OWENSBORO'S ROTARY IMPETUS

February 12, 2005


This Week’s Program…
Helen Mountjoy - Member and former Chair, Kentucky Board of Education

Last Week’s Program...
Al Cross, Director of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky, shared with the club his thoughts on the dual issues of politics and the news media. He began his remarks by commenting on the current political situation in Frankfort and offered the observation that it’s unusual in Kentucky politics for both parties to have their "ox in the ditch" at the same time. He also commented on the foreign and domestic challenges facing the Bush administration. With respect to the news media, Cross described changes brought about by more public ownership and the pressure to generate profit. As media corporations compete to maintain ratings, the market for opinion is increasing and the market for fact decreasing. According to Cross, the media landscape is somewhat different in smaller rural localities. There is less competition at the local level, but media consolidation is widespread and is a factor in the decline of public-spirited journalism. The mission of the Institute is to help non-metropolitan journalists define the public agenda for their communities and understand the impact of regional, state and national issues.

Attendance: 89

Highest Attendance This Year: 103

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: Ross Leazenby

Fellowship Report: Ken Lawson

Introduction of Guests: Lt. Tyler Goad, guest of Mike Goad; Gary Dennis, guest of Greg Longtine; Jim McGown, guest of Mike Hobson; Weesie Douglass, guest of Charles Ralph

Meeting Make-Ups: Sim Davenport, in Murray, KY; Frank Wagner, four (4) make-ups, three in Florida (Key West, The Conch Republic, and Lake Buena Vista) and one at the Daviess County club; Roger Coomes, at the Daviess County club

Proposed New Member: Bob Morris, proposed by Marilyn Brookman. Bob is publisher of the Messenger-Inquirer and a former member of the Hammond, LA and Madisonville, KY Rotary clubs.

Thought for the Week: "Love doesn't make the world go 'round. .Love is what makes the ride worthwhile." ~ Franklin P. Jones

ROTARY ANNOUNCEMENTS...
• HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROTARY!!! Wednesday, February 23, 2005 is Rotary’s centennial anniversary. We’ll have a special birthday celebration at our meeting that day, so mark your calendar and plan to join us as we Celebrate Rotary!
• Indoor Playground contributions and/or pledges may be mailed to Jeff Ebelhar, Owensboro Rotary Foundation treasurer, at the following address:

Jeff Ebelhar
100 W. Third Street
P.O. Box 1824
Owensboro, KY 42302-1824

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...   
Ben Hartz - February 12 
Esther Jansing - February 13
Ross Leazenby - February 13

A CENTENNIAL MOMENT
Rotary comes to Owensboro…
In April 1915, a group of Owensboro businessmen, calling themselves the "Live Wires," investigated formation of an Owensboro Rotary Club. The population of Owensboro at the time was under 20,000. Although the International Association of Rotary had reservations about the ability of a club to thrive in a city of less than 25,000, they decided to experiment with the Owensboro club, calling it "The Baby." On September 1, 1915, the Rotary Club of Evansville and the Rotary Club of Louisville jointly chartered the Owensboro Rotary Club. The new club inducted 33 charter members and elected the following officers: President - Edward W. Smith; Vice President - Charles E. Hugger; Secretary - E. R. Southard; Treasurer - A. B. McCarthy.

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS:   
Valentine's Day.... In the words of that great philosopher Tina Turner, "What’s love got to do with it?" When February 14 rolls around each year, most of us think of it as a day designated for hearts, flowers and romance. By focusing on romantic love, however, we may be missing the deeper meaning of this holiday. Romantic love isn't the only kind of love that makes people feel better. Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to show all the special people in our lives how much we appreciate and care for them. It's also a good time to reflect on the power of love to motivate, heal and transform lives.

Author Jeanie Miley defines love as "a way of being in the world." She writes that "loving means caring for and attending to. It means acting on behalf of. Love is about taking the initiative and going the second mile, or more. It is sometimes about hanging in when things get tough, and it is sometimes about letting go. Love is giving great care to the people, places, things and processes that matter most. It is about giving time and giving in to the needs of another, and taking the risk to let another give in to your needs.... Lovers in the world are radical catalysts. The people I know who choose to love as a lifestyle have a zest and vitality, a steadiness and a sparkle that make that way of being in the world look really, really good all year long."

This Valentine's Day and throughout the year, let's celebrate the power of love.

Have a great week!

Pat

ROTARY REMINDERS  
• Don’t forget to make up your missed meetings at Daviess County Rotary, 7 a.m. on Tuesdays at Heavenly Ham Restaurant in Towne Square North.
Rodney Berry is the program chair for February.
Ken Lawson will be at the Fellowship Table during February.
• If you have an email address and are not receiving the Impetus online, or you have changed your email address, please send an email to kim@mediaworksadvertising.com and you will be added to the Rotary email address list.
• Log on to Rotary’s website at www.owensbororotary.org. You’ll find our current member directory, photos of new members, past copies of the Impetus, some interesting history, and more!

Please mail any questions, suggestions, or comments regarding the Impetus to:

Mike Wallace
MediaWorks Advertising, Inc.
208 West 3rd Street
P.O. Box 1866
Owensboro, KY 42302
Phone: 270-684-4554
Fax: 270-684-7314
Email: mike@mediaworksadvertising.com

DEADLINE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE IMPETUS IS THE WEDNESDAY PRIOR TO MONDAY'S PUBLICATION DATE.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
February 23: Mitch McConnell - U.S. Senator

2004 - 2005
OWENSBORO ROTARY CLUB OFFICERS
President: Pat McFarling  - Phone # 270-852-3257 Fax: 270-926-3196, email: patmc@kwc.edu
Vice President: Bill Dexter
Past President: Jeff Ebelhar
Secretary: John Kurtz
Treasurer: Bob Nation
Directors: Tish Correa-Osborne, Todd Inman, Patty Drury, Tim Bradshaw, & Noel Maddox


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