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The Rotary Club 13 Buzz Saw
This Week's Meeting
October 21, 2021
This week's Speaker is Bruce Mathews, Author. His topic is "In Search of Lost Time, the Stories of our Ancestors."
Bruce Mathews is a retired professional photographer turned author and historian.
 
In 2010, working with designer DJ Hyde Matheny, editor Anne Canfield and 25 local co-authors, Mathews published the award-winning Elmwood Cemetery: Stories of Kansas City. Proceeds were designated to benefit that cemetery that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
 
In 2012, with designer Matheny, editor Carol Powers and five co-authors, Mathews completed a second award-winning book, titled The Kansas City Spirit: Stories of Service Above Self. This book presents the life stories of seventy-five people who, throughout the city’s history, “placed service above self to accomplish the impossible.” Proceeds have benefited five deserving local charities.
 
2014 saw the release of Kansas City’s Historic Union Cemetery: Lessons for the Future, from the Garden of Time, another team effort that combined the talents of Union Cemetery Board Member Judith King, designer Sarah Meiers, editor Gary Marx and 10 local writers. Proceeds are assisting in the preservation of Kansas City’s oldest public cemetery. Historic Union Cemetery is the oldest public cemetery in Kansas City and, like Elmwood, it too is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
 
Also in 2014 Mathews was the sole author of Windows of Kansas City: As Art, History and Inspiration, which was designed by David Spaw, edited by Lynn Mackle and technical support provided by Richard Hoover. The stained-glass windows found in many churches, homes, hospitals, schools and other venues are truly works of art and a visual blessing for our community. Mathews credits the cooperative efforts of numerous dedicated and community-minded Kansas Citians with any success the book may attain. Proceeds will benefit Friends of Sacred Structures (FOSS.)  
 
In 2016 Mathews published, in collaboration with noted historian Steve Noll, Kansas City: Our Collective Memories.  This book presents a unique view of the history of Kansas City by taking a look at the things we collect, then telling the stories behind them and where they came from. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Missouri Valley Special Collections at the Kansas City Public Library. The book was designed by David Spaw and edited by Lynn Mackle.
 
In 2020 Mathews published, again in collaboration with Judith King, Mount Washington Cemetery: In Search of Lost Time. This book was designed by Sarah Meiers and edited by Anne Canfield. 42 contributing authors also participated in the project. The foreword was written by Kansas City golf legend, Tom Watson. Tom’s second great grandfather, Dr. Isaac Mariam Ridge, who was the first licensed physician in Kansas City (1840), is buried in the cemetery. 100% of the proceeds from the book are being applied toward the preservation of the historic William Rockhill Nelson Memorial Chapel, located in the heart of the cemetery.
 

We will be meeting in person this week at the Gallery, however a Zoom link for this meeting will be emailed to members who cannot attend in person. If you would like to visit as a guest, please email Executive Director Mandy Sheldon.

Please continue to check our Facebook page and www.rotary13.org for updates.
Last Week's Meeting
October 14, 2021
 
The meeting was held at The Gallery at 14th & Main with select Rotarians participating via Facebook Live and Zoom. Lunch seating was arranged to accommodate four individuals per table. NOTE: Featured speaker U.S. Representative Sharice Davids was unable to attend the meeting.
 
President Tony brought the group to order at 12:10 with words of fellowship and welcome. He announced that our speaker had been delayed in arriving and proceeded with the scripted portions of the meeting. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Harlan Stamper led the group with an invocation that blessed Rotarians in assembly and the food eaten today.
 
After a further ten minutes of conversation and eating, Woody Davis and Carl Bolte recognized the birthdays of October club members with the standard song. Mandy welcomed a short list of club guests, and noted that there were no club anniversaries in this week.
 
President Tony announced that sick bay contained Karl Roscoe, in for surgery, and Carl DiCapo, now resting at home. Joe Privitera took the stage to introduce new club member Wade Freeman, a Kansas City Southern employee whose rewarding career in human resources led him to join our ranks.
Around 12:32, President Tony received word that our featured speaker would not be able to join us today. Rep. Davids’ office sent the following message after the meeting: “I’m disappointed I wasn’t able to speak with you last week but look forward to meeting with you soon! In the meantime, please contact my office to share your thoughts or if there’s anything we can help you with.”
 
