Daughter's Day!

Posted by Mike Bullington on Dec 29, 2016
 
Perhaps the warmest, sweetest day of the year for Rotarian parents, grandparents and great grandparents of the wonderful young women that graced the Dante Club on this special day.
 
The event started with photographs by Bill Smith Photography, with Santa, who betrayed a slight limp, handing out candy canes at the door.
 
Anne Al Azzawi, our beloved Sulaf’s daughter, a junior in Mira Loma’s International Baccalaureate Program, a singer and an actor, was our President for the day. She introduced Cara McIntyre, John’s daughter, to share the thought of the day. Cara is a 6th grader at Sacred Heart School and a leader of the NorCal Acrobatics Team. Cara reminded of us the three great pillars of the day: Rotary, Holiday and Rotary.
 
Roy Alexander’s granddaughter, Libby Pavelchik, a fifth grader, an athlete, a singer and performer, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
Asia Wong, LaToya’s daughter, a senior at Vista Del Lago High and co-editor of this year’s yearbook, an avid reader and volunteer (she served energetically on the writer’s Sac Century Isleton rest stop, as did Anne Al Azzawi) served as our Sargent-At-Arms. She recognized all of our Rotary guests, which included Lynne Tracy, Anne’s principal, who sat next to your correspondent. Then she asked all of the daughters, daughters-in-law and granddaughters to stand up.
 
Asia then encouraged us to just get to know each other at our tables.
 
 
Anne recognized Steve Ruland for his efforts in getting us all in a giving mood with his “Toys for Smiles” program, which he does faithfully and energetically, year after year. He presented Ivan Wild of the Salvation Army with contributions totaling $1,410. Asia, assisted by Elise Stoffel, granddaughter of Steve Ruland, a 13-year-old in the 8th grade at Arden Middle School and an a straight A student who is a three sport athlete, brought us to one of the special moments in our annual event, the awards for furthest distance, the longest attendance and the youngest:
 
 
 
Danielle, granddaughter of Judge Bill and Sandy Shubb, who had travelled from Melbourne, along with Lia and Nevaeh, granddaughters of Norm Marshall, who had come in from Singapore, shared the recognition for the 8,000+ mile efforts.
 
Dr. Harold and Lilla Strauch’s twins Kristin and Kimberly for attending the more of Daughter’s Day.
 
Art and Kiefie Breuer’s great granddaughter, Melanie, was our youngest attendee at 7 weeks of age.
 
Isabella Solis, daughter of Eric and Araceli Solis, and Edessa Gomez, daughter of Bob Daly, handled the mikes with aplomb.
Anne led the Boasts, Toasts and Roasts portion of the program.
 
Eric Solis coughed up $50 for his orange scarf, at the behest of his daughter. (No candy in her stocking?)
 
Dick Noonan volunteered $200 to Paul H, out of gratitude for his daughter in Arizona, running the landfill in Nevada and being the Assistant Grand Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star.
 
Kim Mueller toasted her Dad in Iowa, and her Surrogate Father George Basye, who recently celebrated his 64th wedding anniversary, with a $100 to Eddie.
 
Norm Marshall, who had no daughters when he joined Rotary, now boasts of three daughters-in-law and 4 granddaughters and one grandson to the tune of $500 more dollars for Eddie.
 
Jerry Smith boasted two granddaughters, Maya and Malia, with a $100 contribution to Eddie.
 
In a touching tribute to her Mom, on the recent occasion of her 91st birthday, Robyn DeLong, proud mother of three sons, gave $100 each to the two gentlemen.
 
Rachel Adams toasted her Father in Rotary and her future father-in-law with $100 tribute.
 
Tracy Carlson, the daughter of Art and Kiefie, donated $200 to her Dad’s Eddie Mulligan.
 
The entertainment commenced with the Cantoris Section of the Sacramento Children’s Chorus, who were composed of 7th through 10th graders. They treated us to a selection of seasonal songs and carols, which featured a special piece composed by Benjamin Britten written especially for Christmas.
 
Then the Irish Dancers of the McKeever School of Dance, stomped onto the stage and delighted us with some bonny footwork. No doubt many of the Celts in our midst were tapping their toes and dreaming of shamrock-laden dales.
 
Anne introduced Abbey Pavelchik, another of Roy Alexander’s granddaughters, who celebrated 9 years of age the day before, and who is yet another three sport athlete, gave us some parting reminders, which included recognition of Ele Adams who was assisted by her Mom, Ema, in registering all of us as we came in. NO MEETING NEXT WEEK. NO MEETING NEXT WEEK.
 
Santa, he of the slight limp which used to be a big limp, led us in a rendition of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer to close out our day.