Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
January 1 - Dark for New Year's Day
January 8 - Rich Thomas (Dr. Vine) - Sonoma County Viticulture and what is new in the wine industry
January 15 - Professional Organizer Barbara Streckfus
January 16 - Rotary Day at the Races
January 22 - Janice Atkinson - Sonoma County Clerk/Recorder/Assessor
January 30 - Club meets at Coast Guard Training Center (replaces January 29 meeting)
I trust that all of you had a very Happy and Memorable Holiday Season. It is truly a time of year that provides memories for years to come. It is also a time when reflections past and present are in our minds.
Realizing that my term as your President is half over I thought that I would share some of my Rotary reflections with you. As you may recall My Goal for this year is to have fun, be proud of our accomplishments, and to Make Dreams Real, especially for the children. Although there have been challenges we can be proud of our accomplishments during this year.
The Equestrian Festival was a success due to the many hours of work from several of our club members. The proceeds from this event will allow future International projects to be supported by our club. The annual Golf Tournament followed and I don’t know what was better — the golfing or the prime rib dinner. (I’m still trying to find out who took the raffle tickets).
We supported the Junior Livestock Auction at the Sonoma County Fair by purchasing a goat. This could be a first for our club. We provided lunch for the youth members of The Petaluma Youth Commission, continued our sponsorship of Troop 8, Boy Scouts of America, and have committed to once again sponsor scholarships for graduating seniors. Dreams Were Made Real this Holiday Season for 154 children due to the efforts of our Rotary Club members and The Realtor’s members providing clothing and gifts to the children. This year over 950 dictionaries were distributed to third graders as a result our dictionary program.
Our Club received the Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation 2008 Partnership Award for our commitment to education. Past Presidents Tawny Tesconi and Lou Steinberg are to be recognized in this achievement as this involved a three year pledge to the Junior College.
I could continue but I think it’s time to say “Thank You” to all of you for making the past six months full of memories that I will never forget.
I ask for you to support our “Super Raffle” as it provides the means of completing The Goal to have fun, be proud of our accomplishments, and Make Dreams Real, especially for the children.
See you on January 8th.
Ralph
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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 January 8 meeting. There is a 30-day grace period. A $25 late charge will be assessed after 30 days.
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December 18 - Dark at lunch; 4-6pm childrens' gift distribution; 5-7pm social at Traxx
December 25 - Dark for Christmas
January 1 - Dark for New Year's Day
January 8 - Rich Thomas (Dr. Vine) - Sonoma County Viticulture and what is new in the wine industry
January 15 - Professional Organizer Barbara Streckfus
January 16 - Rotary Day at the Races
January 22 - Janice Atkinson - Sonoma County Clerk/Recorder/Assessor
January 30 - Club meets at Coast Guard Training Center (replaces January 29 meeting)
President RALPH SARTORI opened the meeting, leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Meistersinger BARNEY FAUSS took us from the shores of Pelican Bay all the way across the continent with “God Bless America,” skillfully choosing a register that seemed to be perfect for all.
Not trusting any of our members to deliver a cogent thought for the day, PRESIDENT RALPH provided his own, which literally sounded like a lot of bull.
MICHAEL NISTLER introduced visiting Rotarians Ron Flagg from the Petaluma Valley club and Larry Piatti from San Rafael.
LOU STEINBERG gave a sunshine report on his own condition, which according to the latest CT scan has improved dramatically. That news was greeted enthusiastically, and Lou thanked the club for the support he has received during the year.
District Governor ED FULLERTON reported that wife Carol’s knee ligaments are healing well, making the rest of us limping members a little jealous.
PRESIDENT RALPH hailed KIP HERZOG, who was glad to be back with a new hip that works much better than the old one.
MARCUS BENEDETTI explained the visible injury to TOM BAKER’s foot, broken when Tom stepped into a badger hole while hunting deer in Colorado. This is the kind of hunting story deer enjoy telling.
PRESIDENT RALPH thanked KATHY O’CONNOR and her committee for last week’s wonderful holiday dinner.
MARY ANN SHOEMAKER told us the shopping for children’s gifts went very well with good support from volunteers. Click here for photos. JUDI ALLEWELT announced that distribution teams will be able to pick up gifts starting at 4:00 on the 18th. Distribution will be followed by a social at Traxx Bar & Grill, to which all are invited, starting at 5:00.
BRIAN BREEN woke up a few members by adding that the first 25 arrivals get their first drink free. PRESIDENT RALPH extended thanks to Petaluma Realtors, who contribute to the fundraising effort for this project.
RICK MOSSI has assembled 8 whip-cracking arm-twisting captains, who will meet to draft their teams for sale of the Super Raffle tickets. The drawing will be held at the Crab Feed on February 20. The captains will make sure we have tickets to sell, also available at Exchange Bank.
