Last Wednesday, Paul Seymour (Photo right, with President Andy Bell) regaled us with a treasure trove of images and stories of his recent Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) to Pennsylvania. Together with the RC of Mermaid Beach, our club hosted a team over there in March this year. And that, in a nutshell, is what RFE is all about. Each party hugely profits not only by being hosted privately, but gains “insider’s” knowledge that go beyond that of an ordinary tour guide.
Paul, quite understandably, was over the moon. Impressed by the hospitality the team enjoyed in what was the second state to ratify the US Constitution in 1787 they enjoyed various tours of local history. But there is also much seriously unusual stuff: Take, for example, the Amish Village. They might be doing everything the old fashioned way (horse & carriage, their own medical aid, and everything is in cash), yet the clan (is that the correct expression?) boasts some of the richest people in the world.
But there are also many more modern sites to explore. Take the Marlin Guitar Factory. Every single one is hand crafted, and takes about 2 ½ months to complete. Marlins are and have been used by dozens of the world’s great musicians from its inception in 1833. Say.. Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Neil Young, John Mayer just to throw about some names. Heard of Devon Gillfillian? Neither had I; he is one the new generation R&B, Hip-Hop and Soul artists… Want one? All yours for a mere US$ 3,999.00.
Too much to outline in detail in a club bulletin. Paul’s Photo Show is in the Download Section on the right.