President Tony then continued with announcements that included that October is Club Foundation Fellows month (with an incentive for new fellows to join—see Mandy for details) and a reminder that purple pinkie donut orders are due today. Tom Davis briefly spoke to the group about the District Foundation Dinner on Friday, November 5th, located at the Hotel KC, formerly known as the Kansas City Club building on Baltimore Ave. at 12th St., where Club 13 met in years past. President Tony thanked all those who helped create the Monarch butterfly garden at the Rotary Youth Camp this past weekend.
 
Steve Burger introduced a club guest named Terry Harvey. Mr. Harvey then spoke briefly about a non-profit educational plan he hopes to enact for urban youth. A resident of KCK, he is a retired military officer and educator, an alumnus of Howard University, who puts promise in boarding schools as a possible solution for educational malaise among young black men.
 
Mr. Harvey would like to operate a residential school for a pilot group of 40 boys in grades 5 through 12. The goal for school graduates is to gift them or align them with a business franchise that sustains them into adulthood. He would like to acquire property located at 9th and State in KCK to host this school. His view is that unconditional love, once demonstrated to young people, with help the majority of them find stability and success in life.
Mr. Harvey then responded to audience questions about the financial model for the school (still developing), the source of teaching staff (historically black colleges), and what young girls stand to benefit from in this (a greater supply of eligible young men).
 
President Tony thanked Terry Harvey for his impromptu remarks and presented him a Rotary pen as a gesture of gratitude.
 
Dan Nenonen quickly took the stage with an update on business at Rotary Youth Camp:
  • Save for the holidays, every weekend this year has camping groups scheduled;
  • New member pledges to the capital campaign, from 25 people, have totaled $57K so far;
  • Gifts of $500 or more make you eligible for a camp coffee mug.
Next week, our guest speaker will be author Bruce Matthews. The full list of future speakers appears in the BuzzSaw.
 
President Tony concluded the club meeting by citing the thoughts of Congresswoman Davids: “Strong alliances can thrive even where disagreement exists, but they cannot thrive where free and open communication is shut down.” The Rotary 4-Way Test closed the session.
Opportunity to Meet the African GSE Team
Club 13 Rotarians and their significant others are invited to a pot luck dinner on Sunday, November 7, 6:30 PM, at the home of Sally Bibb.  The African Group Study Exchange Team will be in Missouri for three weeks and hosted by Club 13 Rotarians November 6 through November 10.  Thank you to the Club 13 Rotarians who are hosting the Africans in their homes, leading tours of local attractions, providing vocational meetings, and driving them to all events. The party on Nov. 7th is an opportunity for all Club 13 Rotarians and their significant others to meet the visiting Africans and enjoy an evening of Rotary fellowship, lots of food, and lively music.  Drinks and meat will be provided and attendees are asked to bring a side dish or dessert.  There is limited seating so please RSVP to the Club Runner invite as soon as possible.
GSE Team in Zambia
The District 6040 FSE team led by PDG Marc Horner is traveling across the African District 9210 which includes Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The team is pictured participating in a service project in Lusaka, Zambia.
The Kansas City Rotary Club Foundation Impacts the Community
The Kansas City Rotary Club Foundation contributes to the Camp’s operating budget and assures the future of the Camp.  The Camp has existed for over 90 years and through that time, tens of thousands of children with handicaps and disadvantaged youth have experienced fresh air, playing outdoors and experiencing nature at our beautiful Camp.  The Camp staff does a terrific job in managing costs but meeting the yearly budget is a concern.  The Foundation covers shortfalls in the budget and assures the future of the Camp for the children in our community.
 
Now more than ever, the Foundation needs your support.  Many thanks to the existing Foundation Fellows and Sustaining Members for your past support.  Hopefully, you will give again this year. If you are not a Fellow or a Sustaining Member, please consider contributing now and take advantage of a special “matching” offer until October 31st for new donors.  Contribute $800, an anonymous donor will pay $200, and you’ll be a Fellow!  Begin as a Sustaining Member at “half price,” as the anonymous donor will match $1 for $1 –up to $200!
 
If you have questions or want to make a donation, please contact foundation President Phil Kinney at kinneyinkc@hotmail.com or 816.941.9015 or Foundation Resource Development Chair Sally Bibb at Sallybibb@aol.com or 816,835.2088.
 
