MADISONVILLE KY ROTARY NEWSLETTER FOR WEEK OF              March 26, 2008

GUESTS - Patricia Wiles, reporter for the Messenger. Greg Poole, Ershig Properties, Chad Ershig and Don Ershig, the owner and operator of Ershig Properties. Madisonville Mayor Will Cox; Ken Root, husband of Kellie. (I thought Ken was a Rotarian – if not, maybe he will join). Karen Wolcott of the Red Cross, guest of Jeannie Barnett; Janet Fields, Direct to Hire for People Plus, guest of Ron and Alice Sanders.

BIRTHDAYS / ANNIVERSARYS / SPECIAL EVENTS - Peg Lindsey and Candy Sackel both were admitting to and celebrating their Birthday’s. They were rewarded for their honesty by the Singing Rotarians rendition of Happy Birthday, lead by Miss Elsie.

ANNOUNCEMENTS - Shane Fortner delivered the Rotary Auction solicitation packets to those Rotarians who were in attendance at the Wednesday meeting. If you were not in attendance please contact Shane to get your packet.

When you get the auction items bring them to Shane’s office…Fortner Gas at 2950 Nebo Road in Madisonville, located near GE, anytime 7 until 4 Monday through Friday.

Assistant District Governor Bob Burke reminded us the District Convention will take place April 17-20 at the Sheraton Music City in Nashville.

President Kent thanked everyone for making an effort to wear our name badges, thus helping the new folks and guest to know who we are.

Contact one of the Auction Co-chairs Charlie Willett, Sandi Brooks, or Shane Fortner if you have any questions about what you can do to help with Rotary Auction 2008.

Sharon Smith is the Blacksheep Chairperson for this year’s Rotary Auction. Sharon is asking each Rotarian who is able to donate $100 to the Century Club in addition to any auction items you may buy or donate. Sharon hopes all Madisonville Rotarians will be able to become Century Club members!

If you have an upcoming program, but do not have a guest speaker, Kent has a Rotary DVD that can be used for an informational program.

When you invite someone to Rotary, be sure to give them a brochure and an application to fill out.

Don’t forget… the Hopkins County Long Term Disaster Recovery Corporation who has helped 200 families from the 2005 Tornado and 4 families from the recent most recent tornados, on April 6th will have a benefit concert at HCCHS, Country Music Singer John Berry will be performing, and tickets are $15.

MADISONVILLE ROTARY HISTORY MOMENT - Our Historian, Blis Powell was not in attendance at Wednesday’s Rotary Club meeting. However, President Kent Waide did acknowledge Blis, by expressing his appreciation for the new Gavel. Kent stated the new Gavel fit his hand better and made a better sound when it hit the Rotary Bell to start the meeting. (I guess many years from now there will be a future historian reporting where the meeting gavel came from and once again Blis will be sharing a history moment) And so it goes…

PROGRAM - Kent Waide introduced Mr. Don Ershig of Ershig Properties. Mr. Ershig shared information about his building project “Mid-Town Commons”, stating it has been a most challenging project. It has taken 2 and one half years getting access approved. Recently there has been a new access approved with a “verbal” agreement between the state, city, Denny’s and Ershig Properties. The plan is to make this 200 acre development a good contribution to the community with new growth.

Upcoming Programs/Events - According to the program schedule… April 2 is up to Mike Behnke and Tom Toler