Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation by Jacqueline Duran.
Visiting Rotarians: John McDermott, Rotary Club of Ojai.
Visting Guest: Teresa Shustock, guest of Cathy Calabro. Liz Bishop, guest and co-worker at CADA of Lisa Gosdschan.
PRESENTATION OF PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS
Dennis Waid presented Paul Harris fellows to two of our members. The Paul Harris Fellowship was established in 1957 to express appreciation for contributions to The Rotary Foundation that support our goal of advancing international understanding, goodwill, and peace throughout the world.
Guy de Mangeon received a club Paul Harris for all the work he does for Rotary and the certificates The Berry Man, Inc. donates for the Opportunity Drawings.
Jim Lisi received his 9th, Paul Harris.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thank you to the Rotarians that participated in the joint social/dinner with the Santa Barbara/Puerto Vallarta Sister City members at the Mental Wellness Center. It was successful and raised over $6,500 in support of the Mental Wellness Center and all the splendid work they do in the community. Donations are still being accepted. Lisa Biggs was one of the guest speakers, educating people on the importance of supporting people with mental illnesses.
Terry Straeley is a new Honorary Member along with Don George.
The Board of Directors voted to set up an electronic member attendance unit. Jim Lisi will be purchasing the “OWL” device so members that cannot make a meeting can tune in via the “OWL.”
On Wednesday, April 23rd our club sponsored $250 toward the winning entry of the Sister Cities Young Artist Showcase. A reception at the Santa Barbara County School office displayed over 35 entries and awards given to 6 of the winners in the category of digital art and original art.
Saturday, October 26 is the 2nd Annual Halloween Boo-Bash10:00am-2:00pm. Veronica Gallardo gave a brief update on this year’s event, a donation of Harry Potter books will be given out to kid’s in Halloween costumes. Joe Lanza mentioned that the monthly Rotary International magazine has a section dedicated to Rotary Club events. Lisa Gosdschan mentioned that CADA also has a kid’s program that day.
Last weekend the Earl Warren County Fair took place. Dennis Waid announced that Adams School made over $9,000 for opening their parking lot to visitors. PLEASE mark your calendars for the weekend of May 4-5 for the second week of the Earl Warren County Fair, Adams School needs volunteers from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Just show up and help.
Emiliano Campobello announced that on May 4, 2024, at the Granada Theatre concert pianist Bryan Tari’s will perform arrangements of the Star Wars Piano Soundtrack Medley. He might have a few tickets left, give him a call at 805-284-3419.
Joe Lanza gave a brief report on the recent ZOOM meeting he had regarding the African water wells. In attendance was Marlon the Kenya Rotarian and water well driller, Rotarian Dave Huber and a Singapore friend interested in donating toward this international project.
Opportunity Drawing
Lisa Gosdschan won 2 tickets to the Granada Theatre galactic journey with concert pianist Bryan Tari’s.
The chance to win the jack-pot, if you picked the red marble went to Cathy Calabro’s guest Teresa Shustock, but no luck this time.
Mike Bergquist had the winning ticket for The Berry Man fruit/vegetable basket, he generously gave it to Lisa Gosdschan for her CADA clients.
PROGRAM
Jim Lisi, fellow Rotarian
Jim Lisi gave a presentation on his Jewish grandfather's (Dr. Max Aber) escape from Germany in 1938 and how he had to fight for his two daughters to disembark the Hapag ship St Louis in Havanna, Cuba. Their story was one of several that was told in a book and movie called Voyage of the Damned. In order to help Dr. Aber escape Nazi persecution, his friend smuggled money to Paris for him, and the friend was put in a concentration camp for money smuggling, dying there. Dr. Aber did get to Paris, then to the United States where he posted bond to be on a five year waiting list to enter. He then went to Cuba to wait, and work to get his two daughters out of Nazi Germany. They were booked on the St Louis, and ship carrying 937 Jewish refugees and 231 crew. When the St Louis arrived in Havannah carrying his daughters, no one was allowed off because of a new Cuban law passed just days before the ship left Hamburg. Dr. Aber ended up getting help from Cuba's General Montalvo, who had his captains hold the immigration officials at gunpoint, while the two girls were taken off the ship. (Jim is available to make this presentation to other groups to commemorate the 85th anniversary of his mother's escape)
NEXT ROTARY MEETING
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - Mulligans Cafe at the Santa Barbara Golf Course.
.png)
