Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
March 25, 2004
COMING EVENTS
April 1 - Another interesting program
April 8 - Another interesting program
April 15 - Another interesting program
April 16-17 - District Assembly in Eureka
April 22 - Another interesting program
April 29 - Another interesting program
May 6 - All Day Breakfast, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
PRESIDENT ONITA called the meeting to order and announced that we would only have to put up with her for 11 more meetings. (She must really be looking forward to retirement.)
Our oldest but best song leader GENE BENEDETTI (who was milking cows at age 8) then came forward to led us in song.
JIM (The Irishman) MC CAFFREY was called up next to lead us in prayer. He asked that we ask for blessing of all those club members who would be out of the country working on our International Project during the next few weeks. For some unknown reason the majority of the members thought Jim was finished and started the Rotary greeting process. Jim said ”Hold It, I’m not finished yet.” After order was restored Jim reminded us to do a good deed for those less fortunate than us.
HARVEY FREETLY welcomed our lone visiting Rotarian from the Sonoma Club.
Visiting Guests were introduced by PRESIDENT ONITA, JEANNETTE CLARK, and STEVE POWELL.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
JIM BECKER gave an update on the International Project. Several members of the club left yesterday and the remaining members will leave tomorrow. All the necessary items are packed and everything is a GO! Jim will have a detailed report of the project along with pictures when they return. Best of luck and may you have a very successful venture and a safe trip home.
RALPH SARTORI reported that Farmers Night was a fun time for all and thanked all those who supported the event. Ralph asked that those members owing $$ please get their checks to STEVE OLMSTED or “Jim Groverman.”
DAVE AMUNDSEN immediately asked for clarification as he thought BILL GROVERMAN was in charge of ticket sales. The President called on Ralph who was find $5.00 for having the Groverman brothers mixed up.
WALLY BRAGDON introduced leaders of the Troop 8 Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts who reissued our club with our sponsorship charter. They reported that this was the 60th year we have supported the club. We are the oldest charter supporter in the district.
KAREN VAN BEBBER reported that the Interact retreat this past weekend was well supported and thanked all of those who worked so hard to make the weekend so special for the interact members.
GRETA VIGUIE thanked everyone for the support of Measure C, which was approved by the voters in the last election. The district will now be able to hire 3 teachers to help with reading, keep the music programs, and keep the class sizes down. Greta made a donation to the club equal to the yearly parcel tax approved. The campaign is still $10,000 short and any donations would be appreciated to help reduce this deficit.
PRESIDENT ONITA then went right into collecting fines for the club.
MICHAEL CARUANA was first in line. He is the proud father of a recent U.C.L.A. graduate. His son is planning to attend graduate school and Michael asked if the club had a credit union? PRESIDENT ONITA informed him that the club was after incoming $$$ not outgoing $$$. Michael proudly paid a fine for his son’s graduation.
WALLY BRAGDON was next on the list for taking a trip. Wally reported that he and three sisters and a Mother had recently returned from a trip down the Mississippi River. When asked about the trip Wally said “I really wasn’t old enough to be on the trip”. Seems most of the passengers were older than Wally. It was a great 700 mile trip and mom’s 85th birthday wish was realized.
RICK MOSSI and STEVE POWELL were called upon to support the fine can for recent pictures in the local press. Both received copies only after their fines were paid.
Since our secretary STEVE OLMSTED forgot the March Birthday list the Birthday members got off without having to pay a fine. Steve was fined for forgetting the list and did enjoy a slice of birthday cake.
There was no big raffle winner and next week's pot will be $275.00.
LOU STEINBERG introduced the speakers for the day. Bill Fusco, the Athletic Director from Sonoma State, and Pat Fuscaldo, the basketball coach, gave a report on SSU sports and how fundraising is so vital to the success of the various sport programs. They invited everyone to their major fundraiser “BIDNIGHT MADNESS” which will be held on May 1, 2004. A Ford Mustang will be given away and tickets are only $10.00. Click the link or call 707-664-2521 for information on the event.
NEW MEMBER PROPOSAL
The club has received an application for induction of the following new member. If any member in good standing has an objection to this person, such objection should be made in writing to the club board of directors within 10 days of receipt of this notice:
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Ralph Sartori.
NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: Gene Andrews
Microphone: Michael Caruana
Visitors: Joe Allen
Editor: Connie Heizer
March 19, 2004
COMING EVENTS
March 25 - John Ramatici presents an interesting program
April 1 - Another interesting program
Special FARMERS NIGHT Edition
Rotarians and their guests were in good spirits as they were adequately hosted at the two open bars during the club's annual recognition of the agriculture and business community.
Onita put the conversations on hold and announced dinner was served.
Gene Benedetti led the crowd in singing "God Bless America" and Keith Solts gave the invocation.
Dinner of polenta and stew, prepared by Adobe Harvest, was served.
After dinner Ralph Bettinelli provided the entertainment by distributing raffle tickets — and then dozens of eggs, pounds of cheese and butter and bottles of wine to the winners.
Onita invited everyone to return to the bar for the rest of the evening.
There are dozens more photos of Farmers Night in Ed Fullerton's Photo Album. Click here to view them.
NEW MEMBER PROPOSAL
The club has received an application for induction of the following new member. If any member in good standing has an objection to this person, such objection should be made in writing to the club board of directors within 10 days of receipt of this notice:
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Mike Madick.
NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: Joanne Ferris
Microphone: Marcus Benedetti
Visitors: Ron Harris
Editor: Ralph Sartori
March 11, 2004
COMING EVENTS
March 18 – Club dark today — Farmers Night tomorrow
March 19 - Farmers Night
March 25 - John Ramatici presents an interesting program
April 1 - Another interesting program
The fresh smell of Spring was in the air and the sun was shining bright as we gathered for our weekly meeting. PRESIDENT ONITA PELLIGRINI called us to order and asked GENE BENEDETTI to lead us in song. The last two weeks have been heart-wrenching for Gene, his family and his friends as we mourned the loss of his beloved Evelyn; but true to his strength and character, GENE lead us in a rousing version of “God Bless America”. I think many of us sang a little louder in honor of Evelyn.
JEANETTE CLARK gave us an early St. Patrick’s Day thought and recited a Lucky Irish Toast. It was a reminder that we can all be a little Irish one day a year.
JIM BECKER reported that the Rotary container has arrived in Guatemala and a group will be traveling in the next week to distribute the goods. On March 25, two planes will depart for Mexico with a team of physicians and dentists to offer assistance in Loretto-Mulege. Donations are still being accepted for eyeglasses and a laptop computer.
RALPH SARTORI reminded us about Farmer’s Night on the 19th – this is a great opportunity to invite guests and have a very entertaining evening. I wonder if RICK OBERLIN will do his striptease act again. Ouch!
PRESIDENT ONITA announced that the new date for the All-Day Breakfast is Thursday, May 6. Let’s all try to sell more than our standard allotment.
BABE AMARAL was called to the podium to announce his new Board of Directors and Governing Board. In no particular order: STEVE OLMSTEAD, JOHN DADO, LEROY BEAN, JIM MICKELSON, GARY BRODIE RALPH SARTORI, STEVE (Sweet-cheeks) HENRIS, TENNY TUCKER, ERIC GUNHEIM, KATHY O’CONNOR-BURROUGHS, and HEIDI KIBBE. Congratulations to BABE and his entire team.
PAST-PRESIDENT ED FULLERTON called up his board members for 2002-2003 and awarding them with a beautiful Chicken Badge pin. HARVEY FREETLY, DOUG GARRISON, RICK OBERLIN, TAWNY TESCONI and JOHN DADO were applauded by the crowd and then ED distributed a pin to all the members. Thank you very much, ED.
The Fine Department made several visits, including $20 from Lou Steinberg for celebrating his 60th birthday and the announcement of a future son-in-law. Mazel Tov.
CONNIE HIEZER was fined $20 for interacting with the Albertsons computerized check-out service. She will definitely NOT be using the service in the future.
Last, but not least, STEVE HENRIS was fined $40 for not installing personally the new roof at Westgate Realty. It seems several Westgate employees (STEVE GAVRILOFF not among them) were looking forward to the view from below and they were very disappointed when Steve and his tight Wranglers didn’t show. Steve was fined $20 per cheek. In the words of Former First Lady Nancy Reagan – JUST SAY NO TO CRACK!
