Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
November 6 - Forrest Frey will speak about His World War II experience when he had to bail out of his airplane
November 13 - Steve Hood - Petaluma Police Department
November 20 - Pat Conklin - Califonia Fairs
Club President, RALPH "Cal-Poly" SARTORI, opened the meeting on the appointed half-hour, . . .
. . . and had FRED "the boy who cried" WULFF lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
TED ADKINS "and ye shall receive" led us in song ("God Bless America"), followed by a Thought for the Day (or semblance thereof) . . .
. . . from JIM "Double" BECKER. The customary head scratches, handshakes and hugs ensued.
STEVE POWELL (now, brown cow) introduced the visiting Rotarians, . . .
. . . and LOU "looking better than new" STEINBERG introduced the only member guest to join us for lunch – his wife, Juli. Fortunately, there was no Sunshine Report, but there were several announcements:
DAVE "flying" SOLO reminded us that the RI Foundation Dinner is November 15 (at the Sheraton), and encouraged one and all to buy raffle tickets to support the event. The Prez then solicited holiday gift giving ideas for our Club's annual Holiday Children's Gift event – call Ralph with your thoughts and comments.
KATHY "the story of" O'CONNOR then reminded us that the annual Holiday Party is Thursday, December 4 (also at the Sheraton).
Next, the Prez announced the October birthdays - $5.00 if the Halloween month babies sat there, $10 if they didn't – but curiously, no Happy Birthday song was sung... don't tell me the Club is that old!!
PAT "hand" CONKLIN (CEO, Sonoma-Marin Fair) delivered her craft talk.
Obviously fearing the prospect of new tax rates, the Prez proceeded to fine a couple of members exorbitantly: $50 from RICK "a rolling stone gathers no" MOSSI for his son's football prowess on the Rancho Cotati varsity team, . . .
. . . and $100 from AL "El Capitan" KAPLAN for his seafaring ways between Seattle and Canada.
WILL "we tax 'em & how" SOPER won the raffle.
Program Chairman CLARK "the sun has already" ROSEN then introduced our speaker, Dale Knight, from our Rotary District, who gave us a very informative presentation on Rotary's ongoing Rotoplast project and mission abroad. An autographed book was donated in her name to a local high school library for a well received program. Meeting adjourned.
See you next week after Halloween and the presidential election... who knows which will be scarier???
Herb Bundesen needs some Rotarians willing to man a Salvation Army Chistmas Kettle for two hours. If you can't do this by yourself find find another Rotarian to stand with you. You'll find this very rewarding. Everyone who has ever done this asks to do it again. |
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Mike Baddeley.
October 30 - Dale Knight, "Rotoplast: What it is, how it operates, and how it benefits so many in need"
November 6 - Forrest Frey will speak about His World War II experience when he had to bail out of his airplane
On the third Thursday in October we met in the Vets Building. The day was warm, but the lunch was an excellent assortment of fruit, salad, veggies, raviolis, chicken breasts, and (of course) those wonderful cookies.
President RALPH SARTORI called the meeting to order.
WALLY BRAGDON led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.
TED ADKINS led us in another enthusiastic rendition of “God Bless America” in honor of the World Series.
MIKE BADDELEY put on his coat to give a thought for the day on the “sport of the season”—politics.
After club greetings (our weekly ‘hug-a-thon’), PRESIDENT RALPH noted we had no visiting Rotarians (though GRETA VIGUIE was on duty just the same) and there were no guests for the day. Healing thoughts went out to JEANNETTE CLARK to speed her recovery from knee surgery (the result of an ‘old football injury’).
LOU STEINBERG had called her and let us know she was doing fine. PRESIDENT RALPH reminded us about the November15th Foundation Dinner at the Petaluma Sheraton.
DAVID SOLO will be selling raffle tickets each week between now and then.
KATHY O'CONNOR announced the December 4th Holiday Party. PRESIDENT RALPH'S goal is 100 partiers.
LARRY JONAS announced the International Committee meeting at the Chamber office (surprise ONITA!), and PRESIDENT RALPH said they are choosing families and children for this year’s Children’s Giveaway (shopping is the first week of December, with deliveries on December 18).
PAUL LOUNIBOS led the club in welcoming MARLENE FREETLY as an honorary member for all of her behind the scenes support of the club’s dictionary program. The chicken badge sure looks good on her! Welcome MARLENE! HARVEY would be proud!
JAY PALM took the ‘Vegas 5th’ and would only say that the Friendship Feast he hosted was a good one.
MIKE BADDELEY announced that upcoming feasts include a BBQ at BABE AMARAL’s, cocktails hosted by BRIDGET DOHERTY and the SOPER’s, and brunch at SHERRY BURWEN’s. Members were reminded to RSVP, bring a bottle of wine, and pay MIKE BADDELEY (not the hosts!).
JOE TAMBE gave a very interesting craft talk about his years in Rochester, NY, his trips to Italy, his work in southern California, and his leadership in numerous Italian American groups. He’s been a Rotarian since 1962!
PRESIDENT RALPH started off the ‘fine’ part of the meeting with a recognition of ROY MUSICK who told us he had traveled to Washington DC (his hometown). ROY offered the club $50 because he didn’t have enough fingers to count all of the places he’d been.
