July 28, 2022
Cyndi Thomas welcomed members!
President Royce Called the meeting to order and received a round of applause.
He commented that it was a
beautiful day….perhaps a great day for golf! But more on that later.
Past President Lee Reposa led
the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members sang “God Bless America”
led by Past President Kip Herzog.
After a lively round of
fellowship, President Royce commented he sees fellowship as
"a great form of kindness."
Suzanne Tucker provided four very positive thoughts for the day:
- “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”Maya Angelou
- “Never Doubt That A Small Group Of Thoughtful Committed Citizens Can Change The World: Indeed It's The Only Thing That Ever Has.” Margaret Mead.
- “Be the Change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi
- “Be yourself…everyone else is taken.”Oscar Wilde
Gail Cardaropoli reminded everyone that there is a celebration of life for Past President Jeanette Clark on August 13 1 pm to 4 pm at Charley’s at the Windsor Golf Course.
President Royce announced that this year, all three clubs are partnering on the District 5130 Matching Grant Program. There are two projects this year.
- Purchase and install and AED at the Miracle League Ball Park. This has been approved and planning is underway.
- A community needs assessment among local non profit organizations. It will include 75 local organizations.
Past President Onita Pellegrini announced March 11 is our club’s 100th Anniversary Gala dinner at the Petaluma Elks lodge. Please save the date. The entertainment will be amazing. Lots more to come on this celebration.
Sherry Burwen announced that Linda Musick invites all members to a celebration of life for Roy Musick on August 7 at the Crane Melon Ranch Barn from 1 pm to 4 pm.
Sherry also paid a fine of $26 to mark her 26 years in Rotary. On this day she joined the Rotary Club of Palm Springs. Over the years, she has been a member of the Rotary Club of Rancho Mirage and Petaluma. The day Sherry joined Rotary, she also received a breast cancer diagnosis. She expressed her gratitude that she has had these past 26 years. The responding applause from members reflected how special Sherry really is.
President Royce asked any members who are available to volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club/Hansel Golf Tournament on August 19 to see the information on each table. They welcome help with set up, take down and driving the drink cart.
Speaking of Golf….Past President Anne Gealta announced registration is open for our club golf tournament on Monday, August 12 at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club. You can register your foursome, purchase your mulligans and pay for the putting context all at once this year! The after-tournament social will be heavy appetizers and a hosted bar. The mention of a hosted bar caused animated conversations among the crowd at the meeting of course! Guests who are not golfing are welcome to register for the “After Party” at $45 per person.
We are seeking sponsors for the tournament. The options range from hole sponsors to Gold, Silver, and Bronze to Hole Sponsors. Check out all sponsorship options here.
Past President Chris Ranney gave a brief report on the Alaska
adventure he and Shari recently enjoyed. They visited a
number of famous locations in our largest state thanks to the planning of Marilyn
Herzog. Chris presented President Royce with a bottle of Hanes AK
Whiskey.
In true Rotary fashion, Chris and Shari auctioned off a pack of Alaskan Smoked Salmon to the highest bidder. Past President Kip Herzog was the highest bidder. He will direct his funds to the Rotary fund of his choice.
Chris also paid a fine of $50 for his trip!
President Royce reminded members we are taking a club field trip to Petaluma River Park on August 29.
The July SCARC dinner was that evening and 15 members of the club were attending.
President Royce announced the July Rotarian of the Month was ……Gail Cardaropoli. Much deserved for all her dedication and work for our club! The club will direct a contribution to The Rotary Foundation towards Gail’s next Paul Harris level.
The raffle winner was Garret Reposa, son of Past President Lee Reposa. Since the Sonoma County District Attorney was in the room and Garret is not 21 years old, he got the cash!
Program Chairman Dan Berry introduced our program speaker, County of Sonoma District Attorney Jill Ravitch.
Ms Ravitch gave an informative talk about the state of local justice system and a behind the scenes look at how her department operates.
President Royce presented Ms. Ravitch with an early retirement gift pack.
Today's Editor: Joanne Ferris
July 21, 2022
Our field trip today took us to Reared in Steel on Copeland Street in downtown Petaluma where we were hosted by owner/artist Kevin Clark and business manager Michelle Ramatici. Ed Fullerton and Al Cattalini took these photos
Today's Editor: Al Cattalini
July 14, 2022
Our new president, Royce Van Bebber, is off & running and called our meeting to order with enthusiasm, hope and confidence (especially with the power to fine members in his back pocket!).
Michael Caruana led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ann Gealta was conducting the crowd as she was the lead singer for 'God Bless America' (if anyone needs to hire a Wedding Singer Ann is your singer - NOT!).
Michael Nistler handled the 'Thought for the Day' and had many quotes including “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything” -Mark Twain.
Non-Nistler Quote:
"Never trust a man who does not wear a belt or does not have sideburns (unless he's naked or bald)" -Unknown
Tawny Tesconi and Onita Pellegrini were all smiles after fellowship and the fact that we had three guests: Diane Alexandrov, invited by Suzanne Tucker, Kristen Myburgh, invited by Maggi Radany, and Heather Mark, invited by Tawny Tesconi.
Announcements:
1) Thank you to Sally Tomatoes for providing great lunches.
2) Sebastopol SCARC dinner on Thursday, July 28,2022.
3) Jeannette Squires Clark Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 13, 2022
4) Our Rotary Club Golf Tournament on September 12, 2022.
