The Prez asked Chris Lewis to lead the pledge to our flag.
The Prez led the club in reciting the 4-Way Test:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
She then asked Tom Goode to provide the thought of the day.
Thought of the day:
Tom Goode
Visitors and Guests
Guest - Ryan Driffill
Chris Lewis introduced Ryan Driffill. He is in landscape construction management and is the Chapter President for the local Delta Waterfowl Association.
The Prez acknowledged the speech contest participants and the members of their team for coming to the meeting. They will be appropriately acknowledged after the speech contest.
Tim Cahill - Bell Ringer
Tim is ringing the bell in honor of one of his short plays being selected as one of eight plays to be performed at the Winters 10-minute Play Festival at the Winters Opera House at the end of this month.
Drop into 8 different moments over the course of 80 minutes and experience the unique cast of characters, emotions, and stories that will be on stage at the 4th Annual Winters Theatre Company
Roy has been absent for a few meetings, spending two weeks in Australia and New Zealand on a cruise ship. He then came home and bought a car. He then decided that he needed to visit Mexico for a week. Subsequently, feeling guilty about having so much fun and being away from Rotary for such a long time, he decided that he needed to ring the bell 3 times to assuage his guilt.
Todd Eichman - Bell Ringer
Todd rang the bell for a very good reason... a reason that was not captured on the editor's recording device do to competing talk from club members, and, the fact that he was using his indoor voice while seated at the furthest table from the recorder. Needless to say, based upon the approval applause from the members of the club... it was a most worthy cause for ringing the bell. Todd is hereby granted one free announcement to reiterate the reason for ringing the bell.
Al Cady - Bell Ringer
Al was happy to have the Prez ring the bell for him to allow him to share that he too, almost like Roy, had a great time traveling, spending time at rest stops in Louisiana, giving investment advice and driving tips to all his trucker buddies. Al drove all the way from Sacramento to Oliver, Florida, and back, 2,500 miles, on 600 gallons of diesel, at $2.87 a gallon.
Big Al Frumkin - Very Sad Bucks
Big Al explained that Lisa was not at the meeting as she lost her youngest son last Thursday, due to an unknown cause. This is understandably a difficult time for her and he feels that she would appreciate members of the club reaching out to her during this time of immense sadness. Please keep Lisa and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
PINS and BADGES
The Prez asked the club members to self-fine for not wearing pins and or badges. All of the members that found themselves out of compliance cheerfully contributed dollars to the cup as a way of supporting the goals and decorum of the club in keeping with the 4-way test all except for one club member in a sombrero and serape that proclaimed "I don'ts gots to show you no stinking badges." Sergeant at Arms Cady promptly escorted the individual out of the room.
Please send speaker ideas to Rob Olmstead and/or the Prez.
There is an unconfirmed report, maybe a rumor, possibly a mistruth, that Rob will buy drinks at Charter Night for people that provide him names and phone numbers
of potential, bonafide, speakers.
AED Ribbon Cutting at Eastern Oak Park
February 21, 2025 - 3127 Eastern Ave. at 6:30 AM
Matt was pleased to announce that we will be conducting a ribbon cutting ceremony for the first AED installation of the R.I. Grant on Friday, February 21 at 6:30 in the morning at Eastern Oaks Park, the same time the chickens wake up. This is being done in an effort to entice news stations to send TV reporters to cover the event at a time when there are few competing newsworthy events. Please pray there are no fires, major freeway accidents, or lost kittens, that will keep the reporters from attending our newsworthy event. The secret word is Kittens. There is an unconfirmed report, maybe a rumor, possibly a mistruth, stating that Matt will buy drinks that night at Charter
Night, for everyone that attends the ribbon cutting. There will be donuts and coffee for everyone that bring donuts and coffee. The new hands only CPR method will be taught. There is an unconfirmed report, maybe a rumor, possibly a mistruth, that we owe Linda Bigler a big thank you for volunteering to be the CPR dummy.
Charter Night - February 21, 2025
Prez Jensen reported that all things are go for a great Charter Night on February 21st at Del Paso Country Club. She thank Big Al for his work at making Charter night a great event. The dinner options are Prime Rib, Salmon and Risotto. This is our 70th anniversary. It is a big deal. People from other clubs will be in attendance. Speaker will be speaking lofty words of praise and appreciation. The Keynote Speaker will be the Past Rotary International Director, Kevin Boyd. He will be speaking on Rotary, 70 years Past and Present. Our very own District Governor will be there with his challenge coin... Club members attend at no cost and guests attend at market rate.
Dictionary Distribution
Bill shared that the sticker party was a lot of fun and Al Cady drove clear through the night just to make it to the party, the social event of the year. A big thank you to Rob and Vanessa for hosting the party. The pizza was appreciated by Al, honorary-18-wheeler, Cady... almost as much as he enjoyed Heather Wulfert's chocolate chip cookies.
Dictionaries were delivered to Dyer-Kelly Elementary School yesterday. Thomas Edison received theirs today. The delivery crew included Bill, Rolundia, Bruce, Richard, and Linda. The entire crew got drenched, using their bodies as human umbrellas to keep the dictionaries safe and dry. The smiles on the faces of the kids tells it all.
They love the dictionaries and are very thankful for Rotary braving the storm to deliver them. A sign-up sheet for the next two deliveries was passed around.
