July 7 - Club dark
July 14 - President Lee Reposa’s first meeting
July 21 - Highlights of the Rotary District 5130 Conference in Napa: Great programs, projects and a surprise video with starring some our own members!
July 28 - Petaluma Bounty--growing, gleaning and giving in our community. Katie Haberman (education & engagement) and Suzi Grady (program director)
After a rambling introduction, and proudly displaying that he had at long last received his coveted bell and gavel back (they reappeared just as mysteriously and anonymously as they disappeared oh so long ago), President GARY BRODIE opened our debunking meeting to a full house at the Petaluma Golf & Country Club, which was decorated like a tire and brake shop, complete with fancy wheels and rims in the entry way, plastic tires hot wheel cars on the tables, and shop rags as napkins!
The cheerful Prez immediately led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by our customary club songs (Rambler-Gambler and God Bless America), . . .
. . . sung by no less of a crooner than the Prez’ son, Chad, who was selected from the crowd by President-Elect LEE REPOSA. After acknowledging his special guests and family members (including his children, Heather, Hailey and Chad), the Prez then had us all relax and enjoy a great meal served up by Sally Tomatoes.
After dinner, the Prez gave a short State of the Club address, and reviewed the numerous club projects and donation highlights of his year at the helm. He then thanked PDG ED FULLERTON and current District Governor Erin Dunn for their good counsel and support, . . .
. . . and turned the microphone over to his Past-President, RICK MOSSI, as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. After welcoming everyone and thanking the Debunking Committee, including KATHY O’CONNOR, JOANNE FERRIS, AL CATTALINI, MARLENE FREETLEY, TAWNY TESCONI, GAIL CARDAROPLI and your humble editor, Rick gave special props to SHARI RANNEY for the wine, MICHAEL NISTLER for the audio/visual, and Heidi Brodie for the photos. He then acknowledged the 56th wedding anniversary of JOHN and Sharon DADO, . . .
. . . and then introduced the Prez’ spouse, Heidi Brodie, who proceeded to roast up the Prez, in her own inimical style, with a power point presentation of his life, while the crowd roared with laughter, including the Prez (with multiple cocktails in hand). Rick then held an open microphone session to allow everyone the opportunity to add to the roast or express their sentiments on what a wonderful job the Prez did for us this year.
Rick then presented the Prez with a nice commemorative gift from the Club, organized a group photo of the Prez with his kids, and turned the microphone and the meeting back over to the Prez, who thanked Rick and the Debunking Committee for all their efforts and the great event they put on.
The Prez then resumed the meeting, auctioned off his last signature bottle of wine ($200 from his good friend and a Past-President, Jim Mickelson), and called upon Past-President ONITA PELLEGRINI to issue Paul Harris awards to the following recipients: DAN FISH, SHARI RANNEY, DAVE BARBIERI (and spouse, Linda Barbieri), and JIM BECKER. Congratulations, one and all!!
The Prez then announced that he had selected JOANNE FERRIS and CHRIS RANNEY as our co-Rotarians of the Year award winners, each of whom received a rousing ovation and heartfelt round of applause for all of the good work they do for the Club.
Next, the Prez gave a special thanks to his very supportive (and much appreciated) wife, Heidi, and then personally thanked and presented a gift to each of his Board Members, including GAIL CARDAROPOLI, MICHAEL CARUANA, JOANNE FERRIS, MARLENE FREETLY, BILL GROVERMAN, RICK MOSSI, GREG O’BRIEN, KATHY O’CONNOR, CHRIS RANNEY, LEE REPOSA, TAWNY TESCONI, TONY WESTERN and your editor.
Finally, and as his last order of official business for the Club as President, the Prez called up President-Elect LEE REPOSA for the ceremonial exchange of pins, and officially introduced him as our 2016-2017 Club President. Gary then handed the gavel of power over to Lee amidst a standing ovation for both of them!
New Prez Lee congratulated Gary and his Board on their great year and for all of their accomplishments, and then got right down to business by explaining what he hoped to accomplish during his year, and introducing his Club Officers and Board for 2016-2017, including GAIL CARDAROPOLI (Secretary), MARLENE FREETLY/ TAWNY TESCONI (Co-Treasurers), MICHAEL BADDELEY (Past-President), CHRIS RANNEY (President-Elect), GARY BRODIE (Immediate Past-President), KATHY O’CONNOR, BILL GROVERMAN, BRIAN BREEN, RICK GORMAN, CHAD FILLINGER, ELIAS HUSARY, SHARI RANNEY, and DANNY FISH.
WHEREUPON, after the new Prez Gary assured us we were in for a great Rotary experience in the upcoming year, thanked Gary again for his service as President, he gaveled the bell to adjourn the meeting!
