Rotary Club 13 Buzz Saw This Week’s Meeting—Muehlebach Hotel, Noon, Trianon Room, Oct. 20, 2011 Top Stories Speaker: Congressman Kevin Yoder, ―Congressional Update‖ President’s Speech at Municipal Auditorium 75th Anniversary Rotary Increases Visibility at Big Brothers Big Sisters Party Youth Camp Prepared for Winter Chester Knows How to Throw a Shindig
Committee Meetings Downtown—Lido, Oct. 20, 11 a.m. Foundation Investment—Burgundy, Oct. 20, 11 a.m. International—Kennedy, Oct. 20, 11 a.m. Membership Development—Trianon E, Oct. 20, 11 a.m.
Greeters Rotarians with birthdays in October will serve as our greeters this week Invocator John Jespersen
Welcomer Jan Armstrong
Upcoming Speakers and Events Oct. 27: Speaker—Adam Winkler, professor of Constitutional law, University of California at Los Angeles, ―Battle Over the Right to Bear Arms‖ Nov. 3: Speaker—Robert Morgan, author, ―Lions of the West: Heroes and Villains of the Westward Expansion‖ Nov. 17: Speaker—Bob Hatch, chairman, FINCA International and Chairman/CEO, Cereal Ingredients, ―Village Banking: Serving the World’s Low Income Entrepreneurs‖ Dec. 1: Dr. Rand O’Donnell, CEO, Children’s Mercy Hospital Clinics, ―Children’s Mercy Hospital: A Kansas City Gem‖ Rotary Club 13 Office - 1219 Wyandotte - Kansas City, MO 64105 - 816-842-2322 www.rotary13.org VOL. XCV / No. 41
Rotary Club 13 Buzz Saw This Week’s Meeting—Muehlebach Hotel, Noon, Trianon Room, Oct. 20, 2011 “Congressional Update” Congressman Kevin Yoder Representative Kevin Yoder is a 5th generation Kansan who grew up on a farm in rural Kansas near a town called Yoder. Prior to being elected to Congress, he served as a State Representative in the Kansas Legislature. On January 5, 2011, Representative Yoder was sworn in to serve his first term as part of the 112th Congress. He was appointed by Speaker of the House John Boehner to serve on the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees. Chartered in 1864 by President Abraham Lincoln, Gallaudet University is the world’s only liberal arts university for the deaf that offers a bilingual learning environment in American Sign Language and English. Representative Yoder represents Kansas' 3rd Congressional District, which includes Johnson County, Wyandotte County and part of Douglas County. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas where he received political science, English and law degrees. He lives in Overland Park, Kansas with his wife, Brooke.
Want More Rotary 13? Connect to the Rotary 13 community by visiting the Downtown Kansas City Rotary Club Facebook page. Get up-to-the-minute reports on Rotary and Kansas City by following the Rotary 13 Twitter page. Missed a meeting with a speaker you wanted to hear? Listen to the podcast. Get to know more of what Rotary 13 is all about by watching our Rotary Youth Camp YouTube video.
Rotary Club 13 Office - 1219 Wyandotte - Kansas City, MO 64105 - 816-842-2322 www.rotary13.org VOL. XCV / No. 41
Rotary Club 13 Buzz Saw This Week’s Meeting—Muehlebach Hotel, Noon, Trianon Room, Oct. 20, 2011 Bowling News Dick Retrum
The first day of league competition was last Wednesday, Oct. 12. Some bowlers were nervous, others hoped the lane conditions would make it easy to strike, and a few wondered how the individual averages set last week would impact the handicapping. However, there were a few of our long standing, hardcore, rip-roaring (I don’t need no stinking warm up time) semi-pro’s who were ready to roll as soon as they walked in the front door. You’ll get to know them as the season progresses. Mike Griggs and Bill Buckner, two of our regular bowlers, were placed on injured reserve and will be out for the season. Sorry guys, you will be missed. Kent Verden, Wesley Gill and Bob Lager were all eligible to wear the Gobbler Cap (for three strikes in a row) but declined the honor. Our high games were: Norm Waters (one of the hard-core) rolled a 221 in his first game, and Maurice Brownlee had a 200. Congratulations. Our visiting bowler was Steve Schleicher. He stated he would be dropping by from time to time. Today he demonstrated his recently-perfected ―over hand‖ bowling technique. This will soon be banned at all bowling establishments except maybe Lucky Strike Lanes downtown. Good to see you, Steve. Come back anytime.
