Meeting Notes,

Opening exercises for the January 15^th, 2008, meeting of Denton-South Rotary were set in motion about 7:18 a.m. by the Call to Order by president Tim Ferris and the naming of members to lead the Pledge of Allegiance (Glen McKinsey), the 4-Way Test (Marion Scott) and singing of the Rotary Invocation (Charles King.) Bob Lieth, Sgt.-at-Arms, introduced visitors Nancy Willingham (former member) and Bob Nelson (noon Rotary).

Other members introduced guests: Art Gionet, hosting Lisa Eickemeyer (a UNT student who is seeking an Ambassadorial Scholarship) and Tom Downey, hosting Captain Guy Watts (local Salvation Army). Lisa was selected by Bob Lieth to choose a ticket for the weekly drawing and Marion Scott’s ticket was drawn. His choice of a card from the diminishing deck was not a winner. Bob then shared one of his pearles of wisdom which began” “The only way to have a friend is to be one yourself.”

Announcements and business.

Tom Downey informed us that Don Barnes, long-time member of the noon club, is seriously ill. Tom asked for us to join him in remembering Don in our prayers.

Captain Guy Watts was called forward. He reported that the donations collected at Salvation Army’s Wal-Mart kettle (for which Denton-South volunteers rang bells) was $2,808.70. This was for the four Saturdays of December, 2007. Members enthusiastically applauded the result of this service project.

President Tim announced that John Rademacher, chair of the Dictionary Project, has ordered 400 additional dictionaries to be delivered as gifts to more 3^rd grade students in DISD. John is calling for volunteers to again assist in gifting events. If available, contact John at 940-367-0411.

The president then announced future dates of important upcoming events:

Board of Directors meeting - Sat., 1-26-08, Denton Central Fire Station.

District Assembly - April 26^th in Denton (co-hosted by Denton-South and the noon Rotary club.)

District Conference - May 9^th-11^th.

Program.

Judy Willis introduced David Farmer, the program presenter for this day. David is an employee of the Radisson Hotel. His field of expertise is winery. His higher education background includes degrees from Baylor University, Texas A & M University and Texas Tech University.

Mr. Farmer extended his thanks to Rotary for its endeavors in service to the community with a special commendation to the Denton-South members for their uniqueness of meeting so early in the day.

David opened his lesson about wine production by giving some historical facts regarding the differences between European and American vocabulary. In Europe, wines are labeled according to the geographical region at which the grapes are grown (Burgundy, Champaign, Bordeaux, etc.). In America, especially since the 1960s, labeling is dependant on the kind and quality of the grapes used. The European titles have been adopted by American wineries as they strive to bring local wines to the same standards of quality as the European standards.

Members were provided with grapes at each table and our presenter encouraged us to peel them and examine, through taste, the difference between the peel and the body of the grape. During this presentation, Mr. Farmer informed us that the terms “white” and “red”, when applied to the kind of wine, are not related to the color (red or white) of the grapes used.

During a spirited question and answer period, we were cautioned not to always assume that expensive wines will taste better than the lower priced. David also mentioned that American wines, whose grapes are grown in the Columbia River valleys of Oregon and Washington seem to be priced lower.

In conclusion, Judy Willis asked Mr. Farmer if he might be available for a “wine tasting” fund-raiser and he replied positively. President Ferris adjourned the meeting at 8:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted, Marvin Pollard.

Speaker Schedule

01-22 Scott Walker

01-29 John Rademacher

02-05 John Duffy

02-12 Pete Mccleskey

02-19 Glen McKenzie

02-26 Eric Burns

Questions about the schedule? Contact Judy Willis

Member John Alexander and his lovely wife Shelley were in Vegas last week where they did a make up at the Vegas West Club. Lunch was $25 each. They also attended the live version of the “Price is Right” game show. They weren’t asked to “Comon Down” but later got to meet the host Randy West ("Supermarket Sweep 2000-2004"), who saw John wearing his Rotary hat. It turns out that he belongs to the Santa Clara California club. We only wish he saw the hat before the show…”I cuda been a contender!”

It also turned out to be the same week as the “World of Concrete” convention. Their main convention hotel was the H_______ _R_______, where they C__________ old relationships and formed new B_________. They F_________ through the crowds P_____ over the many tables where they and filled out F______. More?

Corporate Lessons

A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day. A rabbit saw the crow, and asked, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day?" The crow answered: "Sure, why not." So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested. Suddenly, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.
Moral: To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

It was so cold, that a flying bird froze and fell to the ground in a field. Soon, a cow came by and dropped some dung on it. As the frozen bird lay in the pile of dung, it realized how warm it was. The dung was thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and following the sound, discovered the bird under the pile of dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him!
Morals: 1) Not everyone who drops poop on you is your enemy. 2) Not everyone who gets you out of poop is your friend. 3) And when you're in deep poop, keep your mouth shut.

(Hard rock, cemented, bonds, funneled, pouring, forms.)

RI News!

November 26, 2007

The global campaign to wipe out polio is getting a S$200 million (€134 million) donation from Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, at a time when some worry the long effort will fail in the final stages. Monday's announcement by both organizations came after nearly two decades of work around the world against polio, an infectious disease that can paralyze and sometimes kill. "This investment is precisely the catalyst we need as we intensify the push to finish polio," Dr. Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization, said in a statement Monday. Though polio incidence has been slashed by more than 99 percent worldwide since the WHO launched its eradication program in 1988, the virus remains entrenched in four countries: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan. Two deadlines to eliminate polio have been missed: 2000 and 2005. More than US$5 billion (€3.4 billion) has been poured into eradicating polio, and some experts worry that unless the job is finished soon, the global community's money and patience may run out.