Stories

Former Wilsonart International President Bill DiGaetano related lessons learned coming up through the sales ranks to lead the largest laminate company in the country.

Club Member and Belton Independent School District Superintendent Susan Kincannon projected challenges in the growing Belton school population.

Many students ask real world questions of their curriculum: "why does this matter?"  Denise Ayers presented on Career and Technology Programs that graduate students into high skill, high wage, high demand jobs. "It takes a village to make a vocation!"

Each month our Rotary club highlights an outstanding educator from Temple ISD and Belton ISD.

David Domelsmith discussed PTSD - what's going on behind the headlines?

English is becoming the world's universal second language.  Charlie Clemmons and Mike Pinson discussed sending books on pallets through the world of international freight.

Athletic Director and Football Coach Bob Shipley briefed the club.

Athletic Director and Football Coach Mike Spradlin discussed his programs’ objectives

Update from a Rotary Youth Leadership Award recipient on this past summer camp

The Oxford comma is back! Practice safe text, y'all — use a comma before the "and" in your lists.

Arrested overseas? Extending your vacation beyond your Visa? Selling your sprockets or giving birth abroad?  Register that Citizen!

Killeen-Heights Rotarian Kelly Barr presented an in-depth review of progress to date on Rotary International Foundation's eradication of Polio. "We are this close."

Our club performed a service project donating textbooks to LaPorte.  We'll hear from recipient coordinator Charlie Clemmons at our Sep 11 regular meeting.

At Temple Rotary’s regular July 24 meeting, President-Elect Gail Peek moderated a riveting discussion on “Thoughts on Education Challenges and Opportunities in the Twenty-First Century.”

A Foundation matching campaign is on its way!

Jackie Basile and family are hard at play!

Today starts the last four weeks of Judy Duer's career as library director for the City of Temple. August 1st will be her last day at the library because she is retiring! For those who say she's too young to retire, that may be true, but she has some terrible genes on her mom's side (much better on her dad's, so keep your fingers crossed for her and her sibs), so she wants to have some time while she is healthy and can enjoy time traveling with her husband and enjoying her family. In celebration, John and she leave for Spain on August 20th, where they will make their way to the beginning of the Camino de Santiago (Frances route) and begin a 500 mile trek across northern Spain. Hopefully they will be in Santiago in about 6 weeks, leaving them with a couple of weeks to explore the area around Toledo and see if they can afford to live there. Then they're back in Texas on October 22nd, hopefully in time for the birth of their new granddaughter, who is due on October 23rd. Lots of excitement in their future!
For those of you in the Temple area, the library staff is hosting a reception for her on August 1 from 9-11 in the McLane Room. If you have time, and are so inclined, come by and enjoy some goodies and give her a hug!

It's been a great year, and now we're ready to gear up for an even better one!  Join the Marble Falls club at their annual fish fry party.  Not a fundraiser, just a way to celebrate the start of a new year!

Joel T. Allison, FACHE, CEO for the Baylor Scott & White Healthcare System, Baylor alumni and fellow Rotarian, discussed the recent merger between two long standing hospital systems, Scott and White Memorial Hospital (117 years) and the Baylor Healthcare System (112 years).  With a vision of being the most trusted name in giving and receiving safe, quality compassionate health care, this merger has produced the largest non-profit health care system in Texas and one of the largest in the United States with $8.6 billion in organizational assets with $1 billion of these assets located in Temple, Texas.  Forty-three hospitals and over 500 patient care sites are included in the network.

Dr. Tom Gerik presented information on the Texas A&M Blackland Research Center.  Texas A&M agriculture department is the largest agriculture school in the world.  A&M research centers collaborate with 30 nations on research and program development; countries include Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Ghana.  Established in 1909 with the present site erected in 1927, Blackland is one of ten research centers in Texas.  There are an additional ten research stations located throughout the State.

It was a lot of work, but we saw 272 runners come out Saturday morning to participate in our club's Rotary 5K and 1/2 Marathon.  Thanks to the leadership group that made this event happen.  Eric Stoebner, Gail Peek, Bill Stokes and Jackie Basile brought their own brand of dedication, but they didn't act alone.  We had 42 Rotarians participate in volunteering and Rotarians Marc Henn and Jack Jones ran the 1/2 marathon, while Kayla and her baby ran the 5K.  We learned a lot, and will have an after action report following our regular meeting on Thursday.

That lake may look like fun, but it's not for recreation...And other information about our local lakes.

