# 71 Alexandria (7610)

Belle Haven CC is a beautiful facility and the banquet room was exquisite .  This club may be the largest in the district and they have several visitors each week.  Club President Gayle Spurr was on holiday in Hawaii, so PE John Wood was kind enough to introduce me (John by the way, knows my next door neighbor, small world).  But prior to my speech was a special treat; club member Tom Hook was recognized for, count them, 50 years of perfect attendance!!!!!  How does one follow that, especially since I just celebrated my 4th year, I have a long way to go.  I must add that Tom did not look much more than 50 himself...how old was he when he joined?  It was a pleasure for his family to be there with him.

Other notable items of mention; Alexandria is the honorary home club of the District Governor, I was not familiar with this as an option.  It was explained that Ron Marion visits so frequently, that he was made an honorary member of the club.  I love banners and this club has over 400 on display (yes, I counted).  I have collected only 5 to date on this journey, I would bring banners to exchange with all the clubs but my club's budget could not support this.

Meal $20

# 72 Salvation Army Bell Ringing with Historic Triangle (7600)

What a beautiful day to be outside ringing the bell for the Salvation Army Kettle.  I met Sam who had our bell, apron & supply of lolly pops.  Jack soon arrived and we began ringing that familiar holiday bell that so many have come to know over the years.  Our station was set up at the Belk's department store on Monticello Dr in Williamsburg.  It wasn't just the sun shining on us this afternoon, it seems that everyone had a sunny disposition today.  Many had returns, must be from yesterday's early bird specials.  I was amazed at the generosity of the shoppers, I would say that about 90% of the people walking past the kettle gave.

At one point my bell lost it's clapper, fortunately, my partner, Jack found it on the sidewalk. The two hours flew by and soon our replacements were there ready to jingle for two more hours.  Sam was smart to hang the club banner on the sign, so shoppers knew which organization was helping out.

# 70 Burke (7610)

Several familiar faces at this club, which is great first thing in the morning.  I stayed with my cousin Lisa & family who live in Vienna.  It was nice not getting up at 4:00, leaving from my home would have required me to leave at at 4:30 and even that would not ensure an on-time arrival.

I was heartily welcomed by this small club who meets across from George Mason University.  Club members include a PDG and a DGE and club President Mary & I were both at the North Stafford club last week.  Mary has also expressed an interest in joining the Polio NID trip in January, I hope she will join us. Her husband is a member of the Alexandra club which I met on this day as well.  Another club member has a wife who is a Rotary member of a different club too, I find this interesting.  I would think spouses would be more inclined to join the same club.  I wonder what the percentage of couple Rotarians are members of the same club versus different clubs.

The speaker Professor Skillman of George Mason University, spoke about communications during the Gold Rush and made a comparison to communications in today's society, it was quite educational.  I enjoyed revisiting the history of this era.

This club does a collection each week for Polio Plus and toady raised $55, they are well on their way to hitting their goal of $2,000 for the year. Thank you very much!

Meal: $11

# 68 Dunn Loring

I didn't know anything about this club, so I was happy to see that club website was full of information. Not to mention the name change for the Club it is now: Dunn Loring - Merrifield! It was a long time coming, and they are very pleased to add Merrifield to their title.

I am impressed with club President Beatrice Tierney's work in Uganda setting up a medical clinic to give aid to an area and hope to learn more when time permits.

Today's feature Speaker was Dr Edward Fink orthopedic trama surgeon and peace advisor.  He was one of the first orthopedic surgeons in Haiti after the earthquake and travels to South America and Africa to give of his time and skills.

This service at this restaurant is fantastic and the food delicious.  And while there were no birthdays in November a birthday cake was lit and we honored those with birthdays in October.

Meal$ 18
Additional: $16

# 69 Sterling (7610)

This small lunch club meets at Logan's Roadhouse, not far from Dulles Airport in Sterling, VA.  I was fortunate this morning to have no traffic delays driving in the Northern Virginia corridor.  I met member & secretary Judy on arrival, she was most helpful in locating the facility, when my GPS was showing a different site for the address.
Sue Webb, who is District Chair for youth services was also visiting, so we were able to get an update on New Generations. The group was friendly and very responsive to what RI is doing with Polio Plus.  Most Rotary clubs support the Salvation Army's bell ringing efforts during the holidays and this club does as well.  But I learned that Target and Giant stores are not allowing the familiar red kettles to be placed at their store fronts.
The menu choice was extensive and the rolls delicious.

Meal: $13

# 67 Bailey's Crossroads

This is one of those clubs I was looking forward to visiting, as it has won much respect for it's project and service in the community.   And, lets not forget awards within the district, they are a 2 time Paul Harris Fellow Club.   I will preface that I know some of the members and thank them for sharing their club with me.
I also have to thank Andrea & Barry Coble for opening their home to me the evening before.  I would have to leave my home at 4:30 am to make it to the meeting.  As it was I left their home at 6:00am arriving at 7:15 and the traffic was not "that" bad.

It was a busy morning at this club with many items on the agenda. First, another member induction; Karen Elsbury joined the Bailey's Crossroads Club today.  Karen's father was a Rotarian, so it is nice to see the next generation join the ranks.

