President Eric Bubb began this, our first meeting of the new year, with a welcome and a wish for a happy new year. We recited the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States, and to the republic for which it stands. Member Henrik Andersen brought forth an invocation of thanks for our blessings and hope for the new year – In Danish (his native language) and in English
After welcoming our guests, we noted the club anniversaries for the following members: Bill Buckner (55 years); Bob Lager (34 years); John Miller (53 years); Jim Porter (49 years); Keith Smith (46 years); Matt Meyer (26 ears); Christy Chester (32 years); John Gillis (11 years); Joe Privitera (11 years); Robert Thompson (18 years); and Tom Van Dyke (18 years).
Sick Bay report: Overton Durrett and Alan Warne are both receiving care in care centers.
Greeters today were past presidents.
Kara Bennett reported that the Entertainment Committee is making plans for the new year, including Fireside Chats at members’ homes around the metro area.
P. Bubb thanked the Rotary Caroling Campers (aka the Barbershop Quartet) for their great performance of Christmas carols for last week’s meeting, accompanied by the Piano Player, one Carl Bolte, at his home.
Further thanks were due for the helpers with moving Laurie’s things out of her house at the Camp in preparation for some home renovations.
Bagel Run Volunteers who deliver bagels and cream cheese every Saturday to the Salvation Army Center were thanked – a project that has been going on for about 15 years!
Upcoming events were reviewed – see the Buzzsaw for detail.
Kara Bennett introduced our speaker for the day, Ms. Jan Armstrong, whose topic would be a review of her worldwide adventures in the service of people and animals. Jan’s introduction in the announcement of this week’s program in the Buzzsaw did a good job of highlighting her worldwide projects. I’m assuming that if you’re sufficiently computer literate to be reading this report, you also can read that Buzzsaw article – so I will not repeat it here.
Here are a few bullet points from her presentation today:
>Jan grew up in a family for whom community service was a given. She was exposed to service on the worldwide stage by a great aunt whose stories were fascinating.
>During WWII her family lived in Oklahoma where her father was stationed at a Navy station. (Yes, the US Navy in Oklahoma..)
>Her first post-college job was in Hawaii, where she learned what it is like to be a minority in a population made up mainly of Asians
>Later, while working in the laboratory of a hospital in Washington D.C., she accepted an offer to work in the laboratory of the National Zoo.
>She quickly discovered that working with animals from around the world resonated with her very core.
>Her subsequent travels around the world made her realize that the people around those animals were in need of as much help as the animals themselves.
>She has worked with several national and worldwide organizations, including Rotary International in setting up projects to meet the needs of people in the third world.
>I could continue these tidbits for many pages. Just know that when you are visiting with Ms. Jan Armstrong, you are in the company of a lady whose experience, knowledge, personality, and deep human qualities are unique. The qualities of really remarkable people are not evenly distributed in the population, and Ms. Armstrong is one in a million.
The Rotary meeting ended with a review of coming meeting programs, a quote from Michael Altshuler, “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.”
And a group recitation of the 4 Way Test.
Geeks For Kids design and build custom, electric ride-on cars for kids with movement limitations. We have the opportunity to continue our support of Geeks For Kids at the Build Event on February 4th. 
Please join the Rotary Book Discussion Group for the discussion of the book Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. The book is available at Rainy Day Books and the discussion will be led by Vivien Jennings. All Rotarians and guests are welcome.
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