Rotary Log for November 19, 2015

Rotary Log for Meeting of November 19, 2015

by Al Lantinen

Photos by Tube Loch

President Bill opened the meeting by reminding all that there is no meeting on Thanksgiving. In fact the next meeting is TUESDAY December 1. We’ll be eating in the bar area as the dining room will be filled for the annual Senior Holiday Luncheon.

Christmas tree sales begin this weekend. There are still slots to be filled, so be sure you have signed up for your THREE.

Mr. Rotary FounDAYshun—Mort Schmidt—gave us a brief history of the aforementioned fund. It started small, until its founder, Paul Harris, passed away in 1947. More than one billion dollars has been donated since. In 1957, the Paul Harris Fellowship was started, among other things, to honor the generosity of its members.

Aileen Dugan then introduced the club’s newest Paul Harris Fellow, Betsy Scott. Betsy’s tireless enthusiasm, energy and commitment to the club reflect the best of Rotary.

Jim Rini introduced our speaker, New Castle resident Bob Rais. His was a story of remarkable opportunities and the courage to act on them. It all began after World War II, when he separated from the Navy and entered Hofstra University. A varsity basketball player, Rais discovered that he was dating the same young woman as his coach. When the coach tried to pull rank, Reis wouldn’t back down and was subsequently cut from the team. He used the injustice as a catalyst to graduate in three years.

Acting on a friend’s suggestion, Rais took the Secret Service exam, was hired and assigned to New York. His main job was in the counterfeit and forgery areas. He was also assigned to meet Vice President Alvin Barkley at LaGuardia Airport and escort him up town for a speech. Barely 23, Reis found himself helping the Vice President of the United States tie his bow tie before the big dinner. He also protected the president’s daughter, Margaret Truman, who proved elusive to her secret service detail at times.

Leaving the Secret Service, Rais came back to New York where he played basketball for the New York Athletic Club. He became friendly with announcer Bob Sheppard there. Sheppard would later be immortalized as a long-time Yankee Stadium announcer. Even after he passed, Derek Jeter insisted on being introduced at the plate by Sheppard’s recorded voice.

But back to the New York Athletic Club. When Sheppard could not commit to a plumb broadcasting offer, he suggested Rais. Rais grabbed the job as the voice of St. John’s University basketball. It was Sheppard again who suggested Rais for other choice announcing positions with the Jets, Knicks and Nets. Of course this allowed him to meet players like Broadway Joe Namath, whom Rais described as a humble, nice young man. He was there at the historic Super Bowl when the Jets upset the Baltimore Colts.

And, oh, while all this was going on, Rais owned a Chevrolet dealership for 30-years.

Rais makes it sound easy to take opportunities that present themselves. There must’ve been difficult moments. However, Rais concluded with something that reminds us all of Rotary. “Thank the people who helped you,” he said. “And look for people you can help.”

Respectfully submitted, Al Lantinen