March 2017

Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.

COMING EVENTS

We were welcomed to the Rotary Club of Petaluma’s meeting at the beautiful Petaluma Golf and Country Club by our PRESIDENT, LEE REPOSA. Before going any further PRESIDENT LEE had to cool the mic down from PRESIDENT ELECT CHRIS RANNEY’s meeting last week… guess he was on fire!

We all joined LEE in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by CHAD FILLINGER leading us in the club song and God Bless America.

For the Thought of the Day PRESIDENT LEE gave us a great motivational quote by author of Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill.

With that, our usual handshakes and hugs followed.

David Barbieri introduces our visiting Rotarian.

Our visiting Rotarian was our speaker Bill Sauber from the Sebastopol Sunrise Club.

Our guests included PAST PRESIDENT JOANNE FERRIS’ Youth Exchange Student from Belgium, JUDY McREYNOLDS’ friend Nancy, and PAST PRESIDENT RICK MOSSI’s son Eric.

CHRIS RANNEY announced the upcoming District Assembly.

PAST DISTRICT GOVERNER ED FULLERTON told us about how he and JOHN ZIMMERMAN helped re-plant trees in Middletown after the devastating fires.

CHRIS ELZI stood in for PAST PRESIDENT MICHAEL BADDELEY and reminded everyone that the Friendship Feast will be coming up.

PRESIDENT LEE updated everyone on the Miracle League’s progress. They needed $500k to break ground and so far, they have raised over $400k. Our Rotary Club is also in discussions with the ML to have a Rotary Club of Petaluma BBQ Area that would be used for the Annual Rotary Club Opening Day BBQ.

LEE addressed a fine he received from PRESIDENT ELECT CHRIS RANNEY last week for being off on vacation at Spring Training for the Giants.

The PREZ then called on TOM BAKER to share his Spring Training experience. He had such a great time that he paid $100 fine.

PAST PRESIDENT MOSSI was called on the spot to explain why he was wearing shorts to a Rotary meeting. He paid a $50 fine for spending leisure time in his leisure wear with his son Eric on the golf course.

STEVE POWELL jumped in there and paid a $25 fine for wearing shorts to most meetings for the last 15 years.

Our Youth Exchange Student was selling 100 $1 raffle tickets to help pay for Grad Night. At the PRESIDENT’s encouragement, she solicited our wonderful club members and within 10 minutes she was sold out.

PAST PRESIDENT JOANNE FERRIS shared the exciting news that her son was going to be at the Final Four games. She paid $62 for the 62 losing teams that didn’t get in the Final Four.

JAY PALM announced the upcoming Farmers and Merchants Night Friday the 7th.

JIM SYMONS won the raffle and a bottle of wine.

Our speaker, Bill Sauber, told the story of his great adventure with his son hiking the Appalachian Trail. It was over 2000 miles and took close to 180 days. He was named Ironman Bill and his son was Just Pete.

LEE wished everyone a great day.

This week’s Editor: Brian Breen

April 7
Editor: Clark Rosen

COMING EVENTS

President-elect CHRIS RANNEY was at the helm of the ship today. PRESIDENT LEE REPOSA was enjoying a little R & R at Spring Training in Arizona.

CHRIS eagerly jumped to the raffle but was rebuffed.

ONITA PELLEGRINI led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ELIAS HUSARY rallied everyone to sing the club song followed by God Bless America.

RICK GORMAN gave the thought for the day from Oscar Wilde: Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them so much more.

We had many Rotarians with guests this week: Past DG ED FULLERTON introduced his grandson Kiel, his granddaughter Hannah and his wife Carol. DAN FISH introduced his friend Ryan Bertenz. JAY PALM introduced his sons Jim and Jake and his wife Carleen. MICHAEL NISTLER introduced his friend Paul Seville. ELIAS introduced his son George Husary.

