#11 Midlothian (7600)

Good Morning, I was so pleased to be greeted by my friend Bob Stallworth at the Midlothian club. Bob and are both facilitators with RLI in zone 33, and I don't ever think about the clubs the other facilitators belong too, so it was a very nice surprise to see a face I knew. Okay first the breakfast, I liked the healthy options and the scrambled eggs with cheese were yummy. The person reading the visitors names had fun with Bonadonna to everyone's chuckles. President Jeff was great giving me floor time to explain the mission of my visit.

The club is taking part in "Stop Hunger Now" and will have a packaging day on December 11, with the meals going to India. I have already put that onto my calendar. One person came up after the meeting to express the desire to join the group going to India and I will forward that information on.

Next the speaker, Jack Berry, President of the Richmond Convention Bureau brought us up to date on the the tourism traffic and marketing of the Greater Richmond area, I found this very interesting and left me wanting to know more.


Meal: $10

#10 Farmville "Eradicating Polio One Pancake at a Time"

Nothing like getting two teens up and out at 6:00am to do volunteer work with a 2 hour drive to get there. The drive to Farmville was quiet and uneventful. Once there President Reed introduce us to some of the crew and we got right to work at the Pancake Breakfast fundraiser. The boys; Chad my son a Rotarian in training and Stan our exchange student from Prague, worked the dining room clearing tables and I was in the kitchen on sausage duty.

This fundraiser will benefit the Youth Association Soccer Program. This was the first fundraiser for a club outside of my own club. Many of the members were surprised not only by the challenge but that we would get up early on a Saturday morning and drive two hours just to help out. This was a well oiled team and they were flipping pancakes and serving food with synchronization. At one point both boys came into the kitchen, Chad flipping pancakes & Stan serving up the sausage. It was a pleasure to help take part in the event and to enjoy a good breakfast.

The club had a face painter who was painting the Rotary emblem on some of the members, they have a lot of spirit and it showed. I look forward to coming back to Farmville to present post NID in February or March.
Meal $6.

# 9 Albemarle County (7610)

What a fun lunch, set at the beautiful Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville, I have never been to this Inn, but one I would definitely like to visit with Dan. I explained my morning mayhem to the gasps of everyone, but it was obvious that I was unscathed, and even though I did not make it to Powhatan, I did make a morning Rotary meeting, write up to come.

President Cammie was great, she told me about some of their projects which were of great interest to me. The food was delicious, I liked the menu at the head of the buffet. Now this is the first club that eats before the blessing. I sat next to the Program Chair Don and new member TJ with both I had very enjoyable conversations. The speaker facilitated a program on listening skills, having us close our eyes at one point, she didn't tell us to open when I finally opened my eyes it was obvious that everyone else had opened their eyes much sooner. Allison was quite engaging and the club had a lot of fun with the program.

I was asked to give the blessing and I loved that Cammie had some Rotary blessings printed and while I went off the cuff, I too as president had mine written in case someone wanted a prepared blessing to read. The group was receptive to my quest and one member is considering joining the NID trip to India. Cammie said the club would make a donation to Polio Plus and let me know the amount, thank you in advance.
Meal cost $21.

Shot Down, But Not Out

Funny thing happened on the way to the Rotary meeting. Driving on I64 at 5:45 this morning to go to the Powhatan club, my driver's side window was shot out. Needless to say I didn't make the meeting. The State Troopers said it was probably a hunter (with bad vision or bad aim. Fortunately I was not injured and I had sense enough to calmly get off at an exit about a mile away and call 911. The troopers arrived about 25 mins after the call, and did the report, they even removed the remaining glass from the window and the Exxon Station had a vacuum to clean most of the balance.

So I'm right near where New Kent meets so before I head home I figure I can get a meeting in. Okay they meet Tuesdays not Thursday. I drive back to West Point, just in time for my own club meeting. I really wanted to hear the speaker this morning , club member Paul Diggs was speaking on water and being Clean Water & Sanitation Chair for the district I was happy to hear his presentation. It was an informative talk & I learned a lot.

Well, swapping out cars and will head to Charlottesville for the Albermarle County lunch meeting.

# 7 Reston (7610)

After the ever fun driving in Northern Virginia, I arrived at a beautiful country club, home of the Reston club. The lunch was delicious; Caesar salad, Chicken Marsala, mashed potatoes and green beans, are you drooling yet?

I knew a couple of the members of this small club, only 18 in attendance, including the speaker and myself. After several jokes from President Keber, he gave me ample time to discuss the Polio Plus Challenge and my own 200/200 Challenge. With the small groups I usually have plenty of time for discussion prior to and after the meetings which is great and the members are all so very nice.

The speaker Phil Lilienthal of Global Camps Africa, spoke on the the camps and kids clubs he founded for at risk youth in South Africa. The programs provide HIV/AIDS prevention education and life skills training. He also provided some insight on HIV/AIDS prevention that I'm sure none of will soon forget.

# 6 Rappahannock- Fredericksburg (7610)

Another fabulous day started with the Rappahannock-Fredericksburg club. First, my Rotarian friend Janet Brown is in this club so it was a extra special to see her. The breakfast was first rate; loved the Greek yogurt with the fresh fruit. I think they have more than 10 varieties of drinks. President Lynn, was so very generous to give me not only floor time, but asked the club to donate the Happy Dollars to Polio Plus....An outstanding $202!!!!! They will be sending that in, thank you, thank you, thank you! That puts you in first place for donations. Others said they would add to Polio Plus on their own, again thank you and if you make the donation during the week of Oct 17 then you will receive double Paul Harris Recognition Points, for gifts of at least $100.

Many of this large group made a point to come and greet me, again I felt very much at home. Have to say, I noticed the basketball hoops in the hall and wondered if the club ever pushed the tables aside for a game or two.

Congratulations to Heidi and Tom who joined the club today; you have joined a great group. The Pancake Day fundraiser will be Dec 4th (I believe), so if you are nearby, please support this event, you can contact the club for more information.

Meal cost $10.

# 5 Gloucester Point (7600)

First official club in my own district. I love going to Gloucester Point,I have visited this club several times and the breakfast is always amazing. Jessica's Sweet Shop & Cafe caters this meal and her pastries are the best.

On a somber note, club member and past AG Ernie Warinner has started hospice and no longer will be with us in the days to come. Ernie has been an amazing Rotarian for decades and served Rotary with spirit and duty; a shining example of the character of the 4-way test. He will be deeply missed by not only his club, but the district and rotary in general. The club has put together a scholarship fund in his name, which he greatly appreciates but as always feels he has not done anything special to deserve. His humble and devoted service to Rotary will be missed and set as an example to others. Anyone wishing to contribute can make the donations to the Rotary Club of Gloucester Point Foundation Po Box 421 White Marsh, VA 23183.

Thank you President Hockaday for the time and the glass. Both very appreciated.
Meal Cost: $9.