ROTARY RAMBLINGS Sept. 18, 2007

[Ellie Lowery]

"Ramblings" by Ellie 
  _____  


ROTARY RAMBLINGS

ROTARY CLUB OF DELRAY BEACH

 

September 18, 2007

 

It was one of those sunny/rainy days in Delray.  We had to run between the
raindrops to attend the meeting; then the sun was out again.  As Hack Allen
states, "we need the rain" (as well as the sunshine).  The meeting was well
attended.  I think some of the new members were eager to meet our guest
speaker.

 

I need to make an amendment to last week's report of club attendees at the
membership conference.  I omitted Jan Powell and Vison Chonsuksuri, who
attended.

 

President Kurt Godfrey led yet another superb meeting.  Doing "double-duty"
was Bruce Williams, offering a beautiful invocation, as well as entertaining
us on piano, before and during lunch.  Of course, the day would not be
complete without "song leader"  Jimmy Weatherspoon leading us in two old
favorites.  

 

Craig Hammett did a great job welcoming three visiting Rotarians.  Vison
also had as his guest, prospective member, John Michael O-Connell.  The
board unanimously approved his membership.  John is branch manager of
Freedom Mortgage.  He is to be installed in the coming weeks.  Wayne
Brockney reported a make up. He said it was 48 degrees this a. m.  (Look for
him to migrate south, very soon.)

 

Alan Kornblau introduced the group to a new fundraiser for the club.  He
explained we would be selling raffle tickets for $20.00 each.  There will be
500 tickets sold.  The big winner will be for $5,000.00.  The second place
winner will be $750.00; the third place winner will receive $250.00.  The
drawing for this will take place at our December 6, Holiday Party at the
Delray Beach Golf Club Restaurant.  The winner does not have to be present
to win, but wouldn't you like to be among the first ones to know?????  Alan
has the tickets; members are choosing blocks of five to sell, but not
limited to this amount.  This is a great, easy fundraiser for our club.
Just think, this is just before the holidays; wouldn't that make a great
shopping spree?

 

Patricia Reybold, a member of Rotary of Palm Beach-Flagler, attended our
meeting today and invited us to participate in their Nov. 8, "Welcome Back
Rotary" Party, being held at the Palm Beach Zoo.  This is a barbeque party
with the Breakers Chef in charge.  The admission is $45.00.  The Rotary PB
Breakers, PB West and PB-Flagler sponsor this event.  An official invitation
will be sent out soon.

 

Did you notice our new bulletin board in the foyer?  This is compliments of
Bob Teninga.  Please take time to check out the "happenings" of our club, as
you don your badge.  You do not want to miss anything.

 

The Miracle League will start their season on October 6; please try to
attend some of their games; you will be blessed.

 

Our Service Above Self Award will be held on November 8, at Old School
Square.  If you have not voted for a recipient, please do so ASAP.  The
committee must have time to prepare this special occasion.  

 

Fred Bonardi, wearing two hats again, first gave us the stock market report.
He was very positive about his report, stating the market is up 90 points.
He stated the Feds would be meeting today, and suspected as much as 1/2 %
lower rates, which did happen.  

 

Then, serving as Sergeant at Arms, Fred collected a sum of $72.00, and
helped us "Boo" three AWOL's.  

 

President-elect Steve Bates had the pleasure of introducing our guest
speaker, Police Chief Joseph L. "Larry" Schroeder.  Steve recalled his
"first meeting" with Chief Schroeder, when the Chief was a rookie, giving
Steve a ticket, due to a little mishap.  

 

Chief Schroeder has been with the Delray Police Department since October 2,
1978. (He served in the Marine Corps 1974-1978.) He became our Police Chief
in August 2001, when Chief Rick Overman (a member of our Rotary Club)
retired.  Coming up through the ranks is a real asset to his position.  He
knows all the "good and bad" of our community.

 

His education consists of Master of Public Administration, Nova Southeastern
University; Bachelor of Science in Management of Human Resources, PBAC;
Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice PBCC.

 

Some of his Professional Development is 170th Session, F.B.I. National
Academy; 19th Session, Senior Management Institute for Police; 19th Session
Chief Executive Seminar; 49th Session, Law Enforcement Executive Development
Seminar.  (It sure looks like he is well qualified.)

 

Chief Schroeder also has teaching experience as Adjunct Instructor at Palm
Beach Community College and Florida Atlantic University.  He has a plethora
of professional memberships, (but sadly, he is not a Rotarian).

 

He gave some alarming facts about crime rates, and stated that drugs is
still the main cause of crime.  He also relates some crimes to the up and
down swing of the economy.   He warned us not to "invite" crime.  The number
one cause of car break-in is related to people leaving their purse,
valuables, etc, lying in view of passersby in their car.  Be aware!  Do not
invite crime into your life.  

 

We should all be proud this man is in charge of our safety; he is doing an
excellent job, along with his staff.  Thank him the next time you meet up
with him.

 

Our green hat is still growing!  Today it was $1,049.00; Stormi failed to
draw the Ace of Spades.  (Guess I still have a chance, if Bill Arnst will
only put my winning ticket in the green hat!)

 

Next week:  Our lovely Mayor Rita Ellis will be our guest speaker.  At this
time, President Kurt Godfrey will bestow upon her, and Bill Wood, President
of our Chamber of Commerce, Honorary Membership of Delray Beach Rotary Club.
Be there!

 

 

 

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