Rotareminder for July 12, 2022

Posted by Thomas Hatch

President Dave called the meeting to order at 12:15. Our patriotic song was God Bless America lead by David Dix, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation by Mark Pennell. Our song of the day was “Don’t Fence Me In.”

Visitors: There were no visiting Rotarians. Todd Kamenash introduced his daughter and guest, Lily Kamenash.

Announcements: 

President Dave reminded everyone tat dues are due for the 2022-2023 year. e also noted tat Kent Social Services needs help filling its Pantry. Rebekah Kulis will handle delivery of donated groceries to Kent Social Services.
 
Carol Crimi announced that the next Foundation meeting will be held on August 9th. Rotarians are urged to submit proposals for funding to be reviewed by Foundation board members by August 1.
 
Amanda Senn invited everyone to  a Patio Party at Métis Construction above Laziza from 1 to 3 this Saturday during Kent Blues Fest. Amanda is also planning a Trivia Night for Thursday 7/28 at North Water Brewing from 4 to 7.
 
Doug Fuller announced that this month’s Tap Talk at North Water Brewing will feature Doria Daniels telling the story of Kent’s Historic South End on this coming Tuesday at 7 pm.
 
Will Underwood reminded everyone that new and upgraded subscriptions for The Portager will yield donations to Kent Social Services.
 
President Dave noted that the lunch team will be on vacation during next week’s meeting, so Amanda Senn is arranging a buffet spread.

Birthdays:.

Jeff Roeger announced that this year’s question has two parts. First, What was your first concert? And, second, What was your favorite concert?

David Dix recalled his mother requiring attendance at Sunday Cleveland Orchestra concerts and that his favorite  involved a Gershwin Sonata.

Lee Higgins’ first was a Motown Review in 1965 and favorite was a Ray Charles cabaret night.

Roger Kramer promised to study this and get back to us.

Today’s Speaker: Jack Amrhein on Pop Culture in 1972.

Bill Childers introduced today’s speaker, City Councilman and former THRS history teacher, Jack Amrhein. Jack grew up in Parma Heights, attended Valley Forge High School, Kent State University, and Mary Grove College. He started his teaching career in Kent 1n 1980 and retired in 2013. Jack is President of the Kent Historical Society Board of Trustees. He is a recent doting grandfather of Audrey Amrhein.

A pivotal year in American history, 1972 saw the reelection of Richard Nixon in a landslide over Senator George McGovern. Nixon’s administration would be tarnished with the resignation of his VP Spiro Agnew for tax evasion and his own resignation after the Watergate scandal brought him close to impeachment.

This year also saw growth of the Women’s movement with the establishment of Ms. Magazine by Gloria Steinem and others. All in the Family topped the Nielsen Ratings as the most popular TV show and showed Americans the ignorance of bigotry, as did the number two show, Sanford and Son. Comedy was dominated by Flip Wilson and Mary Tyler Moore.

The Godfather, Poseidon Adventure, What’s Up Doc, and Cabaret were top movies that year.

Music awards were dominated by Roberta Flack with the song The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Other top songs included Don McClean’s American Pie and Johnny Nash with I Can See Clearly Now.

In Sports, Mark Spitz won sever gold medals for his swimming prowess, Jack Nicklaus won the US Open and the Dolphins won the Super Bowl. Bobby Fischer gained worldwide fame when he beat a Russian for the World Chess Championship. Most importantly, Billie Jean King changed the world of tennis for women.

A new house cost $28,000, a car cost $4000 average income was $11,000 and the minimus wage was $1.60. 

New products introduced that year were Atari, HBO, the Hacky Sack, Stove Top Stuffing, and Egg Beaters.

Tim Naftzger responded for the club noting that the more things change the more they stay the same.

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas Hatch