September 30, 2021

We’re sorry that your September 30 Rota-Teller has been delayed.  Unfortunately, the Editor has disappeared under mysterious circumstances and is being held incommunicado.  We think the same malevolent folks who absconded with our Rotary bell have also abducted our Editor.  While our President decides whether to ransom our Editor — or the bell, we are bringing you some photos from that meeting.  You will have to imagine your own captions and story line.  Sorry!

This week's Editor: Ricardo Marzo

September 23, 2021

 We gathered on a warm October day to box lunches from caterer Sally Tomatoes.

President Rick Gorman called the meeting to order.

Our official Rotary bell appears to continue it's travels.  Here's this week's placeholder.

He called upon Dan Berry to lead the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.

We took our seats for the Thought for the Day presented by Past President Michael Nistler.  Our thought was all about high powered superlatives including “crème de la crème” in keeping with today’s program.

Gary Vise, a Visiting Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa, aka Santa Rosa Downtown Club invited everyone to their club’s 100 Anniversary Gala on 12/3/21 at the Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club.  This club was our own sponsoring club in 1923!  Flyers were on tables and will continue to be at meetings.  For more information, please contact Mark Burchill Rotarymark@sonic.net   707-542-2529.

Former member, Jim Becker, current member of the Rotary Club of North Hawaii exchanged banners with President Rick Gorman.  "Kimo" (as he's known on the islands) captured the moment for his club.

Past President Joanne Ferris announced our next club fieldtrip is coming up on October 7 at Pt. Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company’s The Fork Restaurant at Pt. Reyes Station.  The cost is $20 per person.  Please RSVP to Joanne is you plan to attend.  Our count is due to The Fork by next Friday, October 1.  Jferrispetaluma@gmail.com  707-481-6431.

Shari Ranney announced the Wiffle Ball Tournament has been rescheduled to April 9, 2022.  All sponsors and team are on board to join in on the fun that day.  Stay tuned for more information.

Shari thanked our club for sponsoring the opening day of Miracle League Fall Play a few weeks back.  We are looking for a few more members to work in the barbecue pavilion on Saturday, October 2.  Let Shari know if you want to come and help.

Past President Anne Gealta thanked her committee and all the members who participated in the Golf Tournament on 9/13/21.  It looks like we raised $4,000 for community projects!  Shout out to Maggie Radany, Michael Ambrosio and Judy McReynolds for all their help that day.  Anne has the sponsor flags if you sponsored a hole.

The Raffle Winner was John Zimmerman……and he won the $200 CASH!  Next week we go back to a bag full of rocks and $25 starting prize money.

Joanne Ferris Introduced our program speaker, Pilar Bernard, founder of Mariposa….Soon to be known as MARIAPILAR Ice Cream.  Pilar brought along ice cream bars for everyone….Truly a treat!

September 13, 2021

2021 Petaluma Rotary Golf Tournament

Judy McReynolds, Maggie Radany, and Mike Ambrosio showed up early to check in the golfers.

So did Past President Anne Gealta, the Tournament Director.

Most everyone knows a “birdie” means scoring one under par on a hole.  But where did the name originate?  In the 19th century, the term "bird" was the equivalent of "cool" or "excellent."  Golf scholars believe this is where the term came from.

The odds of the average golfer making a hole-in-one  (or “ace”) are 12,500 to 1. 

The odds of two players from the same foursome acing the same hole: 17 million to 1.

A double eagle (or “albatross”) is achieved when a player either aces a par 4 or scores a "2" on a par 5. About 40,000 golfers make a hole-in-one each year.  Only a couple hundred make an albatross.

A “condor” is the absolute rarest shot in golf. It's a "1" on a par 5.  There have been 5 recorded condors in history. It's believed that the “condor” name is a continuation of the 'bird' theme for under-par scores with the size of the bird getting bigger as the score gets lower, hence "birdie," "eagle," "albatross," "condor."

By virtue of sponsoring the putting contest, Exchange Bank displayed this large banner.

Oops! It seems the Exchange Bank banner has collapsed.

It’s said that 5 stokes under par is an “ostrich.”  That would require acing a par 6.  Have you ever seen a par 6 hole?

Not to worry.  President Rick Gorman re-erects the banner.

Exchange Bank stands tall and proud.

Oops!

Sally Tomatoes provided box lunches for the golfers.

What is the maximum number of clubs you are allowed to carry in your golf bag? Fourteen.

The longest hole in the world a 964-yard par 7 located in Sano, Japan.

A golf ball must be at least 1.68 inches in diameter.  This is effectively the maximum size as well.  Most players would not choose a larger ball if they had the choice. Today’s golf balls are made of urethane and have 300 to 500 dimples.

On average, 300 million golf balls are lost in the U.S. each year.

