MEETING ON FEBRUARY 26, 2010
Kenny Morgan, not looking at all like our absent President, Fran Crumpton, opened the meeting by welcoming everyone. Appropriately seated at the front table were Mike Solliday who led us with the Rotary Prayer and Frank Kay who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Leon Hirsh, not looking at all like Mark O'Brien, stepped in to assume the responsibilities of Mr. Sunshine and warmly welcomed visiting Rotarian's and guests. He welcomed back Andrew Kent who had been on a leave of absence. As you know by now, Leon loves to fine members and found 5 recipients. These "Leon" fines can sometimes come from outer space. Wayne Sumlin, for example, was fined twice for sitting next to two people Leon wanted to fine. Leon does tell funny stories. One was about the Irishman who was challenged by a visiting Texan who said he would pay any patron who could drink 10 pints of that dreadful Guinness. One man left the pub and came back 5 minutes later and took the challenge. After quickly downing the beer, the Texan, obviously impressed, asked him why he had left the pub. The Irishman said, "I just went over to O'Mally's next door and drank 10 pints to practice for your challenge."
Announcements
Kenny Morgan announced that he now has a second grandson. Hopefully the boy will refrain from growing a beard.
Frank Kay announced that a charitable event for Hospice is sponsored by his Synagogue that will deliver a corn beef sandwich, with pickle, to anyone who will pay $10 and, of course, lives locally. There will be a sign-up sheet at our meeting to be part of this worthwhile cause. There will be further information at this Friday's meeting.
A prospective new member applicant has been unanimously approved by the P.N.R. board of directors. Sharon Banks, a local business owner, sponsored by Fran Crumpton, will be inducted into P.N.R. at the March 5th. meeting.
For everyones information, our new leadership team board members are: President: Kim Sheldon, President-Elect: Eddie Hill, Secretary: Cathy Gianotto, Treasurer: Dan Eanes, Sgt-at-Arms: Gary Barnes, Rotary Foundation: Charles Howard, Publicity: Paul Entrekin, Service Projects: Keith Smith, Membership: Stuart Bainter, Administration: Mike Waldo.
Dave Pavlock will have the club directory printed later this month. Please advise Dave or Russ Silver of any changes in the information that you gave them recently. This will be a 2 year directory so, please, lets be as accurate as possible.
The board is working to provide "hands on" projects for your participation. Reading Is Caring is in the works as is collaboration with the Boy Scouts and Habitat For Humanity. Stay tuned.
Fran wants to remind all P.N.R. members that you should take pride in looking for 4 more highly qualified new P.N.R. members. At every meeting we are looking for good things to do. Whether we are buying Christmas bikes or Shelter Boxes, giving back and contributing to our community and the world is important to us. That's the way we roll. It is an honor to be a member and there are other fine people of character out there, that you know, who should join forces with us.
Program
Kenny Morgan introduced Melinda Crawford, Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport Executive Director. She took the reins for this very big local employer in December, 2009. The airport was established in 1935 on 1,400 acres of land purchased for $50,000 (certainly a huge sum back in 1935). Passenger traffic was a large 1.6 million in 2008 and declined slightly to 1.4 million in 2009 due to the economic downturn. The number of gates will increase from 8 to 10 this year. Six carriers are servicing the area and our airport now has direct flights to D.C. and Miami.
There are 1,600 employees working at the airport and the airport does not receive any financial support from the city. The annual budget is $19 million. Federal grant money will be used to install a state of the air baggage screening upgrade this year.
A new rental car facility will be expanded very soon and future development is in the works. Melinda advised members that the keys to a very successful airport are in a good infrastructure, aggressive airline service development and top notch customer service.
Kenny "the man" Morgan, doing triple duty, led the club in the Four Way Test. Kenny then helped to package the food after the meeting, deliver it to the Waterfront Mission and still found time to solve the health insurance issue!
Information and Final Thoughts
At each Friday meeting, you can contribute to the "Rotary Pot". This week, Cathy Gianotto won the pot of $533. A just reward for a very fine person. Money derived through this drawing will be used by P.N.R. to do good by helping others.
All new members should schedule their "mandatory" fireside chat within the first two months of their induction. With a scheduled appointment, Dave Padlock will conduct the fireside chat at 11:15 a.m. immediately prior to the regular club meeting. Dave's number is 857-0740.
Board Members: Our next meeting is Thursday, March 11th. same time, same place.
Make-up Information:
Monday: Five Flags, Noon, New World Landing
Tuesday: Gulf Breeze, 7 a.m. Andrews Institute
Tuesday: Downtown, Noon, New World Landing
Tuesday: Seville, 5;30 p.m., Rosie Grady's
Tuesday: Milton, Noon, Red Barn Rest.
Wednesday: Perdido Key, 7 a.m., Triggers Rest.
Wednesday: Cantonment, Noon, Scenic Hills C.C.
Thursday: Cordova, 7 a.m., Verona's Rest.
Thursday: Pace, 7 a.m., Stone brook C.C.
Thursday: Sub West, Noon, Pensacola Yacht Club
Thursday: Navarre, Noon, Hidden Creek C.C.
Quote from Orville Wright: "If we all worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true were really true, there would be little hope for advance."