Dr. Ed Mullen, Training  Assessment Professionals and a charter member of the Harker Heights Rotary, presented information on the Rotary Leadership Institute.  The Institute has 58,481 members and is designed to strengthen clubs through education, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas.

There is a three part curriculum.  Dr. Mullen demonstrated part of this curriculum related to the recruitment of new members.  As Rotary clubs members age, it is imperative to recruit and retain new and younger members.  June 21 will be the next session.  You can go on line to learn more at www.rlifiles.com/files

Barbara Bozon went shopping with the $200 donated by our Rotarians.  Two carts full of supplies!

Did you see the news?  Catch the article?  The Rotary project of eradicating polio isn't finished yet...

Bill Stokes has already begun to move on a new project that has little or no cost to us, but provides invaluable resources for third world countries.  This is our first shipment of Books for the World.  Read on to find out more about this initiative!

It's award season in the Rotary world.  Please read on for some of the wards our club has achieved. 

Eddy Lange, Bell County Sheriff, reported on changes within the Sheriff’s Department including updated uniforms, bullet-proof vests and tasers.  The tasers electronically maintain records of use.

RYLA is a teen leadership camp held in Bastrop at McKinney Roughs Nature Park in July.  Our club is sending two students from Temple High, and we look forward to their return when they tell us that camp "changed their lives!"  But first, they need help from you!

Our club has been a significant partner with Peaceable Kingdom in the Past, and it's good to know they're continuing their good work.

The Rotary Club of Temple will be sponsoring the Bloomin' Temple half Marathon and 5K on May 10th at the Pepper Creek Trail.  Registered runners will receive dry tech shirts and entrance bracelets to the Bloomin' Temple Festival (including all concert stages).  Register online at 

http://www.active.com/temple-tx/running/distance-running-races/bloomin-temple-rotary-half-marathon-and-5k-2014

A good man has established a great organization in an effort to change the future for at-risk kids on the East side of Temple.

Our own David Yielding captivated the audience with the little known facts surrounding the life and love of Andrew Jackson.  

Stephanie Turnam presented information on the upcoming Dorothea Lange exhibit at the Bell County Museum.  Dorothea Lange was born in 1895 in Hoboken, NJ and died in 1965.  At the age of 7, she was diagnosed with polio and suffered the effects throughout her lifetime.

Although she had health issues as a victim of polio, she captured the spirit of poverty in American through her photographs.  With each photograph, a story unfolded that exemplified the spirit of America.  Some of her portraits included subjects in Central Texas such as one made in Bell County in 1937 and another made of Camp Hood in the 1940’s.  Ms. Lange said that, “I had to get my camera to register the things about these people….”

In 2006, the Bell County Museum built a 10,000 square foot exhibit hall which hosts 3-4 exhibitions each year.  These exhibits are brought by several companies including George Eastman House, NEH on the Road, Art2Art, Humanities Texas, and National Geographic.

Previous exhibits include 1968 in America, The Inspired Line by Rembrandt and Duhrer, Rural Texas Women, Lee and Grant – NEH on the Road, Memories of WWII, Portraits from the Golden Era of Jazz, Abraham Lincoln – Self Made in America and the recent exhibit The Bison – American Icon.

The Museum lines up exhibits for five years in the future.  Future exhibits that are scheduled include Let Children be Children, Imprinting the West, Grand Ol’ Opry, Frida Kahlo, For the Whole World to See: Struggle for Civil Rights, and The President’s Photographer.

We can all see the Museum free of charge on February 13 at the Rotary social.

Jennifer Graham presented information on Shelter from the Streets, the Tacloban Orphanage located in Tacloban, Leyte, the third largest city in the Phillipines.  This is where Jennifer went last yearas the leader of the GSE Team through Rotary International prior to the typhoon.

Dr. Jack Hart introduced two Summer 2013 interns who came from Baylor University.  They were Alex Kimbrough, Senior at Baylor and upcoming medical student, and Catherine Howard, Senior at Baylor and incoming Freshman at Texas Tech Medical School.  They spoke about their summer research projects.

Alex discussed an unknown operating room threat, fires.  These fires are created by a combination of oxygen from the anesthesia, laser or ESU heat, and fuel such as drapes, clothing, hair, etc.  They call this the Fire Triad.  His research team built a prototype that displaces oxygen with carbon dioxide thereby reducing the incidence of fire by 100%.  They currently have a provisional patent and are seeking a long-term utility patent with hopes of finding a company that will build and market the device.