Hope to see all of you at the Prez’ first regular meeting on July 14!
For lots of photos from the Debunking, visit Ed’s Photo Album.
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NEW MEMBER PROPOSAL The club has received an application for induction of the following new member:
If any member in good standing has an objection to this person, such objection should be made in writing to the club board of directors within 7 days of receipt of this notice. |
This week's Editor: Mike Baddeley
June 25 - Debunking, 6pm, PG&CC; Club dark on June 23
July 14 - President Lee Reposa’s first meeting
July 21 - Highlights of the Rotary District 5130 Conference in Napa: Great programs, projects and a surprise video with starring some our own members!
July 28 - Petaluma Bounty--growing, gleaning and giving in our community. Katie Haberman (education & engagement) and Suzi Grady (program director)
It was a beautiful, warm and sunny day as PRESIDENT GARY BRODIE called together the Rotary Club of Petaluma at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club for the last meeting of his reign of terror. This reporter was on the scene and reporting from the trenches when King BRODIE the Ruthless rode in on a motorcycle last July 9 blaring Hotel California,
wearing way too much leather, and sporting a very bad hairdo. He claimed that day he would rule the rat pack.
Not so sure that’s what actually happened, but we do know he set the record for most fines assessed a president while in office (many self-inflicted), turned fines into gratitude,
and managed to misplace his bell and gavel before the year was out. Oh yeah, and he did it all with good humor and fun.
PRESIDENT GARY welcomed the assembled members and, in the absence of a bell, tried to use his drink glass to rouse the troops and only managed to break it (Aww…s**t!
). He finally got an assist from one of the members and admitted this was his last controllable meeting
(meaning him or us?). He then thanked the assembled members for making it a great year
and we responded with a rousing round of applause back at him.
PRESIDENT GARY then led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. About the time he was to call on some poor soul to start the singing, MICHAEL CARUANA’s phone went off and drew the PREZ’s attention. MICHAEL warned that the last time he sang it was in the shower and the water went bad, but that didn’t seem to dissuade PG. After leading us in the club song, MICHAEL suggested perhaps we should rename it to I’m a Person,
after which he led us in singing God Bless America.
PRESIDENT GARY called on RICK GORMAN to give the Thought for the Day. RICK wished everyone a Happy Father’s Day and then gave three thoughts on the national pastime. One from Yogi Berra (Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical.
), one from Babe Ruth, and the last from an anonymous sage (Life is like baseball; all the important stuff happens at home.
)
Hugs and greetings followed. It took a long while to gather us back together, but PRESIDENT GARY managed to do so.
We had no visiting Rotarians. Rotarians with guests included CHRIS RANNEY who introduced guests from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Marin and Sonoma County, Angela Colombo, Sue Carson, and Brandon Durer, ED FULLERTON who introduced his visiting granddaughter Marissa from Indiana, RICK GORMAN who introduced his son Ben, and PRESIDENT GARY who introduced his lovely wife of one year, Heidi.
PRESIDENT GARY got into announcements by mentioning the Bocce Ball Tournament he’s been obsessing over for weeks. MICHAEL CARUANA reported out on the tournament results. Seems the club team arrived a half hour late, got two perfect scores (as in perfect zeros) and were recognized as Fifth Place Champions (in a field of five teams). MICHAEL claims they got their asses kicked by vicious, mean teams,
and swore to seek vengeance for the club next year. He did note, that we seemed to be the most popular
team; aka, the one everyone wanted to play against
(is that good?).
PRESIDENT GARY then called on PAST PRESIDENT RICK MOSSI who made a crack that the bocce team must have been on Brodie Time
the day of the tournament, but reminded members not to be late for PRESIDENT GARY’s debunking on Saturday, June 25th. It’s sure to be a great send off for PRESIDENT GARY and welcome in for PRESIDENT LEE REPOSA. Dress is nice casual
(like what you might wear to change brakes or a tire).
PRESIDENT GARY called on JIM SYMONS who’s been out traveling the world with JIM BECKER. They spent some time in Shanghai in Frank Lee’s penthouse, and JIM S. spent some time in the Shanghai General Hospital #6 (after puncturing his leg) getting an x-ray, stitches and a wheelchair for JIM B. to push him around for the rest of the trip. They somehow managed to get to the Rotary International Convention in Seoul, Korea for an intimate gathering of 48,000 Rotarians from around the world.
JIM was $30 grateful
for the opportunity to survive the experience and then presented PRESIDENT GARY with a flag with China’s Rotary emblem and a bit of bling
for the PREZ to add to his vast collection.
