Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
October 2 - Pamela Tuft, community planner
October 9 - District Governor Ed Fullerton
October 16 - An interesting program
October 23 - Another interesting program
PRESIDENT RALPH called the meeting to order . . .
. . . and brought guest, Jim McDowell up to lead us in the pledge.
That was followed by a stirring rendition of God Bless America somewhat reluctantly led by BRIDGET DOHERTY.
JIM McCAFFREY enthusiastically delivered the thought for the day focusing on the value of enthusiasm.
We had a visiting Rotarian from North Carolina and she was presented with a Petaluma flag.
JIM BECKER reported that Jerry Gillespie has been battling lung cancer and is at home. Also, on the good news front, ED FULLERTON’s daughter gave birth to healthy twin boys.
We had a few guests in attendance to support our speaker. BABE AMARAL brought his son, Jerry, and Jim McDowell. DON RAMATICI brought a former PHS football player from his office, Tony Rosati.
LARRY JONAS informed us that there are still seats available for the Rotary International trip to Uganda to check in on Rotary projects.
MIKE BADDELEY announced that only about 1/3 of the club has signed up for a friendship feast. If you haven’t already signed up for one, please contact Mike. The Friendship Feast is our lone support vehicle for the dictionary program.
JANE SALDAÑA-TALLEY described a very impressive dedication of Rotary Plaza over at the JC campus. The Rotary Club received the Partnership Award from the JC for our longtime support.
PAT CONKLIN was inducted as our newest Rotarian. She is the CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Fair taking the place of Past President TAWNY.
PRESIDENT RALPH quickly moved into his revenue generation mode.
GAIL CARDAROPOLI was tagged for $10 for misplacing two Petaluma Rotary flags that she had taken to Italy to present to clubs there but was unable to determine when their meetings took place.
Dr. AL RICHARDS was taken for $50 for retiring so that he could tend to his cattle and renovate a house.
JANE was fined $25 for the SRJC Foundation 2008 Partnership Award.
LARRY JONAS was also fined for stating that he had retired. No Rotarians present could figure out how that would change his lifestyle.
BABE’s son won the raffle but not the cash.
Dan Libarle introduces our guest speaker.
Our speaker was legendary football coach Steve Ellison. He has been at the helm for 32 years at Petaluma High and had coached many in attendance. He talked about how the game and the players have changed in the years that he has been coaching. It was an enlightening and interesting talk and not without the usual meddling in the form of DON RAMATICI trying to goad the Coach into throwing a forward pass in the upcoming game. Thanks Coach!
With that, PRESIDENT RALPH adjourned the meeting.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Geoff Ellis.
September 25 - Steve Ellison, Petaluma High Football Coach
October 2 - Pamela Tuft, community planner
October 9 - District Governor Ed Fullerton
President RALPH "The Raffle" SARTORI opened the meeting on the appointed half-hour, and had Chief STEVE "The Heat" HOOD lead us in the Pledge.
HERB "The Baritone" BUNDESEN then led us in song ("God Bless America"), followed by the Prez' Thought for the Day (something about farmers, chickens, and nudists – you fill in the gaps!). The customary heartfelt handshakes, hugs and greetings amongst the members ensued.
There were no visiting Rotarians for WILL "The Window" SOPER to introduce, but there were a few guests of Rotarians who joined us for lunch.
MICHAEL "Night of The" CARUANA then gave the Sunshine Report: Past-President LOU "Like New" STEINBERG is doing much better!
JANE "The JC" SALDANA-TALLEY then announced that on September 25 (Friday) there will be a dedication of Phase II on the Petaluma SRJC campus and all members are invited - call Jane for details.
Yours truly then gave a follow-up announcement regarding Friendship Feast sign-ups – basically if you have not signed up yet, do it now... hurry!
JOHN "The Details" DADO reminded everyone that the Friendship Feast is our annual event to raise $$ and support our Dictionary Program.
The Prez then reminded us that on October 9, District Governor ED "The Fed" FULLERTON will be visiting our club in his official capacity, and informed us that the Club's Annual Holiday Party will be held on December 4 (Thursday) this year at the Sheraton.
The Prez then held-up Chief STEVE "Kickin' it in the" HOOD for $100 for a recent trip to Oregon to visit with family – thanks, Steve.
The Prez then extracted a $100 ($50 to Paul Harris and $50 to the Club) closing fee from CLARK "Pops" ROSEN for becoming a new grandpa – congratulations, Clark.
BANO "The Counselor" CUMMINGS then paid a $50 good luck tax (to R.I.) for wining raffle prizes at the Art & Wine Equestrian Festival – thanks, Bano.
The Prez then beat a $50 tariff out of MICHAEL "Clydesdale" CARUANA for exporting a horse to Sweden, ya – skoal, Michael.
STEVE "The Overs and Unders" OLMSTED then happily paid a $25 family fine to celebrate his daughter Kathleen joining the Twin Falls, Idaho Rotary Club – congratulations, Steve.
