July 27, 2017 

President Chris Ranney and a bright blue sky welcomed us to our last meeting of the month of July.

Charlie Stuart led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Kip Herzog sounded the starting notes (with authority) for “I’m a Rambler . . .” and “God Bless America”.

Mike Ambrosio offered a collection of three wise Thoughts for the Day.

Members and guests exchanged the traditional hugs and handshakes around the room.

Judi Allewelt introduced visiting Rotarian Len Geraldi, a member of the Rancho Cotati Club and our new Assistant District Governor.

President Chris gave us an update on the Miracle League project, highlighting the following:

8/2       Planning session for construction of the playground

9/30     A “barn-raising” one-day set up of the playground

10/2     Community fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Brewster's, further explained by Larry Jonas, who hopes to see at least 350 (including all of us, of course) at the event

President Chris reminded us of his participation in the upcoming bicycle ride to benefit Rotary’s Polio Plus project.  He noted that Larry Jonas was sporting a T-shirt earned about 4 years ago in another bike ride to raise money for the same cause; however, Larry conceded that his ride from Petaluma to the Marin Cheese Factory and back was slightly shorter than our president’s ride from Crescent City.  Volunteers are needed at the finish line celebration on August 19 – for ticket sales, pouring beer & wine, setup, cleanup, and just cheering the riders.

Michael Caruana reported that our club team for the upcoming Bocce Ball Tournament couldn’t look much better.  He introduced team members Charlie Stuart and Mike Ambrosio, both demonstrating the requisite skills for high-level tournament play.

We were reminded that we will all be “the program” at the next club meeting on August 3, grouped in committees and teams to get some important things accomplished. 

Club members celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in July were recognized and serenaded.

Fines were levied on members for their notable exploits:

Immediate Past President Lee Reposa, stubbornly resisting the over-the-hill status that some of us accepted years ago, competed along with four buddies in a “tough mudder” event, clearing 20 challenging obstacles over a 10-mile course and out-performing many of the younger teams.  For milder exercise, Lee took a stroll with his brother to the 14,000-foot peak of Mt. Whitney.

Toward the other end of the spectrum of physical exertion, Charlie Stuart endured a river cruise on the Rhine, forcing himself to consume gourmet meals and view beautiful scenery and historic sites in Germany, Austria, and Hungary. 

President Chris presented the first-ever Petaluma Rotarian-of-the-Month award to Mike Ambrosio for his valuable assistance with room setup, support for the Miracle League project, community involvement, faithful attendance, and all-around great Rotary spirit.

Whether you believe in Karma, mojo, or just dumb luck, July 27 was undeniably Mike Ambrosio Day, as the Rotarian of the Month had the winning raffle ticket.  A blue rock was good for a bottle of wine.

Michael Nistler introduced guest speaker Carlos Basturo, Chief of Police of the Town of Windsor and candidate for the office of Sonoma County Sheriff.  The second of three generations of law enforcement officers, Chief Basturo was accompanied by his son Carlos Jr., who just recently joined the Petaluma Police Department.  Chief Basturo discussed his experience as the son of an officer, a recap of his own career, and the challenges facing law enforcement agencies.

This week's Editor: Clark Rosen

July 20, 2017 

For his second meeting of the year, President Chris Ranney welcomed us to the another wonderful Thursday lunch meeting at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club.

The Prez called upon Past President Tom Brandal to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Tom did such a great job that he continued with our club song and God Bless America.

Just returning from her travels, Renee Hayes gave the Thought for the Day with quotes around traveling.

Whit Hall put Brandal on the spot by asking him to explain what a "gypo" in our club song was.

Due to Brandal's superior knowledge, he quickly explained that a "gypo" was an independent man in the logging industry.

Past President Wally Bragdon gave us a Sunshine Report on Erin Post who recently gave birth to a happy and healthy baby. Congratulations Erin!

We had another Sunshine Report from Judy Allewelt announcing that her granddaughter who recently got married also had had a baby this week.

President Chris shared "what's new in the club" and our new "Peace Pole".

Coming up on August 3rd we will be having a "working" meeting. Past President Joanne Ferris discussed that this is an opportunity for the club committees to spend some time during a meeting to get things done.

Gail Cardaropli reminded everyone of the upcoming SCARC dinner on July 27th. Please RSVP and the club will cover your cost to attend. 

Also on the agenda is our club's Annual Golf Tournament September 11th. Chad Fillinger and his committee are coordinating the teams and sponsors so let him know if you're interested in playing in and/or supporting the event.

President Chris was excited to announce that he'll be slipping into some spandex shorts to ride his BMX bike from Crescent City to Petaluma over 6 days. He'll be doing this from August 14th through the 19th for the Rotary Peddle for Polio fundraiser.

Shari Ranney will be collecting donations, oxygen tanks, and pain killers so please contact her if you'd like to support Chris' bicycle challenge.

Shari also shared that her and Chris traveled to Sweden to visit and spend time with their granddaughter. While in Sweden they attended a Rotary meeting and brought us back their club flag. She paid a $50 to the local foundation for sharing these awesome memories with us.

For her 60th birthday and 40th anniversary, Renee Hayes, celebrated by taking a trip to France and Italy. She also gave $50 to the local foundation for sharing her story.

