January 29, 2002

NEXT MEETING, FEBRUARY 4… Mayor Harvey Johnson will speak to us about Jackson city government.

LAST WEEK, JANUARY 28… Our own Dolphus Weary told us about the exceptional work being done by Mission Mississippi. This faith-based organization, which numbers many Rotarians among its workers, is bringing together Mississippians of different races, different back-grounds, and different denominational preferences to foster fellowship through the common denominator of their Christian faith. Dolphus told us about the impact Mission Mississippi has had in racial reconciliation, and how it is serving as a model for similar organizations in many other places. Thanks to Roger Parrott and Neddie Winters for arranging this program, and to Roger for introducing it.

OKAY, IT'S TIME TO GET READY… for the Sweetheart Banquet. It's coming up on the evening of February 7, at the Country Club of Jackson. It's a great time to take your sweetheart out for a fine meal (courtesy of Rotary), and enjoy an evening with a few hundred of your closest friends. Also, there will be a drawing at the banquet for some outstanding prizes. Two things: if you haven't made your reservations for the dinner, call Bobbie Campbell. If you haven't yet bought your raffle tickets, call Jennifer Hall.

DON'T BE SINGING THE DUES BLUES… for not paying your Rotary dues on time. Don't be guilty of incurring the wrath (grrr!) of the Rotary office (not to mention the ten bucks it'll cost you) by being late. The magic date is February 10. Dues paid after that time will incur a ten dollar penalty. So dig out your checkbooks, people.

DID YOU KNOW THAT… The Rotary Foundation's Ambassadorial Scholarships represent the world's largest privately-funded source of international scholarships? (Yep. Bigger than Rhodes. Bigger than Fullbright. Bigger than anybody.) Since its inauguration in 1947, there have been more than 33,000 Rotary Scholars. There are now 67 sponsoring countries and 75 hosting countries. The Foundation has expended more than $377 million in these scholarships since 1947.

OKAY, I KNOW YOU RECOGNIZE… that the last bit was a "filler." Hey, some weeks are slow news weeks. - Editor