May 2017

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COMING EVENTS

PRESIDENT LEE REPOSA welcomed us to our last meeting of the month of May and kicked off the proceedings with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

JOANNE FERRIS had reminded our president that the day’s guest speaker is a professional singer whose talent could be useful in the moment. So JOANNE was asked to lead us in our club song, which has probably never been heard on a Broadway stage, but God Bless America was led by the superior voice of Transcendence Theater Company’s Stephan Stubbins.

PRESIDENT LEE himself delivered a timely thought for the day, reminding us of the meaning of patriotism.

In his role as RYLA district chair, LEE spoke about the RYLA camp at Westminster Woods from June 18 to June 23. Our club will be sending 4 local students to join others from all over District 5130 at this special camp for leadership development. Continuing a long-standing tradition, volunteers from our club will host a barbeque at the camp on June 21. Help with the event will be welcome as early as 1:00 that day, with the dinner being served shortly after 5:00. Members are invited to contact LEE or RICK GORMAN to offer a hand.

PRESIDENT LEE asked us to observe a moment of silence in honor of a past member of our club and an iconic personality in our community, Ron Walters. Ron, a talented entertainer and popular presence on local radio station KTOB and avid supporter of community causes and scholastic sporting events, was often called the voice of Petaluma.

CHARLIE STUART followed up on a recent written communication, reminding us that our ideas for future meeting programs will be happily received. All of us are challenged to think of what would be informative, entertaining, stimulating, unusual — whatever we may wish to see and hear.

Definitely a man of messages, PRESIDENT LEE spoke about the origin and traditional meaning of upcoming Memorial Day. He then asked all members who had served in the armed forces to stand and receive the grateful applause of the rest of the assembled. One of those veterans whispered to this reporter that he was himself grateful we were not honoring him posthumously.

The afternoon’s lucky raffle winner was President-elect-nominee-designee-on-deck-in-the-wings MICHAEL NISTLER, who plucked a blue rock for a bottle of wine.

JOANNE FERRIS introduced guest speaker Stephan Stubbins, co-founder and co-executive director of the Transcendence Theater Company.

Stephan told his amazing story of organizing fellow Broadway stage performers to provide entertainment that people might otherwise not have the opportunity to see and hear and save a few local state parks in the process.

We were also treated to a remarkable a capella performance of On the Street Where You Live. What amazing luck for us that Stephan and his Transcendence partners have chosen to base themselves in Sonoma County. In only 5 years they have benefited over 100 successful community projects.

This week’s Editor: Clark Rosen

COMING EVENTS

PRESIDENT LEE called the meeting to order followed by a round of applause.

CHARLES STUART led a rousing rendition of our club song followed by God Bless America.

BRIAN BREEN introduced our visiting Rotarian: Charlie Howard Gibbon.

Rotarians with guests included KATHY O’CONNOR’s guest Courtney McKenzie O’Connor along with PRESIDENT LEE REPOSA’s lovely wife Cara, his sister Kristie Bowen and his niece Melia Bowen.

PRESIDENT LEE called upon MIKE AMBROSIO along with JUDY McREYNOLDS to give their impressions of their first Rotary District Conference which they attended in Lake Tahoe last weekend. MIKE reported he had a new understanding of the depth of Rotary in our district. He found the breakout sessions informative especially one on public relations. The entertainment was great.

JUDY found the weekend eye-opening and she met many pleasant people…especially in the hospitality suite!

PRESIDENT LEE then noted that it appears ONITA PELLEGRINI and MIKE AMBROSIO were photographed in matching hats at the conference. There are reports they were awarded the biggest party people there! ONITA pointed out that her hat is pink and MIKE noted his is Rotary Blue. They each paid a $25 fine for their award.

CLARK ROSEN was called upon and PRESIDENT LEE complimented him on his tan and wardrobe choice of Cuban attire. Clark replied that it could also be jaundice. He had just returned from 4 days in the Florida Keys where he and Trisha took a very interesting tour of Ernest Hemingway’s home. CLARK agreed to pay $1 for every mosquito bite he received on the trip which came to $50.

ELIAS HUSARY returned recently from a trip to England, Scotland and Wales. While he was gone, PRESIDENT LEE assisted by carpooling rides for Elias’ son. With appreciation, ELIAS brought back a hat with the Old Course at St. Andrews logo for PRESIDENT LEE. ELIAS also made a $50 payment toward his fine schedule.

ERIN POST was the winner of the raffle. She drew a blue rock, but in her condition, could not really enjoy a nice bottle of wine. So given the option, she took the raffle prize cash for the baby’s college fund.

DAVE BARBIERI announced he had some wine racks in his truck that he would love to go to a good home. He gladly paid $5 for the announcement and added if the racks were taken, he’d donate another $50 to the club.

TODAY’S PROGRAM:

PRESIDENT ELECT CHRIS RANNEY presented his vision and plans for the 2017-2018 Rotary Year.

His theme for our club is ACT:

        Active

        Community

        Together

Look for more visuals at meetings and increased opportunities for member engagement. The board will meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 5:30 - 7 pm at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club. CHRIS provided questions on each table for members to complete.

There is a lot more information coming about the 2017-2018 year when our club celebrates 95 years!

Instead of taking the speaker’s bottle of wine, CHRIS auctioned it off with the proceeds going to our local club foundation. President nominee MICHAEL NISTLER was the highest bidder at $40. Well done!

This week’s Editor: Joanne Ferris

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.

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

For the Thought of the Day MIKE AMBROSIO shared some great sayings around age.

