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Todd introduced our very esteemed Honorary member Harry Edgar to give us a blast from the past. The Fates tried to prevent Harry's appearance this morning. His pants were too short and his car would not start. Todd intervened with a high speed rescue. Harry gave me ten pages to distill. View them in club archives. Harry was 43 when he joined. He has been a member of the club for 55 years. ( one of those numbers might be wrong when you do the math!!) His grandfather was a Rotarian at the inception of our club in1926. Harry belongs to a Rotary Family. The old club met at the Kress Hotel and he recalls good food at the Knotty Pine. Rotary wives were then called "Rotary Ann's'. Harry was club President in 1991-92 when women were first inducted into this club. There was some opposition but they got over it. Harry and sister Mary were very active in Youth Exchange. A very positive experience for those students who participated. He talked about the ' good old days' when the clubs focus was on " crippled children' ( from Polio and cerebral palsy) and tonsillitis. This was before immunization for Polio . There were antibiotics but no healthcare support. Families got help and financial support from Rotary. Rotary was behind the start of Easter Seals. Harry met his wife there. She was a swimming instructor. Rotary Fundraisers were a car draw and a Carnival. He spoke of GSE as a great growth experience for participants. He had some stories about Rotarians from overseas with slightly different attitudes. President Paul thanked Harry for his talk and also for being a source of Paul's jokes. Next week Kids ability. Location to be announced via email. Todd said that Towels were the number one cause of dry skin. This was Vanessa's last meeting here. But she will be with us in spirit and on Zoom. We will miss you and Thankyou for all you have done. Don't forget your snow shovel. Have a Jolly Holly Day. See y'all in the new year. |
