June 10, 2009 Meeting at Jim’s Buffet and Grill

By Byron Ward and Sid Riley

This week’s program was introduced by Gary Plant. His speaker was John Johnson of Harbor Financial Services. John began with an analysis of what actions in the banking, political, and investment arenas led to the downfall of the market. Then his presentation moved to a demonstration of how to invest in stocks using “puts” and “calls”. He demonstrated how with selected stocks, astute investors are able to realize good returns in futures, even in today’s shaky market.

His presentation then led to a lively discussion between the speaker and the audience over what the future holds for our economy, and what must occur before recovery begins. Many felt that this will be a long, deep recession which borders on the depression…and we have a long, slow recovery after the bottom is reached. These are all subjects which demand our attention at this time.

Meeting of June 3 at Jim’s Buffet and Grill

By Byron Ward and Sid Riley

The program this week was introduced by Dick McConahy. His featured speaker was the new Doctor in town, Dr. Chai Arunakul. Dr. Arunakul is the most recent Jackson hospital Medical Scholarship student to return to practice in Jackson County. He sees patients at his practice, Chipola Surgical Associates located on 6th Street in Marianna.

Chai holds certification with the American Board of Surgery. He completed his residency at the Greenville SC Hospital University Medical Center. He is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Medicine. He and his wife Karen have three children.

The Doctor spoke about colon cancer. His presentation explained exactly how a colonoscopy is performed, what polyps look like, and what preventive and detection approaches should be taken. He stated that colon cancer screening is very important between the ages of 50 to 75.

His pictures graphically demonstrated what cancer of the colon looked like at various stages of development. The graphics might have made some members struggle with their lunch a little bit….but the impact might have also saved some of their lives. It was a very informative presentation.

Meeting of May 27 at Jim’s Buffet and Grill

By Byron Ward
& Sid Riley

This week’s program was arranged by Marianna Mayor, Jim Wise. The program speaker was Bob Calvert, Principal and Owner of Calvert Consulting as well as the Associate Pastor of First Methodist Church in Marianna. He is Pastor elect of Greenwood and Bascom United Methodist Churches.
Rev. Calvert has extensive experience in banking, has served as President/CEO of a community bank, and has chartered 88 community banks in the last 27 years, including First Capital Bank in Marianna. He is a Certified Management Consultant.
He spoke on the existing problems and transitions which are underway throughout the U.S. He stated that FHA home loans could be the next financial disaster. Last year banks issued $180 billion of new mortgages insured by the FHA, which means they carry a 100% taxpayer guarantee. Many of these have the same characteristics as subprime loans: low down payment requirements, high-risk borrowers, and in many cases shady mortgage originators. FHA now insures nearly one of every three new mortgages, up from 2% in 2006. Taxpayer losses are mounting on FHA’s $562 billion portfolio. According to Mortgage Bankers Association data, more than one in eight FHA loans is now delinquent – nearly triple the rate on conventional, non-subprime loan portfolios. Another 7.5% of recent FHA loans are in "serious delinquency," which means at least three months overdue.
Calvert forecasts better days ahead for much of the banking sector by the end of 2009, especially for small community banks that are not on the coast.
On the local note, (no pun intended) Bob Calvert is moving from Associate Pastor at Marianna First United Methodist Church having served for five years. His last sermon in that capacity will be delivered on June 7th. He will assume the position as Pastor for the Greenwood and Bascom United Methodist Churches, delivering his first sermon in Greenwood at 9:30 AM on June 28th, followed by at 11:00 AM with is delivery at the Bascom UMC. We wish him great success as he serves those communities!

Meeting of May 6, 2009 at Jim’s Buffet and Grill

By Byron Ward & Sid Riley
This week’s program speaker was introduced by Phil McQrary. The speaker was Jeff Johnson, Head Baseball Coach and Asst. Athletic Director at Chipola College. Johnson is in his thirteenth year as head of the Chipola Baseball Program. This highly successful coach has led Chipola into consecutive State Championships in 2007 and 2008, and last year his squad won the highly coveted National Championship, in Grand Junction, Colorado.
During his presentation Johnson discussed the team’s condition and attitude as it enters the State Tournaments this weekend. He stated that the team has a chance of winning again this year, although they are not as dominant as they were the previous two seasons.
He also discussed the pride and satisfaction he feels as a coach as he assists numerous past players who are striving to make it as professional athletes. Several are in various levels of the minor leagues, and three have cracked the barrier and have played or are playing in the Major Leagues.
Johnson also described their recruiting approach, what types of players and students they look for, and what plans he has for the future. The club wished his team great success as they enter the tournaments.