The Prez then finished his fining frenzy by assessing his favorite foil BABE "The Angel" AMARAL a whopping sum of... nil, nada, nothing ("extra, extra, read all about it"), and actually returned a $100 overpayment check to Babe (psst, Babe, you know your getting fined too much when the powers that be feel guilty enough to give some $$$ back!!)
The Prez... surprise, surprise…won the raffle yet again, but was so chagrined (scared?), that he renounced his ill-gotten gains and redid the raffle, thus allowing STEVE "Oh, me" OLMSTED to win...again! These guys should be in Congress!!
Program Chair CLARK "The REIT" ROSEN then introduced our speaker, . . .
. . . JOHN RECORDS, who gave us a very informative presentation on COTS, a local charitable organization that provides food, shelter and job support for homeless families. He received a Rotary memento and a signed book will be donated in his name to a local high school library.
WHEREUPON, after a couple of program reminders, the Prez adjourned the meeting! See you next week...and hopefully you've signed up for the Friendship Feast by then!!
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Mike “The Baird” Baddeley.
September 18 - John Records, Director of COTS
September 25 - Steve Ellison, Petaluma High Football Coach
October 2 - Pamela Tuft, community planner
October 9 - District Governor Ed Fullerton
The meeting was started on time by PRESIDENT RALPH SARTORI. He noted that 9/11 is a somber day of remembrance, allowing us to reflect on ourselves and our great country.
The flag salute was led by FRED WULFF.
LARRY JONAS did the Thought for the Day.
JIM McCAFFREY then led us in song.
DAVID SOLO introduces visiting Rotarians.
Visiting Rotarians included Ron Flagg and Pam Tuft from Petaluma Valley, and James Marin from Marquette, Michigan. ROY MUSICK introduced his guests, the aforementioned James from Michigan and Jerry from Alaska. Pat Conlon from the Sonoma Marin Fair was introduced by JAMES BURLESON.
ONITA PELLEGRINI gives the Sunshine Report.
SUNSHINE REPORT: It was sadly announced that former member Jerry Gillespie has lung cancer and is fighting the good fight. This editor knows how important those calls and cards are. Let Jerry know you are thinking of him!
PRESIDENT RALPH announced that the Group Study Exchange is looking for a team leader to go to Brazil.
This month’s SCARC meeting is in Sebastopol on September 18th.
Pam Tuft is riding for MS (Waves to Wine, September 13-14) and would like club members’ support.
MIKE BADDELEY then reminded us that the Friendship Feast, the only fundraiser for our Dictionary Program, is now upon us. Sign up soon and support this great program.
PRESIDENT RALPH announced that October 9th will be the official District Governor’s visit.
This year’s Holiday Party will be Thursday, December 4th at the Sheraton; starting time is 6:00 p.m.
Fines:
TOM BAKER for his trip to Alaska and for the fish he caught paid $100. The halibut was good.
MIKE BADDELEY paid $50 for a golf trip.
DON RAMATICI also paid $50 for the same golf trip.
PRESIDENT RALPH then called on all the bankers. RICK MOSSI led the charge with a $25 fine followed by new member, LEE REPOSA $25, . . .
. . . DEAN ABERCROMBIE $50 and LORETTA CATAROZOLI $25.
Because Cal Poly had it first Olympic medal winner in 73 years, our President has a challenge for Cal and Stanford grads. Be ready!
PRESIDENT RALPH then won the raffle again and this time drew the brown rock. He later distributed the funds ($200) amongst several non profits.
TOM BRANDAL introduced our speaker . . .
. . . Kari Millar from PEP Housing.
BRIDGET DOHERTY announces that John Records from COTS will be speaking next week.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Lou Steinberg.
September 11 - Kari Millar, "The Silver Tsunami"
September 18 - John Records, Director of COTS
Past President BABE AMARAL filled in for RALPH SARTORI who was away on business.
AL CATTALINI led the Pledge of Allegiance.
TED ATKINS led us in song.
ROBERT MITCHELL’s Thought for the Day involved a rooster-hen dialog.
JANE SALDAÑA-TALLEY introduced visiting Rotarians.
Stephanie Tuft, President of the South Sonoma Rotoract Club, announced a blood drive.
JOE TAMBE, transferring from the Rotary Club of West Covina was welcomed by ONITA PELLEGRINI.
JIM BECKER and STEVE POWELL received hefty fines for recent trips.
RICARDO MARZO was fined for his Chicago vacation — and for missing his Rota-Teller duties while away.
KATHY O’CONNOR and BANO CUMMINGS were fined for arriving after the meeting had started.
LEE REPOSA won the raffle, a gift certificate from Brodie's Tire & Brake. Thanks, Gary!
Peter Reno of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International gave an interesting
presentation on Type 1 Diabetes and the October 25 Walk to Cure Diabetes.
TOM BRANDAL announced that next week’s program would be about the "Silver Tsunami".”
Photos and captions by Al Cattalini.