December 21, 2004

We will NOT meet next week, December 27.
Our next meeting will be Monday, January 3.
We wish you all a most happy holiday season!

NEXT MEETING, JANUARY 3… our speaker will be Senator Jack Gordon of the Mississippi Legislature.

LAST MEETING, DECEMBER 20… we had a real treat when Santa visited our meeting room to say hello to our family members. There were all kinds of goodies for the kids, and an excellent program by the Brick Street Barbershop Quartet for the adults. Thanks to Chris Grussaute and her committee for a super job in organizing it all and making it happen.

PRIOR TO THE MEETING… a number of our members got into the holiday spirit with our annual visit to two nursing homes. We provided carols, cheerfulness, and gifts for the residents. Chairman Lee Paris and his committee did a great job putting it all together, and all who participated got their very own Christmas blessing.

AND PRIOR TO THAT… a hardy group braved the cold last Friday to ring bells for the Salvation Army at two different locations. Thanks to Chairman Victor Smith for lining it all up.

GET READY FOR THE NEW YEAR… and make a resolution right now to improve your attendance record at Rotary meetings during 2005. That won’t be hard to do, because we have some great programs in store. Just for starters, here’s the January lineup…
•January 3: Senator Jack Gordon, Mississippi Legislature
•January 10: Steve DeSalvo, Braves Baseball
•January 17: NO MEETING, MKL Day
•January 24: Charlie Williams, Governor’s Chief of Staff
•January 31: Robert Garrity, FBI

PRESIDENT’S CORNER… We had a wonderful time at our annual Children’s Christmas Party. Chris Grussaute’s committee worked hard to make this time special for our members, their children and grandchildren. Santa (Shelton Hand) made a special appearance form the North Pole and was the highlight of the party. I hope that all of you get to enjoy extra time with your family and friends during this holiday season. It’s difficult to imagine another year coming to a close and a new year just right around the corner. We have accomplished a great deal during the first half of our Rotary Centennial year, and I look forward to a successful conclusion of a historical year. I encourage each of you to commit your efforts to making a difference and to participate in our club in every way possible…. regular attendance, participation on your committee, quality new member proposals, and contributions to our Mentor Scholarship Program. Thanks again for an outstanding first half, and Happy Holidays! Yours in Rotary, Danny