Next Meeting – Thursday Jan 12

Regular Meeting: Noon – Rarity Bay Country Club

Speaker: Bill Butera
Program: “Healthy Fitness Resolutions” – Bill is a Villager and Chair of the TV Recreation Committee. His program will focus on health and wellness for seniors.

In Memorium – Leslie “Les” Gene Blair

March 23, 1949 – December 29, 2016

We were all shocked to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of fellow rotarian Les Blair while he was visiting is family in PA over the holidays. Les was member of RCTL since Nov. 3, 2006.

Condolences can be sent to his life-partner:  Karen Ousley   221 Oohleeno Trace    Loudon, TN 37774

Last Meeting – Thursday Dec 15

Attendance: 16 Members, 1 Visitor – Joanna Cheritis, Villager

Member Tidbits: ● Claudine will be a grandma in April

• Art is heading to FL for the winter – back April 12

Harvey’s Useless Word of the Day: Conversazione – meaningful conversation on art, literature or science.

Simon is very passionate about his new role as Director of Recreation for Tellico Village. We wish him great success in his job!

 Speaker: Simon Bradbury, Tellico Village Recreation Director
Program: Our newest Tellico Lake Rotary Club member introduced himself and spoke about his passion for healthy living. He also talked about some of the projects he led during his years of membership in the Pigeon Forge Rotary Club. Simon mentioned his desire to have more hiking trails built through out the VIllage.  It was great way to learn more about Simon, we know he’ll be a big asset to our club.

Hiwassee College Mobile Dental Unit

The Board approved a $6,500 donation for the Hiwassee College Mobile Dental Unit (MDU). Funds were desperately needed to complete the installation of a new generator that will allow the MDU to be completely self-contained and to begin making dental hygiene visits to local elementary school sites in January. The MDU will be a signature project for RCTL.

Sevier County Firestorm

To date, RCTL has collected $2795 in cash donations for the firestorm relief program. Rotarians and others are still needed to volunteer at the Boyd’s Bear Rotary Distribution Center, 146 Cates Road, Pigeon Forge. Be sure to sign-in when you go.

Seven club members trekked to Pigeon Forge to the Rotary Distribution Center on Dec 9. This  is the only place where Firestorm Victims can come to get help.  Rotary and the Town of Pigeon Forge have taken over the “foreclosed” American Bandstand Building – it’s a beautiful facility big enough to house the entire distribution operation. It looks like the center will be open 7-days a week until mid-February, maybe longer.

What a wonderful operation the Rotary Clubs of Sevier County have put together. It’s well organized and items are coming is from all over the country! They are staged, sorted, placed on shelves and hangers, just like a supermarket. Then a volunteer goes with each family to ensure they get what they really need. The center is distributing food, diapers, formula, medicine, and warm clothing.

For those who have already donated, 100% of funds given to the Tellico Lake Rotary Foundation (501c3) will be used for the victims of the Gatlinburg Firestorm. This Rotary fund is targeting the families that lost everything and have no insurance.

Watch you e-mail for daily District updates and a list of needs. Volunteers will be needed throughout the holidays.

Eradicator Club Status Acheived

Thanks to all! RCTL has well exceeded its yearly goal of $720 for PolioPlus donations and is now a 2016-17 Eradicator Club.

 2017 Tournament of Roses Parade

 “Doing Good in the World”

Winner of the 2017 PRINCESSES’ TROPHY for most beautiful float 35’ and under

RCTL made an annual contribution towards the RI float that appeared in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA, on January 2. The 2017 Float promotes and celebrates the 100 years of The Rotary Foundation (TRF). TRF empowers Rotarians to travel throughout the world and create and complete projects which serve people in need in six areas of focus. The spectacular and colorful dragon is clearly a world traveler carrying luggage decorated with six symbols of the areas of focus. The Dragon also is proudly wearing a necklace with a medallion marked 100 for the 100 years of TRF service.

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”

Benjamin Franklin

Our Christmas Social

Thank You Harvey & Leslie!

Special Meeting / Field Trip at Hiwassee College

Hiwassee College’s new Mobile Dental Lab ready to travel needy areas of East Tennessee and provide much needed Dental Hygiene services along with education to the underserved.

We got to see the new Hiwassee Dental Hygiene Mobile Lab and their newly expanded Dental Hygiene Classrooms as we evaluate our club’s involvement and support for this new program.  We also inducted our newest RCTL member Simon Bradbury, who has transferred from the Pigeon Forge Club were he was very active and a Past President. Simon’s parents, Phillip and Judith, Farragut Rotarians, attended along with many visiting Rotarians from Pigeon Forge Club including PDG Jerry Wear and his wife Linda.

Attendance: 14 Members; 13 Visitors including spouses, parents and a large Pigeon Forge Rotary Club contingent.

Here’s a photo gallery of our Hiwassee Dental Hygiene Classroom and Mobile Lab tour.

Interior of Mobile Dental Lab

Hiwassee College is private and owned by the United Methodist Church and has about 300 students. The freshman class has 20 students enrolled ion the Dental Hygiene program.

Randa Colbert, Director of Hiwassee Dental Hygiene program proudly showing off the departments new classroom facility.

Jo Brewster and Scott Shannon looking over one of 16 dental chairs in this fully equipped classroon facility.

