Written By: Kevin Smith Fagan
Super Bowl Week took center stage at the club’s weekly luncheon, as we welcomed former NFL referee Mike Pereira as the meeting’s guest speaker.
After President John Lemmon (Knox, Lemmon and Anapolsky LLP) opened the proceedings, Past President Thom Gilbert delivered an opening thought drawing parallels between football and life.
John McIntyre (Mercy Foundation) presented an overview of the club’s Rotary Youth Exchange program, and introduced district RYE organizer Vicki Bencken. Vicki presented our club’s outbound RYE student, Adam Severeid, for a dramatic reveal of his destination next year. Adam is headed to….Belgium! Which happens to be the home of the RYE student our club is currently hosting, Eduard Goffart-Winkin.
Margo Fowkes (OnTarget Consulting, Inc.) showed some photos from her family trip to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands, and she presented President John a souvenir tee shirt.
Club announcements included:
- reserve your spot for the club’s Valentine’s Day luncheon on February 13, and don’t forget to send in a photo of you and your sweetheart, said
Michele Amaral (Dick James and Associates, Inc.)
- try your hand at skeet shooting, encouraged Mike Bullington (Bullington and Associates), who has organized an outing this coming Saturday.
- Mike also reported that Luann Richardson will undergo surgery on Friday and is expected to be absent for several weeks. Mike encouraged Members to reach out to Luann once she is home and recuperating.
- President John noted that Anne Ferguson is also recovering at home from back surgery and encouraged Members to let Anne know we miss her.
Let’s Build Something Together:
Jim Craig noted that his long-time friend, Aubrey Hubbert was present as the guest of his son, Buddy Hubbert. Jim donated $100 to Buddy Hubbert’s Eddie Mulligan in recognition of that friendship. Not to be outdone, Past President Brian Van Camp (ADR Services, Inc.), another long-time friend of Aubrey, also donated $100 to Buddy Hubbert’s Eddie Mulligan.
President John showed Members that Sacramento Delta Property Management had been identified in the Sacramento Business Journal’s annual Book of Lists as the number one Property Manager – Single Family in our region and congratulated its President, Ted White, on this accomplishment. Ted donated $250 to his Eddie Mulligan and $250 to his Paul Harris.
Guest speaker Mike Pereira, a former NFL referee and now an NFL broadcaster on Fox Sports, talked about his nonprofit organization that helps returning military veterans prepare for roles in officiating. Battlefields to Ballfields has provided scholarship support to 84 veterans wanting to learn refereeing, and he encouraged golfers to participate in a May 7 golf fundraiser. Turning to the gridiron, Mike praised the unprecedented success of the New England Patriots and predicted another Patriot title on Sunday.
Along the way, President John also thanked wine reception sponsor Laurie Wright (Tri Counties Bank), reception pianist Elfrena Foord (Foord, Van Bruggen, & Pajak), and greeters David Baker (Sacramento Children’s Home), Julie Sherry (Watson Companies) and Laurie Rood (Benefits Done Right).
Next week’s luncheon will feature California Assemblyman (and former Sacramento County deputy sheriff) Jim Cooper, talking about his proposed legislation authorizing DNA collection from perpetrators of certain misdemeanor crimes.