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COMING EVENTS

We were welcomed to the Rotary Club of Petaluma weekly meeting at the beautiful Petaluma Golf and Country Club by our PRESIDENT, MICHAEL CARUANA.

We all joined THE PREZ in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by PAST PRESIDENT BARNEY FAUSS being called us to lead us in song; however he was nowhere to be found so PAST PRESIDENT CLARK ROSEN stepped in to lead us in the club song followed by My Country Tis of Thee.

CHRIS RANNEY gave us a Holiday Thought of the Day.

This was followed by our usual hugs and handshakes.

We didn’t have any visiting Rotarians however we had numerous guests joining us. They were introduced by TONY WESTERN, WHIT HALL, CHRIS RANNEY, RICK GORMAN, SHERRY BURWIN, FRED FROST, and SHARI RANNEY.

JUDI ALLEWELT made two announcements. The first one had to do with the number of club members who were winners of the Chapter of Realtors Raffle. They included PAST PRESIDENTS PAUL LOUNIBOS, JOHN DADO, TOM BRANDAL, and members BANO CUMMINGS and KATHY O’CONNOR.

She then announced the planning of the kid’s Christmas gift giving today and recognized ELIAS HUSARY for taking on so much work to ensure 55 families received Christmas presents under their tree.

SHARI RANNEY was called upon to tell us about her trip to Ecuador and the Rotary Project she worked on. She paid a $50 fine for her travels.

THE PREZ announced the December Birthdays and that Crab Feed tickets will be available for purchase online soon.

The raffle winner was MIKE STAUBER and he took home a bottle of wine.

Our speakers were Shane and Marilyn from the Petaluma Craft Guild. They provided us with some great local adult beverages and we enjoyed learning about the unity between local brewers, vintners, and distillers. Shane explained that the industry is about fun first not money. Marilyn discussed how community giving has become a common ground amongst competitors and allows them to all get along, help the community, and grow together.

With that, PRESIDENT CARUANA, wished everyone a happy and safe Holiday.

This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Brian Breen

COMING EVENTS

Despite a day of over 8 inches of rain in Petaluma, a hearty group of Rotarians huddled at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club for their weekly meeting. Members were treated to a delicious pork loin lunch with roasted potatoes.

The hall was decorated in festive holiday style.

PRESIDENT MICHAEL called the meeting to order and members rose to pledge allegiance to our flag.

BARNIE FAUSS opened with the club song and his encore was God Bless America.

While everyone stood, LEE REPOSA introduced Chad Fillinger who was here for his third free lunch. PRESIDENT MICHAEL introduced his guest, the lovely Diane Caruana.

Everyone greeted one another then took a seat.

The December anniversaries were announced.

JOANNE FERRIS directed everyone to take home a COTS flyer from their table. CHRIS RANNEY will be parked in front of the club next Thursday, Dec. 18 to receive donated warm blankets, coats, mittens hats etc. We all have these things in closets that we can contribute!

JUDI ALLEWELT said wrapping is done and all presents will be here at the club net Thursday for delivery. ELIAS HUSARY will be contacting you if you signed up to deliver presents. There are 55 families this year to receive a bag of wrapped gifts from our club. Remember that you cannot leave the bag on a doorstop. You’ll have the family’s contact information so please arrange to delivery the gifts when someone is home to receive them.

PRESIDENT MICHAEL announced the January 29 SCARC (Sonoma County Assoc. of Rotary Clubs) meeting will be January 29 at Paradise Ridge Winery. The speaker will be RI Past President Rick King.

TIM MORAN gave his craft talk and it was one of the best ever!

BARNIE FAUSS was featured in the Argus Courier today. PRESIDENT MICHAEL offered to pay his fine if he gave the club the story behind his three nicknames of Barnie.

Our scheduled speaker, Annie Davis was unable to attend today because her car was blocked by water. JOANNE FERRIS sent a message to PRESIDENT MICHAEL that her “Can” was blocked by water. Joanne assured everyone that we’d reschedule Annie for a later date and we’ll get the real story from her at that time.

TOM BRANDAL led the club through a confusing nomination session for PRESIDENT NOMINEE LEE REPOSA. Luckily we had a voice vote and a paper ballot to make it official!

LEE REPOSA used his acceptance speech time to remind everyone that the Super Raffle is up and running and it’s time to sell sell sell so that the club can continue all the good work we do.

TOM BRANDAL chose the winning raffle ticket and the winner was.....JUDI ALLWELT!

This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Joanne Ferris; photos by Michael Nistler

COMING EVENTS

It was a festive evening inside the Moose Lodge on Saturday night as Rotarians and their guests celebrated the holidays with food, drink, conversation, dancing, and — a Rotary meeting.

PRESIDENT MICHAEL called the meeting to order, dispensed with the Pledge of Allegiance, and moved directly to our opening song.

He called on ONITA PELLEGRINI and TAWNY TESCONI to lead us in song. And they did — with gusto.

JOHN DADO was next with an inspirational pre-dinner invocation.

PRESIDENT ELECT GARY BRODIE was next with his Thought for the Day (originally from Gus Melbourne, and printed in William “Cocktail” Boothby’s 1908 guide to The World’s Drinks and How to Mix Them): “Here’s to the four hinges of friendship: swearing, lying, stealing and drinking. When you swear, swear by your country; when you lie, lie for a pretty woman; when you steal, steal away from bad company; and when you drink, drink with me.”

Holiday Party Chair KATHY O’CONNOR thanked her committee for their great job — and thanked the members for their support.

Then PRESIDENT MICHAEL called up a surprised JOHN DADO for a special award. Noting that John had completed forty years of membership, an accomplishment that required both great age and ferocity, he presented John with a special T. Rex award.

Yes, it’s true. We have dinosaurs in our Club!

Next, our PRESIDENT ELECT returned to announce his Board of Directors for the 2015-2016 Club year. They are: Treasurer – MARLENE FREETLY, Secretary – GAIL CARDAROPOLI, Past President – RICK MOSSI, Immediate Past President – MICHAEL CARUANA, Members –MIKE BADDELEY, JOANNE FERRIS, BILL GROVERMAN, GREG O’BRIEN, SHARI RANNEY, LEE REPOSA, and TONY WESTERN.

Then it was time for the big announcement. Who would be the President Nominee for the 2016-2017 Club year? The nominating committee of the five most recent Past Presidents, TOM BRANDAL, CLARK ROSEN, JOANNE FERRIS, NANCY COOLEY, and RICK MOSSI had completed their deliberations. Committee Chair TOM BRANDAL teased the crowd a bit before announcing their choice, LEE REPOSA. The standing applause from the crowd left no doubt that it was a great choice.

Then it was time for dancing. DJ Charlie Baker got the crowd to come alive . . .

. . . and before long it was really jumping.

Sonoma County Backroad Challenge, May 16, 2015

This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini