Marks, Jones honored with Star-News Lifetime Achievement Awards

July 31, 2012
Wilmington Rotary Club • Chartered April 15, 1915
Marks, Jones honored
with Star-News Lifetime
Achievement Awards
Nancy Marks and Wilbur Jones of the Wilmington Rotary
Club were presented with the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award
at a ceremony hosted by Star-News Publisher (and Rotarian)
Bob Gruber on July 12. Nancy is an honorary Rotarian and
Wilbur has been a member of our club since 1998.
Nancy’s many contributions to the Wilmington community
have included a career as a guidance counselor at Hoggard High
School, volunteer work with James Walker Memorial Hospital
and its replacement, New Hanover Regional Medical Center,
and years of activism on behalf of Alzheimer’s disease patients
and their caregivers.
She has served on the boards of trustees for both the hospital
and Cape Fear Community College.
Wilbur, after a career as a Navy officer, in politics and in
government, including White House posts in the Nixon and Ford
administrations, returned to his native Wilmington when he
retired in the 1990s. To his extensive list of historical writings,
he added two books about World War II in Wilmington, the
subject that has been his passion.
As founder of the Wilmington World War II Heritage
Coalition, he played a major role in the preservation and
renovation of the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts
Center, published a guide map to WWII sites in Southeastern
North Carolina, and has lobbied for a bill pending in Congress
to designate Wilmington as a “World War II City.”
Also honored this year were brothers John A. “Sandy”
McNeill and Ronald B. McNeill of Whiteville and Wilmington,
for their support of education, medicine and Scouting in
Southeastern North Carolina.
Since the Star-News began the Lifetime Achievement
Awards in 2003, members of the Wilmington Rotary Club have
been prominent among the winners: Dr. Bert Williams Jr. in
2005, Dr. James Hundley, Howard Loving and Linda Pearce in
2007, the late Karl Davis and the late Dr. George Koseruba in
2008, and Eric McKeithan in 2011.
Our club was also strongly represented at this year’s award
ceremony, with Eric McKeithan, Linda Pearce, Mary Gornto,
Margaret Weller-Stargell, Larry Clark, John Meyer and Al
Butler III among the guests, and Lori Harris for the Star-News.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is described as honoring
“outstanding individuals who have given substantially of
themselves for the improvement of the communities of
Wilmington and Southeastern North Carolina, particularly in
the areas of economic development, education, charity, health,
preservation, arts and the environment.”
Award photos courtesy of Wilmington Star-News
Nancy Marks, unable to
attend because of illness, was
represented by her daughter.
Wilbur Jones, right, holds his
Lifetime Achievement Award.
They are the eighth and ninth
members of our club to receive
this honor since the awards were
first given in 2003. Star-News
Publisher Bob Gruber, below,
also a member of the club,
presented the awards.
Williams, 2005
Hundley, 2007
Loving, 2007
Pearce, 2007
Davis, 2008
Koseruba, 2008
McKeithan, 2011
Seven members
of this club
received this
award in
previous years.
Recent program topics
R.B. Richey shares
a laugh with Linda
Lawson, wife of
President Rick Lawson,
as she is inducted as
a Paul Harris Fellow
at Rick’s installation
banquet on June 26.
Chris Fonvielle: Civil War
New Paul Harris fellows named
In recognition of a $1,000
contribution
to
the
Rotary
Foundation, Linda Lawson was
inducted as a Paul Harris Fellow
on June 26, during the banquet at
which her husband, Rick Lawson,
took over as the club’s president.
Joe Owen presented his daughter
Brooke Hooks and her husband, Dr.
Borden Hooks, for their induction
as Paul Harris Fellows July 10. Joe
became a Fellow in 2008.
On July 14, as part of his
induction as District Governor,
Dan Adkins and his wife,
Maryann, inducted five members
of their family: son Don Adkins
Jr., daughter-in-law Sarah Adkins,
daughter Cecelia Adkins, daughter
Mary Alice Faulk and son - in - law
Chad Faulk.
Maryann Adkins became a Paul
Harris Fellow in 2009; Don has
been a Fellow since 1996.
Dr. Borden Hooks with his wife, Brooke Hooks, and her father, Rotarian Joe Owen. Dr.
and Mrs. Hookes were inducted as Paul Harris Fellows on July 10.
