Provision Tour de Tellico

Saturday, October 1st, what a wonderful day for cyclists and volunteers alike.  Our 11th annual Provision Tour de Tellico was a great success.  Perfect cycling weather, delightful fellowship among all, and delicious smoothies to boot!!   Here is a sampling of the day in photos.

Rotary Club of Tellico Lake Volunteers arrive at O’Dark Thirty.

District 6780 Govenor Fred Heitman joins Maggie Morrow as we wait for the first cyclists to arrive.

David Foote and Diane Decker await the first registrants.

Joan McIntee and Jane Yates of Imagination Library of Monroe County on hand to sign in cyclists.

Tellico Lake Rotary Club President John Everson enjoying a bagle and chatting with Fred Heitman. Fred welcomed almost every cyclist at the registration table.

Last minute ride preparations.

Chairman Jim Wiese with a Loudon County Sheriff Officer going over critcal route points where officers will assist to keep cyclists safe.  A big THANK YOU to the Loudon County Sheriff’s Department for their support.

Cyclist Jim Myers has ridden all eleven Tour de Tellico’s – even in pouring down rain.

Welcom back Tim Shally!

Early morning sun shines on the Century and 100k riders at the start.

Charlie Barnard, co-founder of Tour de Tellico and Pastor at the First Baptist Church of Tellico Village, gives a warm welcome and prayer at the start of the ride.

Anxiously waiting!!

Taking a break at a reststop.

The Fisher family rode Tour de Tellico to celebrate Pam’s very recent completion of successful treatment at Provision Center for Proton Therapy in Knoxville. From the left is Harry Fisher II, a vey happy Pam Fisher, Harry Fisher, Jr., and Renee Fisher.

So after a long ride, cyclists were treated to one of our smoothies. Leslie Phillips is making a batch of Banana-Peanut Butter.

Linda Wiese likes her smoothie.

More enjoying smoothies.

And more!

Personal Best! This fellow was our last rider in, but he finished the Century in 8 hours and 20 minutes – a very happy cylist.

Roy Morrow taking a break as the day is winding down.

Shauna Oden, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Loudon County, enjoying the moment.

Charter Member David Sharpe enjoying some downtime from the day.

Our newest member Claudine Miller jumped right in and helped wherever we needed her.

Even Claudine’s friend from France, Katherine Serrault, helped wherever she could.

John Everson thanking Jeff Miller for driving a SAG vehicle for a segment of the of the Century and 100k routes.

With the riders out on their routes, a look at the signs for our majors sponsors.

Thanks to all our sponsors who help make this year’s Provision Tour de Tellico the best yet.

Our Next Meeting – Thursday Oct 13

Regular Meeting: Noon – Rarity Bay Country Club

Speaker: Richard Cook, Author

Program: “Ignored Heroes of World War II: The Manhattan Project Workers of Oak Ridge, Tennessee”

Richard has a deep passion for the accuracy of the history of Oak Ridge and has long thought of early Oak Ridge as an experimental “colony” because of the pioneering aspect of its creation. He has researched what can be learned about the atmosphere that existed among the residents when the city was formed from the farmland of East Tennessee.

His ebook spotlight the details supporting Oak Ridge’s role in winning World War II. Richard’s ebook draws heavily on the hundreds of oral histories that have been placed online.

Our Last Meeting – Thursday Sep 29

Attendance: 14 Members; 2 Visitors – Katherine Serrault, Judy Sikula

Program: Club Assembly – Tour de Tellico preparations

Last minute details being cared for by chairman Jim Wiess.

Stuffing the goodie bags.

Joan McIntee, aka Mother Rotary, organizing the goodies for the goodie bags.

Most important planning for food and reststops with Maggie Morrow and Jo Brewster .

Board Meeting – Thursday Oct 6

In action at the October 6 meeting, the Board authorized a $1,000 emergency donation to the group that runs the Haiti Momance School Project. This donation will help to provide food, water, and home repairs needed as a result of the devastation left behind by Hurricane Matthew.  Matthew was the worst hurricane to hit Haiti in 50 years in a country still devastated by the 2010 earthquake.  Crop damage is very high – including mango, banana, and plantain trees, so the long term effects will be heavy.

In other action, the Board approved a special request for $900 from the local meals-on-wheels program to purchase a new commercial sink, faucet and installation at the Cora Veal Senior Center in Madisonville, where all their meals are prepared.

“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.”- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Attendance: 12 Members; 5 Visitors – Katherine Serrault, Judy Sikula, Linda Getchonis, Francesca Barbaro, Jim Post

Harvey’s Useless Word of the Day: Expelle – someone expelled from their native or adopted country

Member Tidbits: ● David Foote reported two good news items – The Charity Dinner netted $3300 and there are currently 70 riders pre-registered for the Provision Tour de Tellico.

Mary Burns is the Director of Operations at LifeSigns in Madisonville, TN.

Speaker: Mary Burns, Director of Operations, LifeSigns.us, Inc.

LifeSigns is based in Madisonville and founded in 2010. Their mission is to provide education, training, and resources in the areas of self-awareness, economic development, career skills and creative problem-solving, empowering participants to make positive changes. Their organization is unique in that there are multiple programs operating in concert to accomplish this mission.

