Tag: Knoxville Downtown Sertoma Club

  • Becky Duncan Massey | State Senator | June 20th

    Becky Duncan Massey | State Senator | June 20th

    State Senator Becky Duncan Massey

    Our very special Becky Massey was our speaker for this week. She informed us the senate begins every session by saying the pledge to the United States flag and the Tennessee flag and they have a prayer. It’s a comfort to know this is the custom.  She also made our state sound pretty good and this is a comfort as we take hits quite often such as the “scruffy little city next to the river”.  At present, we have a very low unemployment rate which is only good if you’re not trying to hire someone; we are 3rd in the nation on income growth; we have a balanced budget (it’s required) and we are 9th in the country on taxes.  We host one of the largest percentages of kids graduating from high school. The only bad thing about her doing so well, we don’t see her as often, however, her replacement at the center introduced her, and we are happy to have Lee with us.

    Next week: For all you Law & Order and Criminal Minds fans we will have (courtesy of Jerry Faerber – remember your mother telling you to pick your friends carefully?)  A.J. Loeffler, a homicide detective with the Knoxville Police Dept. I never miss an episode so if the “creek don’t rise” I’ll be there.

     

    We had as our guest John Kerr and wife Diane to present to him:

    Service to Mankind Award

    Congratulations, John, you are an inspiration to all of us.

  • Dr. Ashley Harkrider | UT Audiology & Speech Pathology | April 18th

    UT Speech Department Dr. Ashely HarkriderWe began the meeting by presenting Dr. Harkrider with a check for $2046.00, proceeds from our last Oktoberfest.  She announced they have a new dean, Stephen Always and a welcome reception is planned for May 9th from 5:30 to 7:00 at Calhoun’s. Please RSVP to alumni.

    Student enrollment for the Audiology and Speech Pathology program at UT Knoxville is the largest in the country with 100 new incoming students. The Audiology and Speech Pathology program is a popular field and they have two new faculty members.  The dinner with Tamika Catchings raised $83,000 with $50,000 being donated by Tamika.

    The basketball clinic which was auctioned off during the fundraiser, hosted 45 children from the Boys and Girls Club of Tennessee Valley. It was a big success and they hope for a repeat.

    Morgan Stanberry will attend The Downtown Sertoma Club on May 9. He is the Annett Brown scholarship recipient this year.  The school will host international visitors July 26 through August 6 and have a parent’s weekend visit on November 9 and 10. She said practically everything they do involves at least one Sertoma member from the Knoxville Downtown Sertoma Club.  Also, she is glad they are included in the weekly meetings and this week they have Teresa Vaughn who was our guest for the day.

    May 10th is the Friendship Dinner. Chris Blue, winner on the voice, will be in attendance and the meal is free. However, you are expected to write a check for at least $35.00 to cover the cost. See Rusty to sign up. We have two tables and we must fill them up.

    Let the record show:  Prayer: Bob Rentenbach Pledge: Jerry Winston Guests: Dr. Vaughn and Patricia Mesa Chris Kerr’s Spanish teacher.

    April 19th was a great day at the races in Lexington. Lots of fun and laughter and I’m only down about $20. Jacob Tippens was the big winner of the day so if he owes you money, now is the time to ask for repayment. I understand they do this every year, so plan now to go next year. You may not win a lot of money but for sure you will have a good time. I am really scientific about how I bet on a horse; is he pretty? Does he have a pretty name? Amazingly this works part of the time, that’s why I’m only down $20.

  • Bradley Reeves | Cinegraphic Archives & Preservation | Oct 11th

    Bradley Reeves with Cinegraphic Archives and Preservation was our very informed speaker for the week.  He brought “samples” of some of the films he has been able to restore.  We all love to go back and see the films we took of the kids when they were 2 and 3 and then discover the film has turned to mush and there is nothing left. Before that happens, contact Mr. Reeves and see what he can do to restore it.  The Kiwanis Joined us, shame they don’t do that every week; makes the room look a lot better.

    Oktoberfest:  Tomorrow night, beer set up with 4 vendors, food coming in fresh and always good.  Lots of “brown bag” items and this year the first number drawn in our reverse raffle gets a prize along with the one hundredth and two hundredth person.  I want to hold out for the grand prize, I have a car payment to make.  This get bigger and better every year and this year we are adding a person from the Knoxville Opera and a train demonstration!  Doors open at 5:30 with food and beer at 6:00. If you don’t attend you will miss a great time.

    Becky Massey brought Lee Freeman who will step into her place as Executive Director on November 1. He filled out an application to become “one of us” which won’t be the challenge it will be to fill Becky’s shoes at the Sertoma Center. Jerry Faerber brought David Johnson a longtime friend he’s hoping will join and Ashley ????? from UT Speech and Hearing rounded out the visitors.

    Record keeping: Terrell Kerr prayed and Aubrey Cowan led the pledge. From last week we learned Ed Barham won the grid pick with 8 out of 10.

    The Kiwanis announced they again have Christmas wreaths to sell for $25.00.

    They are taking orders now if you are interested. Will be delivered fresh.

     

    The past presidents club is selling chances for the UT-LSU game.  One for $10 or 3 for $25.

  • Alex Gabbard

    We didn’t have the original speaker we were promised, however, Alex Gabbard did a fine job of “filling in”. He has written a book on the first battle of the American Revolution of which he received a book of the year award. The book, named Gaspee, tells the story of Lt. William Dudingston, captain of the ship Gaspee enforced maritime laws with a vengeance. Anything that was brought into port without the benefit of “paying the taxes to England” was sized and in some cases destroyed. Principal towns were Providence, Newport and Rhode Island. Joseph Bucklin was credited with firing the first shot that hit Lt. Dudingston and therefore started the war. King George offered a reward for his capture, you’ll have to read the book to find out the rest. Before out time, but quite interesting.

    Housekeeping: Jason Grahl read the prayer, Al Gill led the pledge. We had a couple of visitors: Shasta (hope I spelled that correctly) wife of new member Matt Hall, another friend of his and I didn’t get the name, Rand McKinney came with dad and sat with him this time.
    Called board meeting: It’s that time again when you get to “step up to the plate” and help run this organization. With that said, we have a tentative list for you to look at and hopefully approve. These people will take office the first of July so we don’t have a lot of time to pick and choose. If you would like to serve on the board and no one has contacted you, let someone know. We will sign you up!

    And the winners are:

    Chris Kerr, President; Jacob Tippens VP Outreach; Alan Stuckey, VP Member- ship; Brett Grimm, VP Special Events; Andy Schoerner, Treasurer; Carol Mohney, Secretary; Carolyn Grimm, Sgt-at-Arms; Jason Grahl, Speaker chair & grid pick; Matt Hall, Parliamentarian; Allie Harmon & Mike McKinney, Visitation; Bob Rentenbach, Greeter. Board of Directors: Jerry Faerber, Chris Hoosier, Carl Asp, Marianne Greene, Kim Simpson, Linda Price, Mike Simpson. Rusty Farrell, Chairman of the Board.

    In a nutshell: Matt Hall is replacing Tim Curbow, Carol Mohney is replacing Andy Libby, we are adding Mike McKinney to Visitation and Rusty Farrell replaces Mike Simpson as chairman.