CHRIS RANNEY announced the District Training Assembly begins Friday, March 31 in Ukiah with dinner. Saturday, April 1. The assembly will be at Mendocino College in Ukiah. It looks like so far there are 7 or 8 members attending. If you have not yet registered, please ask CHRIS or GAIL for assistance.

The March SCARC dinner is Thursday, March 30 at the Fountaingrove Inn. RSVPs needed to be to GAIL by the end of the meeting date.

The District Conference will be May 12 – 14 at Hyatt Lake Tahoe. CHRIS and SHARI RANNEY are hosting a kick off cocktail party at their house on Thursday, May 11. Sounds like a great weekend at a beautiful part of the world!

JAY PALM and BILL GROVERMAN announced our annual Farmer and Merchants Night will be Friday, April 7 at 6 pm. For $20 per person, the dinner is polenta and stew and all you can eat butter with an open bar! There are sign ups on the tables. This is an event for members to invite local farmers and merchants to join us for fellowship.

MIKE BADDELEY thanked the FULLERTONs, the CARUANAs, the SYMONS and the NISTLERs who have stepped up to host a friendship feast. The dates are April 21, 22, 28 and 29. Please let Mike know what date you want to attend. Click for signup form. Members are assigned to one of the homes of a host for a social gathering. Every guest contributes $50 to the club and each couple arrives with a bottle of wine. All the funds raised support our club projects.

ED FULLERTON announced that the reforestation tree planting in Lake County event was Saturday, March 25. Ed is going to attend and asked other members to join him. Jennifer Strong, last year’s district Rotarian of the Year is leading the effort. (Visit Ed’s Photo Album for photos from Saturday’s event.)

CHRIS announced the club received a check for $225 from La Dolce Vita for the wine social we had on February 2. Thank you to La Dolce Vita!

Our speaker next week is Bill Sauber, president elect of the Rotary Club of Sebastopol Sunrise. He will be speaking about his trek on the Appalachian Trail with his son in 2015.

MICHAEL CARUANA talked about the 3 Day Career Camp at the SRJC Machine Shop Training Center. Young people of all ages interested in modern machinery should attend. This hands-on seminar gives the students a look at incredible opportunities in an array of manufacturing industries. It includes looking at the machinery needed to produce a heart valve up to firing up a large jet engine.

CHRIS announced it was time for the raffle . . . but again, it was too soon! So, he turned his attention to some recognition. PRESIDENT LEE REPOSA was not able to defend himself when Chris showed President Lee’s Rotary Badge that had been left out after last meeting. Despite calls for a fine of $100, Chris levied $25 onto Lee’s fine schedule.

President Nominee MICHAEL NISTLER was recognized for his most recent trip with Grace and their dog Aleki. They stayed in Colfax and visited the snowy Sierras then on to Sacramento. Since Michael had no prior fines, he paid his full $100.

Past President ONITA PELLEGRINI received great recognition in today’s Argus Courier special section on Women in Business. She was honored to be featured in the publication and celebrated by contributing $50 to her fine schedule.

JANE SALDAÑA-TALLEY had a full-page profile but was not at the meeting. We suggest JANE bring her checkbook to the next meeting!

CHRIS made a special presentation to Hannah for all her work managing our club’s transition to the new website platform. Thank you, Hannah,!

One of the greatest opportunities for recognition in Rotary is a Paul Harris Fellow award. Club Foundation Chair ONITA PELLEGRINI presented JAY PALM with his Paul Harris while his family was recognized along with him. They generously designated one of their puppies to be adopted during the Miracle League auction at our Crab Feed last month. JUDY McREYNOLDS reminded us that today was National Puppy Day! Truly fitting to recognize JAY and Carleen for their help and service.

Finally, CHRIS happily held the Raffle!!! SHERRY SCHEROTTER-BURWEN won the bottle of wine.

We had a demonstration for today’s program. CHRIS RANNEY reminded everyone about the incredible stories and information contained in the Rotarian magazine we get each month. Joanne Ferris gave a brief overview of the feature at Myrotary.com and specifically helpful tabs on Rotary5130.org, our district website.

