August 18, 2022 – LATE EDITION

Field Trip aboard the SMART Train

Petaluma to Santa Rosa and return

Today's Editor: Al Cattalini

August 18, 2022

Field Trip aboard the SMART Train

Petaluma to Santa Rosa and return

Today's Editor: Al Cattalini

August 11, 2022

At the crack of the bell and with an ever-pleasant infectious smile on his face to engage his fellow Rotarians, our 100th presiding President Royce Van Bebber called the somewhat raucous crowd to order.

Not to deviate from the script, President Royce called upon Brandon Trammell who was asked to take the lead in our tribute to the American flag and our country.

Then it was Dan Libarle who was called upon to lead us in God Bless America. While joining in the rendition I recalled reading somewhere that Irving Berlin first compiled notes for the song in 1918, and some 20 years later he fine-tuned it with a verse made popular in a recording by Kate Smith. For those still interested, the verse seems as relevant today as over 80 years ago!

"WHILE THE STORM CLOUDS GATHER, FAR ACROSS THE SEA

LET US SWEAR ALLEGIANCE, TO A LAND THAT'S FREE,

LET US ALL BE GRATEFUL FOR A LAND SO FAIR

AS WE RAISE OUR VOICES IN A SOLEMN PRAYER..."

(maybe we should consider including the verse...)

Program Committee Chair Dan Berry came forth with a truly humorous side of what it is like being just a Rotarian. Fun, fun, fun!!

Being the proud Dad that he is, Dan Berry introduced his son Josh, a licensed electrician visiting his folks from Phoenix and finding time to attend our meeting.

Our recently awarded Rotarian of the Month and Secretary Supreme, Gail Cardaropoli announced that the Santa Rosa Rotary is hosting the next SCARC dinner to benefit Ukrainian Relief on Thursday, August 25 at the Moose Lodge.

All systems are go, according to vivacious Anne Gaelta for the annual Golf Tournament on Monday, Sept. 12. Chairwoman Anne is accepting sponsors for the event at various levels, including the course 'holes' at $200 per. And foursomes are being welcomed, come one come all!

Our 100th Anniversary Gala is being chaired under the highly capable guidance of Onita Pellegrini. She happily announced that Ray's Catering has been hired to serve the sumptuous meal AND atop of that The Wonder Bread Five will be the featured guest performers. They are known for performing the latest hits of this week to classic hits of 60s thru 90s and beyond...appealing to a broad range of audiences. March 10, 2023 is the date to "CIRCLE" for an evening to celebrate as only we can!

Just to add some money to the kitty, President Royce called upon some Rotarians with bragging rights.

Lee Reposa accompanied his daughter Lauren to Sweden where she participated on the USA World's Soccer Team. She was one of 1600 players from all over the world playing in 4000 games during the 10 days...AND she and her teammates won it all! Quite a fete and worth the $100 fine.

Past President Rick Gorman also took center stage to relive his recent visit to New Jersey where he bonded with extended family and childhood friends. An additional $100 was gobbled up in a fine for his fun visit.

Finally, Dan Libarle was called upon to sheepishly account for his recent back injury. He fell off a horse? Overindulging? Some things do not mix well. But Elias Husary came to the rescue by driving Dan...or was that a rescue?

President Royce has brought back the monthly birthday cheers along with a cake for the party goers. And this month Maggie Radany is one of the birthday gals to honor along with Carolyn Buck and Jaime Symons. (And all three are Leos!)

Guess who won the raffle? The aforementioned New Jerseyite Rick Gorman (and he passed the bottle of wine onto Anne Gaelta, hmmmmm)

And when it was time for our speaker Rick Mossi to share his information about the Petaluma Rotary Foundation we faced a technical glitch which was eventually cleared under the watchful eye of Dan Berry, his son Josh, and Royce.

Rick Gorman introduced Rick Mossi as the man who actually does not need any introduction. We are all aware of the accomplished Mossi, Senior Vice President of Exchange Bank and the President of the Petaluma Rotary Foundation.

Coming to us live via Zoom from his business office, Mossi reviewed highlights of the foundation and its growth to over $600,000 with up to $25,000 contributed. He mentioned his board of directors and fellow Rotarians who work with him in keeping the foundation running effectively. A special shoutout was given to Tawny Tesconi for her work in successfully resolving an IRS issue.

Before closing President Royce reminded us that next week is our ride aboard the Smart Train to Santa Rosa. ALL ABOARD!!

Today's Editor: Mike Ambrosio

August 4, 2022

President ROYCE “Rip” VAN BEBBER, our self-proclaimed “100th Rotary President”, opened our first regular luncheon meeting  of August at precisely 12:30 p.m….or thereabouts

…and immediately had President-Elect MIKE “Santa Rosa” FERRIS lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance,

followed by our golden-throated Past-President ELIAS “High Note” HUSARY, who led us in song (God Bless America). 

Past-President MICHAEL “Night of the” CARUANA then delivered a scintillating Thought for the Day.

There were no guests of Rotarians who joined us for lunch (unless a rare appearance by Past-President LARRY “Please” JONAS counts), but we did have a visiting Rotarian, namely JIM O’Grady from the Petaluma Valley Club. 

The dynamic duo of Past-President CHRIS “Purple” RANNEY and SHERRI “Also” RANNEY, along with the Prez and Past-President ONITA “Sparkling” PELLIGRINI, then

inducted our newest Club member, JAN “Misdemeanor” GRIMES – welcome to the Club, Jan!

Next, the Prez delivered a medley of announcements:

RI is making another Polio Plus push – please call the Prez for details.

 The 8th Annual Petaluma River Craft Beer Fest, hosted by the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce and the Petaluma Valley Rotary Club will be held on September 10 this year – call Onita if you are interested in attending or sponsoring.

The monthly SCARC meeting last month (the Prez' first during his reign) was a huge success!

The Annual Hansel Golf Challenge is scheduled for August 19 at Rooster Run Golf Course – call the Prez for details.

The Petaluma River Park Project is proceeding according to plan and there are possible matching funds in the works.

RAINEY “Dewey, Build ‘Em And” HOWE provided us with an update on the nearly completed Polly Klaas Center – call Rainey for grand opening information!

Past-President ANNE “Sigma Kappa” GEALTA gave us an update of the Club’s upcoming annual Golf Tournament scheduled for September 12 at the Petaluma Golf & Country Club – call Anne or go online (Clubrunner) for more details.

The Prez then presented Past-President ELIAS HUSARY with some serious commemorative bling for Elias’ recent family cruise trip to Alaska (the Prez apparently is unclear on the concept of fines, where you extract $50 - $100 from the Rotary traveler for such adventures, not give him or her bling-bling)

. . . a relieved Elias was so grateful that he auctioned off his coveted souvenir Rotary/Prince Rupert jigsaw (must be nice to have so much free time on your hands that you do Rotary jigsaw puzzles all day), and donated the proceeds to the Club!

MIKE “Wine Cork” STAUBER won the raffle, which was good for a nice bottle of wine,

followed by MIKE FERRIS’ introduction of our speaker,

JIM O”GRADY, a multiple Past-President of the Petaluma Valley Rotary Club and our current Assistant District Governor, who gave us a very entertaining and informative presentation about…you guessed it…Rotary…and it’s expanding presence and reach around the world (and even the moon!!).  He enjoyed a big round of applause for a program well received!

            WHEREUPON, our Club’s 100th President summarily adjourned the meeting…but not before reminding us that our August 18 luncheon meeting will be a field trip to Santa Rosa aboard the Smart Train…all aboard!!

Today's Editor: Mike Baddeley