OKC Rotary News

May 21, 2024 | Volume 112 | No.44
In-Person and Livestreamed from Christian Life Center - St. Luke's Methodist Church | 11:55
Livestream Available 11:55am

mARK FOX, METEOROLOGIST-IN-CHARGE

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN

Mark Fox is the Meteorologist-in-Charge at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma He earned his meteorology degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1989, after growing up fascinated by the weather in north central Oklahoma. Mark has experience across the entire integrated warning team, starting his career working for a private meteorology company in college. He then worked for ten years as a broadcast meteorologist, mostly at KFDX-TV in Wichita Falls, Texas before moving to the National Weather Service in 1999. Since moving to the NWS, he has worked in the Fort Worth, Amarillo, and Lubbock offices, and served four years at Southern Region Headquarters as the Regional Training Officer. In 2009, he became the Warning & Coordination Meteorologist at WFO Dallas/Fort Worth before serving as the Meteorologist-in-Charge of the Amarillo Weather Forecast office from Late 2018 through September 2021.

Chair of the Day: Jill Farrand
Invocation/Pledge Leader: Ross Plourde
Introduction of Guests: Jeff Simpsen
Introduction of New Rotarians: Lexi Skaggs
Scanners/Greeters: Josh Dougherty, Sandra Leaver
Registration: Lisa Gifford, Periann Pulliam
Roving Microphone: Bobby Mills
Menu: Berry Garden Salad; Pasta Salad; Corn; Mashed Potato; Fried Chicken; Meatloaf

Club 29 Breakfast

May 23, 2024
Quail Creek Country Club | 7:00am | Wingspan Room
Chairs: Susan McVey, Bud Oehlert
Speaker: Phoebe Turner, MD, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, OUHSC, "Mental Illness: Now and in the Past"

In the News
If you have good news - honors, awards, new achievements - to share with the club, please let us know!

reflectionS

MAY You Enjoy the Month

by Drew Edmondson

“Though April showers may come your way
They bring the flowers that bloom in May”

May Day has been celebrated in the northern hemisphere for thousands of years. It celebrates the mid-point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice and the fertility of the earth that is cultivated and the animals that share our space. In Gaelic countries the festival was known as Beltane or Bealtaine and was celebrated with bonfires and yellow flowers.

In Rome the May Day celebrations were called Floralia, named for the goddess Flora, and were meant to acknowledge fertility of all things. Hares and goats were set loose in the streets because they had a certain reputation in such matters. It is believed that Maypoles originated in these celebrations, the taller the better. Colorful ribbons were attached to the top and people danced around the pole, entwining the ribbons in colorful patterns.

It should be noted that these celebrations were in the northern hemisphere only because in the southern hemisphere this time marked the beginning of winter. That was not a particular time for celebration unless you were a polar bear.

In many countries May 1 is also a day to celebrate workers. In Russia it is International Workers Day and is marked with parades and celebrations. A week or so later, May 9, Russia celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The events on this day are marked by military parades and shows of military might, tanks and soldiers. Partly because of this, in the United States, during the Cold War, May Day festivities were downplayed. In this country Labor Day, in September, is when worker contributions are celebrated and have been since 1894.

“May Day”, typically repeated three times, is an international distress call, particularly for aircraft and ships in peril, but it has nothing to do with the May Day celebrations except pronunciation. The distress call is from the French “m’aidez”, or “help me”. It is the verbal equivalent of S.O.S. READ MORE

Announcements

Address Changes?

If you have any contact information changes to your home or business, please let us know.

New Rotarians

Daniel Billingsley and Jeaneen Pointer will be introduced by Lexi Skaggs.

Paul Harris Fellow Recognition

The following Rotarians will be recognized

Major Donor II - Bill Bowden, Larry Stone; Major Donor I - Larry Hazelwood
Paul Harris Fellowship +8 - Ron Rocke, Donny Hector
Paul Harris Fellowship + 7 - Alan Niemann
Paul Harris Fellowship + 6 - Bill Paul
Paul Harris Fellowship + 5 - Ed Porter, Bill Paul
Paul Harris Fellowship + 4 - Jim Buchanan
Paul Harris Fellowship + 3 - Jim Farha, Nancy Hyde, Gean Atkinson
Paul Harris Fellowship + 2 - DG Jeanean Yanish Jones, Carl Shortt, Jeff Simpsen
Paul Harris Fellowship + 1 - Ted Streuli
Paul Harris Fellowship: Jan Barrick, Joy Reed Belt, Randy Grau, Greg Hall, Dean Higganbotham, Weama Kassem, Lou Kohlman, Dwight Lawson, Kitt Letcher, Louis McCune, Ian Ogilvie, Amber Sharples, Mike Stice

Paul Harris Fellow Levels and Recognitions

Online Committee Signup Form

Memorials

The Rotary Club 29 Foundation accepts gifts honoring loved ones.
A contribution can be made here

OnePledge

You may complete your pledge by credit card here.

Officers & Directors Elected - taking office July 1, 2024

Congratulations to the newly elected Rotary Club of Okla. City Officers & Directors

Rotary Club 29 Online Directory - App is in the App/Play store

Rotary Club 29 has an online membership directory which contains current content information for all club members. The link to access the Club 29 directory can be found at the top of the home page of okcrotary.club or by clicking here.
OKC Rotary has provided this tool as a convenience to help members stay in touch with one another. The online directory, just like the printed roster, should only be used for Rotary purposes. If you need help in accessing the directory, please email the office.