A Terrific Start to the Crim Rotary Mile, Followed by Rain
Rotarians and Rotaractors were poised to volunteer for the Crim 10-Mile race slated for Saturday, August 22. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans.
Past District Governor Mike Chaffee generously hosted volunteers for a lovely hot breakfast under a canopy in his driveway, which sits along the race route. It was complete with two varieties of egg dishes, fresh fruit, coffee, juice, and bloody Mary bar.
Just as volunteers were assembling, lightning flashed in the distance, illuminating the pre-dawn sky. Before long, the heavens opened up. After what
was anticipated to be a 30-minute delay in the race start time, volunteers were dispatched to their respective intersections.
However, the forecast called for periodic thunderstorms throughout the morning. Race organizers prioritized safety and made the decision to have 10-Mile racers do the 5-Mile course instead, which could be completed in the time expected between thunderstorms.
Because the Rotary Mile is between miles 6 and 7 of the course, this meant that no participants would be coming through our portion of the race.
Despite the change, Rotarians demonstrated a willingness to step forward and volunteer to help out with one of Flint's premier events.
Rotarians met up at Blackstone's on August 19 for Thirsty Thursday. Join us next month on Setpember 17 at 5 pm at Blackstone's.
Honoring Dolly Parton
by Elizabeth Jordan
I don't know that Dolly Parton was ever a Rotarian, but I believe Rotarians could be proud to have claimed her.
In so many ways, she lived up to the Four-Way Test. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Dolly Parton stayed rooted in her identity regardless of how her fortunes changed or what anybody thought. From the economic hardships of her youth, she made a point to share her wealth. She used her proceeds to ensure that every child could grow up in a house with books by starting the Imagination Library. During the Flint Water Crisis, every child in Flint under the age of 5 could have a book mailed to their home each month. During COVID, Dolly used her wealth to expedite the development of vaccines that saved countless lives. And, she used the royalties from Whitney Houston's cover of "I Will Always Love You" to invest in Black-owned businesses that got short shrift elsewhere.
It could be tempting to dismiss her as un-serious with her over-the-top hair and
makeup. At at time when women struggled to be seen as belonging in the workplace, she had a keen business sense and was clearly her own boss. Her music and films championed women in the workplace, with hits like "9 to 5."
Dolly Parton's unabashed sense of self, expressed through a sense of style that others might ridicule, inspired people to be themselves. While not limited to people in the LGBTQ+ community, she became an icon of sorts within it. Herself a devoted Christian who had a chapel in her studio, she rejected judging others for who they were and embraced marriage equality, drag culture, and transgender rights. She summed up her philosophy in a 2014 Billboard Inverview: "I try to love everybody."
Here's to Dolly Parton, a person who used her life for good.
New Member First Reading
Name Classification Proposed By
Shane Storey Insurance- Agency Management David Smith
Members wishing to comment on proposed members must do so in writing to Club Secretary Ellen Echols no more than two weeks following the second reading.
Next Up: Regular Meeting August 28 at noon at the Food Bank: Mark Quimby, Vice President of Ashley Capital
Flint Rotarian Visits Las Vegas "WON" Club
During a recent vacation to Las Vegas, Rotary Club of Flint board member Ashly Haldy partook in the tradition of exchanging club banners. The Las Vegas "WON" (Where Opportunity Networks) club President Gary Wu honored our club by presenting Ashly with his club's banner.
During the visit, Ashly also made contacts with others in her profession, including realtor Carole Taylor. Ashly shared that the connection proved beneficial- they now able to refer clients to each other!
If you happen to travel, remember that as a Rotarian you can attend any club meeting in the world. If you do, please share your photos and stories!
Above: The banner from the Las Vegas "WON" club. Left: Ashly Haldy and Las Vegas "WON" club President Gary Wu. Below: Las Vegas realtor Carole Taylor and Ashly Haldy
