Our Rotarian of the Day today is Michelle Pierce. She was born August 2, 1984, in Springdale, Arkansas, but grew up in Durant, Oklahoma. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma in May 2006 with a B.A. in professional writing and moved to Tulsa in April 2007.
Michelle’s previous job titles include writer, entertainment editor, movie reviewer, receptionist, assistant editorial director, and radio morning show co-host. She’s currently the editor-in-chief for Aqua Vita Creative, a design firm owned by Jonathan Cox, a fellow Southside Rotarian.
Jonathan was also Michelle’s sponsor, and she joined Southside in April 2008. About two weeks after she was inducted, then-incoming president Don den Daas roped her into doing the club bulletin, which she did for two years. This year, she is the club secretary.
When she’s not writing or working, she’s reading three books at once, memorizing utterly useless movie trivia, making her way through the Final Fantasy video games, or baking cookies.
Today’s Speaker
Debi Covert
Debi Covert serves as the executive director for Cypress Springs Alzheimer’s & Memory Support Residence.
At Cypress Springs, Covert manages a team specially trained in working and caring for individuals with memory support issues, including Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia and memory loss. She is an expert and a long-time advocate for specialized Alzheimer’s care and speaks often to groups about the importance of proper family and caregiver support.
Debi’s philosophy on care is to encourage those with Alzheimer’s to engage in brain stimulating activities. She cares deeply about those struggling with Alzheimer’s as well as caregivers and their families. She provides guidance and compassion to those going through this journey and hopes everyday that a cure for this disease will be found.
Prior to her role with Cypress Springs, Covert was the executive director for McAlester Regional Hospital and Odyssey Healthcare in New York. She also gained experience during her career working at Intrepid USA Healthcare, Inc., Sunwest Management Company, Brighton Gardens and Sunshine Home Health. She has an associate’s degree of science in occupational therapy as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in management & human resources. Covert is continuing to advance her education, currently pursuing her master’s degree in business administration.
Covert is certified as an Oklahoma Home Care Administrator, Senior Human Resource Manager and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Throughout her career, she has won several awards such as the Community of the Year by Tulsa People magazine.
Debi, thank you for being with us today. Tulsa Southside Rotary welcomes you!
THIS DAY IN HISTORY (AUGUST 26)
Events:
1895: First large scale power from Niagara Falls: Three 5,000 h.p. generators begin supplying commercial power.
1920: 19th Amendment: Constitutional Amendment granting American women the right to vote is enacted.
1947: First black to pitch in a major-league baseball game: Dan Bankhead for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1968: The 1968 National Democratic Convention begins in Chicago. Thousands came to protest the Vietnam War and the Democratic administration, resulting in massive demonstrations and police-civilian conflicts.
1978: Pope John Paul I is elected. He died 34 days later.
Births:
1906: Albert Sabin: Russian-born American microbiologist. He developed the oral Polio vaccine, which was administered by sugar cube to millions
1915: Jim Davis: American actor. TV: Dallas (Jock Ewing)
1926: James Best: American actor. TV: Dukes of Hazzard (Roscoe P. Coltrane).
1935: Geraldine Anne Ferraro: American Politician, first female vice-president candidate for a major party. (1984, Democratic)
1980: Macaulay Culkin: American actor: Film: Home Alone
Deaths:
1723: Anton van Leeuwenhoek: Dutch biologist, Father of Microscopy, using a crude microscope of his own design, he became the first person to see microorganisms in detail (1694)
1930: Lon Chaney: American horror actor. Remember The Phantom of the Opera (1925)?
1986:Ted Knight: American actor. TV: The Mary Tyler Moore Show (Ted Baxter)
1993: Roy Raymond: American businessman. He founded the Victoria’s Secret Lingerie chain (1977) He committed suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge.
1995: Evelyn Wood: American speed-reading instructor.
MORE ON PAUL HARRIS
Arthur Sheldon and Chesley Perry both joined the Chicago club in 1908. Sheldon created the classification system and penned “He Profits Most Who Serves Best.” Harris understood Sheldon’s philosophy.
Meantime, not everyone in the Chicago club was in favor of “extension” which may have taken up too much of their meeting time. Ches Perry is appointed head of the extension committee in hopes he will stop Harris’ foolishness, particularly of “World Round Rotary.”
How important was the Harris-Perry relationship? Harris called Ches by phone one Sunday when he had ample time to talk. During the course of the interview, Ches asked Harris the question: “Why do you think, Paul, that the Chicago club is as nothing compared with what you have in mind?”
Paul Harris stated, “I don’t know how I answered but I considered the situation desperate and fired all of my broadsides in defense of my idea. Ches said little at the time but what he did say was enough. When I hung up the receiver, I felt convinced that I had won a friend to the cause.
“Shortly thereafter he and I, with the help of others, planned the formation of an association of the then existing clubs. Ches took the laboring oar in outlining and organizing the first convention of Rotary Clubs.”