MICHAEL NISTLER discussed the features of the new club website platform. Members were shown how to access the site through our existing members only portal on www.petalumarotary.com. Everyone is encouraged to log in and update their individual profile.

We will be available to assist members logging in over the next few weeks.

We survived CHRIS RANNEY running the meeting!

This week’s Editor: Joanne Ferris

COMING EVENTS

Did you ever wonder how to properly render the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag? Since we participate in this ritual weekly your editor thought it would be useful to review Title 4, U.S. Code, §4 which Congress has enacted for our guidance:

Note that, in most situations, men remove their caps, and that, as our beloved Lou Steinberg often noted, the words one Nation under God are indivisible (i.e., there is no comma or pause between one Nation and under God).

After leading the Pledge of Allegiance PRESIDENT LEE appointed CHAD FILLINGER as our Songleader for the Day.

CHAD warmed us up with I’m a Rambler . . . and then led a stirring God Bless America.

BANO CUMMINGS was up next with her Thought for the Day, a reminder that gratitude works.

After handshakes and hugs were exchanged, we welcomed David, a visiting Rotarian from the Petaluma Valley club.

GARY BRODIE introduced his guest, his wife Heidi, and CHRIS RANNEY introduced Troy West who is helping with Pedal for Polio, a bicycle journey from Williamsburg, Virginia to San Francisco by way Crescent City and Petaluma that will raise funds to fight polio.

Secretary GAIL CARDAROPOLI reminded members of the Rotary Reforestation project in Lake County, Saturday, March 25. Carpool with ED FULLERTON if you can help out.

JAY PALM reminded members that Farmers and Merchants Night is Friday, April 7 at Herzog Hall. Tickets for a great polenta and stew dinner (with an open bar) are only $20 each. Rick Mossi and Mike Baddeley will organize the entertainment. Donations of raffle prizes are needed and gratefully accepted.

PRESIDENT LEE reminded members of Friendship Feasts during the last two weekends of April (April 21-22 and 28-29). There are now four hosts (JIM SYMONS, MICHAEL NISTLER, ED FULLERTON, and MICHAEL CARUANA) with room for one or two more.

PDG ED FULLERTON encouraged members, especially newer members, to attend the District 5130 Training Assembly on Saturday, April 1 in Ukiah.

DAN LIBARLE reluctantly acknowledged driving a new Lincoln but suggested it was just borrowed and not really purchased. But then he admitted the complicity of HENRY HANSEL in the transaction and forked over a nice fine.

PRESIDENT LEE, putting on his cap as District 5130 RYLA Chair, announced the 2017 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp to be held at Westminster Woods, June 18-25. This camp provides leadership training to some 75-95 incoming high school seniors each summer.

BRETT SHINN won the raffle and walked away with a bottle of bubbly, Cline Cellars Nancy’s Cuvee.

MIKE BADDELEY introduced our program, a panel of local high school softball coaches.

It was interesting to hear Don Jensen (St. Vincent), . . .

. . . Scott Sievers (Casa Grande) and . . .

. . . Jeff Marcia (Petaluma, filling in for Kurt Jastrow) discuss their programs, answer questions, and introduce their team captains.

They all left smiling after PRESIDENT LEE announced that the Club was donating $200 to each school’s softball program. See you next week!

This week’s Editor: Al Cattalini

COMING EVENTS

President LEE REPOSA opened the meeting on time, and immediately led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The preening Prez then selected Past-President ONITA PELLEGRINI to lead us in song, but gave her the option to delegate the task to another unsuspecting member for a $5 pass-through fee, which Onita gladly did by appointing SHERRY SCHEROTTER-BURWEN, who cheerfully led us in a rather cacophonous rendition of My Country ‘Tis of Thee (aka America).

After Presiddnt LEE delivered the Thought for the Day the customary handshakes, hugs and busses amongst members ensued.

Next, SHAHARAZAD HAMIDI introduced the Visiting Rotarians, including Barbara Barney from the Petaluma Valley Rotary Club, who is the current District Treasurer.

