This December, members enjoyed a fresh take on one of the Rotary Club of Sacramento’s oldest traditions—Daughter’s Day! Reimagined this year as a postwork gathering and titled “Daughters/Family Day Dinner,” the celebration welcomed sons, nephews, grandparents, aunts, and of course, daughters too.
The evening kicked off with Brooke Brandenburger (daughter of David) serving as President for the Day. Brooke welcomed Ellie Comstock (daughter of Tim) to the stage to deliver the Thought for the Day. Ellie reflected on the importance of family and intention, sharing that “family is about more than the people we are born to—it’s about the people we choose to welcome into our lives.” She emphasized the value of surrounding ourselves with people who strive to improve the world around them, noting that the friendships formed through Rotary service are a wonderful example of that ideal.
Next, Mila Reed (daughter of PP Bobby) proudly led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a show-stopping rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner by Rachel Lee, daughter-in-law of Clayton Lee.
President Brooke then introduced the Sergeants at Arms for the day, Ellie and Josie Comstock, who had the honor of introducing the evening’s guests. Five-month-old Mila Jo earned a warm round of applause as the youngest attendee, introduced by her proud grandfather, PP Walter Dahl. Meanwhile, Mary Teichert, daughter of PDG Fred and Nancy Teichert, happily announced herself as the attendee with the most Daughter’s Days under her belt—47, counting this one!
Borrowing from Seinfeld’s Festivus, President Brooke unveiled a new Daughters/Family Day tradition: the Airing of Grievances. As she explained, fines could be levied for offenses such as wearing an outrageously festive holiday tie, sweater, or jewelry—or perhaps for attending Daughter’s Day for the fifth…or tenth…time (at a suggested rate of $10 per year!). Brooke led by example, fining her father for coaching her high school water polo team, and her grandfather, Stephen Brandenburger “for getting us all looped into Rotary in the first place.”
After several good-natured grievances were aired, Brooke welcomed Magician Bill to the stage. Over the next 30 minutes, Bill delighted the audience with an array of magical feats. A crowd favorite came when a promised pigeon, meant to fly around the room, instead transformed into a handkerchief mid-performance!
The sheer number of birds appearing from sleeves and hats sparked some skepticism among those seated in the back row. However, cub reporter Henry Spaulding (son of Pulse reporter Megan Wygant), who joined Magician Bill onstage for a card trick, conducted a firsthand investigation and confirmed: the pigeons were very much real.
The celebration concluded with Rotarians invited to the stage to show off their holiday sweaters, ties, and other festive flair. Two members delighted the crowd by discovering they were wearing identical holiday sweaters, while Rhonda Poppen claimed top honors as Most Festive.
And with that, Daughters/Family Day came to a close. While we adjourn for winter break, be warm, be safe, and remember to celebrate the family you have – those you were born with, and those you chose.
– Megan Wygant (daughter of Bill)
P.S. Belated thanks to PP Brian Van Camp for December 9 donations toward his Eddie Mulligan and his Paul Harris, made in honor of late Rotarians Dr. Harold Strauch and Jim Phillips.
