Club Business
President Dick O’Donnell opened the meeting at 12:05
Micah Fox provided the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance
President O’Donnell introduced his guest, Mike James, publisher of “West Burlington Neighbor” a monthly publication that celebrates families of various west Burlington communities. Also provides expert content on home repairs, financial planning, physicians, dentists, and insurance. Mike has a daughter in her 3rd year studying accounting at Elon University. Welcome, Mike!
David Moore is celebrating his birthday this week and Charlie and Sara Nolette are celebrating their anniversary.
President O’Donnell and Rick Moore talked about the District Foundation Dinner on Saturday in Greensboro. Rick was acknowledged as a Paul Harris Society (PHS) Member ($1000+/year) and Kirk Tucker was recognized as a Major Donor, stage one ($10,000+ over a period of time). Rick attended the PHS reception prior to the dinner where a Rotarian from Rhode Island spoke about his experience contracting polio and the longer-term effects of the disease as we age. Rotary initiated a program where a $40.00 donation to polio is multiplied through district, national, and Gates Foundation matches to provide 600 doses of polio vaccines into children’s mouths. Rick also provided a brief update on polio status year to date. Only two wild virus cases so far this year. No cases of virus in environmental (waste stream) samples over the last two months. We are close!
President Nominee Marta Moos asked about the possibility of procuring Alamance Rotary tee-shirts or golf shirts. A conversation ensued with President Dick and PDG Rick. Will be pursued.
In 1787 the Constitutional Convention commenced in Philadelphia with 55 delegates including George Washington; Babe Ruth hit his last home run against Pittsburg in 1935; a Pennsylvania man was buried in his ’84 Corvette in 1994, and George Floyd killed in police custody in 2020.
There will be a Blood Drive at Burlington Brew Works on June 4th from noon to 6 PM; Social at Red Oak Brewery on June 16th starting at 5:00PM. Richard Atkins has also offered his house for a social in the future.
Program: Jeremiah DeGennaro – Alamance Battlefield
Before introducing the speaker, Sam Powell provided some information on his past. Sam is a VMI graduate. Granted a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Loyola Chicago. Started a testing business which he sold to LabCorp in 2012. Now involved in commercial real estate and is an avid local historian.
The program is about the Battle of Alamance which occurred 250 years ago this year between militias led by Royal Governor William Tyron and “Regulators”, local farmers dissatisfied with the corrupt royal officials. Sam noted the first English settlement (that lasted) was in Jamestown in 1607. From 1700 to 1750, settlers migrated to this area of North Carolina. Were mostly small acreage farmers. Followed the “Great Wagon Road” into the Salisbury area. No currency, traded goods. William Tyron, Royal Governor, appointed local sheriffs and tax collectors. Local farmers formed “associations” (Regulators) to protest corrupt practices of royal officials. Governor was based in New Bern. Royal officials in this area were based in Hillsborough. Petitions were not affective. A riot in Hillsborough led the governor gather militias to put down the uprising of the Regulator movement.
Sam then introduced our guest speaker, Jeremiah DeGennaro, the site manager of the Alamance Battlefield historic site. Jeremiah is originally from California. He graduated with a degree in history from UNCG. Started at the Alamance Battlefield in 2015. He started planning for the 250th anniversary in 2016 with the impending 245th anniversary. Had re-enactors of the battle in 2016 and planned to do it again in 2021. COVID changed his plans and resulted in more virtual presentations.
Peaceful protests were ineffective. After the riot in Hillsborough, Gov. Tyron raised militias. No “red coats” were involved. Militias were volunteers from mostly eastern counties. Approximately 3,000 were involved in the battle with 100’s killed or wounded. Battle got a lot of attention in the colonies and in England but was overshadowed by the American Revolution 5 years later.
Historic site is focusing on providing living history programs with re-enactors demonstrating life in the 1700’s including, lifestyles, cooking, blacksmithing, and military practices. Rely upon a large number of volunteers. Hold a weeklong “Colonial Living” event in October demonstrating 18th-century colonial life for students. The weeklong event is approximately 25% of annual attendance to the historic site.
COVID restrictions led to developing numerous online videos. Videos can be found on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram on other social media sites. Regulators have also been part of the popular “Outlander” series. Jeremiah has created a series of videos that depict a day-by-day accounting of the movement of the militias from New Bern to and following the battle in Alamance.
Two main “customer” segments; descendants of participants on either side, and folks interested in local history. Are providing programs allowing “reflection” on the battle especially for descendants. Created a visual representation of the battle using luminaries to reflect every 10 participants of the battle. Re-enactors are able to share personal stories of participants. A lot of material is available from both sides of the battle.
In spite of COVID restrictions, the site is continuing to grow by expanding its footprint acquiring more land adjacent to the battlefield. Increasing threatened green space for both recreation and reflection. Adding 2-3 miles of nature trails.
Will be hosting a descendant gathering on June 19th from 10-3pm. We are welcome to attend.
If we come on Fridays and Saturdays we may even see Sam Powell in uniform; definitely Jeremiah.
After Jeremiah concluded is presentation, Sam summed up the event as “the first large scale rebellion against Royal authority in the colonies.”
PE Brooke announced that next week’s program will be about the Triad Honor Flight who fly military veterans to the monuments in Washington DC.
President O’Donnell reminded us to “like and share” the Alamance Rotary Facebook page. Comment too. He then asked us to reflect on the meanings of the 4-Way test as we closed the meeting reciting the 4-Way test….
Conclusion
President O’Donnell concluded the meeting with the 4-Way test.