Another great program last week as we welcome in our two newest members MIKE PUGH AND DEBBIE PERRY. Welcome aboard! Dr. Ashley Oliphant (local noted author) weaved a very interesting historical presentation involving pirates and a special link to here in Lincoln County.
Some of our best programs come from speakers within our club! That will be the rule this week as we have a special treat with our very own PAUL QUINN doing our program. Paul is always entertaining and you will want to hear his program!
Don’t forget – OPERATION WARM monies are due to Charlie by Sept 7!
Yours in Rotary!
Perry Clark
Debbie Perry and Mike Pugh Inducted as New Members of Denver/Lake Norman Rotary
Left to right: Sponsor Jim Perry, Membership Chair Brandon Blell, Debbie Perry, Mike Pugh and President Perry Clark.
Co-authors Beth Yarbrough and Dr. Ashley Oliphant Speak to Denver/Lake Norman Rotary
By Steve Baker
A Pirate in Lincoln County, North Carolina
On Wednesday, August 24th, the Denver Lake/Norman Rotary welcomed author Dr. Ashley Oliphant and her mother Beth Yarbrough. Dr. Oliphant is an Associate professor of English at Pfeiffer University where she teaches in the English Department. Ashley is the author of four books and one novel. Beth Yarbrough is a nationally known artist and photographer. Her depictions of historic homes and structures across the South are featured on her website, Southern Voice.
Ashley and Beth spoke to the about their latest book, Jean Laffite Revealed. They spent over two years doing research to determine if Lorenzo Ferrer, buried in Lincolnton NC, was indeed the pirate, Jean Laffite. Their research included trips to Louisiana, Texas. Mississippi and concluded in Lincolnton. They determined through their research that Jean Laffite was a very nasty pirate. But he did make a contribution during the War of 1812 by helping to defend the Mississippi River against the British. He was able to help Andrew Jackson (later elected as the seventh President of the United States) in defeating the British at the Battle of New Orleans. The book follows the path of Jean Laffite as he made his way up to North Carolina. Here, he settled in for the remainder of his life, under the name of Lorenzo Ferrer. The book reveals where the Pirate Jean Laffite is buried in Lincoln County, North Carolina.
This is Denver/Lake Norman Rotary's fourth year working with Operation Warm to provide a new winter coat for every child in foster care in Lincoln County. The club purchases at least 110 coats that keep infants, children, teens and young adults (birth to 21 years) warm all winter. The recipients get to pick the color of the coat that they desire and their Social Worker provides the size for ordering and then, delivers the coat to the child. This year, Sherry Reinhardt has grant monies to put toward our efforts. The rest of the monies are donated by Denver/Lake Norman Rotarians. Operation Warm will need more money this year due to supply shortages and price increases. The average cost of a coat is now $45.00. The committee is small: Charlie, Norma Bohlen, Sherry and Cathy Smiley. The committee will raise money for approximately one month with this year's deadline of September 7th so that orders can be placed with Kohl's, Carter and Walmart. Please make checks out to the Denver/Lake Norman Rotary Club Foundation with "Operation Warm" on the memo line, so that your contribution can be tax deductible. Businesses, neighbors and friends are also welcomed and encouraged to donate.