We thank Mr. Taves for his presentation and for his dedication and commitment to soil health and scientific farming. The accompanying photos were taken during his presentation. The first photo is of Mr. Taves  (center, rear), Rotarian Suman Das (left), Mrs Melissa Taves, the speaker's wife, and Rotarian Witt Ruffin (right). The second photo is of one of the drones that he uses in his farming operation. The remaining photos were taken during Mr. Taves presentation.

 

 

"Hinduism is a religion, or a way of life, found most notably in India and Nepal. Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, and some practitioners and scholars refer to it as Sanātana Dharma, "the eternal law," or the "eternal way," beyond human origins. Scholars regard Hinduism as a fusion or synthesis of various Indian cultures and traditions, with diverse roots and no founder. This "Hindu synthesis" started to develop between 500 BCE and 300 CE following the Vedic period (1500 BCE to 500 BCE).

Although Hinduism contains a broad range of philosophies, it is linked by shared concepts, recognisable rituals, cosmology, shared textual resources, and pilgrimage to sacred sites. Hindu texts are classified into Shruti ("heard") and Smriti ("remembered"). These texts discuss theology, philosophy, mythology, Vedic yajna, Yoga, agamic rituals, and temple building, among other topics. Major scriptures include the Vedas and Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Agamas. Sources of authority and eternal truths in its texts play an important role, but there is also a strong Hindu tradition of the questioning of this authority, to deepen the understanding of these truths and to further develop the tradition.

Prominent themes in Hindu beliefs include the four Puruṣārthas, the proper goals or aims of human life, namely Dharma (ethics/duties), Artha (prosperity/work), Kama (desires/passions) and Moksha (liberation/freedom/salvation); karma (action, intent and consequences), samsara (cycle of rebirth), and the various Yogas (paths or practices to attain moksha). Hindu practices include rituals such as puja (worship) and recitations, meditation, family-oriented rites of passage, annual festivals, and occasional pilgrimages. Some Hindus leave their social world and material possessions, then engage in lifelong Sannyasa (monastic practices) to achieve Moksha. Hinduism prescribes the eternal duties, such as honesty, refraining from injuring living beings (ahimsa), patience, forbearance, self-restraint, and compassion, among others.

Hinduism is the world's third largest religion, with over 1 billion followers or 15% of the global population, known as Hindus. The majority of Hindus reside in India, Nepal, Mauritius, the Caribbean, and Bali in Indonesia.

We thank Ms. Srinivasan for her very interesting presentation on her religion. She (2nd from left) is shown in the accompanying photo with club President Wyatt Emmerich (left), and Club members Virginia Carlton (right) and Suman Das (2nd from right) who introduced her.

 

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

It was established in 1957 to show appreciation for and encourage substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships. 

The first Paul Harris Fellows include 1937-38 RI Director Allison G. Brush and longtime RI Treasurer Rufus F. Chapin, both for donations made in 1946. Mrs. Adan Vargas was the first woman to receive the recognition, for a gift made in 1953. Mrs. Harry L. Jones was the second, and one of only five people recognized for contributions made in 1957. 

Early Paul Harris Fellows received a certificate of recognition. In 1969, the Foundation unveiled the first Paul Harris Fellow medallion at the RI Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Japanese metal artist Fiju Tsuda created the piece under the direction of then-past Foundation Trustee Kyozo Yuasa. Today, Paul Harris Fellows receive a certificate and pin. They are also eligible to purchase a Paul Harris Fellow medallion. 

Rotarians have a tradition of supporting the Foundation by honoring others. Ida LeTulle Taylor became a Paul Harris Fellow in 1978 when her husband, then-District Governor Vann Taylor, made a donation in her name in honor of their 34th wedding anniversary. The gift also made her the 25,000th Paul Harris Fellow. 