Past President JOANNE FERRIS reminded one and all about the upcoming District Training Assembly in Ukiah (April 1) — call Joanne if you are interested in attending.

Past-President MICHAEL CARUANA reminded us that the Walnut Park weekend clean-up project scheduled for the weekend prior (March 4-5) was rescheduled to this weekend (March 11-12) due to rain — call Michael if you want to help.

Club Secretary GAIL CARDAROPOLI then announced that the March SCARC meeting will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa West on March 30 at the Fountain Grove Inn Conference Center — call Gail if you would like to attend. She also announced that she had free half-off tickets for A View from the Bridge playing March 17-April 2 at the Luther Burbank Center — call Gail if you want them.

The Prez then concluded the medley of announcements with (1) an update on the Dictionary Program and the heartfelt letters the Club received from all the grateful third grade students who received a free dictionary, and (2) an impassioned plea for some more Friendship Feast hosts for the upcoming event on the weekends of April 21-22 and April 28-29 #8212; please call the Prez or MICHAEL BADDELEY ASAP if you would like to host a Friendship Feast gathering this year.

The Prez the called upon MAUREEN RUDDER to present her with the coveted Chicken Badge, followed by his belated celebration of the February birthdays of our Club members, and premature celebration of the March birthdays, which have historically been recognized and celebrated at the last meeting of each month (written agendas are so overrated, right?!). No matter, all the February — March birthday babes were duly serenaded with a rousing version of Happy Birthday! Sensing he was on some sort of roll, the Prez then announced the March anniversaries of our members, including Past-President KIP HERZOG who has been married (to Marilyn) for 51 years!!

Apparently, having no appreciation of what it takes to be married for such a long time, the Prez then called upon Kip to explain the new BMW he recently purchased from Past President HENRY HANSEL’s dealership group (maybe young Lee is now starting to understand how Kip has managed to stay married!), and to pay $50 for the privilege — thanks, Kip!

Once again proving that no good deed goes unpunished, the Prez then fined JANE SALDAÑA-TALLEY $50 for failing to include in last week’s Rota-Teller that KIP HERZOG was a Plus 5 Paul Harris Fellow!

STEVE POWELL was so moved, that he sua sponte (look it up in your Latin dictionary) contributed $50 each towards a Paul Harris Fellowship for SHERRY SCHEROTTER-BURWEN and her spouse, Michael — thanks, Steve!

Sensing a trend, ONITA PELLEGRINI then reminded us that this month is March Matchness (sic) in Rotary whereby our Club and RI are matching Paul Harris Fellowship donations on at least a 2:1 basis, so call Onita ASAP if you would like to maximize a Paul Harris Fellowship contribution.

#2222440 was the winning ticket for JANE SALDAÑA-TALLEY and she pulled out a blue rock for a bottle of wine!

Our Program Chairman designee then introduced our Speaker, from Yuba Bicycles, who gave us an interesting presentation on their unique brand of bikes, including cargo bikes, powered electrically and manually.

After a great Q & A session, and agreeing to considering building a tandem cargo bike outfitted for golf bags for Past-President TOM BRANDAL and BRIAN BREEN, our Speaker received a hearty round of applause and a Rotary memento in appreciation. Whereupon the conclusion thereof, the Prez adjourned the meeting!

The Three Amigos model the geezer Rotary uniform.

Oh, and I sincerely hope that our scheduled editor for this edition of the Bulletin (RICARDO MARZO) had a great time in Las Vegas on yet another business trip! :)

This week’s Editor: Mike Baddeley

COMING EVENTS

POST CRAB FEED EDITION – Definitely NOT Fake News!

As days go, it was a nice one when PRESIDENT LEE REPOSA called together the Rotary Club of Petaluma at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club with a rap of his shiny bell (thanks to CHARLIE STUART’s polishing prowess).

