Today, we welcome once again one of our own, as State Senator Roy Herron visits and up-dates us on happenings on Capitol Hill in Nashville. We will probably also enter into the political scene, as Senator Herron has entered the race which John Tanner, in a surprise announcement, is vacating, by not running for another term in Congress.

Friends and foes alike agree on one thing when it comes to Senator Herron: he’s a hard worker. Roy worked hard to help put himself through UT Martin and, after his father died, to earn both divinity and law degrees from Vanderbilt University. Since then, this former minister has worked hard to write three books. The first is about Family, the second about Humor, and the third about Faith.

Roy worked hard to win the House seat of his Dresden neighbor, Gov. Ned McWherter, then he ran for the senate and became the Democratic Floor Leader, then the Democratic Caucus Chair. In 23 years, he’s missed only one legislative session, the day his youngest son was being born. Roy has also had more than 1,000 Listening Meetings, perhaps more than any Tennessee legislator.

For fun Roy has done more than 30 marathons. He’s done three Ironman triathlons, each time swimming, biking and running 140 miles.

Next week, there will be no meeting of Union City Rotary, due to the Christmas Holiday. January 1st there will also be no meeting, as Friday falls on New Year’s Day.

In two Weeks, we welcome John Easley, Director of Bands at Union City High School for the past twenty four years, and his Senior Band Members of U.C.H.S.

John is in his twenty-seventh year of teaching. A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, he began his teaching career at Dresden and Camden Central High Schools.

During his tenure, the band program at Union City High has made excellent strides, including five-time finalist at the prestigious Contest of Champions at MTSU, five-time Tennessee Class AA State Champions, and Bands of America Class A Champions and Finalists in Atlanta, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Murfreesboro.

He also serves as Director of Music for the First United Methodist Church of Union City. He is active professionally as a member and officer in a number of organizations; including Past President of West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association; member of Tennessee Bandmasters Association and current President of Phi Beta Mu.

Last week, if you missed the program, you really missed a treat. We had children galore, as the Union City Elementary School blessed us with some of the most wonderful Christmas Music you can imagine.

When we began our program with the song, "America" President Barns commented that it had never sounded better as the youth helped us sing.

Along with the Chorus Groups, there were several visitors in attendance, as this program always brings out parents and Grandparents of the Chorus Groups to hear them perform, and perform they did!

The children above mentioned were the members of two choirs, "The Voices of UCES" and "The Chorus Kids ", one under the direction of Nolin Cloyd and the other under the direction of Linda Harrelson. These students visit Rotary annually around this time of year to share with us the "Songs of Christmas". They normally come in a two week period, and each group will entertain for the entire program, however this year, due to the scheduling of Thanksgiving and the Football State Tournament, they were crowded into one meeting, so we were denied one of the treats we usually enjoy during the weeks before Christmas.

The Chorus Kids entertained first with some very animated versions of four songs, beginning with "Someone in the Chimney", then it was on to a very beautiful medley of songs, including "It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas", No Place Like Home For The Holidays", and "I’ll Be Home For Christmas, their program ended with "Silver Bells".

Next the Voices of UCES took over with their renditions of "Sing We Now Oh Christmas", "We Wish You A Swinging Holiday" then there was "Peace On Earth", with several soloists involved. They ended their program with "I Want To Wish You A Merry Christmas".

Dec. 25 - No Meeting

Jan. 01 - No Meeting

Jan. 08 - John Easley, Director of Bands - Union City High School

Jan. 15 - Judge Clayburn Peeples

Jan. 22 - Coach Darren Bowling & UCHS Football Team

Jan. 29 - Al and Laura Oliver, recent trip to Australia

Dec. 18 - Dennis Sigman

Dec. 24 - Paul Marsidi

Dec. 24 - Todd Stone

Dec. 25 - Kevin Herrell

Dec. 26 - Jerry Sullivan

Dec. 27 - Roger Lewis

Dec. 30 - Herman Jenkins

Jan. 02 - Larry Vernon

Jan. 05 - Bob Regan

Dec. 19 - Wes and Teka Kennedy

Dec. 19 - Dr. Matthew and Ann Wohlfarth

Dec. 24 - Gary and Marsh Houston

Dec. 26 - Herman and Sandra Jenkins

Dec. 27 - Chuck and Suzanne Doss

Dec. 27 - Mike and Janet Calfee

Dec. 27 - Mike and Cathy Cox

Dec. 28 - Newell and Betty Graham

Dec. 30 - Todd and Susan Stone

Jan. 03 - Roy and Nancy Herron

Jan. 07 - Steve and Sally Vaughn