April 2016

Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.

COMING EVENTS

President GARY BRODIE opened our last regular luncheon meeting for April at the appointed half hour, and immediately led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, . . .

. . . followed by the duet of Past-President BARNEY FAUSS and JANE SALDAÑA-TALLEY (look out Sonny and Cher), who led us in our Club’s theme song (Gypo from Pelican Bay) and God Bless America.

MICHAEL NISTLER then delivered the Thought for the Day…as only he could think it! The customary handshakes, hugs and busses amongst members ensued.

Past-President PAUL LOUNIBOS introduced our visiting Rotarians with his usual aplomb.

Several guests of Rotarians also joined us for lunch, but they weren’t introduced until Past-President MICHAEL CARUANA reminded the Prez, who was busy heavily recruiting team members for an upcoming bocce ball tournament in June at Julliard Park in Santa Rosa (call the Prez if you’re an interested player!).

After the introduction of Past-Presidents TAWNY TESCONI and ONITA PELLIGRINI’s guests, President-Elect LEE REPOSA hawked Lagunitas raffle tickets…$100 buys you one, or you can get three for $150 (call Lee if you feel lucky).

STEVE POWELL then confirmed that the Petaluma Yacht Club is available for our evening meeting scheduled for May 12…including drinks!

Next, SHARI RANNEY gave a report on her and JIM BECKER’s attendance at a recent Rotary International medical conference hosted by the Sebastopol Rotary Club, followed by BANO CUMMING’s announcement of a baked goods sale in front of Copperfield’s supporting charitable projects. The Prez then acknowledged the April anniversaries and birthdays of our members, all of whom received a well-deserved round of applause (but no song!).

The Prez also acknowledged the fine deeds performed by WHITNEY HALL, AL CATTALINI, Past-President CLARK ROSEN and PDG ED FULLERTON helping students at McKinley School and their successful Science Olympiad teams, as featured in a recent Argus Courier article. Great job, guys!!

CHAD FILLINGER and ELIAS HUSARY were then fined $20 each for some baby-sitting shenanigans at the Butter and Egg Parade involving Chad’s daughter Reece, and just who it was who was supposed to be watching her, all of which was observed in real time by our ubiquitous, all knowing Prez. Thanks, guys!

New member MAUREEN RUDDER then gave her craft talk and how she came to be among us, . . .

. . . followed by the raffle, which the Prez once again bifurcated: this time one for the customary $$$ and wine (CHAD FILLINGER won the wine), and one for the speaker’s new book (won by CHARLIE STUART).

Past-President JOANNE FERRIS then introduced our speaker, local author and food columnist Francis Rivetti, who gave an excellent presentation on her new book Fog Valley Crush and the history of local famers and food innovators in the Petaluma area. She received a hearty round of applause, and a Rotary memento (a bottle of fine wine) for her efforts! The Prez then wished us all well and summarily adjourned the meeting.

This week's Editor: Mike Baddeley

COMING EVENTS

PRESIDENT GARY opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MICHAEL NISTLER led our club song and God Bless America….after which he produced a conductor’s baton for future use.

CHRIS RANNEY’s Thought for the Day asked would any of the candidates running for President hold up to the Rotary Four Way Test? He presented a politician’s four way test.

ONITA introduced Erin Post, manager of the Sonoma Marin Fair and a native of Tomales. KATHY O’CONNOR introduced our speaker, Eric Walther, his wife Ann and Jane Ansil. RICK MOSSI introduced Pail LeFebvre of Merrill Lynch.

Announcements:

There is a work party at Walnut Park on April 30 (Saturday). All members are encouraged to help out.

There is a SCARC dinner on April 28. RSVPs should go to GAIL CARDAROPOLI.

PRESIDENT GARY announced we are seeking qualified Bocce players and leaders willing to represent our club at a Rotary Bocce Tournament in June. MICHAEL CARUANA was drafted or volunteered (depending on who you ask) for the role as team captain. PRESIDENT GARY and 7 other members stepped up to join the team.

JIM BECKER announced thank you letters from students at Harvest Christian were circulating the lunch tables. These third graders wrote some great thank yous for receiving their dictionaries.

JIM also announced the world service committee voted to give $1,000 from the World Service fund for EARTHQUAKE RELIEF in Equador. Our club has been part of several international projects in Equador.

A Pinot for Polio auction was held. Members could contribute $100 towards Polio Plus and they would earn a bottle of this excellent wine and an additional 300 points toward their Paul Harris. The following members jumped at the chance: SHARI RANNEY, DANNY FISH, ANNE GEALTA, JIM BECKER, ROYCE VAN BEBBER, GAIL CARDAROPOLI, RENEE HAYES, LINDA BLACK, MAUREEN RUDDER, MICHAEL NISTLER ($125 with Heidi’s signature on the bottle!), ONITA PELLEGRINI, GARY BRODIE and JIM SYMONS.

DANNY FISH was away for several months receiving special FBI training which was the subject of a recent article in the Argus Courier. Among DANNY’s many affiliations listed in the story, Rotary was not mentioned. While there was an attempt to hold our new member LINDA BLACK for the oversight, it is important to note that LINDA is in advertising and not news reporting.

After some discourse about how PRESIDENT GARY received the information, the differences between an informant and a rat were noted. DANNY generously paid off his fine schedule out of gratitude.

A few weeks ago, ED FULLERTON’s phone went off during a meeting. ED gratefully paid $20. There was great speculation about the nature of ED’s emergency call. Does an appointment for a cat’s flea dip treatment constitute an emergency?

PRESIDENT GARY’s recurring amnesia struck again when he forgot the raffle. Looking forward to next year, GARY asked if we should have a pool around how many times President Elect LEE REPOSA may forget the raffle.

