Ole Pappy

I’ve been a Rotarian for over 20 years — yet, I’ve never heard a better Rotarian speech than the one New Rotarian District Governor Steve Harrington delivered at the Minneota Community Service Award banquet Thursday night.

“The Sun Never Sets on life, or on Rotarians,” said Harrington. “We know what we do — be proud of what we do,” he said. Rotary has been around for 120 years, yet I’ve heard people ask me, “I’ve never heard of it — what is Rotary?” “Where there is poverty — we educate; Where there is despair — we provide hope,” said Harrington. “The world is a far, far better place because of Rotary,” he said. Many may not know it, but Rotary embarked on a world-wide effort to eradicate polio from the earth — and today, millions of dollars later, there are only a few cases left in only a couple of countries.

Rotary has nearly done the impossible. “We will never know the full impact of what we can do,” Harrington continued. “We’ve seen countless tears turned to smiles ... 57 million kids had no books and are now going to school. Villages had no water and they have water today.” The fact is, America is the greatest country in the world. “As Rotarians, we have a special place in that world. As Rotarions, we are uniquely qualified to make this world a better place,” said Harrington.

Then he paused and said, “Where you go as a club, is up to you.” Locally, Rotary does so much more. Many of you purchase Rotary Roses. All of the proceeds from the sale of roses goes toward Minneota Scholarships.

Many kids have gone to school on Rotary dollars. All those Whopper Feeds you attend before football games also stockpiles funds so kids can get money to further their education. Rotary has sent kids on trips around the world, paid for expenses to many and has been there when people need special donations.

Rotary provides books for kids to read and coats for those who don’t have one. Internationally, Rotary helps build wells and bathroom facilities in countries that don’t have any.

And the Minneota Rotary has provided funds to help in those projects. That’s why Rotary’s Motto is: Service Above Self.

LAUGH A LITTLE: Doctor, Doctor! Two doctors and an HMO manager died and line up at the Pearly Gates. One doctor steps forward and tells St. Peter, “As a pediatric surgeon, I saved hundreds of children.” St. Peter lets him in. The next doctor says, “As a psychiatrist, I helped thousands of people live better lives.” St. Peter tells him to enter through the Pearly Gates. The HMO manager said, “I got hundreds of families cost effective health care.” St. Peter answered, “You may enter, but you can only stay for three days, then you have to leave.”

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: As my Ole Pappy used to say, “Knowledge speaks ... Wisdom listens!” Ole Pappy was BIG on wisdom and not so big on talking. Thanks Ole Pappy!