VOL. 60, No. 39, August 3, 2006

Today's meeting got started with the Rocketeers Barber Shop Quartet's own unique rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. The Rocketeers are a dandy group dressed in long sleeved white shirts with solid colored ties and black pants. Their appearance was only surpassed by their musical talent. and interpretation. Anyone who decided not to come out today because of the heat, or whatever, missed an excellent program. Following the National Anthem those in the regular dining room asked if we minded opening the doors so they, too, could enjoy the singing. President Will Dawes accommodated them, and announced to us that the opening song was dedicated to our ailing good member Fred Binner. If Fred had been here Will offered that he would have shouted "God Bless America!". We're thinking of you, friend.

After the introduction of Will's guest, Willie Lorber, by Tammy Westmoreland, and the announcement that Jeff Sandridge was becoming our newest member (the Harvest mafia strikes again); Duane Plank officially inducted 3 new members: Matt Hancock, Keith Lowe and Glen Smith.

Then we all sat back and let A. D. Barksdale, Tony Baldridge, Jim Savage and John Carlton entertain us with mostly love songs, e.g., My Wild Irish Rose, Yesterday, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, They Call the Wind Mariah and many, many more familiar numbers. It was, indeed, a delightful and thoroughly relaxing half hour - kind of like Coca-Cola's pause that refreshes. We miss you Paul Fowler.

Al Renz is ready to conduct the parliamentary procedure training course on Tuesday the 8th at the Optimist Recreation Center. If you haven't already signed up -just show up at 5:30.

Ray Swaim will be our speaker on the 10th. No doubt he'll give us a good summary of his 2 terms as Supt. of Madison County Schools. Jeff Klimek made sure all members' names were in the box for the attendance prize, and new member Matt Hancock's name was drawn

CALENDAR

Aug 8		Thursday		5:30 pm		Optimist Recreation Center		Al Renz - Parliamentary Procedure Training
Aug 10		Thursday		11:45 am		Downtown Holiday Inn		Ray Swaim
Aug 17		Thursday		11:45 am		Optimist Recreation Center		Business Meeting
Aug 24		Thursday		11:45 am		Downtown Holiday Inn		Jerry Thomas, Talladega School of Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Aug 31		Thursday		11:45 am		Downtown Holiday Inn		Brian LeComple - Fair Tax Act

Carl W.