President Victoria Farrar-Myers rang the bell and called the meeting to order at 12:08. After welcoming everyone she called on Stephanie Melchert to lead the club in prayer and in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. We then sang “God Bless America” accompanied on piano by Kathleen Smith.
Victoria called upon our Greeter, Benjamin Harris, to come to the podium and to introduce any visiting Rotarians and guests. No visiting Rotarians were in attendance but there were nine guests. Randy Hendricks introduced four guests: Tim Hughes, Arlington City Council member Bowie Hogg, Chris White and Jason Roach. Stephanie Melchert introduced Jane Minardi. Tom Ware introduced Allen Hale (no…not The Skipper on Gilligan’s Island). Stu Reichert introduced his wife, Penny. And Vera McKissic introduced Dale and Jeff Jenkins.
Victoria noted that those who wanted to come up to give announcements should stay seated for a bit since she had a multitude of her own. She first noted that during the ceremony commemorating the gifting of Jen Lewin’s sculpture, “Boundless,” in the Rotary Dream Park on the morning of June 10, 2023 we received a proclamation from the City of Arlington read by Mayor Jim Ross. State Representative Chris Turner was unable to attend the ceremony unveiling “Boundless” but he subsequently sponsored a House Resolution declaring June 11, 2023 a special day for our club and the city. Victoria then exhibited the large check which represented the $10,000 which our club donated to the Rotary Foundation in honor of Ron Burton, our speaker at the Centennial Celebration. Each of us who attended the soiree on that Saturday night received a commemorative 100-year Rotary pin and Victoria noted that there were some on the back table for anyone who did not get one at the event. She noted that every living past president of the club was called up to the stage during the Centennial Celebration, which made for a memorable picture. However, past president Sal Capuli was unable to join that group. Accordingly, Victoria called him up to the podium to recognize and thank him for his prior service as club president.
After Victoria was finished with her announcements the usual line to make announcements formed. First to speak was President-Elect Barry Bondurant (only a few weeks before he takes full control of the reins – look out!). He made mention of the monthly meeting of the club’s board on Friday, June 16, 2023 at 11:30 and urged Red Badgers to come and check off two hurdles for the price of one as they move toward a Blue Badge. He also pointed out that next week’s meeting will be down the hall from our usual meeting place in the First United Methodist Church in Arlington’s Banquet Hall.
Sarah Knotts reminded us about the Officer Installation Dinner at J Gilligan’s on Thursday night, June 29, 2023. There is now a link on the club’s website, ArlingtonRotary.com, where you can sign up and pay for tickets. Dress for the event will be very casual.
LeeAnne Chenowith mentioned that the next Timeless Concert entitled “London to Rome” will take place on July 8 and July 15, 2023. These concerts will include English jigs, Neapolitan songs of Italy and the music of the movie “The Red Violin”. Tickets are still available for both concerts on Timeless Concerts’ website, timelessconcerts.com.
Stephanie Melchert mentioned that the Arlington Life Shelter is having its first annual “Stock the Shelter” event which runs June 12-30, 2023. The shelter’s needs include shelter, hygiene, kitchen and clinic supplies. More specific information can be found on the shelter’s website, arlingtonlifeshelter.org.
Nancy Blinn announced that Dental Health For Arlington’s upcoming fundraiser, its annual “Love That Smile” Casino Night, Fundraiser and Auction will take place on June 24, 2023 from 6-11:00 p.m.at the CR Smith Museum at 4601 Highway 360 in Fort Worth, Texas. Proceeds from this event help meet the dental needs of thousands of disadvantaged children and adults. Heather Kipker mentioned that there would be a meeting regarding the Arlington Heroes Run in the back of the hall at the conclusion of this meeting for anyone interested.
Next, as she does every meeting, President Victoria showed a slide with a QR code and asked everyone to take out their cameras and sign into the meeting and to log their service hours. Lastly, she urged us all to sign up online for Player/Pledge and Greeter duty.
