Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
June 24 - Club Dark
July 1 - President Clark's first meeting; Brian Sobel, Political Consultant - Sonoma County Politics
July 8 - Another interesting program
It was a festive evening at the Rooster Run Event Center as Rotarians and their guests gathered to celebrate the annual Debunking ritual. Tonight we would gather to say goodbye to outgoing PRESIDENT TOM BRANDAL and to welcome our new President, CLARK ROSEN.
The gala cocktail hour and delicious dinner were preludes to the official Rotary meeting which we’ll address in the coming paragraphs. (For photos of the entire evening, click here.)
As always during PRESIDENT TOM’s year, the meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. After Tom’s grandson lowered the flag he proudly held during the Pledge, . . .
. . . JIM McCAFFREY came forward to give an invocation which incorporated the thoughts of a 17th Century Japanese sword master into a contemporary blessing.
HERB BUNDESEN was up next with a beautiful God Bless America. HERB soloed the rarely-heard introduction and then led the crowd in a stirring rendition.
PRESIDENT TOM noted that two birthdays were being celebrated this evening, that of his mother-in-law, Jean Gilmore, and of Rotarian FRED FROST. Songleader HERB BUNDESEN was up again to lead the crowd in singing Happy Birthday.
Next came the introduction of guests — of which there were many. Most were spouses of members who proudly cited how many years they had been married. JOHN DADO’s marriage of “49 years and 51 weeks” drew applause but the champion tonight was HERB BUNDESEN, happily married for 63 years to Barbara!
ONITA PELLEGRINI then took the podium to induct our newest two members, , , ,
. . . MELISSA KOSITZIN (sponsored by almost-President-Elect JOANNE FERRIS) and GREG O’BRIEN (sponsored by almost-President CLARK ROSEN). Welcome Melissa and Greg!
Then RICARDO MARZO, in a smart blazer and golfing trousers that defy description, strode to the front of the room and narrated a pictorial review of TOM BRANDAL’s life and his year as President.
Humbled by a standing round of applause at its conclusion, . . .
. . . PRESIDENT TOM returned to the podium to present thank-you gifts to his officers and board members.
He also thanked PGD ED FULLERTON, GAIL CARDAROPOLI, AL CATTALINI, and MICHAEL NISTLER for their assistance during the year.
Finally it was time for the transfer of authority and responsibility. TOM removed his President’s pin and pinned it on CLARK ROSEN’s collar. If that didn’t make it official enough, the deal was sealed when Tom presented Clark his collection of HARVEY FREETLY’s Rotary neckties.
PRESIDENT CLARK then announced that PAST PRESIDENT TOM would be receiving a long-desired barbecue grill as a gift from the Club, pinned his President-Elect pin onto JOANNE FERRIS, introduced his officers and board, and — after a prompt by LEE BEAN — adjourned the meeting.
Be sure to see all the Debunking photos at Ed’s Photo Album!
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini .
June 17 - Club Dark
June 18 - Debunking, Rooster Run Event Center
June 24 - Club Dark
July 1 - President Clark's first meeting
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Geoff Ellis .
June 10 - David Solo - Boys and Girls Club
June 17 - Club Dark
June 18 - Debunking, Rooster Run Event Center
June 24 - Club Dark
July 1 - President Clark's first meeting
PRESIDENT TOM BRANDAL started the meeting with The Pledge of Allegiance and BARNEY FAUSS sang “God Bless America”.
The invocation was given by LEE BEAN, who had us sit down and listen to some words of wisdom from George Carlin. The closing quote was most poignant: “life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away. Not bad from a very funny man.
We then exchanged our usual pleasantries and got a Sunshine Report update:
Brian Breen is recovering from a foot injury and a new baby, although not in that particular order.
Our condolences go out to KIP HERZOG and his family on the passing of Marilyn’s brother, Bill Jacobs.
RALPH PELTON is recovering from a recent heart procedure and we wish him well.
Past member Ben Benson recently passed away and was recognized by the Club.
PRESIDENT TOM was looking very relaxed and almost giddy at the prospect of handing off the presidential pin to CLARK ROSEN.
PRESIDENT TOM announced that the Rotary exchange student, Johanna, will be graduating and he thanked the Club for its involvement and support during her stay in Petaluma.
RYLA Camp sign-ups are needed and members are encouraged to get involved in this great program. Please see LEE REPOSA for more information.
Debunking sign-ups are well underway and all members are encouraged to attend, to RSVP, and pay quickly. The committee has been working hard to make this celebration fun and enjoyable.
Onita Pellegrini announces the Argus Courier Salute to Rotary.
The fine can made the rounds around the room and managed to pry loose a few dollars from some members:
TAWNY TESCONI added $25 and plugged the Sonoma County Fair’s upcoming opening and new musical and entertainment ventures.
JOHN DADO added $100 in recognition of his youngest son, Craig, who is being honored as a Father of the Year this month in the San Diego area. Very nice, Craig.
Your Editor was fined $100 for having lost his way to many of this year’s meetings.
AL CATTALINI paid $50 for his recent European vacation.
RICK MOSSI added $100 to the kitty in recognition of his son, Nick’s high school graduation and his academic and athletic accomplishments.
DAVID SOLO and BARNEY FAUSS became entangled in a lengthy math word problem (which involved fishing) and each had to pay a pro-rated portion of their hyperbolic fishing exploits. What happens in Shasta should stay in Shasta.
Ricardo Marzo takes home a bottle of red.
TAWNY TESCONI introduced our speaker, Lex McCorvey, from the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. He gave a great presentation on the issues surrounding the preservation of farming as a sustainable way of life and how that fits into today’s world. The farmer of today faces many difficult challenges, but people today are making conscious choices about their food, milk and wine. Sonoma County still has some of the best (and most beautiful) land available to put to good use and deliver products people want.
Thank you, Lex, for an entertaining talk.
Pat Conklin plugs the Sonoma-Marin Fair.
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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:
Dues are due on June 1 or December 1 depending on time of year. You have a grace period of 30 days after due date. If you fail to pay within those 30 days you will be assessed a $25.00 late charge. Steve Olmsted, Secretary
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This week's Rota-Teller editor: Ricardo Marzo .
