Meeting Recap of April 1, 2013
From stories of serial killers to “Ludy's Laughers” to a reflection on one of Sacramento's most gifted artists, Rotarians were treated to a fully packed and entertaining meeting Monday.
Dick Osen started things off leading a rousing version of Take Me Out to the Ballgame on opening day of Major League Baseball. And it was equally stirring when President Peter Dannenfelser II cited the club's newest Paul Harris Fellows and Eddie Mulligan achievers – too numerous to list here.
In his new-member introduction, Steve Heath brought new Los Rios Community College Chancellor Brian King to the podium. Steve noted that Brian came to Sacramento from the Monterey Bay community of Aptos, where he was chancellor of Cabrillo College. According to Steve, Brian is "the third most famous person to come out of Cabrillo" – after two famous serial killers.
Mark Huffman presented a fine tribute to late member Ludy Langer during a Centennial Moment, recalling Ludy's penchant for often corny humor. A sample of what he called "Ludy's Laughers": (from a real court transcript) Q- What is your date of birth? A- July 15. Q- What year? A- Every year.
President elect-elect Susan Sheridan, among several making presentations and contributions, recalled her recent bicycle trip through Myanmar. Among the souvenirs she brought back from Southeast Asia was a miniature Buddha statue – holding a Rotary pin.
Barbara Arnold introduced guest speaker Scott Shields, chief curator and associate director of the Crocker Art Museum, who delighted Rotarians in attendance with images and anecdotes of Gregory Kondos, whose work is currently featured in a 70-painting retrospective at the museum. The take-home message from the delightfully illustrated presentation was that Kondos has given Sacramentans a reason to be proud of their region. Shields noted "there's no denying how iconic he's made our region. He found beauty here", in our rivers, vineyards, and adjacent rural landscapes. The slide show accompanying Scott's presentation illustrated Kondos distinctly colorful style – "he was called the Boss of Blue by one critic" – to carry the physical and emotional nature of his scenes. In addition to paintings of Central Valley fields and hills, Kondos gave us Yosemite with its powerful rock formations and Tahoe with its vivid colors. At age 90, Kondos' continues to teach and mentor fellow artists. Kondos is a close friend with Wayne Thiebaud, Scott said. He showed a picture of the two illustrious Sacramento painters sitting together, painting the same scene. While some might find a similarity in their styles, Scott said, they would "sit side by side but see things from different directions." Shields, in his 14 years of work at the Crocker has established a solid friendship with Kondos, and writes with firsthand knowledge in the comprehensive catalogue, A Touch of Blue. Several Rotarians have lent paintings to the exhibit, as well as to the collection published in the book. Scott said that Kondos was not a very good record keeper, so assembling the collection was a challenge. But it paid off with a wonderful book and exhibit that continues at the Crocker through May 19th.