Please make a donation now!
District 6040 Foundation Dinner
DISTRICT 6040
“FOUNDATION DINNER”
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2021
HISTORICAL HOTEL KANSAS CITY
 
All members of Rotary District 6040 are encouraged to attend the upcoming “Foundation Dinner” on Friday, November 5, 2021, at the Hotel Kansas City, once known as the Kansas City Downtown Club and the original meeting location of Rotary Club 13. Two years is too long not to come together in person with District 6040 Rotarians to celebrate the accomplishments of our individual District Clubs.
 
The guest speaker will be Tiffany Ervin, award-winning keynote speaker, spokesperson, and television personality, the Past District Governor of District 7670.
 
Fun-filled evening to include a Silent Auction and Special Raffle. Stay tuned to the District Website for additional information regarding hotel reservations registration and sponsorships.
We meet Thursdays at Noon
The Gallery
14 & Main
Kansas City, MO 
 
 
 @rotaryclub13
 
 @rotary13
 
 @rotaryclub13
*REMINDER*
Masks are required to be worn in the Gallery when not eating or drinking.
Thank you!
Upcoming Events
Satellite Club Social Event
Robert Thompson's Home
Oct 26, 2021
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
 
Downtown Committee Meeting
Zoom
Oct 27, 2021
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Rotary Bowling League
Ward Parkway Lanes
Oct 27, 2021 4:30 PM
 
Bagel Run
Oct 30, 2021
 
Rotary Bowling League
Ward Parkway Lanes
Nov 03, 2021 4:30 PM
 
District 6040 Foundation Dinner
Hotel Kansas City
Nov 05, 2021
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Bagel Run
Nov 06, 2021
 
Party to Meet the African Rotarians
Sally & Bob Bibb's Home
Nov 07, 2021 6:30 PM
 
Harvesters After-hours Event
Harvesters
Nov 09, 2021
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Board of Directors Meeting
Nov 10, 2021
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
 
View entire list
Speakers
Oct 28, 2021
Nov 04, 2021
In Helping Others, You Help Yourself.
Nov 11, 2021
Nov 18, 2021
View entire list

Rotary Book Discussion Group
Please join the Rotary Book Discussion Group on Zoom for the discussion of the book Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann.  The book is available at Rainy Day Books and the discussion will be led by Vivien Jennings.  All Rotarians and guests are welcome.
 
Event: Rotary Book Discussion Group
Date: Monday, November 29, 6:30 PM
Zoom Meeting
 
About the book:
In the 1920’s. the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma.  After oil was discovered beneath their land, they rode in chauffeured cars and lived in mansions.  Then, one by one, the Osage began to be killed.  Mollie Burkhart watched as her family became a prime target.  Her relatives were shot and poisoned, Other Osage were also dying under mysterious circumstances, and many of those who investigated the crimes were themselves murdered.  As the death toll rose, the case was taken up by the newly created FBI and its young, secretive director, J. Edgar Hoover.  Struggling to crack the mystery, Hoover turned to a former Texas Ranger named Tom White, who put together an undercover team, including a Native American agent. They infiltrated this last remnant of the Wild West, and together with the Osage began to expose one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history.
Rotary Youth Camp Update
The fall project list is shorter than last year due to having to get the camp ready for construction and the tasks the Monday volunteers have completed.  There is some painting of the outside of a few cabins to do, a couple of garden areas to prep for winter and some organizing to do in the program cabin, barn, mower shed and OP storm shelter.  I will have a more detailed list to send out next week.  There will be so many things to do in the spring with the opening of the new building and getting everything out of where we tucked it away during the construction and winter.  Contact Laurie at the Rotary Camp office if you have a group wanting to come out this fall.

Construction Update
The concrete pouring should happen this week to get the basement floor and walls finished up.  Lots of activity happening today!

Centennial Campaign Thank You!
Thank you to all you Rotarians who have donated at least $500 to the RYC Centennial Campaign.  Your donor gift of a ceramic “campfire mug” will be available at the Rotary Club meetings beginning this week.  Check in with Matt Meyer to pick yours up.
It is not too late to donate and get your name on the “Mugs Up” list.  You can send a check directly to the camp or go to the camp website to donate.  You can pledge the amount and make your payments over 3 years.
If you are not attending the in person meetings, contact Laurie at camp to make arrangements to get your mug.

Sponsors