President Chris displayed a photo of Chad Fillinger partying in Canada for a bachelor party. Chad payed $25 for missing Lee's Debunking and so Chris wouldn't show anymore bachelor party photos. Heard there was a pic of him dancing on a pole... a Canadian flag pole.

Speaking of partying, Sherry Burwen was excited to tell President Chris about her birthday Vegas stories. Most people stick to the saying "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas", but not Sherry... she began to share some interesting "birthday suit" stories but finished up with dressing like Wonder Woman in Vegas. She paid $30 to the local foundation.

President Chris called everyone's attention to give a special tribute to our club's Editor, Photographer, and Webmaster for the last 17 years, Al Cattalini. Al received a standing ovation for all that he's done for our club.

Al explained that our new website at PetalumaRotary.org is up and running and our old website can still be found at PetalumaRotary.com. The old site has tons of archived information to check out and is great for new members to learn more about our history.

Al announced that as he steps down from webmaster for the last 17 years, Grace Nistler will be stepping in as our new webmaster. He presented her with a gift that Grace's husband, Michael Nistler, helped pick out.

To help her navigate the Worldwide Web, she received a creepy spider. Grace is deathly afraid of spiders.

Past President Onita Pellegrini asked Al's wife, Joan, to come up and join all of us in congratulating Al in receiving a Paul Harris award purchased by our club in recognition of all his service over the years. This is Al's second Paul Harris. 

Past President Tom Brandal was like the bookends to the meeting. Besides leading us in the Pledge and Song, he also won the raffle and took home a nice bottle of wine.

Past District Governor Ed Fullerton introduced our speaker.

Jennifer Strong was the 2016 District 5130 Rotarian of the Year. She shared an amazing story of how Rotary has played such an important role in her life and how the power of Rotary helped after the devastating Lake County fires.  During the fires she began the Rotary Fire Relief Fund in order to raise $50k to help the community. Instead of only raising $50k, Rotary raised over $950k and has returned back 100% to the community and people effected by the fires.  Besides starting and managing the Fire Relief Fund Jennifer also coordinated the planting of over 3500 trees in 2 hours by 400 people.

Two of those Rotarians that helped plant those trees were are very own Ed Fullerton and John Zimmerman.  The two presented Jennifer with a $1,000 check from our club for the Relief Fund.

That was all for the President Chris' meeting number two. With his organization skills, tight agenda following, and member management, he successfully packed one meeting with what most past presidents could only accomplish in 4 or 5 meetings (excluding Past President Brodie... it would take him half the year.)

This week's Editor: Brian Breen

July 13, 2017 

Driving up to the beautiful Petaluma Golf and Country Club, we all quickly knew we were at the right place.

Our new President Chris Ranney loves signs. They were everywhere!

For lunch, we all enjoyed a delicious BBQ steak by our fellow Rotarian BBQ pros, Past President Lee Reposa, Danny Fish, and Jay Palm.

Grilled to perfection!

President Chris truly wanted to spoiled us on his first day.

So we could all eat steak President Chris, took one for the team.

Saving on costs and enjoying his burger. Cooked to perfection.

A large crowd was welcomed to the Rotary Club of Petaluma’s meeting at the beautiful Petaluma Golf and Country Club by our New President, Chris Ranney.

Chris was very enthusiastic to kick off his year and reminded everyone that 2018 will be our club’s 95^th Anniversary. 

We all joined Danny Fish in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Past President Onita Pellegrini leading us in the club song and God Bless America.

For the Thought of the Day Past President Rick Mossi shared his top 10 thoughts and factoids to inspire the new prez.

Along with the numerous guests in attendance, Jane Saldana-Talley introduced our visiting Rotarians.

Two of which were the new presidents from our local Sunrise and Valley club.

President Chris didn't get too far into his meeting before his board stepped in to help him along. Past President Joanne Ferris instructed him to open the assortment of mystery boxes and begin putting on what was found inside.

It began with his ski patrol jacket which went perfect with the hot day we were enjoying.

Along the way, fellow Rotarians like Past President John Dado quizzed Chris about his wife, Shari Ranney. Chris remembered correctly where their first date was.

Then came the ski helmet and some perspiration.

The heat must have been getting to Chris... Mike Ambrosio asked if he remembered his wife's favorite movie and Past President Lee Bean quizzed Chris about Shari's grandma's name - wrong on both answers.

He had planned for this meeting for months but by now the President looked ready for the slopes but not for a Rotary meeting.

His Board even decked him out with the boots.

Chad Fillinger reminded everyone to start thinking about your foursome for the golf tournament and signing up for hole sponsors.

Elias Husary ran a BBQ raffle to raise money for the Children's Holiday Gift Day. Tickets were sold out almost immediately and the winner was lucky Past President Onita Pellegrini.

Speaking of winners, your Editor won the raffle.

But the biggest winner was Past President John Dado. He was called on to share his story about how he invested $12 in a horse racing ticket and won a whopping $21,000! Congratulations John. If we could only have the "luck of the Dado."

Past President Joanne introduced our speaker, Houston Porter.

Houston shared his in-depth knowledge and understanding of great BBQ. He told his stories of traveling across the country on a BBQ road trip stopping to enjoy the best BBQ at numerous restaurants and gas stations.

This week's Editor: Brian Breen