January 1, 2005

Last Week’s Program... 
Jerry Birge, host of Around Owensboro on Adelphia Cable, shared with the club some of his personal experiences in the broadcasting industry. Birge has hosted Around Owensboro for the past 6 ½ years. The locally originated show airs at 9:00 a.m. Monday-Friday and is replayed throughout the day. Viewers are provided information about community events and treated to one-on-one interviews about topics of local interest. In addition to his television role, Birge also serves as Director of Marketing for the Ursuline Sisters of Mount St. Joseph. He related some of the order’s history and importance to the area.

December 22nd Program… 
36 Rotarians braved the snow and ice on December 22 to enjoy a wonderful program of Christmas music provided by fellow Rotarian Alma Randolph. For the finale, Alma was joined by back-up singers Greg Longtine, Sr. Suzanne Sims, Glenn Taylor, Dave Silvert, Martel Wightman, and Duval Bushong (you guys were great!). Thank you, Alma and all for reminding us of the reason for the season!

On December 22nd, the club was also pleased to have Nate Olson as a guest. Nate, the son of Kathy and Greg Olson, is one of two Ambassadorial Scholars sponsored by Owensboro Rotary. At the meeting, Nate took a few moments to express his appreciation to the club and to inform us of his plans to attend Oxford University in the fall of 2005. Our other Ambassadorial Scholar, Jason Sauer, is currently at Cambridge University. We extend special thanks to Steve Gardner for the fine work he does with our scholarship program.

Attendance: 52

Highest Attendance This Year: 103

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: Becky O’Bryan

Fellowship Report: Roger Coomes

Introduction of Guests: Mason Ralph, guest of Charles Ralph

Thought for the Week: "Here’s to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old; here’s to the things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold." -- Anonymous

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR BELL RINGERS!!! Owensboro Rotarians rang the Salvation Army bell on December 17 at KMart and Kroger in Wesleyan Park Plaza. Special thanks to Tom Smith for coordinating the project, and to Paul Brooks, Greg Longtine, Noel Maddox, Dean Ehrenheim, Donna Risley, Jim French, Steve Cabell, Ross Leazenby, Martel Wightman, Patty Drury, Pat McFarling, John Kurtz, Jeff Jones, Gary Noffsinger, Sr. Suzanne Sims, and Tim Bradshaw for representing us so well.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Come tour the "Big Project" construction site! The January 12th meeting of the Owensboro Rotary Club will be held at the Owensboro Area Museum of Science and History located downtown at 220 Daviess Street. Join us for lunch (catered by Canteen) and a tour of the indoor playground site. First Baptist Church has graciously consented to allow us to use their parking facilities. Here’s your chance to see our project in progress, so please plan to attend!

ROTARY ANNOUNCEMENTS... 
• Tim Bradshaw is still looking for a program chair for March. Please contact him if you’re willing to volunteer. 
• 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... 
Dean Rodney - December 26
Bruce Brubaker - December 29 
John Miller - December 31 

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS:
I hope each of you enjoyed a wonderful holiday season with family and friends. As December draws to a close, so does the first half of our 2004/05 Rotary year. I thought a mid-year status report might be appropriate.

We’ve inducted eight new members so far this year. That’s great, but unfortunately, we’ve had as many resignations. We need to continue to identify and bring in new prospects in order to reach our goal of 200 members. 

In July, we participated in the biggest and best yet Rotary Readifest. The back-to-school fair, sponsored by our club with matching funds from the Hager Foundation, was held for the first time this year as a single combined event for students in all the local school systems. Forty-five Rotarians volunteered at the event which drew a record attendance.

Work on the Indoor Playground has begun. The second floor area of the Owensboro Area Museum has been cleared and preparations are underway for installation of the playground components. We’ve raised around $170,000 toward our goal of $250,000. If you haven’t yet made a pledge or donation, please consider doing so.

Several weeks ago, we rang the bell for the Salvation Army. What a rewarding experience to witness Christmas spirit in action!

I hope you share my pride in what we’ve accomplished so far in this Centennial year. I look forward to the next six months as we work together to "Celebrate Rotary" by making a difference in our community and world. 

Happy New Year! 

Pat 

THE FAMILY OF ROTARY 
The club extends sympathy to Candance Brake in the death of her father, Joseph Paul Castlen II, on December 25. 

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. 
• Dave Silvert is the program chair for January. 
• Robert Cook will be at the Fellowship Table during January. 
• 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!

UPCOMING PROGRAMS 
January 12 - Owensboro Rotary Indoor Playground Groundbreaking at the Owensboro Area Museum. Also a visit from District Governor Bob Boudreau. January 19 - Hal Norwood with the Louisville Bats 
January 26 - State Representative Tommy Thompson 

2004 - 2005
OWENSBORO ROTARY CLUB OFFICERS
President: Pat McFarling
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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