Catherine’s research team studied the relationship between fibroblasts and endothelial cells in interactions within the heart muscle.  The heart is not a single organ.  It is devised of multiple organs that have to communicate between themselves.  Lack of communication between these heart organs creates various types of heart arrhythmias.  There are three ways that the heart communicates, chemically, mechanically, and electrically.  The relationship between the fibroblasts and endothelial cells is intrinsic to heart health.  The fibroblasts and the endothelial cells actually enhance each other.

Rotary members were blown away by these students intelligence and passion.

Dr. Thomas Klincar, Chancellor of Central Texas College, spoke to us about how CTC impacts our world both locally and around the globe.  He came to CTC in February 2012 after serving in many positions around the world including his service in the Air Force.  Barbara Merlot, a fellow Rotarian from Killeen, accompanied him and prepared his presentation.

Dr. Klincar discussed what a good relationship there is between CTC, Temple College and Texas A&M University Central Texas.  He said this area is a Mecca for education to include both private and public institutions.    He said CTC is the number one college for bestowing Associate’s of Applied Sciences Degrees in the U.S. for military personnel.  Their enrollment is 104,415 in classrooms and 62,420 on line.  They are regionally accredited and have been around for over 40 years.  They are an Inaugural Partner in the Texas College Credit for Heroes Program.  They also are a Yellow Ribbon School.  There are 141 locations. 

CTC is the official college of the Army Marathon which will be held March 2^nd.  Unlike other colleges they do not have an athletic program on campus.

CTC has a $184 million budget and is the region’s third largest employer.  They have 3600 employees worldwide.  A student can obtain a local Bachelor’s Degree using dual credit in high school, attending CTC and TAMU-CT for $14,508 which is an amazing value.  They have zero debt and have built three buildings in three years out of reserves.  The tax rate is not that high, but they are able to do this because Texas is a very efficient place to do business.

CTC also contributes to the community through the Mayborn Science Theater and KNCT Public Radio and TV.  They offer a Workforce Training Credit Program.

Currently TAMU-CT is renting space from them.  When they move out CTC will expand their medical program which is in great demand.  Their EMT program is one of the top ranked programs in the U.S.

Dr. Robert Pryor joined us to discuss the state of health care, and where the merger between Baylor and Scott & White Healthcare fit in.

As reported at our last meeting, Mary Alice Marshall was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 18 with severe pancreatitis.  After a difficult two days, she passed away on Friday Dec. 20th.  Her family was by her side, and after 104 years on earth, she was ready to go.

There will not be a Rotary meeting this week or next week in observance of the holidays.  We will see everyone back on January 9, 2014.  Have a safe and happy holiday!

Lee Green, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Scott and White Health Plan was introduced by Rotarian of the Day, Scott Clark last Thursday.

Mr. Green addressed the changes to health care due to the Affordable Care Act.  He will also be presenting at the Chamber Legislative Luncheon on January 8. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed on March 23, 2010.

Vane and Sandy Hugo opened up their home and brought on all kinds of holiday cheer.  At first glance, the highlight was the decor - inside and out, top to bottom - Christmas.  But then, the food took center stage.  Every table and counter was laden with delectable treats.  Vane's famous pork tenderloin sandwiches wish homemade aiolis and mustards (Jezebel sauce was a winner!) could have been the centerpiece, but they were just the start of the various appetizers and desserts that festooned the entertaining areas.  The food took a back seat to the bar once you realized that whatever you were thirsty for was neatly arranged on a table, in a cooler, or being decanted.  No cheap wines at this house, there were gaping holes in the wine cellar (temperature controlled by the thermometer IN the wine bottle!) after our soiree.  But I think the ultimate star of the show was the carwash shower in the master bath.  As Rotarians filed through and imagined long hours under the rain heads, it was hard to imagine anything more luxurious.  Most of us commented that they could fit a king sized bed in there and skip a step between sleep and shower in the mornings.

We had a big crowd and lots of fun!  The party didn't wind down until midnight - that's awfully late for our club, which is an indication that it was a total success!  Special thanks to Vane and Sandy for hosting us, and to all of you who made it down to Salado, we enjoyed spending time with you!

John Hofmann, Brazos River Authority Central/Lower Basin Manager, discussed his organization’s role in water management in Texas.  They are tasked with developing, managing and protecting our water resources.  The BRA covers a huge area starting west of Lubbock and going all the way down to the coast.  They have a 21 member board with members that have a variety of backgrounds.  Regional water planning allows this process to be controlled locally.  A chart showed years by how wet and how hot they were.  In 2011 we were way off other years for both excessive heat and minimal rain which really impacted the drought we are in right now.    So far 2013 has been reasonable but not enough rain to replenish the reservoirs.  We actually need a hurricane type of event to do this.