At the International Assembly in 1979, then-RI President-elect James Bomar challenged each Rotary club to make one non-Rotarian a Paul Harris Fellow. The Rotary Club of Pikesville, Maryland, USA, responded by making a donation in the name of Mother Teresa in 1980. The entertainer Pearl Bailey also became a Paul Harris Fellow through a joint effort of the Rotary clubs in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  

Many other notable figures have been named as Paul Harris Fellows, including U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, and Jonas Salk.  

The number of Paul Harris Fellows reached the one million mark in 2006. Contribution for Paul Harris Fellows have mad possible a 99.9% reduction in global polio cases in addition to funding many other Rotary projects.

We congratulate Clinton, Lois, and Hugh for their recognition as Paul Harris Fellows. The accompanying photo show Clinton and Lois and Hugh with Rotarian Joe Harris who presented the Paul Harris certificates and pins to the awardees. 

 

Ms. Monica Harrigill, Vice President of Jackie International and of co-Founder of SunRay Companies  a full service hospitality, real estate, and retail management company that was founded in 1996 by Ray Harrigill.  Based in Madison Mississippi, Sunray operates great brands including Hampton Inn Hotel and Suites, Palm Beach Tan tanning salons, Massage Envy Spas, and Bumpers Drive-In restaurants. Jackie International  consists of over 50 properties in four states including Bumpers Drive-In, Simply Southern Grill & Buffet, additional independent restaurants as well as numerous hotel properties such as Hilton Garden Inn, Hyatt Place, Hampton Inn and Suites and Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites.

 

Monica is a Mississippi native and graduate of Millsaps College and holds a degree in Chemistry.  She is also currently enrolled in the Harvard Business School.  Monica began her career working for her family as a restaurant manager when she finished college in 1988 at the age of eighteen.  She quickly moved up to multi-unit and multi-concept management ultimately running a conglomerate of restaurants, hotels, and convenience stores with 60 locations and 1,600 employees.  As Executive Vice President, she oversaw all aspects of operations and development of this company through 2014.  Along with Ray, she founded the Sunray Companies in 1996.  Monica’s expertise in systems, operations, project management and human resource development, adds significant depth to the capabilities of the Sunray Companies.  Monica is also passionate about giving back to the Mississippi community and volunteers time for a variety of Mississippi based charities and organizations and serves as a Trustee for Millsaps College.   Monica is also currently enrolled in Harvard Business School's Owners, Presidents, and Management program. Monica’s favorite quote, “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”   Mother Teresa

 

The subject of Monica's talk was Life's Lessons. It began in June 2003 when she experienced a terrible auto accident when her car was hit by an out of control pick up truck. She experienced 27 bone breaks below her waist and was told that it was doubtful that  she would ever walk again. Now, 14 yrs and multiple surgeries later, she is walking and leading a team at Sunray Companies which has grown and expanded in her tenure. In her talk, she discussed the importance of team work , having the right life priorities, and setting the proper example. The industry in which they operate typically experiences high employee turnover. Turnover has dropped from in excess of 100% annually to about 35%. In addition to the quote from Mother Teresa, she cited the mantra of "doing it right the first time" as her guiding principle.

 

Ms. Harrigill (2nd from left) is shown in the accompanying photo with c;lub member Dr. Suman Das (left), who introduced her, Club President Wyatt Emmerich (2nd from right) and Club Vice president Witt Ruffin (right). We thank her for her very interesting and inspirational talk.

 

Cartoonist Marshall Ramsey spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at its January 31, 2017 meeting. Marshall discussed his life and career, including his initial job  as a school custodian in Cobb County, GA after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a marketing degree. He said that since he was 8 years old he has wanted to be a cartoonist. His first break came when Clarion-Ledger editor Dave Hampton hired him.Marshall also discussed his family, his wife Amy, his father and his dog Banjo. He credited all of these people and Banjo with helping him prepare for his current jobs as a radio and television host.

 

We thank Marshall for his very interesting talk and his love and commitment to our state. He (right) is shown in the accompanying photo with club member and past president Charles Johnson (left)