5) Rivertown Revival: July 23 & 24: www.rivertownrevival.com
6) Van Bebber Steel is donating a custom-made BBQ to Rotary for events, which will be stored at Van Bebber Steel.
7) Fines were suspended this week!
Judi Allewelt and Gail Cardaropoli displayed a flyer for the Celebration of Life for Jeannette Squires Clark on Saturday, August 13, 2022 from 1:00pm - 4:00pm.
JEANNETTE CLARK OBITUARY
Jeannette Squires Clark, 85, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2022, after
a difficult, long-term battle with dementia. Jeannette was born July 11, 1936,
and was an energetic, strong, confident, giving, passionate, dynamic, and
loving woman, who made everyone around her better and happier.
Jeannette was born and raised in Sonoma County, graduated in 1954 from Ursuline
High School, and graduated with a Nursing degree from St. Mary's, San
Francisco, CA in 1958. After marrying the love of her life, Kenton Payson Clark
in 1958, Jeannette began the next phase of her life as a devoted wife,
incredible mother, and nurse.
Jeannette and Kenton spent the first 15 years of their life together in
California starting a family and following Kenton's career in the US Forest
Service. Jeannette and her family spent five years in Cadillac, Michigan,
before moving back to Petaluma in 1978, where they spent the next 44 years of
their amazing life together.
Jeannette was a real estate agent, powerful businesswoman and dedicated
philanthropist. Jeannette's passion and amazing work ethic flowed into
everything she was involved with, including the American
Cancer Society's Relay
For Life and the Petaluma Rotary Club, where she became their first
woman president.
Jeannette was an amazing cook, a talented entertainer, a trusted advisor, and a
generous, warm, and loving friend. She enjoyed cooking, traveling,
entertaining, golfing, wine tasting and spending time with family. Jeannette
was an eternal optimist and was thought to always be wearing her "rose
colored glasses".
Jeannette is survived by Kenton Clark, her devoted and loving husband of 63
years, daughters Karen Passafaro (James) and Kathi Marinaccio (Paul), grandsons
Anthony and Michael (Liz) Marinaccio, and David and Vincent Passafaro.
Jeannette was known as "GG" and was blessed to be treasured by three
wonderful great grandchildren, Faith, Cole, and Charlotte Marinaccio. Jeannette
was the oldest of four siblings and is survived by younger sisters Bernadette
Wilson and Kathleen Wilhoit and brother, Bernard (Linda) Squires.
Jeannette's family was blessed that she spent the last 15 months of her life in
the loving care of Idaho Care Home in Santa Rosa, where she was cared for 24/7
by Caroline, Dennis, and Arianna, who are all considered true angels to
Jeannette's extended family.
No public services are scheduled at this time and a Celebration of Jeannette's
Life will be scheduled at a later date. The family requests that in lieu of
flowers, donations may be made in her name to the American
Cancer Society or the Rotary Club of Petaluma Foundation.
Greg O'Brien won the raffle and took home a bottle of wine!
Jamie Symons introduced our guest speaker, Bill Stumbaugh (also a visiting Rotarian).
Our guest speaker, Bill Stumbaugh, a 37-year Rotarian, past Rotary president, and Peace Corps volunteer discussed water projects for undeveloped areas to bring safe water to villages for drinking and cleaning. He mentioned that 85% of deaths regarding children five years-old and younger is caused by waterborne diseases.
Today's Editor: Doug Hecker
July 7, 2022
There was a full house for the first meeting held by Petaluma Rotary's 100th President: President Royce Van Bebber!
Former President Rick Gorman led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Dan Libarle led the Club in a rendition of "God Bless America."
Then Michael Nistler followed that up with an exuberant Club song ("I'm a Rambler"):
Go get'm Michael!
That was followed by the revival of a great Club tradition -- a few minutes of fellowship.
Brett Shinn Favored us with the Thought for the Day, including a dialogue with President Royce about replacing the traditional Four Way Test with a Three Way Test:
1. Is it fun?
2. Will anyone get hurt?
3.Will anyone find out about it?
Then we had Rotarians With Guests, and a very special guest indeed: Royce Van Bebber (the original, and grandfather of our leader).
The senior Royce told us about joining Rotary (his uncle had been a member) and his reluctance at first to join the Petaluma Rotary because he feared it would be "a bunch of stuffy old guys in three piece suits."
Mr. Van Bebber spoke eloquently of how much his life had been enriched by being a member of Rotary, and being part of the 121 year old tradition of his family firm.
There were other special visitors as well, since President Royce had brought along his lovely wife, Genevieve, and their delightful children: Isabelle, Haley, Cole, and Garrett.
Fine can time:
Lee Reposa was reminded that his son's picture graced the front page of the local newspaper and Rick Gorman announced the birth of a grandson.
The winner of the Raffle was a charming guest, Haley Van Bebber!
Finally, President Royce reminded us to save the date (March 11, 2023) for our own 100th birthday, then spoke about his own vision for the coming year, with emphasis on the Petaluma River park, and finished by recounting the special time he and his family had at the Rotary International Convention.
Finally, President Royce reminded us to save the date (March 11, 2023) for our own 100th birthday, then spoke about his own vision for the coming year, with emphasis on the Petaluma River park, and finished by recounting the special time he and his family had at
Today's Editor: Doug Hecker (Chris Elzi, actually. A stuffy old guy in a three piece suit.)