July 2002

Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.

July 25 - 2001 GSE Team to Japan - Jon Vander Haar

Today’s meeting opened with a history lesson from songleader BARNEY FAUSS. He explained that although George Washington never heard the words to our National Anthem (it hadn’t been written yet) he knew the melody well as it came from a popular drinking song of his time. After Barney’s stirring Star Spangled Banner it was time for our thought for the day. We should have sung a second verse so CONNIE HEIZER would have been right on time for her beautiful thoughts on “love as a noun.”

JAMES GOTELLI introduced visiting Rotarians and STEVE GAVRILOFF, CLARK ROSEN, and GARY BRODIE introduced their guests. Interact guests were introduced by BILL HARTMAN. The Sunshine Report noted that Evelyn Benedetti was scheduled for surgery this afternoon but had been doing well. Best wishes, Evelyn and GENE!

ED FULLERTON complimented AL KAPLAN for hosting a fabulous barbecue for our tri-club international project. He also encouraged attendance at the July 25 Association Meeting at Dutton Ranch in Sebastopol and at an August 8 dinner honoring Charmaine Stouder. Also, August 10 is the Petaluma Valley Club’s canoe and picnic event on the Russian River. LUCIE SWEDA reminded members of the August 15 Crushers game (5:00 p.m. BBQ, 7:05 p.m. game, $20). And LEE BEAN announced that signup sheets for our August 19 golf tournament would be available at the next meeting.

Charmaine Stouder introduced 16-year-old John Carpenter who is on his way to Brazil as our local Rotary exchange student for next year. PRESIDENT ED made sure that John was well equipped with our “chicken banner” for presentation to Rotary Clubs in Brazil’s São Paulo District.

Is PDG ART AGNEW getting forgetful? PRESIDENT ED called him up to claim the raffle prize he won last week, a fine bottle of wine. Then he surprised Art with a gift recognizing Art’s 90th birthday. A card signed by all members present accompanied the framed photo of Art.

ART showed he hadn’t forgotten a thing by smoothly conducting a rare, contested election for directors of our local foundation. Elected today were ART AGNEW, JEANNETTE CLARK, JOHN DADO and AL KAPLAN. Congratulations!

DAN LIBARLE, JOHN SCHARER and VERA CIAMMETTI were each assessed $5 delayed early-leaver fees for sneaking out early on last week’s meeting. STEVE GAVRILOFF proudly paid $100 to celebrate the birth of Natasha, his first child. Continuing the fining, PRESIDENT ED introduced his board members and socked them with $25 fines for orchestrating the chaos at last week’s meeting. HARVEY FREETLY, who had paid $100 last week, was exempted but tried to negotiate reduced fines for LORETTA CATAROZOLI, RICK OBERLIN, ONITA PELLEGRINI and TAWNY TESCONI. Producing PRESIDENT ED’s chicken badge, he inquired whose badge Ed was wearing. TENNY TUCKER reclaimed his badge (which had mysteriously clipped itself to Ed’s shirt) but our President declared that he would not fine himself.

With sponsor STEVE GAVRILOFF alongside, PRESIDENT ED inducted our newest member, DAN REED (Classification: Trailer Sales). Welcome to the Club, Dan! President-Elect ONITA PELLEGRINI was the lucky raffle winner today, walking off with a bottle of wine.

JOHN DADO’s program outlined Rotary’s battle against polio and new efforts to eradicate polio from the Earth by 2005, the 100th anniversary of Rotary. (Today all but 1% of the world is free of polio.) Our District Governor’s goal is to raise $78 per member this year (this means more than $8,000 from our club) for this noble project. With $1,000 made available by JIM MICKELSON’s board we are already on the way to our goal. Contributions to Paul Harris Fellowships may be earmarked for the Polio Eradication Campaign. Member contributions up to $100 will be matched by our club. Assisting John on this project are ONITA PELLEGRINI, DAVE AMUNDSEN, RICK OBERLIN, WALLY BRAGDON, RAY JOHNSON, ROY MUSICK and PAUL LOUNIBOS.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini. .

