[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 777

[Garry Krischock]

 Message 
  1. 1476: UFOs give Texas club chance to help community 
Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:41 pm (PST) 
UFOs give Texas club chance to help community
By Karen Wright 

The four Avenues of Service just grew by one for the Rotary Club of 
Dublin, Texas, USA, which can add extraterrestrial to the list now 
that it has gained international attention through recent UFO 
sightings in the area.

What some are calling the largest cluster of sightings in the United 
States since the mid-1990s provided the opportunity for club members 
to host 500 visitors, ranging from UFO investigators, witnesses, the 
media, and the curious, for a daylong gathering in their own historic 
building in downtown Dublin, 90 miles southwest of Fort Worth. 

Eyewitnesses, including a constable, schoolteachers, and business 
owners, reported bright lights that silently hovered near the 
horizon. Spokespeople from a Fort Worth military base originally 
denied having aircraft in the county at the time of the sightings but 
later said a dozen F-16s had been practicing manoeuvres then. But most 
witnesses remained unconvinced that they had seen conventional 
aircraft.

The Dublin Rotarians' involvement began 15 January, when club 
discussions turned to the Mutual UFO Network, scheduled to meet five 
days later in a cattle auction barn in Stephenville, 12 miles from 
Dublin. The Rotarians, however, thought the setting was inhospitable.

Network representatives accepted an offer for free use of the century-
old Dublin Rotary Building, with club members and the local Dr Pepper 
Bottling Company (the oldest Dr Pepper bottling plant in the world) 
serving as hosts.

Rotarians expected about 50 attendees, but given the international 
attention, that number grew to more than 500, including 
representatives from major networks such as MSNBC and National Public 
Radio.

"This was the most unusual event we have ever hosted," said club 
president Amy McDonald. "We had fun with it, and we accomplished a 
lot for the community and our organization. We saw an opportunity to 
draw attention to our small town of 3,800, and it gave local 
businesses the chance for increased traffic and sales.

"We also had the opportunity to tell the amazing story of our 
building, the original home of the Knights of Pythias fraternal 
order," McDonald continued. "When the local KP group disbanded four 
years ago, we purchased their building. We have invested hundreds of 
hours in sweat equity to restore it. We use the downstairs for our 
weekly Rotary meetings and rent it out for public gatherings. With 
the rental income, we are restoring the second floor for a community 
facility. It will be magnificent with its original metal ceiling, 
hardwood floors, and a stage for theatrical performances.

"The restoration is an expensive process, although our 21 members 
sand floors, recaulk rock walls, and replace windows," she 
said. "When finished, the building will fill a huge gap for local 
rental facilities. And we will proudly display the Rotary name as a 
symbol of what a few people can do when they are willing to get 
dirty - and are willing to be hospitable to even the most unusual of 
audiences."

Source:Rotary International News 
Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary
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