Tuesday was a day for honoring and thanking members for their service, and for showing how the dollars we raise are turned into useful community projects.
President Amelia Sanchez presented two checks, one for the Downey Symphonic Society, to continue a tradition of sponsorship that began 65 plus years ago, when the DSS was founded. Rotary helps build the quality of life in Downey with the Downey Symphony Orchestra’s concerts in the Downey theatre and the Pops in the Park Concert. Spanish Composer Oscar Navarro wrote The Downy Overture, a jazzy symphonic piece that was premiered here, and is played by orchestras around the world. . , The DSS’s Outreach Program of Music in the Schools enriches the children’s lives with a quintet that visits every K-5 school, plus, in partnership with the DUSD, every 3rd and every 5th grader goes to the Downey theatre for specially written morning concerts.
There was also a Rotary donation for the Downey Library, for our project in promoting childhood literacy. The Library gives us a book to examine every week, and everyone is encouraged to read a book with a young child. Childhood memories of pleasures like that are strong incentives to keep on reading.
Paul Harris Society pins and special citations were given, with the help of Foundation supporter Ray Brown, to Patricia Megallon, Tom Hutchinson. Alex Lopez, Jorge Lopez, and Bill Kirkwood. Bill’s daughter Jennifer was a “special guest,” and we hope she was inspired by the show of members who have given of their time and energy and fortune to help others, through the Foundation.
FINE MASTER Enrique Martinez, Manager of Stonewood Center, took us on a nostalgic trip thru the Mall’s history. Built in 1956, it has been a fixture in Downey life: who can forget having a zoo at Farrell’s?
As a tenant at Stonewood Mall for 35 years, with Stonewood Travel, I remember the traumatic time when it was enclosed, a two year-project starting in 1989 that took away the manicured hedges and walkways and gave us acres of tiled floor in an air-conditioned retail regional center.
Stonewood Mall remains a community Center, where the Arc Walk for Independence is staged.
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ROTARY MARCH 28 SPOTLIGHT ON A SONG
President Mel is now wearing the gavel tucked tightly on the inside of her watch strap. It takes her whole arm and hand to ring the bell, but she’s not taking any chances on losing it again.
During the introduction of “special” guests, two completed applications for membership were handed in. That’s awesome. Raul Lopez asked all participants in the Arc for Walk for Independence to stand, and a good number of us did. Applause all around.
Jesse Vargas reminded us that April 25, that’s April 25, is the date for the Warren High School Special Olympics Track Meet, at the Warren High field. We’ve met a number of these student athletes and heard their stories, so let’s go and cheer them on.
FINE MASTER John Lacey recognized, in the traditional disparaging way,
the new and old club officers. Tom Hutchinson is vice prez- “Give him a hand,”
said John. Ray Brown, about to take the job of Treasurer, was praised for his years of speeches- how many years? Ray said five- about the Rotary Foundation, and for one time making the presentations different and exciting. Enrique Martinez is the President- elect and gets our good wishes.
Then Fine master asked Song Leader Dan Fox to explain why he disliked the Rotary song that he chose for us to sing, Vive la Rotary. Dan said it sounded like a song sung in a pub, and Dan was right to be suspicpious.
He wasn’t far off- it’s a drinking song, from 1818, but the usual drink is milk, because it’s an English and American song sung by choirs, by the Boy Scouts/Girl Guides, around a dinner table or a campfire. It’s not French at all.
The key word in the original is not Rotary but l’amour, love.
Vive l’amour.Vive la companie, the fellowship.
It’s great for harmonizing. Just replace l’amour with Rotary when you sing it:
Vive l’amour, Vive l’amour,
Vive la compagnie!
Let every good fellow, now join in our song,
Vive la compagnie!
Success to each other, and pass it along,
Vive la compagnie!
A friend on your left, and a friend on your right,
Vive la compagnie!
In love and good fellowship, let us unite,
Vive la compagnie!
Vive la, vive la,
Vive l'amour.
Vive la, vive la,
Vive l'amour.
Vive l'amour, vive l'amour,
Vive la compagnie!!
Beth Gendreau spoke of First Christian Church’s Food Bank,
a food distribution program that provides emergency food
and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages in the Downey
and the surrounding communities. Downey is fortunate
in having many faith-based groups that offer this kind of compassionate help.