Then PRESIDENT GARY started up about a Trailblazer event
that DAN LIBARLE, JAY PALM, and DANNY FISH attended and suggested that they all should pay $10. He tried to drag DON RAMATICI in on the thing, but DON’S homies claimed he didn’t show, so PG fined DON $20 for being a no show. Then one of the gang claimed that the PREZ was at the event
too, and so PG paid yet one more presidential fine (we must have made a fortune off him this year!).
DANNY FISH disappeared just before all this started and then reappeared before it was done. Seems DANNY was on secret Trailblazer business
(the standing kind).
PRESIDENT GARY then called on KATHY O’CONNOR to discuss his missing bell, her missing badge and his missing gavel and swore no more Mr. Nice Guy
while fining her $20.
Seems JAY PALM’S badge is missing too, so perhaps we’ve finally fallen into the Rotary vortex we’ve all been warned about.
PRESIDENT GARY used his wife Heidi to authenticate and present a signed bottle of Balletto wine to KIP HERZOG who bought it only because she was presenting it in person. There was one more bottle left and MICHAEL NISTLER (who already bought one for $125) offered to buy it for $75 provided PRESIDENT GARY and Heidi would come over to his house and join him and wife Grace in the drinking of it. Sold!
Trying to squeeze every last pocket in the room during his last official meeting, PRESIDENT GARY launched into a Trivia Contest, going from table to table collecting $10 from unsuspecting and clueless members. We missed the one about Elvis, got the plate tectonics and red herring questions right, missed the one about who shot Marvin Gaye and the one about how many furlongs in a mile. Whew!!! We were glad when it was finally over!
Chris Elzi collects lots of money today and . . . .
PRESIDENT GARY called out this week’s raffle winner…CHRIS ELZI who got himself a nice bottle of wine.
CHRIS RANNEY (giving a nod of thanks to PRESIDENT GARY for buying our big new projection screen) introduced the day’s speaker, Angela Colombo, from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Marin and Sonoma County. Angela is the Director of Development and Communications and gave a wonderful presentation about the current Be Great
campaign. This agency continues to do amazing work with Petaluma youth and we are so proud to hear about what they’ve accomplished. Thanks, Angela!
PRESIDENT GARY ended the meeting, and his rule, with a gentle tap of a knife on his drink glass. What began with a roar, ended with a tink! Can’t wait to celebrate and thank PG next Saturday! Remember…we’re dark on Thursday. Next meeting is July 14. Enjoy the summer break, everyone!
This week's Editor: Jane Saldaña-Talley
June 16 - Angela Columbo, Development Director for the Sonoma Marin Boys and Girls Club
June 25 - Debunking, 6pm, PG&CC; Club dark on June 23
July 14 - President Lee Reposa’s first meeting
Where’s my gavel?
PRESIDENT GARY muttered to himself as he tapped a bottle of wine on the bell to convene his next-to-the-last meeting. Turning to begin the Pledge of Allegiance, he caught BRIAN BREEN arriving late and promised acknowledgement later in the meeting.
Thoroughly flustered by now, he pulled out his cheat sheet
to see what came next.
It was song time. So he called on LEE REPOSA to select a Songleader.
LEE chose CHRIS ELZI who performed admirably.
Then came the Thought of the Day offered by JOANNE FERRIS, three quotations from Muhammad Ali.
There were no visiting Rotarians, but we had two guests. JAY PALM introduced his son Jim, an avid hockey player and Sharks fan. When our President asked Jim what the Sharks needed to do to continue their pursuit of the Stanley Cup, he responded, Play harder, better defense.
(It worked!) RICK GORMAN introduced his guest, Jennifer Burroughs.
RENÉE HAYES presented a Club flag from India that she received when she and her husband recently hosted visiting Indian Rotarians.
MICHAEL CARUANA reported that he and BILL GROVERMAN had been participating in drinking training to prepare for Saturday’s Rotary bocce ball matches in Santa Rosa.
PRESIDENT GARY, noting that our Club had long sponsored Boy Scout Troop 8, reported that a young scout was battling cancer at UCSF. Funds were being solicited to help his family through this ordeal. We passed the hat around the room and nearly $1,000 was raised. The Club will augment this with a contribution of Club funds.
MICHAEL NISTLER happily accepted delivery of a bottle of pinot noir ($125) autographed by our First Lady, Heidi Brodie. Another bottle is available for the next taker.
A cell phone rang at the podium and it turned out to be JAY PALM’s. No telling how it got there, but after paying $20 to recover it, Jay was heard to mutter, Thanks, Danny!
Proud grandfather RICK GORMAN happily showed his gratitude ($100) for the arrival of a new granddaughter.
You may recall that, a few meetings ago, DAVID BARBIERI presented our President with a small black rooster (Gallo Nero, the official symbol of Chianti Classico). Well, PRESIDENT GARY didn’t remember that (not on his cheat sheet?), but figuring it must have involved some travel, called upon DAVID to explain. DAVID was a bit contentious about having to re-explain the circumstances of the gift, but ultimately described a wonderful trip through the heart of Italy. That cost him $100.
