Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
July 3 - No meeting; club dark
July 10 - President Ralph's first meeting
July 17 - Another interesting program
July 18 - Pamela Tuft Retirement Party
July 20 - Petaluma Art & Equestrian Festival
It was a gala Saturday evening as a large crowd of Rotarians, spouses, family and friends gathered at the Sheraton Petaluma for the debunking of President LOU STEINBERG and the installation of incoming President RALPH SARTORI. The Snowy Egret room was alive with conversation as the guests sipped champagne, nibbled on hors d’oeuvres, and wondered how it would be possible to “debunk” the impeccable Louis Steinberg.
A sumptuous dinner was next and the guests continued to wonder. There was no mystery, however, about the outstanding food, drink, service, ambiance and hospitality provided by TOM BUCKLEY and his Sheraton staff. It was great. Thanks, Tom!
As the dinner plates were being cleared and dessert began to arrive, LOU called his final meeting to order. He summoned TED ADKINS for songleader duties and evoked a stirring God Bless America from the assembled guests.
Then JIM McCAFFREY delivered the invocation, giving thanks for Lou’s leadership over the past year and asking continued blessings for incoming President Ralph.
With great pride LOU then introduced his family. His son, daughter-in-law and their two sons had flown in from Denver. His daughter, son-in-law and their son had flown in from England. Had they come simply to observe an arcane Rotary ritual? Or did they want to be present when long-hidden secrets about their father would be revealed to the world?
After a glowing introduction of his wife, Juli, Lou presented her with a bouquet of red roses. Would she be startled by the impending revelations? Or had she cooperated with the Debunking committee? The crowd wondered, but Juli continued to stand by her man.
Up next for individual introductions and thank-yous were the members of Lou’s board: STEVE OLMSTED, JOHN DADO, LARRY JONAS, JAMES BURLESON, MICHAEL CARUANA, LORETTA CATAROZOLI, BANO CUMMINGS, ERIK GUNHEIM, STEVE HENRIS, and STEVE POWELL. Unable to attend, but also thanked by Lou were GEOFF ELLIS, AL KAPLAN, and GRETA VIGUIE. Did some of these confidants know of some peccadillo in Lou’s past?
PRESIDENT LOU then announced the recipient of his Service Above Self award, DAVE AMUNDSEN. Lou likened it to a Rotarian of the Year award but noted that the words Service Above Self more aptly described Dave’s weekly contributions over the past year. Congratulations, Dave!
Then master of ceremonies LARRY JONAS seated Lou on the stage and . . .
. . . and outfitted him in a suit of armor. Hmmm . . . could there be a chink in Mr. Clean’s armor?
Next, QUEEN BANO arrived and, lifting her mighty sword, tapped our bewildered President and raised him to knighthood. Where is this going?
Maybe ERIK GUNHEIM would have the answer. With a narrated slide show of Lou’s life . . .
. . . he bared private matters best kept close held and exposed the enormous secret that Lou had concealed for many years.
What to do next? A golf club (nice driver) and balls plus a commemorative plaque. Now it was time for the transfer of leadership.
LOU pinned the President pin on RALPH’s lapel and RALPH reciprocated with a Past President pin for LOU. And TOM BRANDAL received Ralph’s President Elect pin.
But a Rotary meeting isn’t over until the raffle.
KENTON CLARK had the winning ticket and got to draw a brown rock (?) out of the special sack provided. He now owns a nice floral arrangement.
Our brand-new PRESIDENT RALPH SARTORI then captivated the crowd with a heartfelt discussion of what Rotary means to him and how he will be working over the coming year to make dreams real.
Ralph concluded by reminding members that the Club will be dark on July 3. For some reason, he suggested that members wear old clothes to his first meeting on July 10. Should be interesting!
Click here for extensive photo coverage of the Debunking.
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Meal Increase
As many of you know we were given notice by our caterer that they would no longer be able to provide catering services to the club. Several options were looked at and in the end it was decided that our best option would be to continue meeting at the Petaluma Vet's Hall with catering provided by Preferred Sonoma Caterers. We were also given notice that the Vet's Hall rental fee would increase starting in July. Therefore the meal fee has been increased to $18.00.
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Semi-Annual Dues
All active members are advised that semi-anual dues are now due and payable. Here is the cost breakdown:
You can send your check to P.O. Box 5655, Petaluma, CA 94955 or bring it to the July 10 meeting. There is a 30-day grace period. A $25 late charge will be assessed after 30 days.
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This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini.
June 26 - No meeting
June 28 - Debunking
July 3 - No meeting; club dark
July 10 - President Ralph's first meeting
July 17 - Another interesting program
July 20 - Petaluma Art & Equestrian Festival
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Meal Increase
As many of you know we were given notice by our caterer that they would no longer be able to provide catering services to the club. Several options were looked at and in the end it was decided that our best option would be to continue meeting at the Petaluma Vet's Hall with catering provided by Preferred Sonoma Caterers. We were also given notice that the Vet's Hall rental fee would increase starting in July. Therefore the meal fee has been increased to $18.00.
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The text has been delayed; here are the photos.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Loretta Catarozoli.
June 19 - Orest Balytsky - Appearing by popular demand
June 26 - No meeting
June 28 - Debunking
July 3 - No meeting; club dark
July 10 - President Ralph's first meeting
PRESIDENT LOU called one of his final meetings to order with a self-introduction.
