Minutes of the Rotary Meeting – March 30, 2017
By: Henry R. Seawell, IV
Invocation, Song, Music and Pledge
The meeting was called to order by club president, Les Greer. Frank Harkins offered the invocation. Larry Sindel led the Song and Pledge. Mr. Greer offered the Club a quote from Dr. Seuss, as well as his Rotary Tidbit of the week, informing us that The Rotary Club of Mobile sponsored the Crippled Children’s Ward at Mobile Infirmary in 1930, a sponsorship which grew and matured over the years. The dedicated contributions of our membership culminated in the formation of the Bedsole-Rotary Rehabilitation Center at Mobile Infirmary.
Introduction of Guests and Visitors: Tommy Blankenship.
Announcements: The Rotary District cruise is scheduled to begin on April 27, 2017. Brenda Litchfield offered information related to Project CATE, and announced that the Coastal Kids Quiz will be held at Daphne United Methodist Church on April 27, 2017. Rotarians were encouraged to bring used books in support of Little Free Lending Libraries, which have sprung up all over the area and now comprise of 14 libraries in Baldwin County and 12 in Mobile County.
Student of the Week
The student of the week was Teraney Jackson, a senior at Williamson High School. Teraney has a 4.09 Grade Point Average, is a member of the National Honor Society, theater, and choir. She intends to enroll at University of Alabama-Birmingham next fall, where she will attend on an academic scholarship.
Program
Speaker: Mr. Cart Blackwell, a member of our club and an Architectural Historian with the Mobile Historic Development Commission, was introduced by Robbie McClure.
Cart provided the club with a narrative on Alabama history, along with some important information leading up to our state’s bicentennial in 2019. The presentation offered our members insight into state nicknames, periods of relevance, as well as famous artists, writers, patriots and politicians.
Mobile was described as the “Paris of the South” during the Ante Bellum period and it was noted that Mobile had the country’s second largest banking system of that era, behind only New York. With all the developments of recent years, Cart postulated that we are entering a new golden age for the city. A kickoff event for Alabama’s three year Bicentennial Celebration will be held on Cinco de Mayo (May 5, 2017) at Cooper Riverside Park and all members are encouraged to attend. During the upcoming months, seven traveling exhibits will be making their way around the state recounting our history and tremendous promise. All Alabamians should be proud of our state and participate in our bicentennial.
The meeting was adjourned.