July 13, 2004

NEXT MEETING, JULY 19… our speaker will be Dave Boyer, with Nissan in Canton.

LAST MEETING, JULY 12… Dale Persons with Viking Range gave us a rundown on the history of this unique company. Headquartered in Greenwood, Mississippi, Viking manufactures and sells high-end kitchen equipment throughout the world. Begun by visionary Fred Carl just two decades ago, Viking has been from the very beginning the very best home kitchen range available, and, with the acquisition of Sub-Zero, the company branched out into top-of-the-line refrigeration, and eventually into a full line of home kitchen equipment. Dale says they’re not in the kitchen equipment business, but the “culinary lifestyle business.” There are Viking Culinary Arts Centers in various cities across the U.S., and the company provides first-rate cooking schools. Viking also bought and renovated a unique hotel in Greenwood, the Alluvian, and has acquired a number of other companies related to their business, including the Ramey Agency in Jackson. This is truly a Mississippi success story, and Dale, a fellow Rotarian from Greenwood, tells it well. Thanks to Brad Prewitt for arranging and introducing this program.

THE COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE… under the leadership of Barbara Dorr is ironing out details of how we can work with the Barksdale Reading Institute to help tutor at-risk youngsters. This is going to be our Centennial Project, something we’ll do to honor the 100th birthday of Rotary, which we’ll celebrate next February. You’ll hear more about this from Barbara in coming weeks. But it’s a project we can be proud to work on, and will truly make a difference.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS… has approved the following new member proposals. If no objections are received within seven days, they will be introduced to the club as new members:
•Greg McDade, Owner, McDade’s Food Store. Greg was proposed by Danny Williams.
•Jonathan Larkin, Sales and Marketing Director, Trinity Lighting, Inc. Jonathan was proposed by Bob Berman.

PRESIDENT’S CORNER… I'm excited about the new Rotary year, and the many possibilities that are before us. Without a doubt, you are Rotary's most valuable resource, and I'm confident that with a renewed enthusiasm we will see even greater accomplishments. Barbara Dorr's Community Service Committee is off and running with our Centennial Project through a partnership with the Barksdale Reading Institute. Helping K-3rd graders learn to read can make a huge difference in these young people's lives, and we have the opportunity to impact them forever. Finally, all officers, directors, and committee chairpersons should attend the Club Assembly on July 15th. Call for details. - Danny