April 8 meeting at Jim’s Buffet and Grill

By Byron Ward & Sid Riley

At this week’s meeting the program was introduced by Walter Spence. His speaker was another well known Rotary member, Ricky Miller. As special guests, Ricky had invited the entire Marianna Middle School Baseball Team, their coaches, and several key employees from Rahal – Miller Motors.

Miller began with a brief overview of the existing troubles plaguing the auto industry at this time, and related how American made cars are still outselling foreign made cars by huge amounts, and how he has faith in the future of his industry. Then Ricky began a relative and touching personal testimony.

It was obvious that Ricky Miller had invited these young men from the middle school as well as several of his key employees because he wanted them to hear his testimony, understand his philosophies, feel his appreciation for his family, employees and friends, and to hopefully have some positive impact on the young athletes who were present.

Miller told how at one point he had almost ruined his career, his family, and his life by making bad choices relating to his behavior. He related that at his lowest point he finally realized that he had a problem, he was the cause of his situation, and only by changing his life could things be made better. He stated that he rededicated his life to the Lord, quit his bad habits and behavior, and expressed his love to his family.

At this lowest point in his life, Quen Rahal stepped forward, gave him an opportunity, had faith in him, and gave him a job as a salesman. After much hard work and a new lifestyle, Miller became one of the leading salesmen in Rahal’s organization. Finally he became a manager, and on the happiest day of his life….Rahal made him a business partner. He unequivocally expressed his appreciation and love for Quen Rahal and his wife Ann, and his thanks for their faith in him. “I just wish I had one more day with Mr. Rahal so I could properly express my feelings about him”, Miller stated.

Throughout the testimonial Miller made pertinent comparisons for the youth which were present. “Sometimes it is ‘cooler’ to not be ‘cool’ and go along with the crowd”, he explained. “Ultimately, we all pay for our actions. Mistakes you make now could impact the rest of your life”.

At the conclusion of his talk, Miller related how he was once given a dollar by another man, and told to put it into a corner of his wallet. “That way you will never be completely broke, and will have an opportunity to start over if you have to. That is why I have given each of you a dollar, which is taped under your chair. Keep it in case you ever need it”. Everyone looked under their chair and sure enough, there was a dollar, compliments of Ricky Miller.

As Miller stepped away from the podium to hug his wife who was also at the head table, the entire audience rose and gave this sincere, humble man a tribute. It was a touching moment.

Rotary Report

February 25 meeting at Jim’s Buffet and Grill
By Byron Ward and Sid Riley

This week’s program was presented by club member John DeBrauwere, who works as a Forestry Manager for a German company which owns over 300,000 acres in the panhandle. He entertained the membership with a travelogue of a recent trip he made to Germany, and an informative overview of his forestry management activities.
The tract of land is primarily in Bay County, with a tree farming program in effect for most of the acreage. They are harvesting trees for sale to Green Circle Bio for conversion to wood pellets, which are shipped to Europe.
While John was in Germany near the Alps, it snowed. This was the first time he had ever seen snow, and he described how he played in the snow, made a snow man, and even made a snow angel. Other then the beer being a little too warm, he enjoyed the trip very much.
On another note, Matt Fuqua announced that the Rotary Wine Tasting function raised over $2000 in donations for the Hospital Foundation.

Rotary Report 2/26/09

Regular Meeting at Jim’s Buffet and Grill, Wednesday, February 18, 2009
By Byron Ward and Sid Riley

The program this week was the well known area environmentalist, Chad Taylor, who brought the membership up to date on the "Water Wars" on the Apalachicola River, as well as the various "Springs" organizations which are active in this area. Taylor reviewed the history of the "water wars" effort, how concerned organizations south of Atlanta in all three involved states had combined their efforts, and the various court rulings which have been rendered.
He explained that the future of the oyster and seafood industries in the Apalachicola Bay are at stake, as well as much of the ecology and beauty of the river system. A ruling will be made within a few months which will set limits for the Corps Of Engineers on river flow maintenance in the coming season.
Taylor also discussed other organizations related to area rivers and water preservation. He described the ‘Springs Ambassador’ program which is dedicated to preserving natural springs in our area, the "Springs Amnesty" program, The Blue Springs Basin Group, the eco-tourism development programs under "RiverWay South", as well as the "Apalachicola Riverkeeper" organization. Chad Taylor can be contacted at cct@phonl.com for more information about any of these groups.