Rotary Meeting of 10-18-2012 Fire Poster Day (2 ways out) by Gary Wilson, Bulletin Editor

…”the sun and the rain and the appleseed”…

Melissa let Tom run the rest of the meeting and he did so with much dispatch.  Not many announcements.  He introduced important dignitaries that attended such as the Superintendent of Schools, The Mayor, and our own Laura, who’s responsibility it was to make it all come together for the kids.  She did a great job. 

…”Oh, the Lord's been good to me”…

The “theme” for the posters and the judging was “Two Ways Out”.  Tom didn’t mention the names of the wonderful and sensitive Judges that spent hours and hours poring over each poster making sure nothing was overlooked or under appreciated.  Those Judges were from the Wednesday morning Coffee Group currently consisting of Gary, Sandy, Jack and Nancy. (8:30AM Wed at Schats)  While we were not “recognized” (we don’t do things for recognition…we are Rotarians), we will be gracious and grateful when our stipends arrives in the mail.   We judged on the basis of:  1.  The Poster had to have marked clearly the theme “Two Ways Out”;  2.  It had to be simple to find and/or figure out;  and 3.  Get your attention quickly.  All of the finalists clearly met those criteria.

…”Oh and every seed I so”…

I got there early and Tom and Laura and Melissa were already at work putting posters on the wall, making sure the food was set up properly and doing those things that ensures a meetings success.  “The behind the scenes work” so to speak.   All meetings require preparation, and there are “the preparers”.  You often times don’t know what they do, but they do, and then they do it again.  They are diligent and they “prepare”.    Their names change from meeting to meeting(sometimes), but when thought about, they are appreciated.  Think about them when you come early into the room of an awaiting meeting.  You will know that they have been there and give thanks for those “preparers”.  They make the meeting possible.  Thanks preparer’s.

…”will grow into a tree”…

It is always fun to watch the parents arrive with their kids in tow; or is it the other way around.  The kids have the carefree look of innocence on their faces.  The parents have a more seasoned look, some innocence left, yet the tenseness of a now hurried existence.     The kids beam a lot and since they are short, they look up to the award givers in more ways than one.   

In this case there was Sparky who we don’t know much about.  We don’t know what Sparky does in his/her off hours.  We wonder, and some of us imagine, but we really don’t know.  There is also Tom.  We pretty much know what he does.  He runs our meetings when Melissa lets him.  He thinks he is a “Supreme Commander”.  This is some unfulfilled wish from his youth.  He got to be that when he was alone late at night in his room with his imaginary friend and a nice little outfit.  I wonder if his wife Brenda lets him be the “Supreme  Commander” when he goes home.   Probably when he takes out the garbage she will call him “Supreme Commander”.  

The other person that the kids look up to when they get their certificates and swag is Kevin.  Kevin really is the fire chief and that costume he wears …really is a Fire Chief’s uniform.  The kids look at Kevins kind face and see maturity and confidence.  They don’t know Kevin like we do.  We saw him at the Demotion Party and we have film should we need it.  But the kids don’t know.  No need to tell them yet.  He's the Chief.

…”And someday there’ll be apples there”…

Sometimes we forget how neat it was to win an award.  I didn’t win a lot, but I did win some and those old trophies, certificates, etc. are buried somewhere in the garage.  Whenever I clean the garage every 5 years or so I see them, blow the dust off, and beam again and relive the moment.  They don't get thrown out.  Stuff like that stays with you for life.  It is a remembrance of a simpler time, when the worries were small and hope was great for a brighter tomorrow.  Not sure when the innocence ends, but it does, but can also come back.  (Look for the novel)

…”For everyone in the world to share”…

Donations were given by:   Grand Point Bank Gift Cards;  The Rotary Club gave cash prizes,  Big Five donated hats and gift certificates, Andiamo’s  fed us all.  There was plenty of Pizza for the Kids and their Families;  The members of Rotary;  The Dignitaries;   and for all the Fire Department Members who attended.   I didn’t see Sparky eat lunch.  (My dog eats Pizza).  The Fire Department contributed their time and of course Kevin.   The Double Tree donated cookies and lots of them. 

Let’s thank them all by frequenting their business when we can --  Especially Andiamo’s.  There was at least a couple of hundred dollars of Pizza donated. 

…”Oh the Lord is Good to Me”…

Special Note:  Did anyone get any pictures of “all the posters that were posted on the back wall”.  A mom asked me if I had taken one, and I had not.  Email me if you do:  garywilson@garywilson.com

Dios se acordó de mí,
Y a El le agradeezco
Porque me dio
Un Corazón
Y asî amar su creación,
Dios se acordó de mi.