RotaryGrams for September 1, 2021 (Sep 01, 2021)

The Rotary Club of Beaumont, TX, is a large and diverse fellowship of inspired business, professional, and civic leaders with significant community connections that foster the ideals of Service Above Self and high ethical standards.

Sep 01, 2021

John Manfredi, Exec. Dir., Bmt. Community Players

Beaumont welcomes back live theater!

Sep 08, 2021

Andrew Coughlan, Cartoonist, Bmt Enterprise

A Glimpse into the Career of a Political Cartoonist

Sep 15, 2021

Chelsea Tipton, Maestro, Music Director, Conductor

Announcing the 2021-22 Season of The Symphony of Southeast Texas

Sep 22, 2021

Ms. Freddie Willard, CVB Director of Sales

Beaumont Welcomes the National Beep Baseball Association 2022 World Series Tournament

Sep 29, 2021

Audrey Collins, Principal, Pietzsch-McArthur Elem.

Innovation & Exciting Happenings in BISD

Oct 06, 2021

No Meeting this week

Attend Wine Down With Rotary on October 7

Oct 13, 2021

Chris Montoya &Trent Martin, First Financial Trust

Understanding Cryptocurrency and Bitcoin

Oct 20, 2021

Joseph Majdalani, General Mgr., Jeff. County DD6

DD6: Making Arks Obsolete

View entire list

"Show Your Colors" Flag Project for Patriots Day

Sep 11, 2021

Rotary After Hours: Madison's
Madisons
Sep 16, 2021 5:20 PM – 7:00 PM

Wine Down With Rotary
Beaumont Event Center
Oct 07, 2021 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

"Show Your Colors" Flag Project for Veterans Day

Nov 11, 2021

View entire list

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Download the website sponsorship guide

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ROTARYGRAMS

September 1, 2021

Vol. 109, No. 9

2355 IH 10 S

Beaumont, TX 77705

Phone: 409-842-1913

PLEASE make a reservation if you are planning to attend in person before 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 31 by linking to the reservation form here:

https://forms.gle/NGxGWNqZ2nhwB9hu6

If you are unable to complete the electronic form and would like to be added to the reservation list, please call the Rotary office at 409-842-1913.

The Zoom link which will be emailed to members on Tuesday prior to the meeting.

ALERT: Health care professionals advise that COVID is a very active threat to unvaccinated, immunocompromised, and vaccinated individuals alike. Please take all necessary precautions to protect yourself and others. Please do not attend a meeting or function of the club if you have been exposed to COVID or are exhibiting any symptoms of the illness. Hand-sanitizer and facemasks will be available.

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MEETING PREVIEW

September 1, 2021

"Becoming the Biggest Tent in Texas"

John Manfredi

Executive Director

Beaumont Community Players

Beaumont Community Players (BCP) has been in Beaumont, TX for almost 100 years, producing high quality plays and musicals ranging from Broadway spectaculars to intimate dramas. Beginning in 1925 as Beaumont’s "Little Theatre" this dedicated team of volunteers has grown from a small troupe of players to the amazing company producing more than 10 shows a year we see today. A true anchor organization for the Arts and Arts Education Beaumont Community Players is also the home of the Margaret Bolton School of Performing Arts and KIDmunity, an award winning summer program for youth. Boasting over 300 active dates a year BCP is 100% homegrown and creates every production from scratch using local talent and resources.

To tell us more about Beaumont Community Players and the return to live theater in Beaumont, we welcome Executive Director John Manfredi. John has been working professionally in the arts for over 40 years including directing productions across the country from the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery to Opera Pacific in California. As an executive leader he has helmed such organizations as the Performance Network and the Jewish Ensemble Theatre in Michigan and Etico Productions in New Jersey. Working as a Union actor on both stage and screen Mr. Manfredi has performed in nearly 200 plays from William Shakespeare to David Mamet and such films and television shows as Real Steel, The Great and Powerful Oz, Strain 100, Law and Order, Unsolved Mysteries and is the voice of countless industrial films and commercials. As an educator John has taught at Oakland and Wayne State Universities and the University of Detroit.