JOHN DADO gave a report on the 3-club Dictionary Project, spawned by the late HARVEY FREETLY with continued support from his wife and current member MARLENE. This year’s delivery is putting beautiful dictionaries in the hands of 950 third grade students and their teachers throughout the Petaluma area. Click here for photos. John also recognized TAWNY TESCONI for her role in expanding the project around the country to a total distribution approaching 40,000.
JOE TAMBE related his personal experience of meeting the students at St. Vincent School and how much they appreciated receiving their books. GRETA VIGUIE added thanks from the Petaluma School District for the dictionaries.
ONITA PELLEGRINI announced on behalf of her committee of past presidents the nomination of a still-dazed CLARK ROSEN for President-Elect 2010 – 2011.
There was definitely a Christmas spirit in the light fining by our president, but not everyone escaped completely. LOU STEINBERG was dunned for a trip to Denver, MARCUS BENEDETTI for a Colorado hunting trip on which he obviously failed to look after a stumbling TOM BAKER, . . .
. . . and BABE AMARAL for a visit to Washington, DC. We are all relieved that Babe did not take his private jet this time.
A bottle of wine was the prize for a suspiciously lucky STEVE OLMSTED, winner of the raffle.
JIM McCAFFREY introduced the day’s program and guest speakers from the Santa Rosa Symphony, executive director Alan Silow and music director Bruno Ferrandis. We learned that the symphony is a remarkable cultural asset and happens to be the second oldest in California (behind San Francisco).
And this just in: WALLY BRAGDON is trying to help Scout Troop 8 find a pick-up truck that can be used to collect Christmas trees on the two weekends following Christmas. If you know of a vehicle that can do the job, please contact Wally at 778-0705.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Clark Rosen.
December 11 - Bruno Ferrandis and Alan Silow - The Santa Rosa Symphony
December 18 - Dark at lunch; 4-6pm childrens' gift distribution; 5-7pm social at Traxx
December 25 - Dark for Christmas
January 1 - Dark for New Year's Day
January 8 - Rich Thomas (Dr. Vine) - Sonoma County Viticulture and what is new in the wine industry
January 15 - Professional Organizer Barbara Streckfus
January 16 - Rotary Day at the Races
January 22 - Janice Atkinson - Sonoma County Clerk/Recorder/Assessor
January 30 - Club meets at Coast Guard Training Center (replaces January 29 meeting)
This year’s Holiday Party was held at the Petaluma Sheraton. As the members and their guests arrived in their festive attire, they were greeted by our host, KATHY O’CONNOR. Holiday cheer filled the room while we sipped on our beverage of choice and enjoyed the delicious passed appetizers..
At precisely 7:30, PRESIDENT RALPH thanked everyone for coming.
WHITNEY HALL led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
PRESIDENT RALPH had a few announcements. The shopping for the kids went really well. Thanks to the money raised at the All Day Breakfast and the funds given to us from the Petaluma Realtors, this program has been a success.
JOHN DADO reminded everyone that the distribution of dictionaries to every third grader in the Petaluma area begins on the Monday, December 8th. There are still some vacant spots, so if you can help, please check out the website or contact JOANNE FERRIS. Over 950 dictionaries will be distributed in the Petaluma area. There are over 40,000 distributed throughout the United States. Remember, our very own HARVEY FREETLEY started this wonderful program. His wife, Marlene, is still active in helping with the program.
PRESIDENT RALPH acknowledged our honored guests, which included our very own DISTRICT GOVERNOR ED FULLERTON and PAST DISTRICT GOVERNOR NORM OWEN.
PRESIDENT RALPH thanked KATHY O’CONNOR and her holiday party team of BABE AMARAL, NIT ANDERSON and DAVE AMUNDSEN for putting on a great party.
MIKE BADDELEY was up next to give the blessing. MIKE’s words were very comforting with a style similar to Father Lombardi.
The delicious Caesar salads were served with lots of wine. The bottles never seemed to be empty on the table. PRESIDENT RALPH thanked Teresa and the girls for the decorative little boxes on the table for each guest, which were filled with homemade almond rocca.
ONITA PELLEGRINI represented the past five presidents to announce the most anticipated announcement of the evening — the naming of our PRESIDENT NOMINEE.
That honor was bestowed upon CLARK ROSEN. A huge applause was given for CLARK and his wife, Patti. Congratulations CLARK!
After dinner, the crowd quieted down when TED ADKINS and his sidekicks, DAVE AMUNDSEN and BARNEY FAUSS led us in song. The group followed their song sheets with several Christmas songs and Jingle Bells for LARRY JONAS.
PRESIDENT RALPH thanked everyone for coming. Good fellowship was enjoyed by all.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Loretta Catarozoli.