Rushville Rotary Club met Tuesday at Flatrock Grill.

President Norm Voiles called the gathering to order. Nancy Rice led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ralph Mitchell provided an opening prayer.

Bill Todd was the Mystery Person. He gave the free lunch to Dr. Fred Philips in recognition of Dr. Philip’s efforts in supporting and promoting Rotary throughout the district.

Shelly King was up next with Brag for a Buck.

Dr. Philips boasted that he and his wife recently went to Kentucky and upon their return their home was still intact. Bill Todd reported his daughter’s wedding the previous weekend was a wonderful affair. Angie Neeb bragged that it was nice to see young ladies wearing nice dresses for Homecoming at RCHS. She also complimented high school and corporate administrators for a great Homecoming week of activities. Finally, she boasted about this week’s RCHS boys’ soccer sectional action. Bill Griffis paid $1 to brag on the Colts exciting victory over the Texans. Pam Leisure bragged about her daughter’s birthday and insisted this report include a “Happy Birthday” wish. Dr. Sickbert bragged that his son was recovering from a broken arm. President Norm boasted about his grandson’s continuing excellence playing high school football in Decatur County. And Kevin Green bragged that Ball State’s football team is ranked for the first time in the school’s history. He also bragged on Dr. Philips for saving one of his wife’s cats.

John Worth was filling in as Sergeant-at-Arms.

He said that in light of the economy and the government’s Wall Street bail out he was sponsoring a Rotary bail out for the day. “Keep your quarters,” he said. “Put ‘em in the bank!”

Those in attendance were reminded by President Norm that this year’s Christmas party will be Dec. 15 at Flatrock Grill.

Rotarian Angie Neeb then shared interesting factoids culled from a copy of the Rush County Atlas from 1879.

Among the things she shared:

Timber was big business in Rush County almost 130 years ago;

Agriculture was very important to the county as well;

Panthers were reportedly a problem;

Elk, deer and wild ducks were plentiful, and area streams, rivers and lakes were teeming with fish;

The county commissioners met for the first time in 1822;