President Dave
 - by Jim Hallett
 
It was Monday, March 11, 2019, and President Ken Deemer—um, wait a sec, Ken wasn’t there.  Let’s start over.  It was Monday, March 11, 2019, and lo and behold, standing at the podium looking very much in charge was Past President Dave Boochever, who recognized our guests who included Scott Yanofsky’s son, Jordan Holbert’s baby, and the irrepressible Mary Werk, Ingo Werk’s Cajun bride……Mike Matthews said Save the Date, namely April 27, a Saturday at Pacific School and a perfect day for Outreach Program (replacing Rise Against Hunger ).   (April 27 is also the date of the annual Richstone Walk, by the way, so save the date one way or the other.)……Don Whinfrey scored his blue badge.
 
Light Up a Cigar
Mike Doell regaled us with a sort-of war story.  While a senior at USC, Trojan Mike visited the Air Force Academy and scored a return flight on a military plane, a C-140.  Such flights usually have a VIP on board, and in this case it was 4-Star General Curtis LeMay, who held commands during World War II in both Germany and the Pacific theaters.  Mike was sitting by General LeMay’s wife when he saw the VIP light up a cigar—a definite no-no.  Mrs. LeMay saw Mike’s concern and told him not to worry, noting that “with General LeMay on board, this plane wouldn’t dare blow up.”
 
Backpacks Full of Hope
Our guest presenters included the president of the Santa Clarita Sunrise Rotary Club, the president of the Santa Clarita Charter School’s Interact Club, and a teacher from the school.  Several members of our club (Cedric Tuck-Sherman and James Kennedy come to mind) have been active with relief efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, which goes all the way back to September 20, 2017 (Houston and Florida have substantially recovered from storm damage back then, but not Puerto Rico).   Last March 19 students from the Charter School collected $20,000 and visited Puerto Rico with the funds, working on reforestation and reconstruction.  31 people are returning this year, from April 11-19, bearing still more aid—they call it Backpacks Full of Hope.
 
Envision Builders Nepal
Another of our presenter guests was David Gendron’s nephew, Nathan McWhirter, who described his work with Envision Builders Nepal.  Nathan is just back from spending 2018 in Nepal, and is returning in a few months.  A mechanical engineer, he has shared his gifts with churches in Nepal.  Projects have included repairing earthquake damage to a church, refurbishing a  Bible College dorm, working on homes and developing water pumping and filtering (biosand) projects.
 
Celebrate Manhattan Beach
No, not Magic In Giving.  Banish that thought.  It’s Celebrate Manhattan Beach, and it’s nigh upon us.  Kathleen Terry worked up still another of her persuasive videos, urging our proactive involvement, not leaving it all to CMB leaders Kathleen, Jordan Holbert, and Debby Arnold.  Immediate tasks include the live auction, the silent auction, ticket sales and sponsorships.  (One of our guests, the aforementioned president of the Santa Clarita Sunrise Rotary Club, was so moved by Kathleen’s plea that she promptly stood up to volunteer a weekend at her beach house, further inviting us to join her there at a mixer during the District Conference.)
 
Happy Dollars
In an abbreviated but nonetheless worthy session of Happy Dollars, Nelson Gray told us he stopped for dinner in the desert with Past President Eternal Ivan David Hornbecker, reportedly doing well (or as well as one can do after the trauma of losing his wife to cancer)…..Deb Robertson reported that her daughter Sabrina has been named a National Merit finalist while awaiting college admissions…..Dick Chase offered thanks for the many concierge volunteers he has organized this year.
 
My Life Of Privilege
Although Past President Larry Johnson never mentioned his DJ career during his craft talk, I remain attached to the moniker LJ the DJ.  (No one could be surprised that Larry’s voice made him a natural DJ.)  Instead he titled his talk “My Life of Privilege” and abandoned his usual charismatic, broadly extroverted personality to instead reflect on what he regards as his considerable good fortune in life.  It all started in New Sarpy, a town near Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana.  His father served in World War II, in a segregated Army, and imparted to Larry the values of love of country and patriotism.  Yes, Larry grew up with the now famous Green Book, but his parents rejected victimization and he never felt like a victim.  Instead, his family taught him to thrive on hard work, family, enjoyment, and play.
 
LJ the Businessman
Larry attended Catholic schools, participating in Glee Club, Debate Team and Newspaper.  He moved on to Boston College, participating in ROTC, Drill Team, and volunteer work in South Boston (because he looks so Irish).  From there he obtained his MBA in Finance at Columbia University in New York.  He stayed in New York with a management consulting firm and then worked in investment banking with multiple major companies.  Having apparently exhausted Boston and New York, he then engaged in M & A work in Chicago, with particular focus on the food industry.  Striking out on his own, he started his own business with specialty products in the food industry, supplying major venues, finally landing in the biggest remaining city not on his resume, namely Los Angeles.
 
LJ the Person
Larry, with considerable sentiment, shared with us that Rotary has been central to his life, in both his business and personal lives.  Among his many claims to Rotary fame is the Niger Water Project.  He singled out Chris Ullman, Bill Bloomfield and Harris Bass as great personal supports during a tough transition he experienced when his 28-year marriage ran its course.  Seven years ago he met Bonnie, “the love of my life,” and they are now engaged.  His greatest thrill may have been walking his daughter down the aisle.  She and her “wonderful” husband have given him two teenage grandchildren, all living in San Anselmo.   Also central to his life is St. Cross Episcopal Church, where he sings in the choir and does youth work.  He is on staff at El Camino College mentoring entrepreneurship. 
 
Our Lives Of Privilege
You never know what surprises may come at a Rotary meeting.  The usually self-effacing Dave Boochever burst forth with poetry in Larry Johnson’s honor.  In turn, the usually expansive Larry turned inward, touching us with a tale of gratitude for a life well lived.  It was, as it so often is, a privilege to witness all of it.