Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Holiday Party, whether through meals, or the video Party, or both. It was good to have former members Gay Davidson (2nd row second from left) in Florida and Whitney Stoolman (4th row, left) in Idaho join us. This is the upside of our video meetings ─ guests from far away are able to join us! Thank you to Rod Buffington, Sheila Mack, and Loretta Meeks for coordinating the Party festivities. A special thanks goes to pianist Ed Clark (first row, third from left), who entertained us with a selection of holiday songs. We hope this is the one and only video Holiday Party. It will definitely be memorable as we move forward.President Elect Barry Tobias presented his Board for next year, and the Club unanimously accepted his slate. While many serving are repeating their positions, some are new. Current position holders are encouraged to take the next six months to share their knowledge and wisdom to help those learning the ropes. One position remains open ─ the President Nominee to become President Elect. If you haven’t served yet as Club President, please give it consideration and speak to Barry. Speaking personally, this is one of the most rewarding and joyful experiences of my life. I completely recommend it!
We are sad to share that Rotarian Bob Lynn passed away on Saturday morning, December 12. We grieve with Naomi and their family at the passing of this wonderful man. He was a friend and long-time leader in our club and served as president in the 2000-2001 Rotary Year. On August 24, we recognized him as an Honorary Member of our club. We featured his extraordinary career and contributions in our August 31, 2020 Newsletter. The image to the right shows Naomi and Bob at a previous holiday party when we were able to come together for fellowship.There will be no club meetings held the next two weeks, December 21 or December 28. Harry Mitchell made a great suggestion to support our friends at Maldaners and enjoy a treat at the same time. They are still open for business during this time, Wednesdays through Sundays, with regular menu items plus what they call their TV Dinners. I took a peek and they look quite tempting. And they have a relationship with a delivery company if that will add to the temptation!
There will be no newsletter next week, but we will have a special issue on New Year’s Eve in two weeks. Our next club meeting will be on January 4, 2021. More information on this meeting will be shared in the New Year’s Eve newsletter.
In the meantime, please take time to reflect on all the good done by the Rotary Club of Springfield this past year. This has been an unprecedented time in our country and world, and we have stepped up and provided for those in need. In our local community, we directly provided food, clothes, and personal items for physical needs, books and student whiteboard kits for intellectual needs, and greetings and gifts for emotional needs to those who are alone. We provided tools and education to improve food supplies in Zambia, school computers in Jamaica, and are working on providing clean and accessible water in Nepal and computers in Mexican schools. This is a wonderful group of people and I am thankful for each one of you. Together we make a powerful and lasting impact.
Dave Kromphardt
Club President