With that, our usual handshakes and hugs followed.

We had no visiting Rotarians.

Our guests included AL CATTALINI’s cousin John, PAST PRESIDENT JOANNE FERRIS’ friend Tom, TONY WESTERN’s Rotary Exchange Student, PAST PRESIDENT RICK MOSSI’s friend Terry, and BRETT SHINN had 2 guests.

PRESIDENT LEE is looking for 4 high school juniors to be invited to RYLA. Let Lee know if you’d like to nominate a student.

GAIL CARDAROPOLI updated us on the next upcoming SCARC dinner.

PRESIDENT LEE announced that Miracle League has a large donor that will match $175,000 in donations. This is exciting news that will significantly help expedite the fundraising.

PRESIDENT LEE then began quizzing the members on Rotary facts. $20 for the wrong answer and $5 for the correct answer.

First, JIM BECKER was asked to name our 3 club members who were District Governors. He got them all correct and paid $5. BLACKWILL, AGNEW, FULLERTON.

MIKE AMBROSIO was asked what year woman were allowed to become members of our club. And who was the President? He was correct with 1988 and PAST PRESIDENT JOHN DADO. Mike paid $5.

TONY WESTERN was put on the spot with naming the year in which our club had the first Christmas Party. He guessed right with 1950. TONY paid $5.

Lastly, STEVE POWELL was asked to name what year our club had the first evening Holiday Party. 1959. He paid $5.

PRESIDENT LEE didn’t end there… he called on PAST PRESIDENT TAWNY TESCONI to share her recent purchases… She’s now the proud owner of a new dually truck, 37 ft 5th wheel trailer, and $100 less in her bank.

MIKE STAUBER won the raffle and took home a nice bottle of wine.

Our speaker was Karissa Kruse, the President of Sonoma County Winegrowers. She educated us on the organization, the value they bring to our County, and sustainable wine making.

LEE wished everyone a great day.

This week’s Editor: Brian Breen

COMING EVENTS

It was a beautiful day at the country club when PRESIDENT LEE called the meeting to order and led our pledge to the flag. GARY BRODIE was designated songleader for the day and, after a warmup of I’m a Rambler, . . . , led the members in God Bless America.

Unfortunately, GARY’s songleading was so enthusiastic that he inadvertently slugged DAVID BARBIERI in the jaw. DAVID couldn’t finish his lunch but we think they reached an understanding on who would pay the dental bills.

JOANNE FERRIS gave her thought for the day: Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.

After the hugs and handshakes ended we learned that we had no visiting Rotarians and no guests of Rotarians.

Secretary GAIL CARDAROPOLI reminded members of the upcoming SCARC dinner hosted by the Rotary Club of Glen Ellen-Kenwood. It’ll be Thursday, May 25 at the Wild Oak Saddle Club in Oakmont. If you wish to attend, advise Gail by next Thursday.

When Team Captain MICHAEL CARUANA announced that he was looking for a fourth member to round out the Club bocce ball team, KATHY O’CONNOR stepped up. KATHY will join MICHAEL, GARY BRODIE, and BILL GROVERMAN as the team tries to maintain its perfect record in bocce competition.

CLARK ROSEN then described his dilemma, an overabundance of events on Saturday night. He won’t be able to use his tickets for the season-closing performance of the Santa Rosa Symphony, because he’ll be attending the Gene and Evelyn Benedetti Leadership Celebration. He offered the symphony tickets to PRESIDENT LEE to auction off with the proceeds going to benefit our John Ramatici Scholarship. MICHAEL CARUANA had the high bid of $50, but after RICK MOSSI tossed in another $20 to up the scholarship contribution others joined in and soon there was $130 going to the fund.

Better late than never department: Our April birthday table belatedly made its appearance today. JOHN DADO was there and paid a $5 fine.

Sitting elsewhere, April celebrants ANNE GEALTA and JUDY McREYNOLDS were socked $10 apiece.

Trivia time: PRESIDENT LEE then selected participants for a quiz show about Club history. A wrong answer got you a $20 fine and a correct answer resulted in a $5 fine. Such a deal!

MARLENE FREETLY: In what year was the Club founded? 1923. $5.

CHAD FILLINGER: In what year did the All Day Breakfast begin? 1955. $5.

JOHN DADO: How many members were in the Club when it began? 29. $20.

KATHY O’CONNOR: Who chaired the first All Day Breakfast? Gene Benedetti. $5 (plus a $20 fine to MIKE BADDELEY for assisting Kathy).

ANNE GEALTA: In what year was the first Farmers and Merchants Night? 1930. $5.

And the fines kept coming. GARY BRODIE explained that his recent dove hunting trip to Argentina qualified as an International Service project since he was really eliminating crop-destroying pests. But that didn’t fly. The trip, plus Gary’s business winning a Best in Petaluma award, led to a $100 fine.

Also traveling to the southern hemisphere was JOANNE FERRIS, just back from a three-week trip to Australia where she visited her daughter who lives in Melbourne. She offered a $20 payment now with more to come when her Australian grandchild is born later this year.

GREG O’BRIEN won the raffle, walking off with a bottle of Cline Cellars pinot noir.

JOANNE introduced this week’s speaker, Suzi Katz of the Rotary Club of West Marin. You might think that our club has cachet, meeting at the country club, but Suzi’s club meets at Toby’s Feed Barn (Wednesdays at 8am)! Suzi, owner of Sequoia Web Design, presented a well-received talk on The Last Password You Will Ever Need to Remember and How to Make a Scammer Cry.

This week’s Editor: Al Cattalini