JEANETTE CLARK’S guest, Michael White, won the raffle and a nice bottle of wine.
PAST PRESIDENT HENRY HANSEL reminded us of the need to introduce new members to Rotary and he complimented ONITA on the inclusion of 10 such members during her tenure. He called on KEITH SOLTS to help present a membership badge to SUZANNE IRWIN-WELLS. Welcome to the club.
MARCUS BENEDETTI introduced our guest speaker, Sheriff Bill Cogbill, who gave a very frank and informative program on the status of his office and the general state of the county. Thank you very much Sheriff Cogbill.
Remember, next Thursday, March 18 we are dark. See you Friday at Farmers and Merchants Night.
NEW MEMBER PROPOSAL
The club has received an application for induction of the following new member. If any member in good standing has an objection to this person, such objection should be made in writing to the club board of directors within 10 days of receipt of this notice:
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Ricardo Marzo.
NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: Farmers Night
Microphone: Farmers Night
Visitors: Farmers Night
Editor: Mike Madick
March 4, 2004
COMING EVENTS
March 11 - Sonoma County Sheriff Bill Cogbill
March 18 – Club dark today — Farmers Night tomorrow
March 19 - Farmers Night
The Rotary Club of Petaluma extends its condolences to Gene Benedetti upon the death of his wife, Evelyn, who passed away on March 2, 2004. A Benediction will be held on Friday, March 5th at 6 pm and a Funeral Mass will be celebrated in her honor on Saturday, March 6th at 1 pm. Both services will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 35 Liberty Street, Petaluma. |
PRESIDENT ONITA called the meeting promptly to order at 12:35pm.
Song leader for the day was STEVE RUSTAD.
We then had a moment of silence in honor of the passing of Evelyn Benedetti. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family.
BARNEY FAUSS than gave a thought for the day regarding the Power of Prayer.
Introduction of visiting Rotarians by LARRY JONAS: Jackie Spahr, Leslie Robbins and George Wagner, all from the Petaluma Valley Club. Rotarians with guests: JEANNETTE CLARK (Michael White), KEITH SOLTS (Suzanne Irwin-Wells), ONITA PELLEGRINI (Laura Runyon and Dan Marsh), STEVE GAVRILOFF (his almost 2 year old daughter Natasha). Interact visitor from St. Vincent’s: Kelly Bing
JERRY GILLESPIE reminded that merchandise needs to be picked up. Attn: JOE ALLEN and FRED FROST!
RALPH SARTORI reported that signups for Farmers Night March 19th are needed. AL CATTALINI received a mug for his great work on last weeks Coast Guard Meeting.
MIKE MADICK conducted the induction of new member DANIEL MARSH, sponsored by President Onita.
ROBERT MITCHELL received his Chicken badge and dutifully paid his $10.
JIM BECKER was presented his winning check in the amount of $8,000 for first place in our club raffle.
Then the fines began: First JIM BECKER for winning the $8,000 and having a banner year in his business and for the trip he and Gretchen took to New Zealand with a stopover in Fiji. Jim gave $500 back to the club for use in International projects.
MARK STOKES was called upon to recognize his appointment to the board of directors for the Bank of Petaluma. Mark paid $100 and each of the existing directors who were in attendance, DAN LIBARLE, JOHN DADO and HENRY HANSEL paid $15.
JOHN DADO was then called upon to tell us his secret of picking horses. John had a huge pick six last year and last week got 5 out of 6. $50 to the local foundation and everyone can now buy John Henry’s picks for the next races.
STEVE GAVRILOFF was recognized by the Argus-Courier and the Chamber of Commerce for Westgate Realty being the “Small Business of the Year.” Steve then announced that he and his wife Carolyn will be expecting a new addition to their family in September. That all cost him $100.
CLARK ROSEN who won the raffle last week at the base pulled a blue rock for a bottle of wine.
Your editor than finally won a raffle and also was rewarded with a blue rock. Wine to come.
Our Speaker was Dick Spotswood, a retired politician who does commentary for KCRB and writes a column for the Novato Advance. He tells us his politics are that of a Militant Centrist. His speech was quite entertaining and informative.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Lou Steinberg.
NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: Lucie Sweda
Microphone: Clark Rosen
Visitors: Robert Mitchell
Editor: Ricardo Marzo