Vera McKissic introduced this month’s recipients of the Minority Business Recognition Award, Dale and Jeff Jenkins of The Jenkins Agency. Vera gave a wonderful example of their commitment to the community by applying the 4-Way Test to their efforts.
Next Randy Hendricks presented Darius McCall with his Blue Badge. Walter Virden then led us in a rendition of “You’re a Grand Old Flag” accompanied by Kathleen Smith on the piano.
Sally Hopper (back from ‘Injured Reserve’ list and moving confidently while approaching the podium without her cane) reported on this week’s Birthdays and Anniversaries. Steve Kleiber (Jun 14), Rick Jenkins (Jun 17) and Vera McKissic (Jun 14) celebrated birthdays this week. Both Rick and Vera were present to receive their ‘Happy Birthday’ serenade. Anniversaries this week included David Sargent (8 years), Lou Ann and Mike O’Donnell (6 years each) and Miguel Juarez (7 years).
Victoria then called upon Barry to introduce the speaker for the day’s program, Raymond J. Benge, Jr. He has been an Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Tarrant Countu College’s Northeast Campus for 25 years and has teaching experience at TCU, Richland College and Collin College. Barry noted that you might recall his interesting presentation last August on “Near Misses From Above”, which involved him speaking about asteroids, meteors and meteorites. His talk this year was entitled “Texas Solar Eclipses”. Professor Benge began by saying that his interest in astronomy and the stars started in grade school when he witnessed a partial eclipse in Houston. He went on to say that solar eclipses are both common and rare – common because there are numerous occurrences somewhere on earth, yet rare in any particular location. This has to do with the nature of the moon’s orbit around the Earth. Professor Benge then went on to talk about two Total Solar Eclipses over our area. The first was recorded and documented in an archived picture in 1878, with the apparent location of the telescopes somewhere between present day John Peter Smith and Baylor All Saints Hospitals in Fort Worth. This represented what may have been the first professional scientific research of any kind in Texas. The next Total Solar Eclipse will be on Monday, April 8th, 2024. Our area will be within the area of totality during this eclipse, which will last around 2 hours and 40 minutes with the actual total eclipse lasting 3 minutes (which he said will seem like ten seconds). Areas just southwest of here will actually be in the exact middle of the path. Benge mentioned some interesting things which will occur during this period of time including shadows having an odd appearance, the sky getting dimmer, the weather changing and animals acting strangely. And, at totality, the sky is dark, you can see daylight in the distance and you can see the outermost layers of the sun. He mentioned the importance of proper eyewear (i.e., don’t just buy something cheap on Amazon) and not looking directly at the eclipse except during the very short 3 minutes of the total eclipse. He finished by discussing some upcoming partial eclipses in Texas this year in October and ten years from now in 2033. Professor Benge then took two questions, one of which involved whether he believed in UFO’s. On one hand, he said it is a very vast universe and it would seem likely that there is some form of life somewhere within it. On the other hand, he did say that given the incredible technology that it would take to traverse such incredibly long distances in the universe, wouldn’t that technology be good enough to conceal their presence and to prevent crashes? At that, we all laughed and he ended his talk. After professor Benge’s talk concluded President Victoria presented him with a book for him to autograph and which we will donate to the Webb Elementary School library. Victoria next called on Tom Ware, who made us chuckle with his ‘Hysterical Minute’. Victoria reminded us that next week’s meeting will take place in the Banquet Hall on the other side of the church kitchen from our usual meeting place and will include a program on the City of Arlington’s Code Compliance program. She then thanked all who participated in today’s meeting, as well as our nine visitors. The quote of the week was “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” – Ryunosuke Satoro.
The membership then joined in reciting the Four Way Test and Victoria sent us out reminding us that “we are people of Impact; go make a difference this week”. Upon her ringing of the bell, the meeting was adjourned.
