Melody Kinser
The Rotary Club of Mechanicsville celebrated its 16th anniversary last Wednesday evening at the Virginia Crossings Resort at Glen Allen. Seventy members and guests attended the celebration. The evening kicked off with a social hour, photo above. Dan Roberts, left, host of “A Moment In Time,” on National Public Radio, was the keynote speaker. Cindy Adams, photo at right, was recognized by Norm Sklar as a Paul Harris Fellow. The Mechanicsville club was started by the Rotary Club of Hanover.
Published: October 01, 2008
By Melody Kinser .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Cindy Adams, like her fellow Rotarians, was in a festive mood last Wednesday evening.
She, however, had more than the Rotary Club of Mechanicsville’s 16th anniversary to celebrate. She was being recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow, one of the most revered honors to be bestowed upon a Rotary member.
According to the Web site, bnsunrise.rotary6490.org/paul_harris_fellowship.htm, the designation “was created in memory of Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary as a way to show appreciation for contributions to the Foundation’s charitable and educational program. A Paul Harris Fellow is an individual who contributes $1,000 or in whose name that amount is contributed. Every Paul Harris Fellow receives a pin, medallion and a certificate when he or she becomes a Fellow.
This identifies the Paul Harris Fellow as an advocate of the Foundation’s goals of world peace and international understanding.”
Presenting Adams with her honor was Norm Sklar.
Dan Roberts, who is featured on National Public Radio with his program “A Moment In Time,” was the keynote speaker.
The “A Moment In Time” Web site, http://www.amomentintime.com/about.php, said Roberts, a history professor at the University of Richmond, decided in 1993“to try and do something about this growing epidemic of ignorance about the past.”
He was prompted to pursue that goal after “the Wall Street Journal reported that a survey of senior class students at the 55 best universities in the United States revealed that a large percentage could score no higher than a D- on a high school history test and that while 78 percent of these young scholars knew the identity of Beavis and Butthead, only 33 percent knew that George Washington was at Yorktown. These are the people who are about to inherit our nation’s mantle of leadership. These are the people who are going to formulate policies that govern our lives ... a scary thought.”
In response to that article, Roberts “developed the syndicated radio show, A Moment In Time, a brief, exciting and compelling journey into the past.”
After 15 years and 4,000 episodes, Roberts told the audience of 70 that his goal is “to excite and elighten.” He talked about the past’s role in planning for the future, as well as how “woefully lacking” two generations — baby boomers and their children — in terms of knowledge of history.
“I loved history from the very beginning and I love it to this day,” he said.
“To reach people, you have to go where they are,” he added.
Roberts was introduced by David Ellington, a member of the Rotary Club of Hanover.
President Kevin Smyth acknowledged the club’s start, with thanks to its “mother” club, the Rotary Club of Hanover.
The Mechanicsville club officially received its charter on Sept. 1, 1992.
Several members from the Hanover club attended the celebration.
Among the special guests attending were: R.E. “Trip” Chalkley III, Hanover County Commonwealth’s Attorney; Del. Christopher K. Peace, R-97th; and Joy Monopoli, publisher of The Mechanicsville Local.
The dinner was held at the Virginia Crossings Resort at Glen Allen.
Melody Kinser
The Rotary Club of Mechanicsville celebrated its 16th anniversary last Wednesday evening at the Virginia Crossings Resort at Glen Allen. Seventy members and guests attended the celebration. The evening kicked off with a social hour, photo above. Dan Roberts, left, host of “A Moment In Time,” on National Public Radio, was the keynote speaker. Cindy Adams, photo at right, was recognized by Norm Sklar as a Paul Harris Fellow. The Mechanicsville club was started by the Rotary Club of Hanover.
