Sunday, November 29, 2015

Barney Talks about the Gift of Giving on Radio

November 25 - Yes, our own Lynn Barnes (Barney) was interviewed on radio last Wednesday morning. Bob Westerman, the program director and morning host on93.5 The Mix/KCVM, interviewed Barney about the Gift of Giving event that will be happening on Dec 5.  

It was a short (4 min) but interesting interview.  Barney gave the overview of the Gift of Giving, the latest happenings for the Rough Risers and even included some of his classic humor.


Here is a link to the interview.  It is a MUST LISTEN!!!






Wednesday, November 25, 2015

The Need to Give Thanks


Wednesday Nov. 25—Today on the eve of Thanksgiving, Rough Riser and retired pastor Bob Ericson talked to us about the deeper spirit of giving thanks.

While we need to count our blessings and give thanks for the things that quickly to come to mind, we also need to give thanks for such blessings as the gift of intellect to continually learn new things, the beautiful and incredible world we live in, and for adversity which gives us strength and the ability to grow.

May we remember Bob’s words not only on Thanksgiving but every day.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Rough Risers Give Their Two Cents Worth



Wednesday Nov. 18—Perhaps everyone who attends performances at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the UNI campus fantasizes about who they would bring in to the center if they were in charge.

Today we served as a focus group and gave guests Steve Carignan and Diane Campbell of the GBPAC our input after viewing 18 video clips of a wide variety of performers. 

Comedians, musical solo artists and groups of every genre, and other types of entertainment were represented and we got to pick our favorite six out of that collection for the 2016-17 season.

How will our votes compare to other focus groups? We’ll find out next summer when the schedule for the new season is announced! Steve's Rough Risers mug collection proves he is a frequent guest speaker!


Monday, November 16, 2015

Veteran’s Day Tribute


Wednesday Nov. 11--Club member Stan Whelchel was a U.S. Marine in the 1950s. He spoke today about how Veteran’s Day came into being as a national holiday and day of remembrance.

Established at the end of World War I as Armistice Day, the name was changed to Veteran’s Day during the Eisenhower administration. Stan also pointed out that yesterday was the 240th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Marine Corps.

He rounded out his interesting program with a video titled “Story Behind the National Anthem” that tells the story of Francis Scott Key and the Battle of Fort McHenry. Click on the link below to see this moving story.

Friday, November 6, 2015

Veteran's Day - The Story Behind the National Anthem



November 11 is Veteran's Day and the US National Anthem is a symbol of our country. We are fortunate as Stan Whelchel will be telling us the story of the Marines as well as share a poem he wrote. This video by Joshua Richard tells the story of the night battle portrayed in Francis Scott Key's Star Spangled Banner. 

You might want to review the song's lyrics.  Typically we only sing the first verse the true story is found throughout the 4 verses in the whole song.


Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Let's Be Grateful for Our November Programs

Wednesday, November 4 - Business Meeting     

Wednesday, November 11 – Veterans Day Tribute
Stan Whelchel will tell us the meaning of Veterans Day and share the story of the Marines.  We will view a video about Francis Scott Key and writing the Star Spangled Banner.

Wednesday, November 18 – Previewing Possible Shows at the Gallagher Bluedorn
Steve Carignan, executive director of the Gallagher Bluedorn, will share a number of possible acts/shows that they are considering for next season. It’s exciting to know that we will help form the playlist for next season's programs at the GBPAC.

Wednesday, November 25 – The Thanksgiving Message

Bob Ericson, a “retired” Lutheran minister, will share a Thanksgiving message with the club. We will talk about those things for which we are grateful.