeting will be held on Jan. 5th at 5:30pm at the Home Tavern.

 

Future Programs:

Jan. 4 - Mike McGreevy

Jan. 11 - Mike McGhee

Jan. 18 - Holiday - Martin Luther King Day

Jan 25 - Bob Lilley

Feb. 1 - Damon Kuhn

Feb 8 - Kathy Krumlauf

 

Today's program was presented by Larry Menchhofer.  Last year's program of Christmas memories was particularly effective, so we were treated to a reprise today.

 

Kathy Krumlauf and Dave Snipes showed some pictures from the bike distribution last Sunday and talked about how great the need was for the families who participated in the Toys to Share program.

 

Robin Balthasar:  Robin related a number of humorous occurrences from her childhood, shared with 5 other brothers and sisters.  Apparently, with that many youngsters in the house, things CAN and often DO go wrong!  She emphasized, thought, that Mom & Dad always made sure they remembered the "reason for the season" and encourage us all to make sure to love one another all year long.

 

Andy McGhee:  Being the youngest member of our Club, Andy was sad that he didn't have as many years of memories to recall as Robin did (for which he will pay at some opportune moment in the future), but did mention that Christmas 2005 was his favorite -- the first year as a father.  He said he finally realized what life was all about.

 

Doug Fisher:  Doug told us about his wish as a kindergardner for a toy tow truck called a "Big Bruiser".  He didn't get that exact truck for Christmas, and recalls that he was not very pleasant about it.  He did, however, get it the next year.  It was one of his all-time favorite toys and he still has it today.  He also talked about the year he was in Buffalo, NY during his residency and they had no money for decorations or presents or anything, AND they had to deal with 3 feet of snow!  Mom & Dad saved the day when they came a week later, complete with decorated Christmas Tree.  Another special memor was a more recent Christmas when he and his brothers and sisters all joined together to adopt a family.  They purchased food, clothing, gifts and even a tree and decorations.  It is a very special warm memory for him.

 

Larry Menchhofer:  Larry talked about growing up on a dairy farm and going to church on Christmas Eve for the children's program.  At the endof the service, all the children received a bag of candy.  For Larry, it was off to one set of grandparents that evening, Christmas at home the next morning and then off to the other grandparents that afternoon.  Sounds like a child's perfect holiday!

 

LeeAnn Helber:  LeeAnn told us about spending time with her neighbors growing up and helping to decorate their tree.  For some reason, it became tradition for LeeAnn to wear the tree skirt while decorating!  She says it still fits -- well, with the second snap fastened instead of the first one!  She also remembers the lesson she learned one year when she snooped and found all of her presents.  The confrontation with Mom was NOT pretty, and she NEVER snoops now!

 

Dave Snipes:  Dave told us a great story about his grandsons (who greatly dislike shopping of any form) being required to assist and shop for a family that they had "adopted".  Dave feels it is necessary to start early to educate children about the need to "give back".

 

Marsha James:  Marsha has great memories over the years of adopting less fortunate families.  Because she lives at the "home place", everyone comes to her house for Chiristmas, including numerous college kids with no place else to go -- she plans for at least 35 people, for a real old fashioned celebration.

 

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!