June 8, 2004

NEXT MEETING, JUNE 14… our speaker will be Andy Bourland, with the Mississippi Gaming Association.

LAST MEETING, JUNE 7… we heard from the winners of our Rotary Mentor Scholarships for 2004. Chairman Alan Moak introduced winners (listed alphabetically) Ashley Beeland, Ora Denley, Melanie Hasty, Carrie McMahan, LaTanya Sanders, and Laura Valentine. Each of them (except Ora, who was ill and not able to attend) thanked the club for the award and told a little about their plans. They’re studying education (2), accounting, psychology (2), and biology, and will no doubt do us proud, just as their predecessors have. This is truly an outstanding program, and one that will pay dividends to our state for many years to come.

THE ROTARY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE… will meet on June 28 following our regular club meeting, at the office of Chairman Ward Van Skiver, 4316 Old Canton Road, Suite 100B. Committee members, please take note. This will be your opportunity to interview candidates for the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship for international postgraduate study.

DUES, DUES, DUES… it’s that time of year again. Your semiannual dues are due on July 1, and a statement is included with this Rotagram. Don’t make us have to chase you down. Sit down right now and write a check, and we’ll all be happy.

THE WAR IN IRAQ… has been covered in an excellent way by our own Brad MacNealy, who, in his other identity as Colonel MacNealy, has been in Iraq for five months now. Every week, he sends us an e-mail update that we’ve been sharing during the Newscast time. He also sends a copy to others, notably fellow Rotarian Senator Thad Cochran. You might be interested in Thad’s latest return e-mail to Brad:
Thank you for the insightful analysis of the political and military influence of the new Interim Government in Iraq and the importance of Ayatollah Sistani. We continue to pray for you and your soldiers, and we will always remember your brave service for our country.
Amen. Thanks, Brad. And thanks for your words, Thad.

PRESIDENT’S CORNER… For those who missed Monday's meeting, you missed a treat. Our Mentor Scholar Recipients for this year are a delightful, intelligent, attractive group of young ladies. All are aware of their responsibilities to give back to others in the communities where they will be studying. Thanks again to our member who enabled us to award 6 rather than 4 scholarships. Next week I will be out of town, so be kind to President-Elect Danny as he conducts his first meeting. You just have to tolerate me 2 more times! – Haden