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October 6, 2009
Today’s Program Installation Banquet - Bob Piplitz
Bob grew up in Saddle Brook, New Jersey (as seen on the TV series, The Sopranos). If you take exit 157 off the Garden State, head East on 46, make a right at the first discount liquor store (if you went past an adult book store you went too far), the compound is on the right before you hit Factory Park.
Bob’s verbal skills torpedoed his dreams of becoming a rock star. To be fair, there were also a lot of other reasons that didn’t happen. So Bob went to Lehigh as a computer engineer. On the bright side Bob spent his summers between upstate New York learning he didn’t want to be a farmer and Wildwood, New Jersey learning other stuff.
With his shiny new BS in computer engineering under his arm Bob went to work for IBM and quickly discovered air-cooled processor development was not nearly as much fun as it sounds. At least Bob had escaped New Jersey and made it to Endicott, New York where only Seattle has fewer sunny days. Looking at the positive side of things Bob often went skiing in Vermont (which is really ice skating down mountains) and water skiing on the Finger Lakes (where a water temperature of 68 degrees is considered too hot).
With his positive attitude Bob knew he positively wanted to get out of Endicott and landed in Tampa moving from engineering to sales in the process. Bob married Angela in 1994 and knew right away Angela was the right one for him. It wasn’t just that she often threatened to have his car towed (she was a notorious IBM customer) or that all Bob’s friends were afraid of her. She was special, like a cross between a butterfly and a pit bull. They have two sons, Robby (the sweetheart, 12) and Joey (I spend a lot of time in the principal’s office, 8). They live in Tampa, and they’re not moving because Angela said so.
Bob joined Merrill Lynch in 1995. Bruce McKelvey invited one of Bob’s partners to join Kiwanis in 2003. Bob joined instead, and Bruce never showed any disappointment (at least not to Bob). Bob’s goals for Kiwanis this year: Make a difference; grow the club; and have fun. Naturally a humble person, Bob does not want to be referred to as “King” or “your eminence”. “Sire” or my Liege” seems more appropriate.
Editor’s Note: Bob was asked to limit his commentary to under 300 words. His first effort yielded 600 words. Surprised? So, after careful editing, his life story has been reduced to 400 words, but I cannot attest to the veracity of the text. However, in Bob’s case, it does appear that the truth is stranger than fiction.
What’s Happening?
Off of “Injured Reserve”
Good to see Paul Renker back. Paul, let’s hope you do not have any more close encounters with tree branches.
New Grandfather
Paul Renker has a new grandchild, a baby boy birthed by daughter Sarah. Per tradition to honor Paul and his family, Kiwanians donated $135.00. Paul’s contribution is double this amount, $270.00, and the total amount raised goes to the Al Muter Scholarship Fund.
Mayoral Candidate Debate
Ron Braun reminded members to bring a guest to our mayoral candidate debate with Kathleen Ford and Bill Foster on Tuesday, October 13. This meeting is part of our 2009/2010 membership drive. Please reserve a spot for your guest with a $12 payment. You will receive a reservation card that each guest must present at the door.
As A Prelude to our Program, you might be interested in the following
The St. Petersburg Times and Bay News 9 will present a televised debate between St. Petersburg mayoral candidates Kathleen Ford and Bill Foster from 7-8 p.m. on October 12 at the Palladium Theater. A Conversation with the Candidates will air on Bay News 9. Audience tickets are available at the Palladium box office, 253 Fifth Avenue North, St. Petersburg. Admission is free. Box office hours are noon to 4 p.m. weekdays. The debate is sponsored by Humana. (As reported in the St. Pete Times)
New Member
Kevin Carr, now duly inducted as a Kiwanian, now has his Kiwanis apron in hand for future meetings. Welcome Kevin, and good luck with those autographs.
Happy Worker’s
A special thank you from Jane Baldwin to all the volunteers for last week’s Happy Worker’s Book Fair event.
Project Save-A-Smile
Kiwanian Dr. Ron O’Neal is sponsoring Project Save-A-Smile for the fifth year. On Saturday, November 14, at Dr. Ron’s office at 7401 Dr. MLK, Jr. St., N at 8:15 a.m. work will begin on children up to the age of 16. Please contact Kathy Condon to volunteer for this most rewarding experience. You will enjoy being a part of this event. And, thanks Ron, for helping young children in need.
A Great Year
Under President Biff Baker’s stewardship, our service to the community touched many people and many projects. Here a some of them:
Project Save-A-Smile
Playground Construction
Bell Ringers for the Salvation Army
Christmas Toy Wrap and assembly (sponsored by the Help-A-Child foster Parent Group)
Christmas Angel Gift Purchase (sponsored by the Pinellas County Foster Association)
Sallie House Easter Egg Hunt (sponsored by the Salvation Army)
All Children’s Hospital Telethon
Special Olympics
PARC Blue’s Fest
Sea Oats planting on St. Pete Beach
Happy Worker’s Book Fair
Our program committee worked hard to present lively, topical programs. Our programs included visits from media members, government officials, education personnel, the medical profession, and finally, and most notably, an appearance by General Petraeus, witnessed by nearly 200 guests and members.
Not to be forgotten is our club’s continued support for the CKI Club and the Key Clubs.
Our special fundraiser effort, the Fischer/Carr Auction, netted over $43,000, even more than the 2008 auction.
As Kiwanians, look at the 2008-2009 year as setting the bar for achievement and fun. For the 2009-2010 year, our goals should be to sustain our current excellence and continue to serve our community.
Last Week at Kiwanis
Kiwanian of the Day, Mitch Cochran, introduced us to Dave McKay, co-host (along with Randy Price) of the WQYK 99.5 FM morning show.
Dave and Randy are in a new dimension for them as they previously teamed together on the afternoon drive show for nearly fourteen years.
The morning show is different for listeners, too, as Dave and Randy talk less and let the music carry the show. Their core audience is the 25-54 year old demographic, which not so coincidentally is the target audience for advertisers. Also, WQYK is the only local station with round the clock DJ’s.
Dave regaled us with amusing radio stories and the use of the dump button to prevent naughty words from airing. Even Dave has had to dump himself for the occasional slip.
Most amusing was Dave’s imitation of Sylvester Stallone…… a dead ringer for Sly if there ever was one.
Dave, thanks for a humorous look at local radio.
Attendance Last Week
We had 61 members and 3 guests attending.
Mike Barnard, guest of Jerry Little.
Jake Holehouse, guest and son of Ron Holehouse.
Today’s Quiz
How many past presidents are currently members of our club?
What is our current membership number?
When was our club founded?
As of 2008-2009 year, how many in our club are in the Legion of Honor (more than 25 years of service)?
How many other Kiwanis Clubs are in our District 13?
Last Week’s Quiz
Biff Baker graduated from St. Petersburg High School.
Biff’s brother’s name is Mike.
Biff met his wife, Ann, at the Bennigan’s at Fourth Street & Gandy Boulevard.
Biff’s favorite beer is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.
Biff was born in Columbus, Georgia, but he got a blood transfusion of orange and blue.
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