NEWSLETTER | July 23, 2025

Dear Rotary Guest,

You are receiving the weekly Decatur Rotary Club newsletter because you have been a guest of the club recently. If you'd like to unsubscribe, click here. We hope to see you at our next meeting.
 

Lunch Meeting | Friday, July 25
 
Historic DeKalb County Courthouse
101 E. Court Square
Meeting begins at 12:15 pm

Our Speaker This Week:
Lisa Moultrie | DeKalb County DA's Office
 
Lisa Moultrie is a seasoned legal professional with extensive experience in government administration. Currently serving as the Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney of DeKalb County, she oversees the office’s Diversion and Community Alternatives Programs. Moultrie also serves as Board Chair for COR, a nonprofit organization that seeks to remove race- and poverty-based inequities among students and their communities. She is also a longtime member of the Junior League of DeKalb County. Moultrie holds a Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia. Her legal expertise is complemented by a keen interest in alternative justice solutions, and her professional journey reflects a strong dedication to justice and community welfare.

GREETERS THIS WEEK
 
Alan Yorker and Harl Pike

 
 
Weekly luncheon meetings begin at 12:15 pm
on Fridays unless otherwise noted.
. . . . .
FRIDAY
AUGUST

1
MEETING
Alex Urban 
PGA Tour Championship, Atlanta
. . . . .
THURSDAY
AUGUST

7
THIRSTY THURSDAY
Scout
321 W. Hill St.
5:30-7 pm
. . . . .
FRIDAY
AUGUST

8
MEETING
David Post
Care For Cops
. . . . .
FRIDAY
AUGUST

15
MEETING 
Paul J. Welty
Vice Provost,
Emory University
. . . . .
FRIDAY
AUGUST

22
MEETING
Lisa Moultrie
DeKalb County DA's Office
. . . . .
FRIDAY
AUGUST

29
No Meeting
Enjoy the
Labor Day Weekend

July Decatur Rotary Board Meeting
 
On Friday, July 18, prior to the regular meeting, the Decatur Club Board held its July Board Meeting chaired by President Alison.
 
Key business included:
  • Approval of the 2025-26 club budget as proposed by Treasurer Pete Pfeiffer. After discussion and questions, the budget was passed by unanimous vote.  
  • President Alison proposed that the club begin an exploration to partner with Decatur Schools and the City of Decatur to implement Rotary Peace Poles. 
  • President Alison also discussed various projects encouraged by the new Governor, Steve Ivory, to honor first responders.
 
. . . . .
 
 
Opportunities to Host and to Travel:
Rotary Youth Exchange 2025-2026
 
Become a Host Family
Decatur Rotary will host a new exchange student, Max, from Taiwan, for the upcoming school year, and we still need two more host families. Hosting a Rotary International high school exchange student is a life-enhancing experience for your entire family. It’s a unique opportunity to get new perspectives, explore new customs, and share American culture and community with others. Most of all, you’ll build special friendships and connections that last a lifetime. By opening your hearts and home you share in international understanding and fellowship. 
 
Want to know more? Click here for more details about hosting requirements. Contact John Bennett for more information.
 
Apply to Attend High School in Another Country
Know a student who would enjoy an immersive experience abroad? Applications for the 2026-2027 school year will open on August 1, 2025, and the application deadline is October 15, 2025.
 
Student applicants must be 14 to 17 years old at the time they apply. Students pay a non-refundable application fee of $150 to be considered for the program. Rotary International has one of the biggest student exchange programs in the world. About 10,000 high school students participate in the exchange each year worldwide. The program allows students to immerse themselves in a different culture.  
 
Want to know more? Click here for more details about studying abroad. Contact John Bennett for more information.

. . . . .
SERVICE PROJECT:
FODAC Equipment Drive, August 9
 

Bob Ettensohn speaks to the club about FODAC, the big effort from our club in the drive last year and how to participate this year.
 
The next FODAC (Friends of Disabled Adults and Children) home medical equipment drive is happening on Saturday, August 9, 2025, 9 am to 1 pm, hosted by the DeKalb Rotary Council. Gently used items like wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, and pediatric equipment will be collected at the 57th Fighter Squadron Restaurant, next to PDK Airport.
 
Our club has long participated in this annual service project. Make plans to be there!
 
How to Sign Up
The Rotary FODAC Team needs to know who will be attending ahead of time so they can assign routes, trucks and personnel. So, Contact Bob Ettensohn ASAP, bob@ettensohn.com or 863-838-2400 to sign up for this event and let him know if you are planning on bringing a truck or van.
 
