21 September 2005 Program

September 21, 2005

Program

Bette Holcomb on Genealogy
Presented By M. E. Grundman

Next Week

Sept 28 Rock Grundman
Upcoming Programs

Oct 5 Bruce Harwell
Oct 12 Richard Heyduck
Oct 19 Jed Jackson
Oct 26 Chuck Johns
Nov 2 James Jones
Nov 9 Melinda Jones
Nov 16 Shawn Kennington
Nov 23 Debbie Knox
Nov 30 Matt Lambert

Hurricane Katrina Update
Don Chauvin
Governor, District 6200
2005 – 2006
I want to thank all of you for the outpouring of well wishes, prayers, and contributions, which have come in every day since Hurricane Katrina hit the Louisiana/Mississippi Gulf Coast on August 29. One evening this week, after I had finished answering that day’s email, I leaned back and tried to reflect on the magnitude of Rotary’s participation in the relief effort. So many wonderful Rotarians had offered to open their homes to house evacuees. Many offered jobs. Others offered volunteers to come in and provide hands on help. And many of you sent in their monetary contribu-tions. Some contributed $10, some $20 and others more. Some club members pooled their donations and submitted their contributions as a Rotary Club. I then realized the true power and compassion of Rotary.
It is one thing to talk about Rotary’s SERVICE Above Self, but to witness this motto in action leaves one with a humbling feeling. I can attest to all of you - the FAMILY OF ROTARY is alive and doing quite well! It has been one week since my last communiqué and I would like to bring you up to date on the efforts of Rotary District 6200 and tell you what I know about the condition of District 6840.
District Governor Neil Alford of District 6840 was one of the many victims of Hurricane Katrina. His daughter’s home escaped the wrath of Katrina and I understand that DG Neil will be moving into her home. Governor Neil is working to reestablish communications with his club presidents to build a network capable of responding to the needs of family, friends and neighbors living in District 6840. Communications in and out of District 6840 is a hit or miss situation, generally with more misses than hits. Governor Neil has a new email address. It is:
rotary6840relief@yahoo.com
The eastern edge of my District 6200 was also in the path of Katrina. Earlier I reported my concerns for Grand Isle, LA. and I feared for the island, its people and their Rotary Club. I am pleased to report that the people of Grand Isle are committed to rebuilding their Community. I have been able to communicate with only two of the Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Grand Isle. The bridge, which connects the island to the mainland, has been damaged and it will be some time before authorities will be able to restore highway traffic. Access is limited to 4 wheelers traveling over the damaged bridge and boat. This is an area that will require some manpower hours sometime in the near future.

14 September 2005 Program

Paul Henderson, manager of the Mt. Pleasant Airport did today's program. After showing the video Destination Texas about the TASP (Texas Airport System Plan), Paul shared some particulars about our local airport.

• The current runway is 5000 feet.
  
• They are in a capital improvement program to lengthen the runway to 6000 feet, which would bring us up to the same capacity as places like Paris and Texarkana. Although this is long enough for the commuter style planes that service Tyler and Longview, he doesn't expect the demand to be enough for such service to start here any time soon.
  
• They just finished a major hanger addition.
• They use full truck load (18 wheeler size) of fuel each week.
• Recently named Texas Airport of the Year.
• Flight instruction is available on site.
• 51 airplanes are currently based at the airfield.
• Pilgrim's Pride is a major customer.

The Basics

The Rotary Club of Pittsburg, Texas meets at the Pilgrim Community building (right next to the Prayer Tower) every Wednesday at noon.