2025 Poker Tournament
Tom Goode was asked to share a bit about the upcoming poker tournament. He shared that, just in case the members were unaware, we are having a poker tournament on March 22nd at Niello BMW. This is our major fundraiser and it is an all-hands-on-deck event. Members are either playing in the tournament or working in the tournament. This tournament has raised over one-million dollars over the years, having a huge impact on our community. We have done a great job selling sponsorships. We now have to concentrate on getting butts in the seats. If you are a sponsor or was instrumental in securing a sponsor, it is important to have the names of the players in as soon as possible to ensure we have a good player turnout. Have them go to the website: AllInforArdenArcade.com.
By the way, who is catering the Poker Tournament this year?
It turns out that the "Late Joe Green" is catering the tournament this year. But it is OK, he paid a self-imposed late fine, so he is good to go. He will be providing amazing food, fresh from his BBQ. This alone is worth the price of admission... you can bet he won't be late to the tournament.
We are a "Green" club... We Recycle Rotarians
Past President Jason Borg Gets RePinned
Tom Good and Al Cady had the privilege of welcoming back to the club, Past President Jason Borg. Al called it a re-run, noting that Jason left the club whining about the time and mileage increase when his company moved to Elk Grove. Now that his company is back in Arden Arcade, and that excuse no longer is valid... Al has been wearing Jason's badge as a tribute to Jason for all these years of his absence. Al is unselfishly giving up the Borg badge he has grown accustomed to wearing and returning it to its rightful owner. Al exclaimed that Jason was a great president... Jason clarified the statement by explaining he had a great board (sounds like he is running for that office again.) Considering that he is an attorney, we are happy to have him back. Al presented Jason with a challenge coin and Big Al explained why he needs to keep it on him at all times, especially in bars.
Jason was asked to share a bit about himself. He is glad to be back. There are quite a few familiar faces and many others that he looks forward to getting to know. When he attended his first meeting after being gone for many years, he said "it felt like he had never left"... (and was ready to quit again?) "It is a great club and always has been. I primarily practice family law, some estate planning and a little bit of bankruptcy." Al noted that he is awesome at divorce.
Jason grew up in Sacramento. His wife, Melinda, and he live in Carmichael and have two adult children. Katie, the eldest, is married and living in Arlington, Virginia. Emily, the youngest, graduated from college last year and will be going to nursing school. He is proud of both daughters and that they are doing well as they go into adulthood. He is happy to be back and is looking forward to helping out with different community service activities and getting to know everybody again. Everyone was invited to step forward and shake Jason's hand to welcome him back into the club... and so we did.
2025 Speech Contest
The Magic of Service
Our speech contestants are to provide a speech of not less than five, and not more than eight, minutes. A secret panel of specially trained judges, not affiliated with any school or personally related to any of the contestants, will be evaluating the speeches and at the appropriate time compare notes and scientifically score and report the outcome of the contest to the Speech Contest Organizer,theloquacious Mr. Stimson. The speaker order has been randomly selected. They will be introduced, along with their family and/or school supporters, at the conclusion of the contest. The first place participant will receive $100, second place will receive $50 and third place will receive $25. The first place participant will move on to the District Area contest. The winner of that contest will go to Disneyland and receive $1,000.
Bruce Stimson
Speech Contest Organizer
Loti Boucher
Senior and Last Year's Contest Winner
Aniko Fulop
Loti's Mother
Duchess Wright, Senior
Aspire Alexander Twilight Secondary Academy
Rachel Hock
Assistant Principal
Aspire ATSA
Marisol Cabrera
Community School Director Aspire ATSA
Ava Commandatore Sophomore Rio Americano High School
Marc Commandatore
Proud Father
Kimberly Commandatore
Teacher at Dyer kelly Elementary School
Each participant delivered their speeches within the prescribed time parameters. Each had their own individual take on the topic and each is to be congratulated for participating.
And the Winners Are...
First Place, $100
Loti Boucher
Second Place, $50
Duchess Wright
Third Place, $25
Ava Commandatore
Help and Education for Starving Students, sort of...
The Cup was passed to help cover the cost of meals for our Interact Students, to enable them to attend Charter Night, and see what Rotary is all about. There is an unconfirmed report, maybe a rumor, possibly a mistruth, these students will be assigned individual chaperones to make sure they maintain an alcohol-free evening. No, this does not mean they will have their drinks provided for free... well actually, their drinks will be provided for free, but they will not be Rotarian libations made with mood elevating, mind altering, additives such as caffeine... and oh, yes, alcohol too.
Lisa Asperger - Disclaimer
January 28th Word -
Disclaimer
January 7th word -
Borg
Both were awarded adult libations for their attention to the newsletter
Linda Bigler - Borg
District Conference
The conference is April 12th and everyone is encouraged to register for the great day of training and information. He expressed his gratitude to all of the members that have been working hard to make the event a success, especially Al Frumkin and Chris Lewis. Participants are encouraged to fly in early Saturday morning in time to attend the Disneyland training institute followed by the conference. They are encouraged to spend the night and then enjoy Disneyland the next day. Everyone is encouraged to register and attend because it will be a great event and you will be glad you did.
President Jensen rang the bell, ending the meeting at 12:55 PM, extoling all members to share the magic of Rotary.
Respectfully (more or less) submitted by,
Mike Grace
Reporter, Photographer and Editor
Hellen Weight
Ombudsman and Content Supervisor
DISCLAIMER - Some of the information provided in some of the articles, and possibly included in some of the "quotes" from club members, may have been a fabrication of a demented mind. It is up to you to determine fact from fiction. Individuals objecting to all or any part herein, are encouraged to go to Hellen Weight to lodge a formal complaint.
Club Information
Service Above Self
Tuesdays at 12:00 PM
Piatti
571 Pavilions Lane
Arden-Arcade, CA 95825 United States of America
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