. . . . .
Service Project:

Food for Hagar’s House
 
Shara Sanders delivering food.
 
Every week, we pack up our lunch surplus and deliver it to Hagar’s House on Church Street (close to Twain’s). Hagar’s House is an emergency shelter for families with children and is a program of Decatur Cooperative Ministries, one of Decatur Rotary’s longtime partners.
 
We need people to help with two tasks: packing up food and driving it to the shelter. Your participation counts toward our club’s service project numbers.
 
To pack up food, please sign up here.
 
To deliver the food to Hagar’s, just down Church Street, please sign up here.
 
Thanks for your help!
 
. . . . .
DeKalb Rotary Council Kicks Off New Year
 
New DeKalb Rotary Council Chair, Dudley Larus, discusses plans for the new year of the Council.
 
The DeKalb Rotary Council kicked off its new year with a lunch meeting on July 14. The Council meets on the second Monday of each month at the Magnolia Room Cafeteria, 4450 Hugh Howell Rd. All are welcome to attend. The Council comprises all the clubs in DeKalb County, including Brookhaven, Decatur, Dunwoody, Emory-Druid Hills, South DeKalb, Stone Mountain, and Tucker. We are planning for various clubs to band together so we can tackle challenging service projects, such as FODAC. We also share information so we can leverage great speakers, service projects and fundraising ideas.
 
. . . . .
Milestones | July
Club Anniversaries
James Smith, 42 years
Carl Seville, 16 years
John Drake, 16 years 
   
 
Birthdays
 
 
Alison Weissinger, 12 years
Douglas Tozzi, 11 years
Gyimah Whitaker, 2 years
 
 
 
Dee Raeside, July 1
James Herndon, July 2
Linton Broome, July 6
Harl Pike, July 7
Leo Ladefian, July 7
Tim Moore, July 8
Walt Drake, July 10
Barbara Tedrow, July 17
Joe Kusmik, July 17
John Bennett, July 21
Bryan Markowitz, July 22
Marion Curry, July 27
Al Adams, July 30

Friday, July 18 Recap
  
Our newest member, Willie Acree, gave the invocation. 
 
President Alison welcomed members and guests. 
 
President Alison put her stamp on her presidency with a new meeting feature – interviewing a club member. This week’s interview was Chris Brannon. 
 
Doug Robinson, host of our speaker, introduced author Caroline Eubanks.
 
Our speaker, Caroline Eubanks.
 
Caroline gave us a brief overview of her latest book, A Boozy History of Atlanta, that explores the city's rich and often rowdy drinking culture through its people, places, and drinks. The book delves into Atlanta's past, from its early days as a railroad hub to the present, highlighting the evolution of its drinking scene. 
 
Here's a closer look at the book's key themes:
 
Early Days: Atlanta's reputation as a drinking town began with the arrival of railroad workers, and the election of the first mayor, a saloon owner from the "Free and Rowdy Party". 
 
Prohibition Era: The book examines the impact of Prohibition on Atlanta, including the prevalence of moonshining and the rise of NASCAR, partly fueled by the need for fast drivers to transport illegal liquor. 
 
Notable Venues: "A Boozy History of Atlanta" features iconic spots like Dante's Down the Hatch, The Limelight, Northside Tavern, Johnny's Hideaway, the Backstreet club, Manuel's Tavern, and Polaris, showcasing their significance in Atlanta's social and political history. 
 
Evolving Cocktail Culture: The book also explores the growth of Atlanta's cocktail scene, noting the increasing sophistication and variety of drinks available. The book acts as a social history, highlighting how Atlanta's drinking culture has shaped the city's identity and contributed to its unique character. 
 

VISITORS
 
Brian York, guest of Jason Conn.
 
Guest James Bratton spoke to the club about his background and was introduced by Jason Conn.
 
Nick Villaume introduced his guest, his daughter Celia.

 
Scenes from our most recent meeting and events. Individuals are identified from left to right.

What's New in Cebu?
 
Read the latest newsletter from the Rotary Club of Cebu, Philippines, our sister club.

Thank You to Our Club Sponsors 
 
We are grateful for the support of our local sponsors, and we encourage our members to support them in return.
 
Art Rosser & Robin Hollis
 
Leo Ladefian
 
 

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Sincerely,
The Bulletin Committee
Decatur Rotary Club