BANO CUMMINGS’ ticket was drawn and her attempt at the raffle prize of $300 was met with a nice bottle of wine.

KATHY O’CONNOR introduced the program speaker, Eric Walther.

Mr. Walther gave a very interesting talk about his home town of Harwich, England and the historical relevance this port town has played including the launching site of the Mayflower.

Next week’s speaker is Petaluma writer Francis Rivetti, author of Fog Valley Crush.

This week's Editor: Joanne Ferris

COMING EVENTS

TIME MARCHES ON: Perhaps sensing that his time as our leader is rapidly passing by, President GARY BRODIE led our club meeting in the Pledge.

He asked for a volunteer to lead us in song, and ROYCE VAN BEBBER responded with the Club Song followed by the traditional God Bless America.

TIME IS MONEY: Always on the clock, barrister CHRIS ELZI delivered three thoughts for the day attributed to Mark Twain.

After the customary hugs and handshakes, two visiting Rotarians from Sebastopol and Minneapolis were recognized along with Brett Shinn, guest of WALLY BRAGDON.

CLARK ROSEN welcomed back visiting Rotarian PAUL LOUNIBOS, back to health after missing some meetings.

TIME IS THE WISEST COUNSELOR (PERICLES): PDG ED FULLERTON commended CHRIS RANNEY for his great presentation at the District 5130 Training Seminar in Ukiah.

RENÉE HAYES announced an opportunity to greet the visiting GSE team on May 18th at 6:00 at Shelly Moller’s home. This will be a Tri-Petaluma-Rotary Club Social and Potluck. Contact RENÉE for the details.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: President GARY thanked BILL GROVERMAN and his crew for the great job at Farmers’ and Merchants’ Night; however, there was a butter shortage!! BILL blamed it on the group of eight who arrived without an RSVP. GARY had several eight-ounce cubes of organic butter which he gave away after the meeting.

His legal advisor suggested that no fines be levied.

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES (MATTHEW): Attention: this Saturday, April 16, you are invited to participate in a work party/ cleanup committee at Walnut Park at 8:00 am. This service project will be repeated on Saturday, April 30.

JANE SALDAÑA-TALLEY and MAUREEN RUDDER were commended for preparing and submitting four applications of the District Awards at the District 5130 Conference next month in Napa. (You can read them here.) JANE thanked all her committee members and offered $25 for the privilege.

TO EVERYTHIING THERE IS A SEASON: PRESIDENT GARY appealed to all interested members to join him in an inter-club Bocce Ball tournament on June 11 at Juilliard Park in Santa Rosa from 9:30 until 4:30.

Contact SECRETARY GAIL now if you would to attend the SCARC monthly dinner meeting April 28 in Healdsburg from 5:30 to 8:30. Complimentary beer and wine to be served!!!

O TEMPORA! O MORES! (Cicero): GARY called upon BRIAN BREEN for an infraction which cost BRIAN $10.

This was followed by an exchange between ELIAS HUSARY and GARY about a badge belonging to HENRY HANSEL(?!) who was absent.

GARY offered a cell phone for sale and eventually settled with ELIAS for $40 each.

Proud parent JAY PALM watched his two sons compete for the State hockey championship in their age bracket at the Shark Tank. They won!! JAY offered $20 times 2 for their success.

JANE SALDAÑA-TALLEY won the raffle and a bottle of wine. Next week the cash prize is $300!

BACKWARD, TURN BACKWARD, O TIME IN YOUR FLIGHT; MAKE ME A CHILD AGAIN JUST FOR TONIGHT. (Elizabeth Akers Allen)

The following new members gave their craft talks for our program today:

ANNE GEALTA, who is grateful for a wonderful circle of friends;

LINDA BLACK, who joined Rotary to get more involved locally;

JUDY McREYNOLDS, who is anxious to get her chicken badge; and

ROYCE VAN BEBBER. (1) son of the late Rick and Karen Van Bebber; (2) grandson of PP Royce Van Bebber; and (3) loves his job but hates (paying) taxes.

Space limitations did not allow summaries of their complete talks.

P. S. The first of the four craft talks began at 1:10 and the fourth concluded about 1:50. President GARY is slowly learning that time is flowing like a river.

This week's Editor: Paul Lounibos

COMING EVENTS

Farmers and Merchants Night

Congratulations to Co-Chairs BILL GROVERMAN and JAY PALM on a great turn-out and fun times at this year’s Farmers and Merchants Night.

PRESIDENT GARY BRODIE and MIKE BADDELEY were the co-emcees for the evening and they provided good-natured comedic relief and a solid program.

The meal of polenta and stew was fantastic and the entire Committee really did a great job in making sure everyone enjoyed themselves. However, there was a problem on the tables — no butter! MARCUS BENEDETTI was seen leaving the event undercover, but PRESIDENT GARY BRODIE may have some questions for him at the next meeting…

There was even some good-natured calf-roping and many of us were reminded that riding a horse is not that easy!

Congratulations TO LEE REPOSA, KATHY O’CONNOR, TOM BAKER, FRED WULFF, RICK MOSSI, and MIKE BADDELEY for taking this event into the 21st Century. Originally, this event was intended to celebrate the agricultural strength in our community and help bring Farmers and Merchants together, who may not normally connect in their day-to-day business. As our community has evolved, so has the membership within our Rotary Club and this event is now all-encompassing with many different industries and companies represented, but the values of the Rotary Club of Petaluma remain the same — service, friendship, camaraderie and goodwill.

Farmers and Merchants Night was the last event before our beloved President, GARY BRODIE’s Debunking, which will be on Saturday, June 25, 2016. Mark your calendars now!

This week's Editor: Ricardo Marzo; photos by Whit Hall