July 30, 2005

Last Week’s Program...
Last week’s speaker was David Elson, head football coach for Western Kentucky University. Coach Elson began his presentation by reassuring everyone that he was 33 years of age and old enough to be hired as head football coach on March 5, 2003. Coach Elson spoke about Western’s football program, including the upcoming schedule which begins September 1 against West Virginia Tech. In pointing out the caliber of his players, Coach Elson stated that 100% of his scholarship players and all but two or three walk-ons chose to stay on campus this summer to attend team workouts. This meant the players were required to find part-time jobs to pay for their rent and food, as their scholarships only include tuition and books. He feels this is just one indication of how committed his team is and how willing they are to go above and beyond to achieve the next level of success.

Coach Elson also informed the Club that Western’s football stadium is scheduled to undergo a $35 million renovation which will include building another side to the stadium. The renovations are expected to be completed by 2008.

Coach Elson concluded his program by inviting everyone to don their red and come on down to Bowling Green for some exciting football.

Thanks Coach Elson for your comments and for answering the age old question "Yes, Big Red is male".

Attendance: 95

Highest Attendance This Year: 95

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: Dr. Lance Wittwer

Fellowship Report: Clay Ford

Meeting Makeups: Sim Davenport, two makeups, June 29 in Paducah and July 7 in Murray.

Introduction of Guests: Drew Kirkland introduced his guests, John Edge, David Barnes, Tom Purcell and Jeff Carlberg; Steve Gardner introduced his guest, Nate Olson; Jim French introduced his guest, Mike Pate; Bill Barron introduced his guest, Arthur Harreld; and Randy Spaw introduced his guests, Tom Pope and Kelly Howard.

Thought for the Week: "There is no such thing as a 'self-made' man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success." ~ George Burton Adams (1851-1925), American educator, historian

ROTARY ANNOUNCEMENTS...
• 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

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS:
Things were hopping Tuesday at the annual Rotary Readifest held at the Convention Center of the Executive Inn. This back-to-school festival is a collaboration between the Owensboro Rotary Club and the City and County Family Youth Resource Service Centers. The city, county and parochial school districts joined with approximately 80 vendors to provide information and resources to help prepare our school children for the upcoming year. Over 3,000 kids and family members enjoyed free popcorn and soft drinks as they visited the booths offering free haircuts, dental and vision screenings, immunizations, and information about Boy Scouts, the Owensboro Family Y and many other child support agencies. Door prizes of backpacks full of school supplies and calculators were dispensed throughout the afternoon.

This service project is made possible by matching funds from the Hager Foundation and the hard work of volunteers from our club. This year’s volunteers from our club were: Jarred Barron, Rodney Berry, Marilyn Brookman, Terry Brownson, Duval Bushong, Keith Cain, Roger Coomes, Bill Dexter, Jeff Ebelhar, Jim and Helen French, Steve and Peggy Gardner, Larry Hager, Darrell Higginbotham, Jeff Jones, Pat McFarling, Larry Mercer, Gary Noffsinger, Scott and Sally Plain, Donna Risley, Sr. Suzanne Sims, Avery Smith, Tom Smith, Randy Spaw, Roy and Jean Stone, Ed Wathen, Martel Wightman and Henry Zimmer. While most of us registered participants and handed out school supplies, Randy Spaw of BB&T and Jeff Ebelhar of BKD, LLP, helped administer eye exams! Thanks to "Drs." Spaw and Ebelhar and all the other volunteers for helping make the 2005 Rotary Readifest a roaring success.

Have a great week!

Bill

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...
Tom Castlen - July 30
Tish Correa-Osborne - August 1

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.
• John Kurtz is the program chair for August.
• Patty Ray will be at the Fellowship Table during August.
• 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
August 10 - High School Football Preview from area coaches
August 17- Mathew Gunterman - Progress on Green
August 24- Jim French - USPS Mail
August 31- Clint Hardy - Daviess County Ag Extension Agent

2005 - 2006 OWENSBORO ROTARY CLUB OFFICERS
President: Bill Dexter
Vice President: John Kurtz
Past President: Pat McFarling
Secretary: Tish Correa-Osborne
Treasurer: Bob Nation
Directors: Tim Bradshaw, Patty Ray, Noel Maddox, John Kazlauskas, John Medley, and Sister Suzanne Sims

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