WELCOME SIMON BRADBURY – Joan McIntee proudly attaches Simon’s Rotary pin to his collar after his induction.

Simon’s dad and mom, Phillip and Judith both members of the Farragut Club, attended Simon’s induction.

VISITING ROTARIANS – Many of Simon’s good friends and along with family came to see his induction. From L to R: Glynn Twyman of Pigeon Forge, LaDonna Twyman of Pigeon Forge, Mary Benson Brown of Pigeon Forge, Phillip Bradbury of Farragut, PDG Jerry Wear of Pigeon Forge, Judith Bradbury of Farragut, Bob Guerrera of Pigeon Forge, Simon Bradbury of Tellico Lake, PE Breckenridge Morgan of Pigeon Forge, Linda Wear of Pigeon Forge.

Officers & Director for 2017-18

The following slate of nominees for 2017-18 officers/director were elected at the Annual Meeting and Election held Dec 1:

President – Kathy Dickson
Vice President – Jim Decker
Secretary – Scott Shannon
Treasurer – Bob Milhiser
Director-at-Large – Dave Sharpe

PolioPlus Donations for 2016-17

Thanks to our many members who have already made their 2016-17 polio donation. If you’ve not done so, now is a good time to make your annual donation of at least $40. Make your check payable to “The Rotary Foundation”, notate it for “PolioPlus” and give it to Treasurer Bob Milhiser. You can also donate directly via credit card through the RI website.

Seivier County Firestorm Fund

Five local Rotary clubs will use established relationships with county schools to identify children and families most in need of assistance. Highest priority will be given to those children and families that lost their homes and belongings and who did not have insurance. Funds will be used to provide families with what they might need to get back on their feet again.

Others left their homes suddenly without taking their medications with them. Rotarians will be working with the Mountain Hope Good Shepard Medical Clinic to assist with replacing medications for people who are displaced by the fire.

Rotarians are donating their time to ensure that 100% of funds raised in this effort will be used to help the people that were directly impacted by the fires. Please help! Your tax-deductible contribution can be made here:

https://portal.icheckgateway.com/RotaryCommunityFund/

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” – Albert Einstein

Next Meeting – Thursday Dec 1, Noon

Special Meeting / Field Trip: Hiwassee College – Board Conference Room, use parking lot off Hiwassee College Boulevard.

Program: Field trip to Hiwassee College to see the Dental Hygiene Mobile Lab and the new Dental Hygiene Classrooms.  We will have lunch in the Cafeteria – cost $5.50 pp.

We will also be inducting Simon Bradbury into the RCTL. His parents (both Rotarians) will be attending along with many visiting Rotarians from Pigeon Forge Rotary.   [Note: The Board Meeting has been rescheduled for Dec 15.]

Our Last Meeting – Thursday Nov 10

Speaker: Jim Wiese – Program: Alpamayo Climb in Peru

Here’s Jim, with a 35 pound pack, dressed just like he was ready to climb Alpamayo in Peru.

Jim arrived fully outfitted for his last climb and shared his experiences of climbing and mountaineering that has now taken him to 4 continents. This summer, he spent a month trekking and climbing. Jim was in Peru with a team of 6 climbers attempting to summit Alpamayo, a steep, almost perfectly-formed pyramid of ice situated in the heart of Cordillera Blanca. At 19,500 feet, it’s impressive shape and spectacularly fluted face make it a coveted summit for climbers. Jim was fortunate to be one of 3 climbers on the team to successfully summit.

Attendance: 13 Members; 2 Visitors – Simon Bradbury, John Wynn

Member Tidbits:

• Art went to his grandson’s 15^th birthday party and got an
  introduction to virtual reality via Google Cardboard.
• Jim W bought Linda a new hip for their 40^th anniversary.
• Walt attended the Pitt-Clemson football game in SC and was
  one of the few smiling faces leaving the stadium.

Harvey’s Useless Word of the Day: Esurient – to be hungry or greedy

Officer & Director Nominations for 2017-18

The Nominating Committee has submitted the following slate of
nominees for 2017-18 officers/director:

President – Kathy Dickson
Vice President – Jim Decker
Secretary – Scott Shannon
Treasurer – Bob Milhiser
Director-at-Large – Dave Sharpe

The election of next year’s officers and director will take place
at the Annual Meeting of the Club during the regular meeting on Thursday, December 1.

PolioPlus During Foundation Month

The District Polio Eradicator award recognizes each club which has an average giving to PolioPlus of at least $40 per member. Our club has been recognized as an ERADICATOR CLUB every year since the club was chartered in 2005.

Thanks to many members who have already made their 2016-17 polio donation. If you’ve not done so, now is a good time to make your annual donation of at least $40. Make your check payable to “The Rotary Foundation”, notate it for “PolioPlus” and give it to Treasurer Bob Milhiser. You can also donate directly via credit card through the RI website “My Rotary.”

Rotary Foundation Named World’s Outstanding Foundation

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) selected The Rotary Foundation for its annual Award for Outstanding Foundation for 2016, a recognition that honors organizations that show philanthropic commitment and leadership through financial support, innovation, encouragement of others, and involvement in public affairs. The award will be presented in early 2017 at the AFP’s annual conference in San Francisco.

“You can tell you ate too much for Thanksgiving when you have to let your bathrobe out.” —Jay Leno