The Literacy Legacy
July 2025
4th Edition
A Letter From Out District Governor
 
I'm in the process of doing club visits and having a great time. It's great to meet people "where they are". The topic everyone is asking about is membership. Membership is also a top priority for RI President Francesco Arezzo. In my talks with the clubs I tell them about the different club models and some of the changes recently made by the Council on Legislation.  
 
Please mark your calendar for Aug 23 as we plan to hold another Family Fun Day at McLeod Park, 8100 Texas Flat Rd, Kiln MS, from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm. Food, drinks and games will be provided - so come out and have a great day of fellowship with fellow Rotarians. Registration will be available soon so we will have an idea of the number of people to plan for.
 
As PDG Vicky says:  "IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE A ROTARIAN."
 
Thanks,
Keith 
🌟 Jack's Journey: From RYLA to Italy πŸŒŸ
 
Our outbound Youth Exchange student, Jack, recently attended RYLA where he gained valuable leadership skills and made lasting connections with fellow young leaders. This fall, he begins an exciting year abroad in Italy as part of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.
 
We’re so proud to support him on this incredible journey of cultural discovery and personal growth.
 
Follow along with his adventures at beyondmississippi.wordpress.com βœˆοΈπŸ“š
πŸŽ‰ Congratulations to Kentrell Jones of the Slidell North Shore Club on his appointment to the Habitat for Humanity International U.S. Council! A well-deserved honor for a dedicated leader in service. πŸ‘πŸ½πŸ‘

πŸŽ‰ Laissez les bons temps rouler! Rotary Summer Seminar 2025 is coming to New Orleans!

Get ready for a dynamic day of learning, leadership, and connection as we kick off the 2025–26 Rotary year!

πŸ“ Location:
Holiday Inn – Metairie
2261 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, LA 70001

πŸ—“οΈ Date & Time:
Doors open at 8:00 AM
Seminar: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

πŸ’² Cost: $60 (includes lunch!)

🎯 Topics: Membership β€’ Public Image β€’ Foundation Strategy
🀝 Network with leaders from across the Zone

πŸŒ™ Optional Friday Night Event – Cajun Food Fest!
Join local Rotary clubs for a fun evening of Cajun food, fellowship, and two drink tickets.
🎟️ Cost: $30

πŸ‘‰ Register now for the New Orleans Seminar!
Register Here

πŸš— Can’t make it to NOLA?
No worriesβ€”more Summer Seminars are happening across the Heart of America Zones.
πŸ‘‰ Find and register for a location near you!

Let’s make 2025–26 a year of bold action and united service. See you there!

πŸŽ‰Rotary District Picnic – Save the Date!πŸŽ‰


Join us on August 23rd at McLeod Park in Kiln, MS for a fun-filled day of food, drinks, games, fellowship, and splash pad fun!

πŸ—“ Date: Saturday, August 23rd
πŸ“ Location: McLeod Park
⏰ Time: 10:30am - 3pm(ish)

Bring your family, invite your club members, and get ready to enjoy a great day with fellow Rotarians from across the district. Stay tuned for more details!

πŸŽ‰ July is Rotary's New Leadership Month!

Each July marks the beginning of a new Rotary year β€” a time of fresh starts, new goals, and inspired leadership. Clubs and districts across the globe welcome their incoming presidents, officers, and board members, setting the tone for a year of service, connection, and impact.

This is the perfect time to:

  • Celebrate outgoing leaders for their dedication and accomplishments

  • Introduce new leaders to your members and community

  • Share your goals for the year ahead

  • Get involved in club planning and visioning sessions

Let’s kick off the Rotary year strong and support our new leaders as they guide us into another impactful year of Service Above Self!

πŸ’‘ DON'T FORGET TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR UPCOMING EVENTS! πŸ’‘
 
Got an awesome event coming up? Just send the details over to Ashley Mayley-Yarber at ashley.mayley.5@gmail.com, our newsletter guru. She'll work her magic and make sure your event gets the spotlight it deserves!
District-Sponsored Events
Ocean Springs Club Visit
Ocean Springs Yacht Club
Jul. 16, 2025
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
 
Gulfport Sunset Club Visit
Gulfport Yacht Club
Jul. 16, 2025
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
 
Gulfport Club Visit
Great Southern Club Hancock Building
Jul. 17, 2025
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
 
Orange Grove Club Visit
Coast Electric
Jul. 21, 2025
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
 
Summit Club Visit
Summit Rotary Gym
Jul. 21, 2025
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
 
Hammond Sunrise Meeting
Tope'la Catering
Jul. 22, 2025
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
 
Amite Club Visit
Mike's Catfish Inn
Jul. 22, 2025
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
 
Pascagoula Club Visit
Grand Magnolia Ballroom
Jul. 23, 2025
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
 
Ponchatoula Club Visit
Rotary Hut
Jul. 24, 2025
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
 
Bay St. Louis Anniversary (1925)
Jul. 29, 2025
 
Slidell North Shore Club Visit
Pinewood Country Club
Jul. 29, 2025
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
 
Hattiesburg Sunrise Club Visit
William Carey
Jul. 30, 2025
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
 
Bay St. Louis Club Visit
Bay Waveland Yacht Club
Jul. 30, 2025 12:00 p.m.
 
Pass Christian Club Visit
Pass Christian Yacht Club
Jul. 31, 2025
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
 
Membership and Club Development Month
Aug. 01, 2025 - Aug. 31, 2025
 
View entire list
πŸŽ‰ Get Your Big Game Raffle Tickets! πŸŽ‰

Support the Northlake-Mandeville Rotary Club and help fund amazing local charities!

🎟️ Tickets: $20 each
πŸ† Over 50 prize packages β€” Saints & LSU tickets, hotel stays, gift cards, a WWII plane ride, and more!
πŸ’› All proceeds benefit organizations like Hope House, Safe Harbor, Feeding the Needy, Habitat for Humanity, and others.

πŸ“… Drawing: August 21 @ Noon | Metairie Country Club
πŸ”— Purchase Online: (click below)
πŸ“¬ Mail a check to:
     Northlake-Mandeville Rotary Club
     P.O. Box 246
     Mandeville, LA 70470-0246

Thank you for supporting our community! πŸ’™πŸ’›

Stories
Rotary International: Unstoppable - Celebrating Rotary’s Commitment To Polio Eradication
Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only two countries where wild poliovirus (WPV1) is still endemic. Despite remarkable progress, both nations continue to face major obstacles to eradication, including political instability, conflict, and limited access for vaccination teams. While case numbers have declined significantly in recent years, periodic outbreaks still occurβ€”especially in border regions and communities with low immunization coverage.
The Little Cooler - Polio Miniatures
 
A Legacy in Miniature: Rotary’s Fight to End Polio
 
To honor Rotary’s decades-long commitment to eradicating polio, miniature artists from around the world were invited to recreate powerful moments from this historic global effort.
 
Lori Nix and Kathleen Gerber have collaborated on dioramas and miniatures for over twenty years; their work has primarily been the subject matter for their fine art photography. Their images of faux landscapes and gritty urban interiors have gained wide acclaim in both the United States and Europe. Their work has regularly been featured in art galleries, advertising campaigns, television and movies.
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