Cassini Spacecraft
 and Its Trip to Saturn 
 
 
 
 
President Dan called us to order and announced that September is Rotary's Basic Education and Literacy month. He noted that Lincoln Rotary supports this fundamental cause in many, many ways, through Book Buddies, Bikes for Books, Scholarships and more.  We are making a difference through our efforts.
 
Guests at the meeting today included:  Carol Feineman, Editor of the Lincoln News Messenger, who has submitted her application for Membership, Caron's husband, Jim Russell (first time at a Rotary meeting, YAY !!) and Passport Club Rotarian, Jerry Harner, who is a past Lincoln Rotary member and local Lincoln resident as well as being the Lincoln City Treasurer.
 
Birthdays were celebrated by Wild Bill and Sharon Johnson. A 41st anniversary was celebrated by Joe and Frima Stewart.  Congrats to all.
 
Kris Wyatt provided a remembrance of a former Club member and Past President, Jon Hirst, who passed away recently.  Rotarians who wish to attend the Funeral tomorrow at 10AM, should contact Kris.  She characterized Jon as very funny, with a sarcastic wit.  
 
President Dan announced that the Board has approved a donation of $1,000 to the Houston flood victims that will be split between three Texas Rotary District  who are taking donations.  Anyone can add a check by giving it to Claire or Mary Ann by next Wednesday.  Make it out to Lincoln Rotary Foundation and in the memo line put Texas Flood Relief. 
 
The Social held last Thursday was a success, Dan reported.  A good turnout, good food and a chance to meet new people and learn more.  There is a Survey for members available to provide feedback.  The next Social will be in November.
 
Nite at the Races tickets are available for sale from Harvey.  The date is October 13th, table size can be 8 to 10.  Claire reminded everyone to get the names of their guests, give them tickets so when they arrive, they will know where to go and be sure to note what their meal selection is so we can order the food.  NATR is always a fun event, so get some new folks to join us !!  Click here to download the flyer NATR Flyer.  
 
Our Speaker was Tim Pinkney who is a NASA Solar System Expert.  He gave a fascinating talk on the Cassini spacecraft and Huygens Probe which has been in space for 13 years and has sent back a wealth of information on Saturn and it's 63 moons.  It traveled 4.9 Billion miles and took 7 years to get to Saturn.  The effort came from 27 nations working together.  The surface of Saturn is minus 290 degrees and is made up mostly of liquid methane.  The life of the spacecraft is coming to an end next Thursday when it will be purposely self-destructed by going through the atmosphere of Saturn so that it doesn't contaminate any planet with bacteria or insects from Earth.  Tim was full of admiration for the knowledge gained from this $2.2 Billion project over 20 years.  He did a great job of explaining a complicated topic.