A ROTARY MOMENT
During World War II, many clubs were forced to disband, while others stepped up their service efforts to provide emergency relief to victims of the war. In 1942, looking ahead to the postwar era, Rotarians called for a conference to promote international educational and cultural exchanges. This event inspired the founding of UNESCO.
In 1945, 49 Rotary club members served in 29 delegations to the UN Charter Conference. Rotary still actively participates in UN conferences by sending observers to major meetings and covering the United Nations in its publications.
Former Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain once declared: “Few there are who do not recognize the good work which is done by Rotary clubs throughout the free world.”
THE HISTORY OF THE TOMATO
The tomato has origins traced back to the early Aztecs around 700 A.D; therefore it is believed that the tomato is native to the Americas. It was not until around the 16th century that Europeans were introduced to this fruit when the early explorers set sail to discover new lands.
Throughout Southern Europe, the tomato was quickly accepted into the kitchens, yet as it moved north, more resistance was apparent. The British, for example admired the tomato for its beauty, but believed that it was poisonous.
When it is all said and done, the history of the tomato was classified as a poisonous, beautiful plant, a tax-avoiding fruit and a taxable vegetable. Nonetheless, the tomato is the most popular vegetable in America and enjoyed by millions all over the world.
A WILL ROGERS QUOTE
“The short memories of American voters is what keeps our politicians in office.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
If you can dream it, then you can achieve it. You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want. — Zig Ziglar
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
A husband stumbled into the house about 9:30 p.m. His wife said, “Why did you come home half drunk?” The husband replied, “I ran out of money.”
A LOOK AT AMERICA’S FIRST LADIES
Hannah Van Buren (1783-1819)
Like Jefferson and Jackson, Martin Van Buren was a widower when he entered the White House in March, 1837. His wife Hannah had died almost eighteen years earlier and he never remarried. His daughter-in-law, Sarah Angelica, served as “Mistress of the White House” while he was President.
When Mrs. Van Buren (the first President’s wife born a U.S. citizen) died on February 1819, the Albany Argus carried an obituary which was probably written by John Chester, minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Albany, New York, to which she belonged.
Chester described her as “affectionate, tender and truly estimable” and then got to the main point about her: “Modest and unassuming, possessing the most engaging simplicity of manners, her heart was the residence of every kind affection, and glowed with sympathy for the wants and sufferings of others. Her temper was uncommonly mild and sweet, her bosom filled with benevolence and content–no love of show, no ambitious desires, no pride of ostentation ever disturbed its peace…Humility was her crowning grace…She was an ornament of the Christian faith.”
ANOTHER ROTARY MOMENT
One of Rotary’s most celebrated customs is what we call “make ups.” Now let’s suppose I cannot make my regular club meeting. Up to two weeks before that meeting date, or for two weeks after it, I can show up at any of the 32,000 plus Rotary clubs in 199 countries around the world and count that toward my attendance back home.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT…
Trying to make things work in government is sometimes like trying to sew a button on a custard pie.
Hyman G. Rickover
VINCE PAPALE
Hollywood knows that they do not need to be vulgar, profane, or indecent to produce great movies. Invincible is a classic case in point. It is based on the true story of Vince Papale, a huge fan of the Philandelphia Eagles. When Dick Vermeil became the new coach in 1977, he invited any man who thought he could make the team to try out.
Against all odds, this 30 year old bartender and substitute teacher who had never played even a down of college football, made the professional team. He ended up playing for three years for the Eagles before a shoulder injury ended his career. He was nicknamed “Rocky” because he was a Philadelphian and he was a tough guy.
His positive attitude was tested in 2001 when he was diagnosed with cancer. He learned a lot form beating the disease. He said, “You truly cannot take anything for granted. Focus on the big picture because life is too short to sweat the small stuff.”
GOOD STUFF
No matter what your religion, you should try to become a government program, for then you will have everlasting life.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT I THINK ABOUT ROTARY?
I don’t think there is anything in my life, besides my family, that has given me as many warm, good feelings as Rotary. The fellowship and the giving ethic of fellow Rotarians is without equal. When I see a stranger wearing a Rotary pin, it brings an instant smile to my face. There is a certain pride among Rotarians. It’s in knowing that the four avenues of service that we follow are the basis of our motto “Service Above Self.” We are all better by subscribing to, and believing in it.
INDUSTRIOUSNESS (HARD WORK)
There is no substitute for work. Worthwhile results come from hard work and careful planning.
A ROTARY FIRST
Rotary first presented Significant Achievement Awards in 1969 to clubs with outstanding international or community service projects.
MATCHING GRANTS
One of the most popular programs of The Rotary Foundation is Matching Grants, which assists Rotary clubs and districts in conducting international service projects. Since 1965, more that 24,000 grants have been awarded for projects in nearly 170 countries, totaling more than $243,000,000.00
NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAM
Our speaker next week will be Casey Shell, the director of operations for ODOT.
