Jodi presided, and showed great musical sense in selecting Dale Hodges to lead the singing, superb patriotism in selecting (new member) Ben Brown to lead the Pledge, and great reverence in naming Brandt Edwards to voice our common prayer. Ben is one of four new members recently joining our club. The other three are Dee Cothern of Baton Rouge Little Theater, Amy Starnes of Lamar, and Nataly Ortiz of Carlos. Ben is an engineer with Marrero, Couvillon, and Assoc.

Jodi asked us all to sign-up for our annual banquet on Saturday the 23^rd of August, at Ashley Manor ($25 per person) and ordered us all to wear coat and tie, and if we bring wives/dates to request they be their most beautiful selves. (On August 20^th there will be a Round Table at the Marriott for those who need a make-up. If you come to the round table lunch, you will have to pay for your own meal. It will be the buffet in the lobby dining room.)

Jodi also introduced his guest, Paul Dysart of C.J. Brown Realtors. Paul presented us with a check for $877 as our profit for working the beer booth at the balloon festival.

Brandt Edwards (President-elect) asked members to select their committee preference on a pass-around sheet.

Then Jeff Koonce introduced Pam Sills, a charming lady from LASM (it used to be LASC) who spoke about the new Planetarium, the Imax-like theater, and the wonderful entertainment they offered. (The number of visitors has jumped from 20,000 per year to a rate of 50,000 a year just in the short time since these new attractions have been added. Along with this jump, the number of visitors to LASM's Atrium and other galleries is growing, from 60,000 per year to 30,000 a month.) As a side note to the original endowment for the Planetarium's construction a separate fund will support the structure for many years to come!

And that's not all. The half dozen trains will have some updating to provide an "out of museum" resting place! (No, sleeping cars will not be furnished, but a gathering spot will be provided.)

Don't forget to visit the Josephine exhibit . . . be reminded of her "Empress" Status with Napoleon.

And of course Baton Rouge's collection of Ivan Mestrovic's sculptures (the second largest in the world!) is now beautifully displayed in the atrium. Come one, come all!

Gambling News! Hair - no. Rea - no. H.P. Walker..... YEEESS!

Intro yourselves to the NEW MEMBERS!!

Remember, round table next week. The following week we will have an LSU athlete as our speaker.

H.P.

P. S. The Marriot has increased our meal cost to $13.50 per meal (which includes tax and tip). The board is exploring other meeting places, so let Esteban Herrera know your thoughts on a move versus a dues increase.

Also, the district office said raffle ticket sales are strong. The drawing will be held at the Midwinter meeting. Call Charlie Ford at 769-9233 for more info.