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Head Table for September 1

Invocation:
	Kathryn Fuller Financial Advisor Edward Jones
Pledges to USA & Texas Flags:
	Tish Cornell Marketing Specialist Common Cents Credit Union
Introduction of Guests:
	Carolyn Fernandez President/ CEO Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas
Introduction of Speaker:
	Past President Bobbie Applegate

Please volunteer for Head Table responsibilities through the sign-up at:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AADAF22AAFD0-take

or phone Jeff Beaver at 409-781-9403.

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CALENDAR OF ROTARY EVENTS

(Club events & opportunities for meeting makeups)

September
11	"Show Your Colors" Flag project; 5:00 a.m., Dishman Scout office on Cardinal Drive at Hwy. 124
16	Rotary After Hours; 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., Madison's on Dowlen
25	Workday at The N.E.S.T. at Martin Elementary; 9:00 a.m. until (about) 2:00 p.m. (see volunteer sign up)
28	Board of Directors monthly meeting; 11:30 a.m., Eleganté Hotel

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PLEASE VOLUNTEER FOR FLAG PROJECT!

If you are able to help with the "Show Your Colors" flag project on Saturday, September 11 for Patriots Day, please volunteer with Pat Anderson.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. We must remember this day in American history and there is no better way than to take part in spreading the American flag across the streets of Beaumont.

Volunteering for this project is a wonderfully patriotic way to start your own personal recognition of these days of great significance. Don't be concerned if you have not served as a flag volunteer before. You will be paired up with another person or team of people who have experience. You will have a great time being a part of this effort!

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Mark your calendar now for Wine Down With Rotary on Thursday, October 7. Tickets are for sale at the price of $40 per person if purchased in advance from any Rotarian or the Rotary office at 409-842-1913. Tickets will be $50 at the door. Each Rotarian is encouraged to sell at least 6 tickets to make this event successful by reaching out to friends, colleagues, customers or neighbors who might enjoy an evening of good wines, delicious appetizers, and great jazz music in an awesome social setting.

Thank you to our sponsors!

CHAMPAGNE LEVEL - $3,000

JK CHEVROLET-SUBARU

MASON CONSTRUCTION

PINOT NOIR - $2,000 Level

American Valve & Hydrant

MERLOT - $1,000 Level

Tri-Oak Financial

PINOT GRIGIO - $500 Level

Advanced Pediatric Care

Bobbie Applegate

H. A. Cherry Enterprises, LLC

Sharon & Roger McCabe

Patti & Floyd McSpadden

RIESLING - $300 LEVEL

IN-KIND DONORS

AlphaGraphics (formerly The Printery)

Art Museum of Southeast Texas (Lynn Castle)

How would you like to see your business or your personal name on the sponsor list? Please remember, sponsorships for this event are deposited to the Beaumont Rotary Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization and are tax-deductible. The proceeds fund the projects of the Club which include college and LIT scholarships,; literacy/reading projects at Martin Elementary, a BISD school; the layette project for Nicaragua; sending students to Camp RYLA, our youth programs, and more. Call Sponsorships Chair Cindy Cherry at 409-673-3113 or the Rotary office at 409-842-1913.

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It's a Raffle!

Raffle Chair Dee Lane is requesting donations of any type of gift card in any amount for a huge basket she is putting together as a raffle item. Please do not donate a card if it has been partially used but if it is an unused card of any value, to any business, we will appreciate your donation. She would also like to include scratch off tickets of any kind also.

Any donations for the raffle can be brought to any Wednesday meeting and given to Dee Lane or to Jacque Chapman. You can also drop off items to the Rotary office during usual business hours.

Thursday, October 7, 2021 to attend this event.

There will NOT be a weekly Rotary meeting on Wednesday, October 6 at the Elegante. Attending the Wine Down With Rotary event will substitute as the meeting for the week.

Tickets for the October 7 event are now available. The pre-event price is only $40 per person and will increase to $50 at the door. At the next meeting you attend, please pick up a packet of tickets to sell or give to friends, clients or colleagues!

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Rotary After Hours on Thursday, August 26 at the John Jay French Museum was enjoyed by a large number of Rotarians. The attendees were able to tour the museum and some took part in a rousing

game of "Graces" which people once enjoyed a great deal. Thank you to the Committee made up of Amanda Ellis, Chair, Deborah Drago, Cheryl Bilyeu, Lynn Hill, Karyn Husbands Kara Timberlake, Joey Kressman, Dee Lane, and Sheree Pierce for planning the fun evening and supplying delicious appetizers and adult beverages for the crowd. Thank you to the staff of the Museum and Executive Director Shelby BraBrannan for welcoming us in and providing tours of the great museum.