Youth Camp Prepared for Winter Paul Searcy Wow, what a fantastic morning to be at the Rotary Youth Camp! The weather was beautiful, and we had 30 volunteers show up ready to work. The Auxiliary Tents were taken down and placed in storage, several bushes were trimmed, trees were cut and the wood was split to be made ready for winter campers. The kitchen floor was power-washed and sanitized, KC Day materials were sorted and made ready for storage and two wagons full of walnuts were gathered. New batteries were installed in the cabins’ smoke detectors and the carpenter bee holes were filled. In Cassell Hall, fans and lights were dusted and bulbs replaced as well as any electrical issues were resolved. Around the house, more fencing was replaced including the gates. The Foundation Plaques were prepared for installation and woodchips were distributed into piles for campers to spread out on the trails. Kermit Bright conferred with Camp Board Members Paul Searcy, John Reynolds, Chris Boland and Henrik Andersen about repairs needed for the pool house and shower walls. Other Rotarians helping with these projects were: Dennis McKeehan, Tom Peterson, Phil Kinney, Don Stebbins with sons Charlie and Andy, Marc Horner, Dick Retrum; Tyros Robert Girard and Tara Markley; David King, Steve Nichols, Mike Regan, Matt Meyer, Perry Atha and son Will, Jerry Cooke, Kara Bennett, Christy Chester, Mark Snow, Jerry Munson, Rick Crouch and son Roman, Al Tikwart and Terry Defraties.
From left to right: Tara Markley, Dennis McKeehan and Jerry Cooke
Rotary Club 13 Office - 1219 Wyandotte - Kansas City, MO 64105 - 816-842-2322 www.rotary13.org VOL. XCV / No. 41
Rotary Club 13 Buzz Saw This Week’s Meeting—Muehlebach Hotel, Noon, Trianon Room, Oct. 20, 2011 Last Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011 Pete Burgess You know it had to be a fine fall day when we met at Municipal Auditorium for a grand celebration of its 75th Anniversary. This Kansas City masterpiece contains the ghosts of significant history. We mingled with other organizations, munched hot dogs, had a can of soda, and crowned that with a 75-year celebration cookie. The aura of eventspast could be felt on the arena floor, where so many presidents spoke; where so many tournament basketball games were played; and where so many events shaped the forces that brought victory on other courts and in other ways. Speakers from the city added political and athletic comment, and a noted architect confirmed that Municipal Auditorium is nationally recognized as one of the ten best architectural designs in the country. President Marc Horner addressed the crowd that was backstopped by an array of lovely old cars, including a gorgeously-restored 1934 Plymouth that was probably driving by on 13th Street the year before Municipal Auditorium opened. Marc said H. Roe Bartle was Club 13 president 75 years ago, and would have had the honor of speaking at the event. His speech was laced with significant Rotary events at Municipal Auditorium over the last 75 years. One of the more memorable was the 1985 Rotary International meeting at Municipal Auditorium kicked off Rotary’s campaign to eradicate polio.
Tom Bowser accepts the Rotary 13 Business Executive of the Year Award
At the conclusion of Marc’s speech, we strolled over to the Little Theatre where there was a sea of folding chairs set for our meeting. President Marc called us to order, led the pledge and asked Gene Freeman to give the invocation. Dave Bywaters introduced the recipient of our prestigious Business Executive of the Year Award, Tom Bowers. Tom recognized several of our members including Past-President Carl Bolte and Chuck Eddy who we can thank for arranging the dual ceremony. Tom then spoke at length about his personal experiences including his invitation to the White House and his take on the new national health care law.