NEXT WEEK'S ASSIGNMENTS

Fine Can: Marcus Benedetti

Microphone: Loretta Catarozoli

Visitors: Bill Groverman

Editor: Ralph Sartori

July 18 - Polio Eradication by 2005 - John Dado, speaker

July 25 - 2001 GSE Team to Japan - Jon Vander Haar

Welcome to Chaos! That was the official invitation to ED FULLERTON’s first meeting as Club President. Following a brilliantly choreographed script, the members threw paper airplanes, blew noisemakers, launched or popped balloons, played paddle ball, jacks or cards, blew bubbles, threw paper wads, photographed Ed (close up!) and otherwise tried to distract the gallant Marine aviator from his presidential duties.

GENE BENEDETTI opened the meeting by leading the Marines’ Hymn followed by DOUG GARRISON’s thought for the day on leadership. HARVEY FREETLY contributed additional thoughts for the day. He observed that “Ed does the work of three men-Larry, Curly and Moe.” and, noting that politicians are like diapers (“they need to be changed often-and for the same reason”) presented our President with a package of diapers.

STEVE GAVRILOFF introduced two visiting Rotarians, both from the Petaluma Valley club. They invited us to join their “ROWtary Day on the Russian River” on August 10. For more information on this fund-raiser, call 778-1516, 763-9556 or 887-9458.

BABE AMARAL reminded stragglers who haven’t paid for their Debunking tickets to settle with STEVE OLMSTED right away. More stragglers: PRESIDENT ED noted a 75% response rate to the recent Club survey and questionnaire. He reminded the remaining 25% to return theirs soon.

JIM BECKER thanked members who attended the International Service BBQs last weekend. There’s another BBQ at AL KAPLAN’s this weekend and one at NANCY KOENITZER’s on July 27. Call JIM BECKER or LARRY JONAS for more information.

Mark your calendars for the August 15 Crushers game. The first pitch will be thrown out by District Governor Terri Clark. A $20 ticket includes the game and the Rotary tailgate party.

With the local foundation’s President, Vice-President and Treasurer absent, Secretary ART AGNEW convened a meeting of the Petaluma Rotary Foundation. He reported that the foundation started the past year with $210,224 on hand, received $7,710 in contributions, awarded $8,555 in grants and ended the year with $217,954. Nominations closed with five candidates (AL KAPLAN, JERRY GILLESPIE, JOHN DADO, JEANNETTE CLARK and ART AGNEW) for four Director positions on this year’s board. When you buy your lunch ticket on July 18, you’ll receive a ballot to be voted and deposited in the lobby.

FRED FROST proudly announced the birth of a new granddaughter and gladly donated $75 ($10 per pound) to the Club. RICARDO MARZO, called on the carpet to explain why the blue and gold table linens were missing today, accepted full responsibility but noted that, “I’m merely a pawn.” It cost him $25.

In a real shocker, MAUREEN JOYCE announced that she had been promoted to a new position in Sacramento and would be moving (and resigning from the Club) immediately. (Note: This means that at the first meeting of the year, PRESIDENT ED lost one of his board members and your editor lost one of his best Rota-Teller writers. Sob!) Secretary STEVE OLMSTED did some quick math and determined that MAUREEN’s resignation cost the Club $50. Gracious to the end, MAUREEN doubled that figure and donated $100 to Polio Plus.

PDG ART AGNEW had the winning raffle ticket, drew a blue rock and walked off with a fine bottle of wine.

A series of Regional Foundation Seminars have been scheduled in support of Rotary’s International Foundation programs. The seminars include a formal presentation followed by a BBQ lunch and social hour. All District 5130 Rotarians are encouraged to attend one of the following Saturday morning events: July 27 - Lakeport, August 10 - McKinleyville, August 24 - Cotati Town Hall, September 21 - Napa. Visit our club web site or contact the Club Secretary for further information.

Breaking News! New Meeting Site for Petaluma Valley Rotary. Effective May 29, 2002 they meet at Rooster Run Golf Club, 2301 East Washington Street.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini (pinch-hitting for Maureen Joyce). .

NEXT WEEK'S ASSIGNMENTS

Visitors:

Microphone:

Fine Can:

Editor: Al Cattalini