December 11, 2002

NEXT WEEK, MONDAY, DECEMBER 17... We'll have our annual Christmas Party. Plan to bring your children, grandchildren, or just young-at-heart family members. Chairman Mark Terpstra promises a gift for every Rotarian who attends, so come on down and ho-ho-ho along with Santa.

LAST MONDAY, DECEMBER 10... Ron Polk, baseball coach at Mississippi State, gave us a colorful look at the college baseball world. Coach Polk was at MSU for 22 seasons before retiring a few years back. During those seasons, he compiled a record as the winningest baseball coach in the conference, and generated a slew of All-Americans. After a brief retirement, he decided to answer a call from AD Vince Dooley at Georgia to rebuild their baseball fortunes. He did so in a big way -- winning the SEC his second year and taking his team to the College World Series. Now he's back at home, in Starkville, as State's NEW baseball coach. And we all hope he's there for many years to come. At the end of a great talk, Coach Polk urged us all, as he urges his team, to make a difference. Thanks to Mike Pepper for introducing this program.

IN A RUNOFF... for a position on our Board of Directors, Rotarians chose Mickey McCardle. He'll join Charlie Conerly, John McCullouch, Heber Simmons III, Sister Dorothea, and Billy Walker on our Board next July, when Howard Catchings takes office as President and Haden Hughes as Vice President.

THANKS FOR YOUR GIFTS TO CHRISTMAS CHARITIES... and to Bill Huff for his able leadership as chairman. Now it's time to deliver the goods. If you'd like to join Bill and other Rotarians, plan to meet at 9:15 on Tuesday morning, December 18, at the Home Place. We'll deliver gifts there at 9:30, and then go on to the Community Nursing Home at 10:30. 'Tis the season!

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS... numbers 20 and 21 of the new Rotary year. Introduced at the December 10 meeting were: