Lake Butler Community Page News Tidbits

By Ted Barber

Art Peterson led the prayer of thanksgiving for our luncheon meal and the blessings we have. Alexandra Pritchett led the Pledge of Allegiance and Mitchell Bishop led us in singing “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas- Perry Como’s favorite continues “Everywhere you go/Take a look in the five-and –ten/Glistening once again/With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.” Few of us recalled the words in the first verse but we knew the melody.

The “Did You Know?” question asked which Soviet state became independent from the USSR in 1991? The correct answer was given by Art Peterson as the Ukraine.

David Beatty, our Program Chairman, introduced Mike Riplinger, Superintendent of Union County Schools, as our guest speaker. Mike talked about his 24 years with the state of Florida and his 21 years with the Union County High School. He said his learning curve was steep and that our School System was in good shape. He credits the County’s success to shared vision and stability. He foresees our challenges as mainly economic where budget restraints will play a major role. He mentioned the recent discontinuance of the distance learning program for the 10% that was trending downward. In response to a question by Ted Barber Mike informed the group that the current high school graduation rate was at 97% and that Law Enforcement and Corrections were being added to the curriculum.  He also commented on the effects of Covid-19 having just 4 students showing positive of the 2300 students. We were pleased with the presentation and look forward to Mike Riplinger joining the Lake Butler Rotary Club as an active member before the end of December 2020.

Upcoming program chairpersons include: Tyler Kelley- Dec 8 (Note- we have our annual dictionary presentations at the Lake Butler Elementary School Cafeteria at 9:00 AM December 8, 2020 –all Rotarians are requested to attend work permitting), Dec 15- Tony Sweat (Jim Bush-FP&L), Dec 22 and 29- No Club Meetings, Jan 12, 2021- Dale Walker, Jan 19- Dave Mecusker and Jan 26- Mitchell Bishop.