The first meeting of the New Year for the Rotary Club of Beaumont was held at the MCM Elegante Hotel’s Ballroom on Wednesday, January 7th. The noon meeting was called to order by Club President Uliana Trylowsky. Joining Uliana at the head table were: Chuck Heare providing the Invocation, Bobbie Applegate leading us in the pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags, and Rebekah Maxwell for introduction of guests and visiting Rotarians.

Announcements:

*Uliana gave a report in the absence of Board secretary Dianne Thompson on the December 16th Board of Directors meeting. There were 5 terminations.

*As a reminder to take note of an email from Bobby Chapman stated that there is a Paul Harris donation incentive going until February 28. The matching program is 1:1 for all donations up to $500, who come from someone that is a Paul Harris Fellow with less than a “plus 8” level. It is requested that you list “annual fund section” when making your donation.

*Uliana on behalf of Terri Potter, made an announcement that next week is a committee meeting immediately following the Rotary meeting for planning the Woman’s International Day program.

Becky Mason introduced our today’s speaker, Kai Jai Conner. Though Kai Jai has connections and a love for Beaumont, she was born and raised in Houston and a graduate of University of Houston. She has worked in real estate but is currently the Executive Producer and Director of the Melody Maids Movie.

Kai Jai’s mother was a Melody Maid from 1951 at just 14 years old, to 1958 when she graduated from Beaumont High School. She traveled the world spreading cheer to the armed forces and was extremely patriotic. The lessons that Eloise Milam, the founder of the Melody Maids, instilled in all of the girls who participated encouraged Kai Jai’s mother to found a dance school in Houston that still continues today.

Due to her mother’s memory and participation in the Melody Maids, Kai Jai developed a passion to make a movie to document the group’s activities under the direction of Eloise Milam, to spread cheer and goodwill to American service men and women around the world. Kai Jai’s grandmother kept detailed scrapbooks and memorabilia document the activities of the Melody Maids. Kai Jai wanted to preserve the legacy of Eloise and the Melody Maids by producing a documentary with stories and information that otherwise would be lost. They applied to 12 film festivals and were accepted by one, the Austin Film Festival, at which it was one of the most attended movies.

Questions from the audience included some interest in the movie becoming a “book”. Before that step, Kai Jai would like for the material to go to a Production House to be made into a play. Another question asked about a “bible” that Eloise Milam kept with information about dress and etiquette for the Melody Maid girls – another question thought it would be interesting to publish that info into a book.

The audience was happy to hear that there will be a showing of the film in Beaumont at the Jefferson Theater on January 17th with a 2pm and a 7pm showing. The Tyrrell Historical Library will be open in between the movie showings to showcase memorabilia of the Melody Maids.

Uliana announced a donation to be made to Rotary International in the area of Community & Economic Development in honor of today’s speaker, Kai Jai Conner. She also stated that the RYLA students would be the program next week. Then the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be January 14th.