DAVE AMUNDSEN took to the stage to lead us all in God Bless America.
Cub Scout leads the Pledge of Allegiance.
PAUL LOUNIBOS gave us some thoughts about our pledge of allegiance.
There were no visiting Rotarians nor any guests.
Scout liason Wally Bragdon.
The troop leader from Troop 8 was in attendance to thank us and relay some details of the troop of Boy Scouts that our club sponsors. It was interesting to hear about their activities and the value of the Boy Scouts for the youth of our community.
For anyone interested, the RYLA barbeque is Wednesday, June 18th.
Please RSVP to JAMES BURLESON regarding the President’s Debunking on June 28th.
If you are interested in sponsoring a youth for the Cool Kids Camp program, please contact ED FULLERTON for the information.
The President was cleaning up some old business on the fine schedule making sure he has gotten his pound of flesh from everyone this year:
— TOM BAKER was fined, amongst other things, for a new house.
— TAWNY TESCONI made an appearance and was promptly fined $50 for attending the Harmony Festival.
— POLICE CHIEF HOOD was dinged for $100. Presumably for allowing one of his finest to issue a seat belt ticket to fellow Rotarian DONALD RAMATICI but that was left unsaid.
— ERIK GUNHEIM was hit for $40 for diving for abalone and for the petty theft of a fellow diver’s backpack.
TOM BAKER retaliated for his fine by winning the raffle and a bottle of wine.
Jane Saldaña-Talley introduces Kathleen Powell.
Kathleen Powell, CEO of the Petaluma Health Center, informed the crowd about her organization.
PRESIDENT LOU punctually adjourned the meeting
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Geoff Ellis.
June 12 - Kathryn Powell - Petaluma Health Center
June 19 - Orest Balytsky - Appearing by popular demand
June 26 - No meeting
June 28 - Debunking
July 3 - No meeting; club dark
July 10 - President Ralph's first meeting
Friends and family are invited to visit at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary on Sunday, June 8 and to attend a Funeral Mass on Monday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church. Click for obituary and more information. |
PRESIDENT LOU called the meeting to order and announced that there are only three more meetings left in his term.
TED ADKINS was the song leader for the day and after our club’s theme song we all joined in God Bless America.
DAVID SOLO gave the thought for the day and reminded us that Friday, June 6th was the 64th anniversary of “D-Day”. He reminded us of the word Sacrifice and how D-Day was truly a sacrifice for so many troops. He told of a mother who lost five sons during the war and how Abraham Lincoln had written her a letter when he was a senator to express his feelings of sorrow to her. We must all realize that many Sacrifices have been, are, and will be made for the cause of Freedom.
We had one visiting Rotarian from Ignacio. Rotarians with guests included MICHAEL CARUANA and ROY MUSICK.
Click this photo for a larger version.
PRESIDENT LOU then announced that a club picture would be taken for an upcoming article and we all enjoyed musical chairs while preparing for the picture.
PRESIDENT LOU then announced that former SR-71 pilot and Top Gun instructor Brian Shul would be a featured speaker at a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Terra Linda’s Scholarship Endowment Fund on Wednesday, June 25, at the San Rafael Film Center, 6:30 PM. Tickets are $40 each. Call 415-499-8689 for reservations. Brian is an excellent speaker and will share many photographs with the audience. He is highly recommended by those who have experienced his presentation.
ROBERT MITCHELL reminded everyone of the upcoming Petaluma Art & Equestrian Festival that will be held on July 20, 2008, 11AM-5PM at the San Francisco Polo Club Ranch, 7650 Lakeville Highway. The cost of the event is $35/advance, $40/door. Proceeds will benefit Mentor Me Petaluma and The Petaluma Rotary Club International Projects. All members are encouraged to attend.
LARRY JONAS reminded that PRESIDENTS LOU’s Debunking and RALPH’s Installation as President would be held on June 28, 2008 at the Petaluma Sheraton. Invitations have been mailed. Your timely response would be appreciated.
PRESIDENT LOU then leveled fines on the following Rotarians:
RALPH SARTORI – Trip to San Antonino, Texas. Ralph explained how a phone call from Larry Jonas got him removed from the Alamo and even offered President Lou a Texan Chicken. In the end Ralph paid his fine.
AL RICHARDS — Did nothing exciting but President Lou did not back down and Al paid up.
MICHAEL NISTLER — Business trip on a cruse ship. However after questioning by PRESIDENT LOU he admitted that he was an instructor of the card game bridge on the ship. End result – no collisions and a payment to the club.
TED ADKINS then announced that club member AL BATTAGLIA had passed away. Al will be missed by all and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Dean Abercrombie wins the wine.
Michael Nistler gets his chicken badge.
Jim Becker introduces today's program.
Our Guest speaker for the day was Albert Straus founder of Straus Family Creamery. Albert spoke of how he started the first Organic Dairy in California. The background detail was very informative. The principals of Organic Farming and the Organic Certification process were reviewed. During the question and answer period we all learned a great deal. For those of you who missed the meeting you also missed some Great Straus Family Dairy Organic Ice Cream. Thanks Albert!!
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Ralph Sartori.