New Member Initiated

President Everson conducted an induction ceremony for our newest member, Claudine Miller. Claudine and her husband Jeffery are recent Tellico Village residents, moving here from North Carolina. Claudine was formerly a member of the Freeport, Maine Rotary Club. A big welcome to Claudine!

Rotary Staff Members Help Keep India Polio-Free

More than one million Rotary members have volunteered their time and resources to help end polio. This month, for the first time, a group of Rotary staff members joined volunteers and health workers in the field to see our polio eradication program in action. The group arrived in India to join the September National Immunization Days, the first Rotary staff NID trip. They will immunize children in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, which was one of the last strongholds of the wild poliovirus on the road to a polio-free India. Immunization Days are expected to reach up to 172 million children across the country.

 “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein

Our 2nd Annual Charity Dinner – What a Great Success!

Thank you to everyone who came and supported the Tellico Lake Rotary Charity Dinner.

It was a wonderful evening of fellowship and good food.  We recognized our charities for the great work they do in Loudon and Monroe Counties.  Our Rotary 6780 District Governor Fred Heitman was on hand to thank our charities and recognize their charitable efforts.

Tom Welch, president of Provision Proton Therapy Center, our major corporate sponsor, gave an excellent presentation on the non-invasive advances being made to treat cancer.

And our keynote speaker Freeman Owle spoke for almost an hour about his Cherokee people, captivating all of us with many true stories along with mesmerizing folklore handed down generation to generation.  He provided insight into the tragedy of the “Trail of Tears” that only someone related to the people who suffered could tell.   His great-great-grandfather survived the terrible relocation to Oklahoma during the winter of 1838-39.   But Freeman assured us his people are not bitter, do not expect restitution, and have forgiven those involved – a remarkable example of love and forgiveness.

Again, thank you all who came and supported this year’s Rotary Charity Dinner.

The Rotary Club of Tellico Lake honored seven charities on Friday, September 16 at their 2nd Annual Charity Dinner held at the First Baptist Church of Tellico Village. From the left are Denise Hill, Branches of Monroe County; Jane Yates, Imagination Library of Monroe County; Tina Smith, Good Shepherd Center of Monroe County; Shauna Oden, Habitat for Humanity of Loudon County; Shawn Snyder, Boys & Girls Club of Loudon County; Bart Howell, Good Samaritan Center of Loudon County; Roger Larsen, Momance Haiti School Project; and John Everson, President of the Tellico Lake Rotary Club.  Cash contributions to each charity were made earlier in the year and are the net proceeds from the 2015 Provision Tour de Tellico, Activity Guide, and last year’s Charity Dinner.

Freeman Owle, our keynote speaker and member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee, sings Amazing Grace in the Cherokee language.

Freeman uses what looks like a small lacrosse stick to demonstrate a Cherokee game that his ancestors would play. The game could last for days. That’s how the Monroe County community of Ballplay got its name.

Tom Welch, president of Provision Proton Therapy Center, updated us on the latest developments in treating cancer using Proton Therapy. We are fortunate to have this world-class facility in nearby Knoxville.

Fred Heitman, Rotary District 6780 Governor, talked about the great work Rotarians do both locally and through out the world.  Fred also praised the charities for their work and thanked them.

Fred initiated a district-wide project of collecting extra hotel soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc. by each club. Here Fred is presenting a bag of toiletries to Tina Smith of the Good Shepherd Center while Jane Yates of Imagination Library looks on.

Charlie Barnard, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Tellico Village, welcomes a packed Fellowship Hall of close to 200 attendees prior to dinner being served.

The Tellico Lake Rotary Club is very grateful for the support of the First baptist Church in letting us use their beautiful Fellowship Hall for our dinner and their outdoor facilities for our Provision Tour de Tellico.

The club would also like to thank Chef by Request for the delicious meal and creative cakes for dessert.

Another cake made by Chef by Request honors our long-time sponsor Vonore Dental. They have supported our club’s efforts from the beginning.

Many wanted to talk with Freeman to learn more about their own ancestry – many who live in East Tennessee have Cherokee in their lineage.

Our Silent auction was a huge success. Thank you to all who won an item or two to support our efforts.

Here’s Freeman greeting Domenic Barbaro a charter member of the Rotary Club of Tellico Lake. Freeman answered many questions after the evening had ended.

Our Next Meeting – Thursday Sep 22

Regular Meeting: Noon – Rarity Bay Country Club

Speaker: Jeannie Anderson, President/CEO, LifeSigns.us, Inc.
LifeSigns is based in Madisonville and founded in 2010. Their mission is to provide education, training, and resources in the areas of self-awareness, economic development, career skills and creative problem-solving, empowering participants to make positive changes. Their organization is unique in that there are multiple programs operating in concert to accomplish this mission, including the 2nd Chance program for incarcerated men and women, and the Business Entrepreneurial Training Center (BETC) that has celebrated the grand opening of five new business operations in Madisonville.
Come hear about the mission and operations of this young nonprofit and invite interested friends and neighbors to attend.

Last Meeting – Thursday Sep 15

Attendance: 14 Members; 1 Visitor – Katherine Serrault, Claudine Miller’s friend from France

Member Tidbits: ● The Club welcomed back Bob Milhiser from his summer in Jersey. David Foote gave an even more enthusiastic welcome, as David will be transitioning Treasurer duties to Bob.

Program: Club Assembly to prepare for Charity Dinner