Rotarians are invited to help with our RYLA barbecue Wednesday evening at Westminster Woods. Call RICK GORMAN for information.
JAMES GOTELLI, acknowledging having to miss a number of recent meetings due to booming business, was welcomed back. He paid a $100 fine, saying it was great to be back.
Then it was KATHY O’CONNOR’s turn on the hot seat. PRESIDENT GARY claimed she had his gavel and she claimed he had her badge. At an impasse, our President tabled the matter until next week.
JIM SYMONS won the raffle and a bottle of wine.
Before introducing the day’s program, CHRIS RANNEY noted the great number of Rotarians attending this morning’s Building Community Breakfast at SRJC Petaluma. He particularly noted the great job done by our own JANE SALDAÑA-TALLEY.
Erin Post, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Fair and a local gal (she grew up in Point Reyes Station) battled laryngitis to discuss the upcoming fair (June 22-26) until her voice gave out. Her able assistant, Courtny Conkle, continued the presentation, fielding questions from the audience.
Watch this 6½-minute video showing an actual flight experienced by McKinley Aviation Club students on their recent field trip to the Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa.
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JUNE 2006 — 10 YEARS AND 500 ROTA-TELLERS AGO It’s been ten years since Rotarians received their Rota-Teller by snail mail. Read about the beloved |
This week's Editor: Al Cattalini
June 9 - Erin Post, new CEO for the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds: The 2016 Fair, updates and Erin’s Vision for the Future
June 16 - Angela Columbo, Development Director for the Sonoma Marin Boys and Girls Club
June 25 - Debunking, 6pm, PG&CC; Club dark on June 23
PRESIDENT GARY BRODIE kicked off the meeting by scanning the room for an able-bodied member capable of carrying a tune.
Thankfully, for most of us, he asked ROYCE VAN BEBBER to lead us in song and he did a great job.
The Thought for the Day began with a kind word from BANO CUMMINGS, then included thoughts from CHARLIE STUART and CHRIS ELZI.
Members then adjourned to the putting green for a group photo. Larger versions of this picture are available in Ed’s Photo Album.
RICK MOSSI reminded us to get our RSVPs in for the annual Debunking, which will be on June 25th. It will be a grand affair, not only for the outgoing President, but also for the initiation of the INCOMING PRESIDENT LEE REPOSA and his Board. All members are encouraged to attend.
PAST PRESIDENT MICHAEL CARUANA announced that our club will be playing in a Rotary sponsored Bocce Ball Tournament on June 11. Please contact Michael if anyone is interested in attending.
The Fine Can made a strong appearance at the meeting and was filled up by KATHY O’CONNOR, RICK MOSSI, JUDY McREYNOLDS, CHRIS RANNEY, BILL GROVERMAN, TOM BRANDAL, ANNE GEALTA, MAUREEN RUDDER and MICHAEL CARUANA. These fine members made significant contributions to the fine can and we gave them all a big round of applause.
PRESIDENT GARY BRODIE took a moment to discuss a serious issue that plagued the last meeting — all the fine rocks were stuck together for the weekly raffle, which meant that all were pulled at the same time, including the winning rock. He chastised the Set-up Crew, but also took the opportunity to thank them for all their hard work during his tenure — of course, after he collected $10 from each of them!
Just when it appeared we were ready to begin our program, PRESIDENT GARY BRODIE couldn’t resist one more fine and got this week’s editor for $50.
Erin Post, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Fair, won the raffle and a bottle of wine.
Oak Dowling was our speaker for the day and his presentation on Who killed the Charles Lindberg Baby?
was a fascinating historical and criminal tale. He took us back to a time when the kidnapping captured the attention of the nation and the world. He also revealed the many different facets of Lindberg’s life, including his shyness, his extreme control over all aspects of his life, his affiliation with the creation of a master race, and his separate life in Germany, where he fathered seven children with four women. This was a great presentation that riveted the audience and left us all wanting more time!
Thank you to our speaker and the member responsible for promoting this program.
Have a great week.
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One of the activities our Club sponsors at McKinley Elementary School is the McKinley Aviation Club, founded and spearheaded by Past District Governor Ed Fullerton. Their club year ends with a field trip to the Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa where the students get to actually experience flight. Ed sent these photos and comments from the June 4, 2016 field trip: |
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JUNE 2006 — 10 YEARS AND 500 ROTA-TELLERS AGO It’s been ten years since Rotarians received their Rota-Teller by snail mail. Read about the beloved |
This week's Editor: Ricardo Marzo; photos by Michael Nistler