Rotary Club 13 Office - 1219 Wyandotte - Kansas City, MO 64105 - 816-842-2322 www.rotary13.org VOL. XCV / No. 41
Rotary Club 13 Buzz Saw This Week’s Meeting—Muehlebach Hotel, Noon, Trianon Room, Oct. 20, 2011 President’s Speech at Municipal Auditorium 75th Anniversary Marc Horner
The Rotary Club of Kansas City, or Club 13 as it is known to our members was twenty-six years old when Municipal Auditorium was built. We had already provided Rotary International with two Presidents, made the first donation to the RI Foundation, and had hosted one International Rotary Convention at the old Convention Hall which was located where the Auditorium Parking garage is now. In fact, if you were being addressed by the president of our Rotary Club seventy-five years ago, you would be listening to H. Roe Bartle give this talk. Given his reputation as an orator, I will apologize in advance for the speech you are hearing me give today. We in Club 13 feel truly honored to be here because the Municipal Auditorium has played a major role in Rotary’s history. And, Rotary has participated in numerous momentous events at the auditorium we have, indeed, been linked throughout the years. Just consider this: • In early October 1936, approximately 200 Rotarians from Club 13 participated in the noon luncheon of the Charities Campaign at the Auditorium, a major event at that time. • Rotarians also gathered to participate in the first two Jubilesta events in 1936 and 1937, also held in the Auditorium. • On January 27, 1937, Club 13 and the auditorium came together once again for an event entitled a ―Birthday Party for President Roosevelt.‖ This early polio fundraiser was a success: 70% of the funds went to local polio-related charitable activities, and 30 percent was donated to the Warm Springs, GA therapeutic spa facilities so important to the president. • Again in 1937, Club 13 Volunteers worked with the Charities Campaign and attended the luncheon at the Auditorium. Throughout the years, a great many Rotary Club 13 events were held in the Auditorium, but the most important was in May of 1985. Our club was chosen to host the Rotary International Convention, so naturally we turned to the Auditorium and Bartle Hall to house the week-long event that drew thousands – 12,920, to be exact, from more than 90 nations. The highlight was a speech by Dr. Albert Sabin, the inventor of the oral Polio vaccine, who addressed a crowd of more than 13,000 and enthralled the audience as he stressed the need to reach everyone in the undeveloped world with the vaccination. He warned: ―If nothing is done, in 20 years there will be 8 million more paralyzed children and perhaps 800,000 more deaths from polio.‖ Then Rotary International President Carlos Canseco, of Mexico, presented Dr. Sabin with the Rotary award for World Understanding. He then introduced a new video, “Polio 2005 – To Immunize all of the Children of the World.‖ And the Rotary International ―End Polio Now‖ campaign was born. It was a momentous event in Rotary history and it happened right here! That effort, that was introduced in this very building 26 years ago is now ―this close‖ to eradicating polio worldwide. Rotary International in cooperation with the World Health Organization and most recently the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has almost met that goal. In 1985 there were more than 350,000 cases in 15 countries. In 2009 there were less that 2,000 cases in just four countries. So, you see, the paths of the Municipal Auditorium and Rotary Club 13 have been intertwined through the years – to the benefit of the auditorium, Rotary, Kansas City and with the Polio campaign, the entire world. Once again, thank you again for the honor of being allowed to participate in the 75 th anniversary of one of Kansas City’s great landmarks. Rotary Club 13 Office - 1219 Wyandotte - Kansas City, MO 64105 - 816-842-2322 www.rotary13.org VOL. XCV / No. 41
Rotary Club 13 Buzz Saw This Week’s Meeting—Muehlebach Hotel, Noon, Trianon Room, Oct. 20, 2011 Rotary Increases Visibility at Big Brothers Big Sisters Party During the Big Brothers Big Sisters party at the American Royal Sept. 30, Rotary 13 displayed its banner and handed out literature at a booth conveniently located next to the bar. We learned a lot from the experience and increased our visibility within the community. Special thanks to Micheal Lawrence for the opportunity.
From left to right: Steve Sopinski and Eric Bubb
Chester Knows How to Throw a Shindig Christy Chester was a wonderful host at the Tyro Cocktail party Oct. 4. She prepared more than enough food and libations, and a good time was had by all. Thank you to Tyro Committee Chair Pat Dunn and Co-Chair Teresa Montgomery.
From left to right: Tim Tholen, Randy Sisk and John Jespersen
Buzz Saw Office Hours Monday—Thursday: 9 a.m.—5 p.m. Friday—Sunday: Closed For comments, questions or suggestions, please contact Stephen G. Nichols, interim managing editor of the Buzz Saw, 913.486.4177, buzzsaw@rotary13.org
Rotary Club 13 Office - 1219 Wyandotte - Kansas City, MO 64105 - 816-842-2322 www.rotary13.org VOL. XCV / No. 41