Rotary Ramblings

Tue, 19 Aug 2003 22:21:57 -0400

<html>
 
<div align="center">
ROTARY
RAMBLINGS 
ROTARY CLUB OF DELRAY BEACH 
August 19, 
2003 
 
 
 
 
</div>
Our president-elect, Bill Adams did a
tremendous job presiding over today's meeting. Jim Pignato's
thought-provoking invocation included a wonderful message for world
peace. Steve Rich led the Rotary chorus, and, as always, the amazing
Bruce Williams very capably accompanied us on the keyboards. Musically,
our Rotarians were in good form today. 
 
Bill Adams was pleased to report that things are going smoothly for
Leticia Camargo, the Rotary Exchange Student from Brazil. Bill and his
wife Charlotte received a warm reception when they took Leticia to
register at Atlantic Community High School. Bill says that Leticia is
settling into her new life in Delray Beach and he will bring her to visit
our club soon. 
 
Bill urged everyone to read the August issue of the Rotarian, especially
the article on &quot;Rotary Basics&quot; which provides a wealth of
information on Rotary, the world's oldest service club. 
 
We were delighted to welcome Anna Maria Berlanga and her guest Nash Mills
to the meeting. Anna is one of our scholarship recipients and a former
Student of the Month. She will be attending the University of Florida
this year and she is extremely grateful for the financial support she has
received from our club. 
 
Visiting our meeting with Egon Kurz was Bill Douglas. Bill lives in
Boynton Beach and has a business in Delray. We hope you will visit again
soon, Bill! 
 
Harvey Brown welcomed Michael Enkoff, our visiting Rotarian from the
Boynton Beach Club. 
 
There were no birthdays today, but we did sing our best wishes to Arthur
Reef who is celebrating his 8th wedding anniversary with his wife Betty
Anne. 
 
Roy Simon worked hard as our Sergeant At Arms and managed to raise
$77.00. Among the popular categories were &quot;Get Well, Rel&quot; and
&quot;Congratulations to the Boynton Beach Little League.&quot; Candace
Etzler made a donation in recognition of the University of Wisconsin
being named the # 2 party school in the nation. Special thanks to our
AWOL's, Shirley Clark, Gil Forbes, Ron Backer, Steve Bates and David
Harden, for your contributions. Georgina Kerr-Jarrett paid for a banner
that we did not give away. Thanks to Bill Adams who made up at the Delray
Beach Sunrise Club. Way to go, Bill! 
 
Things are looking up in the stock market according to Georgina
Kerr-Jarrett. She reported that the economic news is strong owing in part
to new housing starts which have reached their highest level in 17 years.
And the good news is that we should be set for an optimistic, comfortable
twelve months. 
 
Our guest speaker was Mike Kiel, District Director of the Gulf Stream
Council, Boy Scouts of America. Mike began his professional scouting
career in Mankato, Minnesota in 1994. He relocated to Miami and he is
presently responsible for all of the troops in Delray Beach and Boca
Raton. 
 
The Boy Scouts of America is the largest youth organization in the state
of Florida and the second largest in the United States. The Gulf Stream
Council serves youth in 8 public school districts in southeast Florida
and 7 counties. Over 24,000 youth participate in the organization and
they are served by over 7,500 volunteer leaders. 
 
Mike was pleased to report that the Boy Scout organization is alive and
well in the Delray Beach area. The organization receives strong support
from the Palm Beach County School Board and the City of Delray Beach. One
of their greatest achievements this year was working with City staff
organizing new Cub Scout packs at the three After-School sites in Delray
Beach. This brought 116 new scouts into the program. Plans are underway
to enroll students at the Village Academy in the scouting program. 
 
He noted that Boy Scouts serve the community in many ways. Earlier this
year 70 Boys Scouts spent a Saturday morning cleaning up Atlantic Avenue.
They are looking forward to their annual Scouting For Food Drive in
November. Boy Scouts collected over 29,000 tons of non-perishable food
items last year. 
 
A show of hands indicated that an overwhelming majority of our members
have participated in either Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. To show our
support for this worthwhile organization, Bill Adams presented Mike with
a $500 check from our club. Thanks, Mike, for an interesting program, and
keep up the good work! Let's all start saving our canned goods for the
next food drive! 
 
Pat Archer reminded everyone of the Summer Social this Thursday (August
21st) from 7:00-10:00 p.m. at Ellie's Diner. The special guest will be
the District Governor. Tickets are $35.00. 
 
Our thoughts and prayers are with Rel Moorcroft who has flown to
Indianapolis for further medical treatment. Get well soon, Rel, and hurry
back! We miss you! 
 
We also extend our heartfelt condolences to Mark Denkler who was unable
to preside over today's meeting because his mother-in-law passed
away. 
 
Tom Cook was the winner of the green hat. 
 
Next week's speaker: Barbara Poleo, President of Past Perfect, will give
a presentation on Florida's history. 
 
Have a great week! 
</html>