Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert is in her second term as Mayor of Omaha. First elected in 2013, and re-elected in May 2017, she is the 51st Omaha mayor and the city's first woman to be elected to the office. Stothert grew up in the St. Louis area and worked as a critical care nurse and later as head nurse and department head of cardiovascular surgery at St. Louis University, where she met her husband, Joe Stothert, M.D. In 1993, the Stothert family moved to Omaha from Galveston, Texas, when Dr. Stothert accepted a new position at Creighton University.
When the Stotherts' two children, Elizabeth and Andrew, were old enough to go to school, Mayor Stothert became involved in their schools as a volunteer. Later, she was appointed and then elected to the Millard Board of Education and served 11 years, including three as President. In 2009, she was elected to the Omaha City Council, representing District 5 in southwest Omaha.
Jean and Joe have been married 37 years. Joe currently works as a trauma surgeon at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine.
Ron and Neil, would you please inform our membership in your Rotary email and bulletin to mark their calendars, the Rotary Holiday Party is scheduled Sunday, January 21st at Farmer Brown's in Waterloo. Drinks at 5:30, dinner at 6:30. More information to come.
Eddie Guthrie, current resident of Omaha, is one of the last survivors from Nebraska of the Japanese Bombing Raid on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Eddie was aboard the USS Whitney, a destroyer tender, as an Electrician's Mate in Pearl Harbor.
Following WWII, Eddie became employed as an Electrician at Omaha Public Power District where he served with distinction . Following his retirement, he has been a spokesman for the dwindling number of survivors of the DAY THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY (President Delano Roosevelt - 1941).
Ron's note: I worked closely with Eddie at OPPD for 4 years, he was a switch man which meant that he had to travel around the District operating high Voltage switches as required for maintenance or for storm recovery and isolation.
Dr. Roger Breed gave the invocation and lead us in the pledge of allegiance.
No guests in attendance
Rita reported $5,147.16
Secretary Ron reported that Diane and Harold were celebrating their wedding anniversary.
President Mike mentioned that meeting note taking will be a rotating assignment at each meeting as assigned by President Mike. (note: Ron can't hear, has he heard of hearing aids). Ron reported that members can submit their own articles for the newsletter, including photographs.
Jim reported that we collected $1,000 during our bell ringing escapade at Family Fare.
Jim also provided us possible dates for the "Christmas" party (note: Jan 21 has been selected) Members are encouraged to bring toys to the December 7 meeting or subsequently, for the December 9 COPE Christmas Party. Cash or check are also accepted to purchase needed toys at the last minute.
We heard some interesting stories during Neal's fine session, especially from Gail.
Speaker of the day: Diane reintroduced her son Mike Clark, who serves as a Red Cross Volunteer. Mike served recently in the Hurricane Harvey disaster recovery in Houston and San Antonio and other Texas Cities. Mike said that the disaster cost was estimated at $1.8 billion and was most costly disaster in the US. 4.5 million meals were served by the Red Cross with $190 million in direct financial aid. San Antonio role in the disaster was to provide for victims of the hurricane from other Texas cities. Volunteers included Americorps membersand religious groups such as providing meals and rebuilding residential structures.
Duane was the lucky winner of the kitty drawing.
RON'S NOTE: Thanks to Jeanne and Rolly for their development of the meeting notes
JIM ANNOUNCED THERE WILL BE NO LUNCH BUNCH IN JANUARY
MIKE ANNOUNCED NO MEETING ON DECEMBER 28TH
SPEAKER ON DECEMBER 21 WILL BE FROM PROJECT HARMONY
If you are interested in attending another Omaha area Rotary Club meeting to meet new people and see what other Rotary Clubs are doing, the chart below, taken from the Rotary Club of Omaha West newsletter (The Westward Ho)
MONDAY BELLEVUE 12:00 PM (DJ's Dugout, 10308 S. 23rd St.) NORTH 12:00 PM (Omaha Eppley Airport Conference Room) MILLARD 12:00 PM (German American Society, 3717 South 120th Street)
TUESDAY MORNING 7:00 AM (Happy Hollow Country Club, 1701 S. 105th St.)
NORTHWEST 12:00 PM ( Effective August 15th Northwest Rotary will meet Tuesday's at noon at Jerico's, 11732 W Dodge Rd, Omaha, NE 68154.)
SOUTHWEST NIGHT 5:15 PM (DJ's Dugout at 17666 Welch Plaza, northeast corner of 180th & Q streets)
WEDNESDAY COUNCIL BLUFFS CENTENNIAL 1st Wed 7:00 AM; 3rd Wed floating event; no meeting other weeks (Hy-Vee in Mall of the Bluffs, I-80 Exit 5) DOWNTOWN 12:00 PM (Field Club, 3615 Woolworth Ave.)
THURSDAY COUNCIL BLUFFS NOON 12:00 PM (The Center, 714 S. Main St.)
SUBURBAN 12:00 PM (Anthony's, 7220 F St.)
WESTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY 7:00 AM (Elkhorn Common Ground Community Center, 1701 Veteran's Drive)
FRIDAY WEST 12:00 PM (Champions Run, 13800 Eagle Run Drive)
