Highlights of October 21 Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

Allan said that he and Polly have had the opportunity to attend several Rotary International Conventions, and have enjoyed every experience, but he wanted to talk about how he has benefitted from a specific moment when they were riding a shuttle during the convention in Atlanta, Georgia.in 2017.  The shuttle wasn't moving very fast.  As a result, they had time to enjoy a conversation with a Rotarian seated across the aisle from them - Judge Tommy Webb.

 

Judge Tommy Webb was born in South Korea.  His mother was a prostitute.  His father, who he never knew, was likely a member of the US military.  Every evening, he was on the street.  He often slept in dumpsters.  The decaying debris in the dumpsters created some warmth during the very cold nights.  One night, there was some commotion in a nearby alley.  He found a little girl about three who had been beaten and abused.  He took her into the dumpster with him.  The next morning, she was dead.  Judge Tommy made up his mind to run away.  He walked miles toward the lights of Seoul.  After arriving in the city, he found his way to a bus terminal.  Inside the terminal, he was warm and dry, and fairly well fed.  He quickly learned to grab lunch bags and run away with them, taking one thing out and dropping the rest (to end the chase).  

 

A police officer in the terminal had taken note of his activities and surprised him one day.  Little Tommy was given a choice - go with the policeman - or go with the little gray-haired lady who was nearby.  Tommy chose the lady.  It happened she was associated with an orphanage.  After spending several months in the orphanage, he was adopted by a family in Oklahoma.  After arriving in the United States, he learned English.  He was a good high school football player.  His team won the state championship twice.  He went to college and found he wasn't ready.  He joined the Marines and found he was more ready for college than he had thought.  He got his undergraduate degree and later received his Masters in Divinity.  At one point, someone suggested that he run for judge in the southwest corner of Kansas.  After his first election, he was never opposed when he ran again.  He eventually became a magistrate covering the entire state.  Because of his background, many of the cases he dealt with involved youth.  He has been honored with many awards.

 

Since that initial moment on the shuttle bus, the two families have become very good friends.  Tommy and Allan both like Scotch.  Their wives both enjoy wine.  Judge Tommy now spends his winters at an RV resort in Yuma.  He preaches at the resort on Sundays.  Initially, about 40 attended the services.  Typically, in recent years, he has drawn around 200.  One time, he was invited to preach at a Korean church off of Camelback.  Allan and Polly attended and discovered Judge Tommy Webb is also an accomplished vocalist.  

 

Last spring when Allan and Polly were on their way to San Diego, Judge Tommy invited them to stop by the resort for the Sunday service.  They said they would if he would sing.  The song he chose to sing was "How Great Thou Art," which was recently performed at the Cady home by the Mesa West Singers.

 

Allan had an offer to make.  Judge Tommy is an author.  Allan said he would purchase "Running Away and Finding Home" for the first five people to give their names to Jeanie after the meeting.  

 

 

Each year, District leadership sends out a request for nominations of individuals who qualify and are willing to serve as District Governor.  If selected, they will first be named as District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND).  The following July 1, they would move up to District Governor Nominee (DGN).  A year later, they would move up to District Governor Elect (DGE).  A year after that, they would finally begin their year of service as District Governor (DG).  

 

To be nominated, the home club of the nominee needs to pass a resolution to place their member's name in nomination.  President Dan said that Past President Jim Schmidt is willing to make this commitment.  A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to nominate Jim Schmidt to serve as District Governor in 2024-25.

 

We have no way of knowing how many other clubs in our district will be passing a similar resolution.  We do know that if Jim is the nominee selected, he will serve in a way that will make all Mesa West members proud.

 

Lu General was heard softly singing "and another one bites the dust..."

 

 

Chuck Flint briefly explained that raffle tickets sell for $5 each.  A third of the revenue goes to the club operating account.  Another third is added to the accumulating "big pot," which is now up to $620.  The final third will be received by the person holding the other half of the ticket drawn.  That person would also win the opportunity to try to draw the Ace of Clubs from the cards remaining in the deck.  Should they draw any other card, the card drawn will be destroyed.  Sean Green drew the ticket ending in 409, which was held by Dave Brauchler who may have ruined his chances by attempting to sing the old Beach Boys hit "Giddyup 409."  Jim Crutcher wondered if anyone knew what that song was about...

 

Dave drew the 8 of Hearts, so the big pot lives on and will be even bigger next week.