Turning toward the flag, PRESIDENT LEE then led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Afterward he surprised TODD MENDOZA by calling on him to lead the club in song. TODD hesitated slightly until he was joined by CHRIS ELZI and MICHAEL CARUANA who together formed The Three Sopranos (not sure if the name refers to their voice or family ties) who led us in a full-throated rendition of I’m a Rambler and God Bless America.

PRESIDENT LEE called on JOANNE FERRIS for the Thought for the Day. She gave the following reminder from Arch C. Klumph (December 1928): The Rotary Foundation is not to build monuments of brick and stone. If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work on brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds…we are engraving on those tablets something that will brighten all eternity.

Hugs and greetings followed. We had no Visiting Rotarians for the day. Rotarians with Guests included ONITA PELLEGRINI with her good friend Sally, ED FULLERTON with his lovely wife Carol, and TOM BRANDAL who was standing in for PRESIDENT LEE to introduce LEE BEAN, a new man following recent surgery (and who was also a chicken badge short of a load!).

PRESIDENT LEE got into announcements by calling on JUDY McREYNOLDS who became one of a very few select people to receive her very own Rotary Club of Petaluma chicken badge (almost like the one LEE BEAN misplaced). Those babies are not easy to get and JUDY was just beaming when the PREZ handed hers over. Yay, JUDY!

PRESIDENT LEE then called on SHARI RANNEY who let us know she had received an email about a re-forestation project in Lake County on Saturday, March 25 at 9:00 AM. Those who are interested will have lunch and snacks provided and should contact ED FULLERTON if they’d like to carpool up.

PRESIDENT LEE called on KIP HERZOG who was subbing in for Farmers and Merchants Night event chair, BILL GROVERMAN. KIP reminded us this very popular event is on April 7 and organizers are looking for members to donate giveaway items for the drawings to be held that evening. Any sort of item from your business or otherwise will do…we just need a little something to make the evening fun for our guests.

MICHAEL CARUANA gave details about the Walnut Park cleanup on Saturday. He couldn’t decide if he was making a public announcement, public comment, or public complaint, but did note he was collecting donations for his lawsuit against the city.

GAIL CARDAROPOLI let us know about the upcoming SCARC dinner put on by the Santa Rosa/West club on March 30 at the Fountaingrove Conference Center. The topic that evening is the State of the Rotary Foundation. Let her know if you plan to attend.

PRESIDENT LEE announced the April 1 District Assembly. He reminded us we all received an email invite and noted the club will pick up the tab if you plan to attend. Let GAIL CARDAROPOLI know soon…she can give you the low down.

CHRIS RANNEY (who clearly has a connection with Cline Cellars!) took up the microphone to give a shout out to everyone who helped with this year’s sold out Crab Feed. 475 people attended and thanks to TAWNY TESCONI (who cooked the books fast so we might know how much we brought in), we learned the net profit this year was $11,000 (up a lot from last year’s $4,500). In addition we made more than $30,000 from the Super Raffle and raised a total of $70,000 for the Miracle League! Amazing, amazing work everyone!!!

CHRIS handed out Cline Cellars thank you gifts to MAUREEN RUDDER and RENEE HAYES, TONY WESTERN and CHARLIE STUART, JOANNE FERRIS, JUDY MCREYNOLDS, BANO CUMMINGS, and MAGGIE RADANY, PRESIDENT LEE REPOSA, GAIL CARDAROPOLI, MICHAEL NISTLER, RICK MOSSI and MICHAEL CARUANA, AL CATTALINI, JOE TAMBE, CHRIS ALBERTSON, and last, but certainly not least, TAWNY TESCONI! Heartfelt gratitude to one and all!

CHRIS next announced that he combed through the club bylaws and learned that no PAST PRESIDENT (LEE) or PRESIDENT ELECT (CHRIS) was allowed to serve as Crab Feed chair in the coming year (or, for that matter, be in communication with Russian diplomats). He then held us in suspense by saying the chairs for 2018 are TBD (but for sure NOT them!).