President Karey Starnes gave me the opportunity to share my goals and update the Polio Plus efforts.


The club banner peaked my interest in it's design, which Bill Bailey was happy to share the significance of the images.  The three rings are in honor of Barnum and Bailey Circus who wintered their animals there.  The Cardinal represents not  only the state bird of Virginia but also the fact that the clubs refer to themselves as  "The Early Birds" and my favorite item the directional arrows showing 7:30 just outside the Rotary Wheel. The confederate flag was replaced with the flag of Virginia.

 The district's newest Ambassadorial Scholar, Andrea Washington spoke about her goals as an ambassadorial scholar. She will travel to South Africa for her studies in february 2012. Currently she is the President or the Washington DC Rotaract Club.


Meal $8
additional $28

# 66 Fredericksburg

This was my first all male club in the US, I have been to all male clubs in other parts of the world.  On my arrival I was notified that another guest was visiting from West Point. In fact this individual has a home, very close to one of mine. Stephen Palmer is the Commonwealth Attorney for King William County and while I am familiar with his work, we never met.  I very much enjoyed becoming acquainted with Mr. Palmer, as well as club members.

Andrea Coble joined me this evening as she is the incoming Assistant Governor for this club. We were both given ample time to introduce ourselves and why we were each there. President Bob Bishop gave us each a banner to take back to our respective clubs.

The club was initially leery of my Challenge, asking if I was "for real".  Fortunately one of the members knew me from the last district conference and confirmed that I was indeed legit.  I appreciate the club welcoming me and allowing me to share my mission.

Now since I tell clubs that I rate the meals, this has to be one of the best, even with the green beans.  The appetizers at happy hour were over flowing, fortunately I was busy chatting to aimlessly nibble on them.  But what I did sample was delicious, especially the Crab Cakes. Thank  you for the banner and the Happy Dollar donation to Polio Plus

$Dinner?
Additional $30

# 65 Springfield (7610)

I have been to this club in the past for a make up, so I knew where they meet. Today Bernadette Brusoe and M. Siddique Sheikh  were inducted as new members of the Springfield Club. It has been a pleasure meeting so many new members along my travels.  I hope that I can inspire them to make the most of their Rotary experience.  I like to tell new members the more they get involved with Rotary, the more they will get back. 


Wayne Chiles is a member of this club and is District Chair  for Shelter Box, we love Shelter Box and so does the West Point High School.  Last year the school raised over $10,000 for Shelter Box and this small school does not have an Interact Club.


 The Rotary Club of Springfield is selling White House Christmas ornaments again this year. All net proceeds from the sale ($5.00 of the sales price of $20.00 each) will be used to fund winter clothing for homeless children of Fairfax County Public Schools. You can contact the club about purchasing an ornament.  I thank the club for the ornament as the speaker gift. 



A visiting Rotarian, Bart Jarnagin form the West Springfield club expressed an interest in joining the NID trip to India in January.   The baked Pasta was very good and no green beans.


Meal $15
Additional donation: $28

#63 District Foundation Banquet (7600)

First and foremost, thank you to Bill Pollard for inviting me to share with District 7600's 2009-10 Club Rotary Foundation Awards.  There are 34,103 Clubs  and 530 Districts worldwide.

Congratulations to all the clubs for their commitment to The Rotary Foundation.

Twenty Three clubs have given the suggested $2000 annual donation to Polio Plus and were given a Certificate of appreciation for their financial support of Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge.

1113 Clubs worldwide obtained the goal of 100% EREY(every Rotarian Every Year). Qualification: Every member giving something to the Annual Program Fund with the club per capita of $100.  Fourteen Clubs in 7600 reached this goal they are:
Bon Air, Churchland, Goochland, Hampton Roads, Hanover, Innsbrook, James City County, Newport News, Northside Norfolk, Powhatan County, Prince George County, Princess Anne at Towne Center, The Historic Triangle and Virginia Peninsula.


Worldwide 669 Clubs reached the Status of 100% sustaining with every member contributing a minimum of $100. The following six clubs in 7600 reached this goal:
Hanover, Innsbrook, James City County, Northside Norfolk, Princess Anne at Town Center and Virginia Peninsula.

Two clubs joined the rank of 100% Paul Harris Fellow clubs; Princess Anne & James River, the district now has a total of fifteen 100% Paul Harris Fellow Clubs. District 7600 ranks #31 out of 530 districts for per capita giving with the top three highest per capita giving clubs #1 Mechanicsville ($699.19) #2 Hampton Roads ($339.75) and #3 Hanover ($323.91). Ken Morgan, past RI Director was the featured speaker and we all enjoyed his foundation update, unfortunately wife Winnie was unable to join him this evening.  Jackie McGuire from The Rotary Foundation was another honored guest and the district appreciates her traveling the long distance to attend the celebratory success of all the clubs. I enjoyed sharing a table with Ken Franz, Chuck & Rebecca Arnason, Jerry Fields and Bill & Gloria Billings. A footnote: Green beans again, I think at almost every lunch and dinner meeting green beans have been an option; sautéed, steamed, in soups and yes even fried. Meal $35