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Public Defender, Atlanta Judicial Circuit (Fulton Co.)
Maurice Kenner assumed the role of Circuit Public Defender for the Atlanta Judicial Circuit (Fulton County) in 2021. Prior to his appointment, he was Deputy Director of State Level Services at the Georgia Public Defender Council. He earned his undergraduate degree at Western Illinois University and his law degree at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.
Looking for business development or perhaps mentoring? Rotary Means Business is a fellowship of Rotary International that provides an opportunity for all Rotarians to network on a local and global basis to enhance their businesses. Our local district chapter of Rotary Means Business meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month for networking and socializing.
Connect with Rotarians at the next meeting of Rotary Means Business: August 27 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at Politan Row at Ashford Lane (near Perimeter Mall), 4550 Olde Perimeter Way, Dunwoody, GA 30346. Free parking.
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Decatur Rotarians Visit the Atlanta Club
Bob Ettensohn, Jason Conn, Dudley Larus, and Lawrence Sharp
Jason Conn, Lawrence Sharp, Bob Ettensohn and Dudley Larus took a field trip Monday to visit the Atlanta Rotary Club for its weekly meeting. With 460+ members, Atlanta Rotary is known as one of the world’s largest Rotary Clubs. It is a longstanding tradition that every member of the Club must be a key leader in his or her field and a person of integrity who values community service. Former Georgia governor Nathan Deal was interviewed in a fireside chat format about his children’s book inspired by two real-life cats: Veto and Bill. The book uses compelling animal characters to discuss life lessons that children can understand.
. . . . . STAR Student Named Presidential Scholar
Student Gordon Lichtstein (center), with Principal Duane Sprull, Superintendent Gymiah Whitaker, and physics teacher Henry Tsay, pictured in February.
Decatur High School graduate Gordon Lichtstein has been named a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar. He was one of four Georgia students to receive the honor. He was selected from a pool of over 5,700 eligible students for the 60th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars. This prestigious recognition honors 161 seniors each year for their exceptional achievements.
In February, our club honored Gordon as a STAR student. Way to go, Gordon!
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Save Your Spot Now: District Conference on Jekyll Island, April 24-27, 2025
Next spring, all three Georgia Rotary districts will come together for a “united” conference April 24-27, 2025, on Jekyll Island. This is the first time all three districts are meeting together, and more than 1,000 Rotarians are expected to “take over” Jekyll.
You can reserve your hotel room now, and register for the conference, at the website here.
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Milestones
Membership Anniversaries
Tom Adams, 45 years
John Bennett, 18 years
Laura Brookshire, 1 year
Marion Curry, 2 years
Doug Park, 10 years
Desiree Peagler, 18 years
Donna Phillips, 2 years
Birthdays
Desiree Peagler, Aug. 3
William Harshman, Aug. 13
Dave Jollay, Aug. 15
FRIDAY, AUG. 16 | 2024
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August 16 Meeting Recap
Jamaal Ellis gave the invocation.
Guests
Steve Bunting, retired financial advisor and guest of Doug Tozzi; Rotarian Bing Martinez, a guest of the club from Cebu Philippines; and Taiko Nakazawa, a Rotary Global Grant Scholar from Japan, sponsored by Decatur Rotary Club.
Guest of the club Taiko Nakazawa and Club Treasurer Pete Pfeiffer
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"End Polio Now" Campaign
Mary Ann Cathopoulis gave some current global polio statistics.
Mary Ann Cathopoulis shared information from Rotary International’s “End Polio Now” campaign about where polio is still endemic (Afghanistan and Pakistan) and some of the current challenges for eradication. The issue is personal for her, as she contracted the polio virus when she was an infant. If you’re interested in learning more, browse the Global Polio Eradication Initiative website here.
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U.S. Marshal and Author Thomas Brown Spoke at the Aug. 16 Meeting
Following an introduction by Jason Conn, speaker U.S. marshal Thomas Brown explained the importance of knowing and preserving your history–not only of your family but also of your community.
He told the club many stories about lessons learned throughout his life, including some behind-the-scenes moments involving well-known civic and government leaders in Atlanta and DeKalb.
His new book, Crossing Bridges, The Autobiography of Thomas E. Brown, Jr.: The Bridge to the Truth is available from club member Doug Robinson’s Eagle Eye Book Shop.
Scenes from around the room at our most recent meeting. Individuals are identified from left to right.
Shara Sanders and Doug Parks
Speaker Thomas Brown and Club President Dudley Larus, holding Brown’s book
John Robinson and Bob Wilson enjoyed the speaker’s stories
Marion Curry and Jennifer Topple
Sergeant-at-Arms Luis Abularach is dedicated to his role, even with a twisted ankle
Bob Ettensohn and Jason Conn ride MARTA to the Atlanta Rotary Club
Lawrence Sharp and Dudley Larus ride MARTA because it’s SMARTA
Former Georgia governor Nathan Deal at the Atlanta Rotary 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.
Speaker Thomas Brown and Club President Dudley Larus, holding Brown’s book
John Robinson and Bob Wilson enjoyed the speaker’s stories
Marion Curry and Jennifer Topple
Sergeant-at-Arms Luis Abularach is dedicated to his role, even with a twisted ankle
Bob Ettensohn and Jason Conn ride MARTA to the Atlanta Rotary Club
Lawrence Sharp and Dudley Larus ride MARTA because it’s SMARTA
Former Georgia governor Nathan Deal at the Atlanta Rotary Club
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