We all gave CHRIS RANNEY a standing O for all of his amazingly great work on this year’s best ever Crab Feed. Thanks so much, CHRIS!

Lastly, CHRIS gave a shout out to RICK GORMAN and BRIAN BREEN, who led this year’s Super Raffle. BRIAN announced that this year we sold….drum roll, please...1,448 tickets! That was up from last year’s record of 1,362 tickets. Members sold tickets at an amazing pace this year and top sellers included…those who sold in the 20’s…TONY WESTERN, AL CATTALINI, LEE BEAN, RICARDO MARZO, DAVE BARBIERI, JOHN DADO, WALLY BRADGON, GARY BRODIE, HENRY HANSEL, JIM BECKER, AND SHERRY BURWIN…JAY PALM who sold in the 30’s…SHARI RANNEY and JOHN ZIMMERMAN who sold in the 40’s…and ROYCE VAN BEBBER, TOM BAKER, KIP HERZOG and TOM BRANDAL who blew everyone out of the water by selling more than 50 tickets each.

BRIAN asked the team captains (TONY WESTERN, CHARLIE STUART, TOM BRANDAL, BRETT SHINN, JOANNE FERRIS, TODD MENDOZA, CHAD FILLINGER, and RICK MOSSI) to stand and be recognized. The winning team with 368 tickets (25% of the total) sold was led TONY WESTERN (team members included AL CATTALINI, JOE TAMBE, LEE BEAN, PAUL LOUNIBOS, ROY MUSICK, ROYCE VAN BEBBER, TAWNY TESCONI, TOM BAKER, and WHIT HALL)! These sales animals will be treated to a private party at the Shuckery by PRESIDENT LEE at a date yet to be determined.

Before handing over the microphone BRIAN gave his biggest shout out to those we couldn’t have done it without…TOM BRANDAL who sold 58 tickets, ROYCE VAN BEBBER who sold 71 tickets, KIP HERZOG who sold 81 tickets, and TOM BAKER who sold a whopping 183 tickets. Who will EVER be able to top that besides BAKER himself! BRIAN also said we sold 115 tickets at the Crab Feed thanks in large part to the unresistable salesmanship of JAY PALM’S twin boys!

Thanks to everyone for making this year an incredible success!!

PRESIDENT LEE called out the week’s raffle and the winner was CHRIS RANNEY, who got a blue rock and a nice bottle of Cline Cellars wine (like he needed one)!

JIM BECKER, introduced our program speaker, David Mark-Raymond, a member of the Rotary Club of Sebastopol Sunrise who has served as the District 5130 Endowment Fund Chair (aka the Permanent Fund) for many years. David gave a persuasive talk supported by reports (facts) and brochures on his charity of choice the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. He described ways to leave Your Rotary Legacy: Doing Good in the World Beyond Your Lifetime. Of particular interest to some were the life income gifts that allow one to make a gift today and continue to receive payments from the assets one contributes. Nicely done, David!

Before we left PRESIDENT LEE called on ONITA PELLEGRINI to make a special presentation.

ONITA called on TODD MENDOZA and CHRIS RANNEY who received their first Paul Harris Fellow pin for a $1,000 donation, MARLEEN FREETLY and ONITA PELLEGRINI who received their plus 2 Paul Harris for donating $3,000, JIM BECKER who received his plus 3 Paul Harris for donating $4,000, and ED FULLERTON who received his plus 5 for donating $6,000 (only one other member of the club, PAUL LOUNIBOS, has achieved a plus 5 status…lots of bling on that pin!). Congratulations to all!

ONITA announced that this month was March Match-ness during which the club would match all member donations toward their Paul Harris up to $100.

Finally, PRESIDENT LEE announced four very special honorary Paul Harris Fellows: ELIAS HUSARY, BRIAN BREEN, ROYCE VAN BEBBER, and JAY PALM, each of whom gave $5,000 each toward the Miracle League for a total of $20,000!

What an extraordinary group of Rotarians!

This week’s Editor: Jane Saldaña-Talley