ROTARY CLUB OF VINELAND

Editors: Carol Smith & Linda Foster
Photos: Jay Parks
Website: www.vinelandrotary.com
Email: vinelandrotary@comcast.net

Flag Salute & Prayer

Guests

Announcements

Chairperson Ken Dondero said, “Let’s make 283 kids happy,” encouraging members to support the annual special needs holiday party Dec. 6 at the Ramada. Many members helped bag gifts and set up tables after today’s meeting.

Chairperson Carol Captis reminded members of the blood drive on Dec. 26 and the holiday party on Jan. 5. A sign-up notice will be distributed at the Dec. 12 meeting.

Betsy Frank, chairperson of the annual Duck Race fundraiser, said preliminary preparations are in motion, with major sponsors to be secured soon.

Finemaster

Today’s Program

Kris, owner of Barron Printing in Vineland, said he was born and raised in Bridgeton and can’t explain his southern accent. After graduating from Bridgeton High School he worked at Wheaton Glass for a time and then decided to pursue higher education despite his mediocre record in high school. In 1995 he earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Rowan University and went on to obtain his master’s degree from Villanova University. His main desire was to be a high school history teacher, but he was unable to land a job. Instead, he taught as an adjunct instructor at “all the colleges in the region,” community and private. He later turned his interests to the printing trade and entrepreneurship, purchasing Barron Printing in 2004.

Chalky (whose given name is Charles), recently named Superintendent of Vineland Public Schools, said he grew up in Vineland when it was “a little different.” His mother worked in a clothing factory and held the family together after his father died when Chalky was only 10 years old. His mother “instilled strong values,” he said, unlike today’s society where parents often give in to their children’s every wish and fail to provide adequate supervision. “Maybe organizations such as Rotary can get things back to the way we were,” he suggested.

Although his career has consisted mainly of teaching and being an administrator in public schools, he went to private parochial schools through elementary school and college except for Rowan University, where he earned his master’s.

In answer to a question as to why he is called Chalky, he explained the practice can be traced to a young cousin who couldn’t pronounce “Charlie.”

Mike Loyle presents Roy Greenblatt with Paul Harris, on far right - Nick Wipich

New members Chalky Ottinger and Kris Miller - Classification Talks

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