There are plans in the works to do a pipe connection between Belton and Stillhouse Lakes so that these two would be connected with Lake Georgetown and could all be operated as one system.  This is about 8 to 9 miles and would cost about $36 million.  It is important for people to understand the lakes are primarily a way to hold water that can be used as needed and not primarily for recreation.  Underground water is never privately owned.  It takes a lot of parties to work together in order to determine future actions and this is very time consuming.  Future planning is critical but difficult because most water contracts go out to 2030 or even 2040.  Future resources to tap are Granger Lake and the Trinity and Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifers. 

All the easy solutions have been implemented.  We need to become more realistic about water usage and accept that irrigation for landscaping is a huge drain that needs to be reversed.  There is no way we can build enough reservoirs to supply the water needed for this.  Texas is almost desert like and the rain we have received over the past 30 years has actually exceeded what we received over the past 100 years.

County Extension Agent, Lyle Zoeller, provided an overview of the Bell County AgriLife Extension Office and its services. The organization is supported by county and state funds as well as funding provided through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Extension agents provide education regarding agriculture, natural resources, family and consumer sciences, and  4-H and youth development. Information presented included:

·         There are currently 17 local 4-H clubs with 582 members who are facilitated by volunteer leaders.

·         The Bell County Pecan Show is being held on December 5, 2013, at the Bell County Exposition Center.

·         There are approximately 25,000 cows in Bell County.

·         About 40,000 acres of grain and 30,000 acres of wheat are planted in our area.

·         Cotton is planted on approximately 10-15,000 acres in Bell County.

·         The Master Gardener program is an education program that is provided. 

The Lakewood Elementary Service Club took a field trip to the Children's Advocacy Center.

People from across the district have read the news and connected our GSE experience, and resulting Global Grant with the typhoon that hit the central region of the Philippines with an especially destructive storm surge that devastated the city of Tacloban.  As many of you will remember, Tacloban is the city where our GSE team landed, were greeted with banners and our first meal.  It is the city where Cathy Bonavitacola, the GSE leader from the Philippines lived.  I stayed in her home while we were there, and she stayed in ours during their visit to America.  It is also the city where the Streetlight Philippines Orphanage is located, and where we were going to assist with renovation via our Global Grant Project. Knowing that close history, the news that we see on TV and in the papers has been difficult to digest.

Fortunately, I can report that Cathy made it off the island and is in Manilla staying with relatives.  Her house and businesses were destroyed. Erlend, the young man from Norway who runs the Orphanage has been in contact using an emergency communication center at City Hall.  Afte stockpiling water, food, fuel and other supplies as the storm approached, he says that the children all survived the storm by huddling in a cement structure while being sheltered by heroic staff members.  There were two walls of the orphanage still standing after the typhoon, and the children tried to clean up while staying within the walls to keep out of the looting that was happening outside. They were running out of food and bodies continued to wash up on the beach just a few feet away while Erlend worked to find temporary housing in other orphanages for 100 of the children. The children were moved by bus with a police escort to shelters in other cities on Tuesday.  Erland left Thursday for Cebu, and two other Norwegian volunteers were evacuated and sent home.

Right now, the primary focus is on safety, and then the city and the nation will turn to rebuilding.  Our global grant will be on hold until we hear more from the Rotarians and Erlend in Tacloban about the fate of the orphanage and our project.  In the meantime, our district is collecting funds for relief - please read Rich Kay's letter below.

Interact!

November 8th we bring together three fine Temple traditions.  The Rotary Club of Temple celebrates 30 years of feeding football fans.  Once again, Jack Morris is brandishing his apron and fixing his homemade sauce with noodles, salad and hot bread.  Sign up sheets will be on tables next week, so please pick your shift and help us serve our community.  

Just by being a Rotarian and supporting the Foundation, you are making a difference in lives around the world.  It's more than polio, though that isn't insignificant, but it really is having a part in all of the projects that go on across the planet to improve health, infant mortality, education, economic development and conflict resolution.  Our club plays a part and I hope you are all proud of the role we're playing in projects near and far.

