15 February Program

Sam Myers, Club Service director and impresario for ORC’s Partner’s Night, planned the club’s annual Valentine’s Day celebration.  Sam and wife were enjoying Key West’s mellow ambiance.  The fact that Sam returned in time for this party and to these cold climes points to his dedication to Rotary’s philosophy – “Service above Self.”   

 This evening ORC is hosting a Guess who my Valentine is/was game using old photos which members have brought.  Who claims that fabulous countenance and physique/figure of yore?  Cupid’s favorite baritone, Hugh, will lead us in songs suitable to the occasion.

 This evening’s playbill will also include

-Paul Harris awards. 

- ORC voted to award monies to Camp Seafarer in order to send local children to day camp.  Elayne Steinman, representing Seafarer, will accept the gift.

Club News 

-Warren Funk, Community Service director, needs three individuals to work with him to assess the individual contributions of our area’s community volunteers.  ORC would like to recognize persons who have contributed to the community’s welfare by volunteering.  Individuals who work with Hope Clinic, PAWS, Hospice Thrift Shop, Heartworks, Relay for Life, PCFLO (to name a few) are valuable community assets.  Contact Warren if you wish to be part of this effort.

 -ORC will have a Tarpon 2010 information booth at the North Carolina Aquarium’s (Pine Knoll Shores) “Hooked on Fishing” seminar on Saturday 13 March.

 While contemplating both Valentine’s Day and President’s Day your editor thought inclusion of love letters exchanged between well-known persons would be appropriate. 

 For instance, Abigail and John Adams had a long and eventful marriage as documented by the prodigious correspondence between the two. The following letter is from Abigail to John.

My Dearest Friend,

…should I draw you the picture of my heart it would be what I hope you would still love though it contained nothing new.  The early possession you obtained there, and the absolute power you have obtained over it, leaves not the smallest space unoccupied.

I look back to the early days of our acquaintance and friendship as to the days of love and innocence, and, with an indescribable pleasure, I have seen near a score of years roll over our heads with an affection heightened and improved by time, nor have the dreary years of absence in the smallest degree effaced from my mind the image of the dear untitled man to whom I gave my heart.  (Written December 23, 1782)  

Ronald Regan wrote this on Air Force One on March 4, 1983…

Dear First Lady
I know tradition has it that on this morning I place cards -  Happy Anniversary cards – on your breakfast tray.  But things are somewhat mixed up.  I substituted a gift & delivered it a few weeks ago.

Still this is the day, the day that marks 31 years of such happiness as comes to few men.  I told you once that it was like an adolescent’s dream of what marriage should be like.  That hasn’t changed.

You know I love the ranch but these last two days made it plain I only love it when you are there.  Come to think of it that’s true of every place & every time.  When you aren’t there I’m no place, just lost in time & space.

I more than love you,  I’m not whole without you.  You are life itself to me.  When you are gone I’m waiting for you to return so I can start living again.

Happy Anniversary & thank you for 31 wonderful years.  I love you,
Your Grateful Husband

 Long live love letters!