Our Meeting – Thursday, March 29

“Famous Grandmothers of East Tennessee”

Mary Frierson, expert genealogist and member of the Lenior City Daughters of the American Revolution.

Mary Frierson, from the Daughters of the American Revolution, spoke about her research into the matriarchs of early East Tennessee families whose ancestors fought in the American Revolutionary War.   Her research included many family stories that helped bring these individuals to life.

Her talk left many of us with a desire to thoroughly research our own family trees to better understand who we are, why we have the name we have, and preserve both oral and written family history for future generations.

Welcome Janice Seymour

Past President Sue Everson pins Janice Seymour with her new membership pin.

It is with great joy we inducted Janice Seymour as our newest member of the Tellico Lake Rotary Club.   Janice and her husband Bob live in Seymour.  She works for Gallaher Plastic Surgery & Spa located right here in Village Square, Tellico Village.

Janice has been visiting our club and enjoys everyone as well as our great programs.  Make sure you give Janice a warm welcome.

Meeting – Thursday, March 22

“Building The Panama Canal”

John Everson gave a thorough presentation on the Panama Canal including the early history as well as the recent expansion of the canal to handle today’s mega-cruise ships and larger container ships.

One of our own members gave a presentation about the building of the Panama Canal.   Members John & Sue Everson visited the country of Panama in early February.

John was quite taken back by the magnitude of effort to engineer and build the Panama Canal.  Considered one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, the canal was actually started by the French in the 1880’s.   Malaria, Yellow Fever, and Dysentery took it’s toll on the work force and the French eventually gave up on building the canal.

In 1904, the United States purchased the rights from the French and signed the Panama Canal Treaty with Panama and work resumed.   On August 15, 1914, the first ship to transverse the new canal reduced the distance from the Atlantic to the Pacific by 8,000 miles and 21 days.   Over 26,000 workers died during the construction of the canal – mainly due to disease.

Meeting – Thursday, March 15

“Loudon County Moves Forward”

Loudon County Mayor Buddy Bradshaw

Our program was an update on the economic growth of Loudon County.   The Mayor of Loudon County, Buddy Bradshaw, gave an excellent presentation on the county’s growth, job growth, and economic development.

He also shared how well Loudon County works with Monroe and McMinn Counties to bring in new business.   We learned how the county works with Tellico Village POA to return foreclosed lots back the the POA so they can be sold and returned to the tax roles.

Meeting – Thursday, March 8

“Water Well Completed in South Sudan”

Gary Ubben of Lenoir City and member of London County Board of Education

Lenoir City Rotarian Gary Ubben was with us to announce the completion of our 2 year joint project to dig a water well in South Sudan, Africa.  The well was completed and placed in operation at an elementary school in Wau, South Sudan.

This project started when Loudon County middle school children read a book called “A Long Walk For Water”.  They were so moved when they read the true story about children their age walking up to two hours to fetch a bucket of water for their families that they wanted to help raise money to dig a well.

So, as a joint effort with the Rotary Clubs of Lenoir City, Loudon, and Tellico Lake, all the middle schools of Loudon County began an effort to raise $15,000 to provide a South Sudan community with a water well.   Gary spearheaded the effort.  The middle schoolers raised over $8,000 and with added funds from the 3 Rotary clubs, the $15,000 goal was reached and the well was dug in January, 2018.