Gail Peek will not be in attendance this week, but did a make up while in Chicago.  Attendance is key to Rotary because it is the most obvious form of engagement.  Going to other clubs is an insightful way to see how Rotarians around the world operate.  You'll recognize common practices (recitation of the 4-Way Test), and be surprised by new elements (some clubs sing!).  Some of the most fun make up meetings happen in foreign countries and faraway cities.  Do a quick search of Rotary meetings in the location of your upcoming vacation and try to build it in to your itinerary.  It's a great way to get local perspective, learn something about the community you're visiting, and may likely lead to a new friendship.  Jonathan tells of visiting a Rotary club on the island of St. Kitts, where the members all had scotch before their lunch meeting.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear, over the loudspeaker in Terminal 1, of a Rotary meeting happening in Terminal 2 of the San Francisco airport at noon.  What a way to stay engaged - not just in Rotary, but in the world!

RC Pune Katraj has organized a global essay competition (ROGEC) with a view to Engage Rotarians and allow them a platform to express themselves on global issues concerning Rotary. The theme for the year is World Understanding and Peace.

This competition is open to all Rotarians, Anns, Annets, Rotaractors and Interactors from across Rotary world. The winners will be invited to India for 5 days and will get involved in various informative and cultural activities.

The essays can be submitted online at http://www.rogec.org/registration.html. The last date for essay submission is 11-Nov-2013

Let's be sure an involve our interact and elementary clubs!

If you think there's any chance our club may ask you to serve as an officer or on the board in the next two year, then this training is for you!  Please join me on Dec. 7th.

No, I didn't forget the D.  We want dollars, but we have fun getting them!

The joint meeting with Salado and Temple South on Monday was terrific!  

Our board meeting was attended by three red badgers - Susan Crossno, Gage Blackstone, and Jason Hamilton (who is on the board, has earned a Paul Harris, and is a terrific member!).  Susan may be the quickest blue badge in club history as she's planning to attend the social tomorrow night, the joint meeting on Monday with the South club, had her orientation the day she got her red badge, has paid her dues and has been a greeter every week.  That's my kind of Rotarian!

At the Bi-District Reunion, we saw new international projects, and enjoyed south-of-the-border fellowship!

In lieu of a big political race this fall, the competition is all about Rotary.

The Rotary International Vocational Service Leadership Award (VSLA) recognizes Rotarians who have made a significant impact in advancing vocational service, but do not hold district or international leadership positions.

Until July 1, 2013, Future Vision alluded to something new and meant that we needed a lot more training.  But now, it's the way we do Rotary business and means we all need to understand how the changes affect our funding and projects.

We have two kinds of sponsorship we can offer our club members this year.  Both provide benefit to the club and the sponsoring company.  The first is a new means of sponsoring your club while getting some excellent exposure for your organization.  For $250, you can sponsor a billboard that will feature you in one of the "We're This Close" ad campaigns.  You're encouraged to wear a company shirt, because we can't put company logos on the billboard itself.  You will be spreading the word about the good work of Rotary with the message that you and your company are affiliated with Rotary's mission to cure polio.  You're welcome to use the sponsorship to feature your family, your children, or anyone else.  We have a lot of cute kids in our club who would probably love to see their faces on billboards around town!

If you are interested in the traditional club sponsorship for $500, you will not only receive the billboard exposure, but you will also be featured on the banner that we use at all of our fundraising events and on our website.  If you are interested in either sponsorship opportunity, please give your check to Wade, and see Erik Ray for details about the billboard.  The first official photo shoot is scheduled for Thursday the 22nd at 4:00 at Lamar Advertising.  Because of construction, you have to enter their facility off Pegasus instead of General Bruce.  Take the north loop exit at 363 and turn left, crossing over I-35.  Pass Freightliner on and take your first right on Pegasus which will be across from the Shell station.  If you miss this opportunity, you can still get in on the sponsorship, but will need to make another appointment with Erick Ray to get your picture taken for the billboard.

We ask for more publicity, and we've been given a good opportunity - please take advantage of it!

Join us as we bring community focus to Rotary's work on this global issue.  Be a part of the billboard campaign to let our community know that we are a part of one of the most historically significant disease eradication efforts ever undertaken. For $250, you can be on a billboard.  August 22nd 4:00 at Lamar Advertising for the photo shoot.

A Rotary Polio Eradication trip is planned to West Africa.  Want to go?

Take a look at what the survey says about us...

Governor Rich Kay awards Bill Stokes and Anne Penney Newton their Paul Harris plus Four pins.

Welcome to our Rotary Club!