Bill Humphrey: Sword
On June 19, Dr. Chris Fonvielle of UNCWilmington spoke about the Civil War in the
Wilmington area. A former curator of the
Blockade Runner Museum, and a professor of
history, Fonvielle is a leading expert on “The
Late Unpleasantness” in the Cape Fear region.
During that program, Rotarian Bill Humphrey
showed a sword, believed to have originally
belonged to a Confederate army officer, that
Humphrey’s great-great grandfather took from
a Union soldier at his farm in the Ogden area
after the fall of Wilmington in 1865.
On July 10, our own Don Adkins discussed
his objectives, and those of Rotary International,
for his year as district governor. Don formally
took office at an installation banquet on July 14
at the Country Club of Landfall.
Don outlined his goals for the year, all of
which depend on increasing membership in the
district. With growing membership, he said,
contributions to The Rotary Foundation would
increase, and the number of Rotarians available
to participate in club and district projects would
also increase.
The July 17 meeting was a Club Assembly,
in which the chairs of the major committees
outlined their objectives for the year and in
some cases asked for members to sign up and
help with their projects.
The speaker on July 24 was Dr. Len Lecci,
Professor of Psychology and Director of
Clinical Services at UNCW. He discussed
Alzheimer’s Disease, treatments that can slow
its progress, and the importance of memory
testing for people in their 60s and older.
Photo by Jay Curley
Don and Maryann Adkins, with help from Pat Watts, inducted five members of their
family — a son, two daughters, son-in-law and daughter-in-law — as Paul Harris Fellows
at Don’s inaugural banquet as district governor on July 14.
Newsletter photography by Robby Collins
Don Adkins: District Gov.
Len Lecci: Alzheimer’s
Lawson takes helm for 2012-13 at installation banquet
The club’s leadership for the 2012-13 Rotary
year took office at the annual Installation
Banquet, held June 26 at the Country Club
of Landfall. Rick Lawson began his term as
president, sworn in by Don Adkins, who is
beginning his term as District Governor for
District 7730.
Stacy Ankrum, president for 2011-12,
relinquished the gavel to President Rick.
In a recognition of Stacy’s service, Secretary
Elliott O’Neal presented her with the standard
memento for past presidents: her gavel, mounted
on a plaque. But in noting that Stacy had been
the youngest president ever in the club’s 97-year
history, Elliott pointed out that her plaque has a
special feature: The gavel can be removed to be
used again in some likely future leadership role.
In his remarks,
Rick unveiled a
banner with the
slogan chosen by
the new president
of Rotary International, Sakuji Tanaka of Japan:
“Peace
through
Service.”
Joining
with
President
Rick
were the members
of
the
club’s
new Board of
Directors, who include President-Elect Steve
Yates and, serving a one-year term, Past
President R.B. Richey. The board, listed by
their final year of service, comprises:
2013: Erin Diener, Sean Frelke, Jim Graham
and Rick Lawson.
2014: Cathy Barlow, Howard Loving, Linda
Lytvinenko, Julie Rehder and Steve Yates.
2015: Ben David, Hansen Matthews, Janet
Monterose, Vicki Scott and Dale Smith.
Banquet photos by Jay Curley
Jay-Cyn’s Creations Photography
Incoming District Governor Don Adkins administers presidential oath to Rick Lawson.
In tribute to past President Stacy Ankrum’s future leadership potential, Secretary
Elliot O’Neal presents a plaque with her gavel — made to be removable, and reusable!
District Governor Adkins appeals for membership growth
As he took office as District Governor
for 2012-13, our own Don Adkins urged
our club and the others in the district to
focus on recruiting and retention. This
is an excerpt of his comments at his
installation on July 14.
“We have three goals for this Rotary
year and I hope that you will participate
in at least one of them.
“Our district has been steadily losing
members the past three years. Although
we bring in new members, many clubs
have a net loss for this time period.
Therefore our first goal is to increase
membership.
“We want to increase our giving
to The Rotary Foundation. Many
members have been very generous in
their giving to the Foundation; however,
we can only expect so much from these
members. One solution is to have more
members contributing. Therefore our
second goal is to increase membership.
“If someone asked me to describe
Rotary in nine words, I would say it
‘Is good people doing good things
for other people.’ Our members are
sacrificing considerable time and effort
in helping our less fortunate friends
and neighbors both in this country and
abroad but our members only have
time to do so much. The way to help
more people is to have more Rotarians.