Golf holes have a diameter of 4.25 inches and a depth of 4 inches.

Dr. George Grant (a Harvard Dental School graduate and the second African American to earn a dental degree) is credited with designing the golf tee. He patented it in 1899.

Before the advent of tees, golfers played off hand-built sand piles.

Tournament Director Anne kicks off the tournament.

PG&CC pro Travis Berding explains the scramble procedures.

“No, you can’t have my Coors Light!”

Anne welcomes a hungry crowd to the golf dinner.

President Rick Gorman joins Anne for prize awards.

Mike Stauber, Jr.  received the award for the longest drive.    Closest to Pin award went to Kevin Gilmour at 9’ 2”.

Dan Berry, Michael Caruana, Greg O’Brien and Michael Nistler comprised the winning team with a score of 11 under par.

Lee Reposa took home a bottle of fine whiskey for winning the putting contest.

President Rick Gorman looks on sheepishly as Anne explains “This is not for drying your balls.”

Anne wrapped up the evening with heartfelt thanks to the tournament sponsors:  Gold Sponsor: Coldwell Banker Realty; Bronze Sponsor: Anonymous Rotarian; Putting Green Sponsor: Exchange Bank.

Hole Sponsors: Polly Klaas Foundation, Northbay Automotive, Van Bebber Brothers Inc., Petaluma Chamber of Commerce, Lace House Linen Supply Inc., Marilyn Can Travel, Corporate Security Service Inc.

Golf Cart Sponsors: Coldwell Banker Realty, Polly Klaas Foundation, Vine Hill Builders Inc., April and Charlie Stuart, Doug Hecker, Shari and Chris Ranney, Northbay Automotive, Aled Motor Home Fleets.

Anne thanked all the golfers who participated and noted that all funds raised will go to local community and worldwide projects supporting education, children and families.

We should note that golfer goodie bags, hole flags and embroidery were donated by Anne.  The great embroidery was accomplished by Rags to Stitches.

Table decorations were prepared by Judy McReynolds.

Special thanks to all the Rotarians who helped make this a great day and Sally Tomatoes for providing both lunch and dinner!!

This week's Editor: Al Cattalini

September 9, 2021

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR NEIGHBORS

And our gracious host, President Rick was on hand to greet the neighborly group of Rotarians.

The ever ready and ever prepared Joanne Ferris led those of us assembled to a rousing Pledge of Allegiance.

Not to be outdone Cindy Thomas came through with some pertinent thoughts found on her cell phone.

As women continued to dominate the dais, former Zoom Queen Anne came forward in her new role as Golf Tourney Chair to announce that 50 players have signed on to participate, 69 reservations for dinner (max is 70), sponsorships have come through, support crew is in place...all systems GO for Monday, Sept. 13.

Then it was International Committee Chair and woman of all seasons Shari Ranney's turn to announce Miracle League's Opening Day on Saturday, the 11th. Volunteers are signing up and the more the merrier. In addition, Shari highlighted the Wiffle Ball Tournament, set for Saturday, Sept. 25 to benefit children all over the world. Still time to enroll.

Joanne Ferris came back to the floor to announce a "Save the Date" for Thursday, Oct. 7 when we will be on a field trip to Pt. Reyes Farmstead Cheese. Joanne and Mike Ferris were also given kudos by President Rick for organizing our fun at The Block last Thursday! And fun it was to be enjoying the gathering and liquid refreshments!

Ladies Day continued as Queen Anne garnered the winning raffle ticket and won herself a bottle of wine. Cheers!

And after 44 years of being a Rotarian, Larry Jonas came front and center to deliver his Craft Talk. Yup, serving as President in 1995-96, attending four International Conventions, serving as International Committee Chair for a few years and responsible for several noteworthy projects all over the world, Dr. Jonas came through in fine style to share his Rotary experiences. Welcome to the fold!

Program Committee Chair, Dan Berry took to the podium to introduce our guest speaker. Christine Kurtz, Sonoma County Beekeeping Expert.

The charming and extremely knowledgeable Christine gave us a most informative presentation supported by visuals on The Importance of Gardening for Bees and All Pollinators. Astounding to think that there are 4,000 species of bees in the United States and 1,200 residing here in California. We were informed on how honey is made as well as Bee Bread. Bee keeping is definitely a specialized field and not for the masses. After a brief question and answer segment, President Rick called our meeting to a close.

May I remind us all to take time to remember, reflect and say a prayer on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 tomorrow for the incredible losses we suffered on that day!

This week's Editor: Mike Ambrosio

September 2, 2021

We were dark for lunch today.  Instead, we kicked off the Labor Day Weekend with a Club Social at The Block during Happy Hour!  Here are some photos from our gathering.

This week's Editor: Joanne Ferris