Plan to attend the next Rotary After Hours at Madison's on September 16! This is a really fun way to meet and visit with both new and long-time members you may not know well yet.

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LOOK WHO'S IN THE NEWS!

The report on the Rotary Club of Beaumont's meeting on August 25 garnered front page and above-the-fold coverage in The Beaumont Enterprise in the Sunday edition! It doesn't get much better than that when it comes to print media coverage! Many more people saw a television spot that aired on the KFDM evening news reports too! Thank you to John Rollins, Karyn Husbands and the Public Relations Committee for reaching out in a big way to the local media outlets and spreading the news.

Beaumont Mayor Robin Mouton takes questions after her speech at the weekly Beaumont Rotary Club meeting Wednesday. Photo made Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Kim Brent/The Enterprise

Beaumont Mayor Robin Mouton takes questions after her speech at the weekly Beaumont Rotary Club meeting Wednesday.

"Like she has to do with so many other public addresses after the past month and a half, Beaumont Mayor Robin Mouton used her appearance at the Rotary Club of Beaumont to make another plea to support overburdened health care workers."

The article went on to speak more about the Mayor's requests for residents to get the COVID vaccinations.

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New member	Proposed by	Status
Barbara Newhouse	Teresa Simpson	welcomed on 7-21-21
Deborah Tomov	Leonard Juncker	welcomed on 7-21-21
Joey Kressman	Sheree Pierce	welcomed on 8-04-21
Jacquetta Walker	Jay Wilson	welcomed on 8-04-21
Amy Wilson	Jay Wilson	welcomed on 8-04-21
Rebekah Patin	Cindy Cherry	welcomed on 8-04-21
James Kersh	Diane Bass	welcomed on 8-04-21
Marco Born	Craig Escamilla	welcomed on 8-18-21
Shelby Brannan	Deborah Drago	awaiting Orientation
Erika Harris	Teresa Simpson	awaiting Orientation
Nicholas Ganjei	Dana Timaeus	awaiting Orientation
Shawn Javid	Dana Timaeus	awaiting Orientation
Brian Shajari	Ty Coudrain	awaiting Orientation
Misty Fountain	Kevin Reed	pending Board vote
Angie Hebert	Joanne Brown	pending Board vote
Dayna Simmons	Robert Kocot	pending Board vote

Have

invited someone to become a Rotarian?

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Ann Scoggin August 30	Sharen Kirksey September 3
Jennifer Gregory September 5	Amy Wilson September 5

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PROGRAM REVIEW

August 25, 2021

“Building a Better Beaumont"

Robin Donatta Mouton

Mayor

City of Beaumont

by Marianne Laine

On August 25, 2021, newly elected City of Beaumont Mayor Robin Mouton spoke to Rotary. Mayor Mouton, a native and lifelong resident of Beaumont, graduated from Hebert High School in 1978 and, thereafter, served as a sales executive for AT&T for 32 years.

After retiring from AT&T, Mouton focused her energy on her community and neighborhood. She is a member of the Communications Workers of America Union where she previously served in leadership roles for many of the union programs. These programs have enabled her to serve at neighborhood schools, churches, and local foundations. In addition to the CWA, Mouton has served as a board member of the National League of Cities, a member of the Public Safety Crime Prevention Committee, National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, Texas Municipal League, and Texas Association of Black City Councilmembers, and a member of Women in Municipal Government, just to name a few. She also has served twice as Mayor Pro Tem.

Since Mouton’s recent election, she has helped raise the salaries of her employees, and participated in the decision to purchase the AT&T building. Additionally, Mouton has focused on the City’s budget, managing to reduce the tax rate by half a percent. The reduction reportedly allows for a 33-million-dollar loan, which will be allocated to various projects throughout the City, including street rehabilitation, renovation of ditches, storm water repair, sewage and drainage. Mouton expects to see completion of many of these projects within two years.

Photos by Tim Sudela

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Link to the Zoom page which includes this and will include all recorded meetings for July - September 2021.

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Office: 409-842-1913

admin@beaumontrotaryclub.org

Fax: 409-842-5613