President Randy Smith welcomed the group.

 

Patriotic song God Bless America was arranged by David Dix.

 

President Randy led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

The Invocation was offered by Debbie Krutz.

 

Brian Bialik handling Rotareminder duties.

 

               None

 

Dave Myers introduced his spouse Emily.

Shawn Gordon introduced Andrew Popp.

 

 

Dave Myers introduced our speaker Rita R. Colwell, PhD.

 

Dr. Colwell’s vitae is vast having received undergraduate and graduate degrees in Bacteriology, Genetics and Oceanography.  Moreover, she has been awarded 63 honorary degrees from institutions of higher education, as well as receiving recognitions from a number of world leaders for her achievements in science related to infectious diseases and clean water management.   She is a nationally-respected scientist and educator, and has authored or co-authored 19 books and more than 800 scientific publications. She produced the award-winning film, Invisible Seas, and has served on editorial boards of numerous scientific journals. She serves as Chair of the Research Board for the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (2010-2020). Her latest book is “A Lab of One’s Own: One Woman’s Personal Journey Through Sexism in Science” (2020) with Sharon Bertsch McGrayne.

 

Today, she has prepared some remarks on her research approach to identifying correlations that give rise to cholera.

 

This writer acknowledges that the body of a lifetime of scientific work from a noted scientist cannot be easily distilled to a group of interested listeners.  However, I do believe that our responder and fellow member, Dr. Curtis Stumpf summed it nicely by noting how Dr. Colwell has relied upon good science in search of real answers to real problems that plague the broader community. 

A message that could not be more appropriate than today…

 

Curtis Stumpf provided the club’s response.

 

The year 1933-1934 presented many handicaps and problems due to the effect of the continued economic depression. While the administration at Washington attempted to call conditions a recession, the country and the local community recognize the effect of a genuine depression. The morale of the average citizen was low and this was reflected in his attitude towards all activities even extending into Rotary.

Two years prior the dues were $25 per year and last year they were reduced to $20 per year and this year has been a further reduction making the dues only $15 per year. In order that a few of the men might continue their membership the requirements of the bylaws were waived and these members were allowed to pay their dues on the installment plan.

However, under all these handicaps Rotary in Kent valiantly carried on! Our membership numbered 53, with one new member being added, Robert C. Dix.

Another moment in our history.

Jim Myers