Therefore, our third goal is to increase
membership.
“We are asking all clubs with more
than 33 members to have a net increase
in membership of 3%. Next spring, the
clubs with the most net member gain
and with the most net member gain
per capita will receive awards at our
District Conference.”
Upcoming programs
New and old Rotarians are welcomed
JULY 24
The European Debt Crisis and You by
Sondra Vitols.
JULY 31
Master Potter Ben Owen III.
AUGUST 7
St. Mary Dental Clinic, by Dr. Coleman
Burgess.
AUGUST 14
Israel and the Syrian conflict, by Dr. James
Leutze, former chancellor of UNCW.
AUGUST 21
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, by Matt
Jordan, chief executive officer.
AUGUST 28
New Hanover Regional Medical Center, by
Jack Barto, chief executive officer.
Upcoming events
Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012: The Rotary
Foundation Seminar at the Mad Boar
Restaurant in Wallace. This will be an
opportunity for fellowship and to learn
about the Foundation, our district’s projects,
and Rotary’s worldwide efforts. 9 a.m.;
registration starts 8:30 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012: The Rotary
Foundation Banquet for District 7730 at
The Mad Boar Restaurant in Wallace. Starts
at 7 p.m.
Make-Ups
All make-up slips go to Bernie Malman.
PLEASE PUT DOWN DATE AND
LOCATION OF YOUR MAKE-UP. If
the date and place of make-up is not
given on the slip, NO CREDIT can
be applied. Remember you have two
weeks before or after a meeting that is
missed to make up that meeting. Any
time beyond that will not receive credit.
Area Rotary clubs meeting schedule:
MONDAY
Wilmington East, 6:00 p.m.,
Bluewater Grill, 4 Marina St.,
Wrightsville Beach
Paul Davis
John Cheshire
Joining the club on June 19
was John Cheshire, introduced by
sponsor Francis McComas. John
does business development for a
Wilmington building contractor.
John gave his new-member talk
at the Club Assembly July 17.
On July 10, Albert Corbett
welcomed Sterling Cheatham as a
returning member. Sterling, who is
Wilmington’s city manager, was a
club member from 2003 to 2006.
He re-introduced himself to the
club on July 24.
Bill Paris, who had resigned
from the club earlier this year
due to medical issues, returned
to membership on July 17. Bill
originally joined in 2010.
On July 24, Paul Davis joined
the club. A roofing contractor, Paul
was sponsored by Elliott O’Neal.
We need pictures and articles!
Any member who’s involved in club projects outside of our weekly
meetings is encouraged to submit digital photos for use in the Rotary
Communicator. Send them by email to Editor@CapeFearWedding.com
We can also use old-fashioned photo prints, articles and other material
related to the club’s events and activities.
Have items to submit? Contact John Meyer (392-5228.)
TUESDAY
Wilmington Central, 12:15 p.m.,
McAlister’s Deli, 740 S. College
Road
Wilmington Rotary Club, 12:30
p.m., Coastline Conference Center,
501 Nutt Street
WEDNESDAY
Coastal Pender, 7:00 a.m., Sawmill
Restaurant, 15919 U.S. 17 North,
Hampstead
Wilmington South, 12:30 p.m.,
Cape Fear Country Club, 1518
Country Club Drive
Board of Directors Meeting Get In Touch
5:30 pm, 4th Monday of each Month
LS3P ASSOCIATES LTD.
2528 Independence Blvd. Suite 200
Wilmington NC 28412
Sterling Cheatham
President Rich Lawson 254-3534
President-Elect Steve Yates 392-0056
Secretary Elliott O’Neal 397-3613
Newsletter Editor John Meyer 392-5228
Website Editor Tyler Wooden 332-1159
THURSDAY
Burgaw, 7:00 a.m., The Heritage
Place, 901 S. Walker St., Burgaw
Leland, 7:30 a.m., Two Guys Grill,
2013 Olde Regent Way (Waterford)
Wilmington West, Noon,
Roudabush Room, 33 S. Front St. at
Dock
FRIDAY
Wilmington Cape Fear, 7:30 a.m.,
Jungle Rapids, 5320 Oleander Drive
Submit News Items
Send photos or other information for the
newsletter to editor@capefearwedding.com.
Please include all pertinent names, dates, etc.
Website
www.WilmingtonRotaryClub.org