LOU STEINBERG fined himself $100 for his trip to Denver and the UK where he visited his daughter and new grandson (one of four) who we were told would probably be the center on the basketball team! LARRY JONAS paid $10 of LOU’s fine to celebrate “one more of ours.”
SHERRY BURWEN made a proud contribution for her chef son who was recently featured on TV.
DAVE BARBIERI (having ‘won’ a pumpkin the week before) followed PRESIDENT RALPH’s directions perfectly and brought it back carved with President Ralph on one side (click here to see the ralph-o-lantern) and the Rotary emblem on the other. PRESIDENT RALPH was so impressed he gave him BABE’s level as a gift, saying that BABE didn’t need it anyway since BABE’s not on the…
DAVID SOLO won the drawing and bottle of wine.
Since there was no speaker this week, PRESIDENT RALPH used the time as an opportunity to get input from club members for speakers and other ways to boost attendance and club membership. A great discussion was had by all.
PRESIDENT RALPH closed the meeting by announcing that Dale Knight would be speaking next week about Rotoplast. Don’t miss it…it should be a good one!
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Jane Saldaña-Talley.
October 16 - Club Dark for Friendship Feasts
October 23 - President's Choice
October 30 - Dale Knight, "Rotoplast: What it is, how it operates, and how it benefits so many in need"
Already into the fourth month of his term, PRESIDENT RALPH SARTORI opened the meeting by inviting . . .
. . . WHIT HALL to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Next up was TED ADKINS, not in his usual songleader role but with our Thought for the Day.
Songleader today was BARNEY FAUSS who learned from DG ED FULLERTON that we were one of four Clubs in the District with a unique song.
Our very own District Governor ED FULLERTON was introduced and presented bouquets to . . .
. . . Assistant District Governor Pamela Tuft and to his wife, Carole.
Sunshine Report: JEANNETTE CLARK will be undergoing surgery soon for “an old football injury.”
MIKE BADDELEY reported that Friendship Feast seats were still available and noted that the first feast of the season was recently hosted by TOM and Kathy BRANDAL.
TOM reported on the successful event, noting astounding alcohol consumption and minimal police activity.
PRESIDENT RALPH reminded members that the Club will be dark next week, October 16. He also noted that the Russian River Rotary Club would be hosting the next SCARC dinner on October 30. Contact STEVE OLMSTED if you’ll be attending.
Also, November is Rotary Foundation Month. Plan to celebrate at the Foundation Dinner on November 15 at the Petaluma Sheraton. You can dance to the oldies while supporting the Foundation.
Invitations will be in the mail soon for the holiday party. It’s Thursday evening, December 4 at the Sheraton. PRESIDENT RALPH promises “professional singers” this year so we won’t have to listen to ourselves caroling.
Petaluma Valley Rotary Club’s Oktoberfest is October 18 at the fairgrounds.
JUDI ALLEWELT got caught practicing witchcraft and paid a hefty fine.
While denying involvement in the witchcraft caper, JOHN DADO acknowledged an upcoming birthday for his wife, Sharon. Inspired by this event, he paid a $70 fine.
BRIDGET DOHERTY was next up to meet the challenge: Can your alma mater demonstrate athletic superiority to powerhouse Cal Poly which boasts an actual Olympic gold medal winner? Rather than cite the unique qualities of her fellow U.S.C. alum, O.J. Simpson, Bridget paid a $25 fine.
DAVID BARBIERI won the raffle, drew the wrong rock, and won an autographed pumpkin which he will be required to return carved into a jack-o-lantern — or pay a stiff fine.
PRESIDENT RALPH then called on Pamela Torliatt — oops! — Pamela Tuft to introduce our District Governor ED FULLERTON.
DG ED was clearly pleased to be “visiting” his home Club. By tradition, the home Club is last to receive an official visit from a new District Governor. This meant 44 down and none to go. Ed began his remarks about growing up in Petaluma, aspiring to be an aviator, earning his wings, and meeting his wife-to-be, Carole as she was climbing in the cockpit of a Marine Corps jet. (“May I help you?” “I don’t think so.”) He described returning to Petaluma after careers flying with the Marines and with PanAm. Here he found another world class organization, the Rotary Club. He joined our Club in 1997, was President in 2002-03, and the rest is history.
Ed discussed RI President D. K. Lee’s goals of increasing membership by 10% and most importantly, Making Dreams Real by saving children. He noted that 26,000 children die every day from preventable causes, primarily diarrhea, malaria, and polio. Partnering with the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, UNICEF, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary is committed to stopping this tragic loss. A simple pill will relieve the diarrhea, inexpensive mosquito nets will fight malaria, and polio (now down to 1,000 cases per year) can be eliminated with continued immunizations in Pakistan, Afghanistan, northern India, and in Nigeria.
Ed’s District goals are to establish at least two new Clubs (it appears that four are in the works) and to increase contributions to Rotary International. He’s looking for more Paul Harris Fellows and has asked for an average $200 donation per Rotarian. That’s how we all can help to save a child.
Traditionally, the visiting DG receives a gift of local goodies at the conclusion of his remarks. At Ed’s request, this was foregone and, instead, our Club donated $100 to Polio Plus.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini.
October 9 - District Governor Ed Fullerton
October 16 - Club Dark for Friendship Feasts
October 23 - An interesting program
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Loretta Catarozoli.