(pictured left to right: Laura Easton, Ann Smith, and Dr. Robert Belk)
Lenoir Rotary Club President, Lee Chase, introduced Ann Smith for a recent lunch meeting Vocational Awards program. Ann shared an insight from the 1930-1976 Rotary History. Virtues honored in Rotary are evident in this year’s recipients. Both are “unselfish, quiet yet bold leaders who epitomize the motto, ‘service above self,’“ in their medical field vocations. This year’s recipients, Dr. Robert Belk and club member, Laura Easton, reflected on service and vocation.
Dr. Robert Belk thanked Rotary for its community and world service. He began as an intensive care cardiologist and then spent 15 years volunteering as medical director at hospice. After working in private practice, Dr. Belk served another 15 years with Hospice which he felt was a privilege. His work began and ended at Hospice, “beginning the day in contemplation and concluding the day in the ‘pure art’ of medicine.” He said, “I have been blessed.”
Rotarian, Laura Easton, offered her appreciation for this honor. Reflecting upon the integration of “service above self; truth and fairness,” in Laura’s life called to mind the celebrations of her father’s birthday and also Father’s Day. Her father, her model and inspiration, helped her pursue these virtues, integrating service as the definitive pattern for her life and her understanding of the meaning of character. At 16 years old, Laura had the job of “bed-pan lady,” something she actually found very edifying. As a nurse, she learned the importance of “creating a culture where service is honored in a healthy environment.” She pursued this throughout her vocation. She concluded by saying, “I am surrounded by incredible, truly great people which allows me to be great, to truly serve and thereby, to receive this award. ‘Service above self’ is a little self-serving because I feel like a better person being around these other servants.”
Lenoir Rotary Club member Toni Bartlett, Caldwell Memorial Stroke Center Coord., presented a club lunch program about free stroke assessment clinics recently offered in our county. The screening includes getting a family medical history, a finger stick, lipid profile (hdl/ldl), height and weight, hip/waist ratio, and a list of current medications to determine individual risk factors. Stroke clinics were a collaboration of many Caldwell County agencies to educate citizens of the heart disease signs & symptoms to prevent incidents of stroke. These awareness efforts are vital -- strokes are the #1 cause of disability and hospital stays in the US. Caldwell County’s stroke rate is twice the national average. Lenoir Rotary Club donated $400 to provide fresh fruit, 100% fruit juice, and other healthy snacks for those screened. Toni thanked the club on behalf of the 237 people who received the free screening.
(pictured left to right are Ben Willis and Deborah Ashley)
Lenoir Rotary Club member Deborah Ashley introduced Ben Willis and,
together, they presented a club program detailing an initiative the
Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce is trying to get underway with
Google. As a “Woogle Crusader,” Ben is spreading the word throughout
our county and Catawba County. “Gotta get a Gigabit!” is the slogan
used to proclaim support for this opportunity! Community Broadband
Surveys will track participation along with Facebook and website hits,
as well as YouTube videos. All “counts” will be tabulated for each of
the 2,000 communities across the country applying. The goal is to be
the recipient of the Gigabit of internet speed. This could positively
impact communications for the school system, the hospital, and
businesses in a significant way! Ben Willis videoed those in attendance
exclaiming, “Lenoir Rotary’s Gotta Get a Gigabit! To show your support
and learn more about this process, click on:
www.googlehickorylenoir.com. The deadline is March
26 to submit your vote of support --- get busy!
(pictured left to right are Louise Bradshaw and Jerry Brooks)
Lenoir Rotary Club recently participated in a community project to bag
and ship food to earthquake victims in Haiti. The event was held in
Morganton and many local folks representing churches, Scout troops, and
other organizations were involved. The process was coordinated by Stop
Hunger Now, which is based out of Raleigh, and over 268,000 meals were
packaged that day. Club member Louise Bradshaw is shown with Jerry
Brooks who represented First Baptist Church in Lenoir which donated $500
to the project.
(pictured left to right are Gwyn Roop and Julia Curry)
Lenoir Rotary Club member Julia Curry introduced Gwyn Roop, the
Principal at Horizons School, who provided the lunch program recently.
This alternative school for elementary children opened in 2001 serving
kindergarten through fifth graders. The mission: To address the needs
of each student by providing a safe and structured learning environment
where rules are taught, practiced and followed. Providing academic
support, involving the family and using community resources will assist
students in becoming successful learners.
(pictured left to right are Mary Kidder, Pete Kidder, Sandy Russ, and Charles Foushee)
Lenoir Rotary Club recently held the club's Annual Lobster Night and
Silent Auction. The event is an annual fundraiser which supports the
club's community projects such as providing dictionaries to all 3rd
graders in Caldwell County, participation in Special Olympics,
Children's Christmas Party, Honor Air for local Veterans, and many
others. Charles Foushee has organized the event for several years and
it has become a major fundraiser for the club. Shown are club members
who participated: Mary Kidder, Pete Kidder, Sandy Russ, and Charles
Foushee.