Special Vic Bucher Farewell GU&G Edition!
Posted by Meaghan Likes
on Oct 23, 2015
Weekly News & Views for the last time (sniff sniff) by: Vic Bucher
Photographs by: Jim Belenis
Good day, fellow Rotarians. Here be the notes from the Club meeting on October 23rd. President Gary Johns opened the meeting traditionally. The call 
for visiting Rotarians was answered by George Warner introducing Mike who practices medicine in the Amazon (would have liked to hear more about that) and Meaghan Likes introduced Susan Wilcox of the Davis Sunset Club.
for visiting Rotarians was answered by George Warner introducing Mike who practices medicine in the Amazon (would have liked to hear more about that) and Meaghan Likes introduced Susan Wilcox of the Davis Sunset Club. Visitors who are “close” to Rotarians were introduced. Will Portello introduced his daughters Audrey Portello and Ava Portello and Dr. David Copp introduced is wife, Marina Oshana. Mack Walker arose to announce that the Progress Ranch work days would be Thursday, November 5th and Saturday, November 7th. Chuck Snipes invited everyone to a Georgia Bulldogs v University of Florida party at Dr. Jack Latow’s house in Woodland (550 Walnut St.) 12:00 to 4:00 PM., on Saturday, October 31st. Wear something Orange, like your Halloween pumpkin outfit. Nathalie Minya Mukome arose to ask Club members to help out her TESE Foundation assisting Ugandan girls with issues of hygiene. The plan is to start this year with underwear and next year with feminine hygiene products. She will be leaving for Uganda on December 6th, and asks that you assist with this mission by purchasing new girl’s underwear and getting them to Nathalie by the end of November. I suppose that we “old guys” should just get a JCPenney gift card and let Nathalie do the shopping, eh?
Dave Heard arose to report on the Oktoberfest for 2015. This year was a bit of a BETA for the future, and some of the ideas just didn’t work. The “fest bucks” seemed to be confusing to attendees, and there was some astonishment that the ticket price did not include a dinner. That will change, eh? The raffle didn’t perform as planned, and the quality of prizes was the bugger there, we think. Club treasurer, Tom Read, was still working out the financial details, but we think it will net about $14K. The dinner service worked better than the buffet line of prior years, but could be improved. And the table layout seemed to work well. Finally, it was surmised that there should be more than one beer dispensary. Well, Dave, the Committee did a great planning job, and knowing what not to do next time is as valuable as knowing what to do. Great job!
Dave Heard also announced that Meaghan Likes was chosen (through acclamation) by the Oktoberfest Committee for the “Bust Your Butt” award for relentless work on all phases of planning and execution. Meaghan was awarded a $100 grant toward her Rotary Foundation annual Paul Harris. As a member and club reporter in the Club, I appreciate both Meaghan Likes, and the spontaneous recognition of her work by the Oktoberfest Committee. Hi-5, Meaghan!
Will Portello was the Sergeant of the Day. He was nicer than usual, and this reporter attributes that condition to the presence of his daughters. Happy
bucks. Dick Berry was happy for
the 49er’s win and that Michigan State beat Michigan. Dr. Jack Latow was happy that alma mater UCLA “whopped” Cal yesterday. Mack Walker was happy to have been unexpectedly hosted at Pebble Beach golf course. Mark another one off the bucket list, Mack! And Jim Belenis was happy that Ava Portello is such a gifted athlete (no complaint by Sergeant Will Portello)
Fine Time came fast and furious. All the accountants present were fined a buck apiece because Sergeant Portello didn’t get a refund? Sergeant Portello should be more prudent in these matters, as his accountant was present. Continuing with class fines, all people who live in Woodland had to cough up a buck. Irena Asmundson and Steve Short were fined a sawbuck each for not picking up their ladders from the Oktoberfest. Rea Nakanishi was called upon to be a single item authorized sergeant, and she chose to levy a global fine of a buck on all members present. Brian Sway got fined a sawbuck for being a Dodgers fan and Rose Cholewinski the same for the Cubs. Ewe! It doesn’t pay to express your preferences, eh? And finally, this club reporter was fined a sawbuck for abandoning the press room of the Get Up & Go after seventeen years at the typewriter. Both this fine, and the accountant fine, may be on a certain Sergeant’s tax preparation invoice as “out of pocket” expense.
Dr. David Copp introduced our Speaker as Anthony Hombe, who would be speaking to the Club via Skype hookup as provided through the electronic skill of Andrew Yang. Anthony worked with our Club on the Kenya Iriani School library project, in coordination with his Rotary Club. Anthony, a former banker, has been the Treasure of his Club since he joined in 1992 and was the Club President in the 2011-2012 year. The Milimani Rotary Club was chartered in 1988, and there are 33 members in the Club. The Club has many projects including scholarships, vocational mentorships, a medical camp, a sanitary towel distribution program, visitation at children homes, and a weekend school cleanup program. Fundraisers for the Club include an annual golf tournament that raises significant funds through sponsors called “Project Partners.” The Club also has a “Polio Walk” each year as a fundraiser for the Rotary Foundation Polio Project.
Questions of the Speaker came from Clay Brandow who asked how the Iriani School teachers 
were paid; Ken Firestein asked if the students had computers; Susanne Rockwell asked about the state of the soccer fields at the school; and Dr. David Copp asked what we could do to further help the Iriani School project. Anthony answered Clay’s question by saying that nine teachers were paid by the Kenyan government, and the rest were paid by parents and local communities. He answered Ken’s question by saying that the rural nature of the area prevented personal computers from being effective, but that there were computer labs in nearby cities. Anthony answered Susanne’s question with the statement that student work crews were organized on weekend to maintain the soccer fields with the additional benefit of keeping local kids from getting bored with time on their hands to otherwise get into trouble. And Anthony answered David’s question with an appeal to continue to provide books to the school library. Well, it was an interesting meeting, and the first Skype connected speaker in this reporter’s memory.
were paid; Ken Firestein asked if the students had computers; Susanne Rockwell asked about the state of the soccer fields at the school; and Dr. David Copp asked what we could do to further help the Iriani School project. Anthony answered Clay’s question by saying that nine teachers were paid by the Kenyan government, and the rest were paid by parents and local communities. He answered Ken’s question by saying that the rural nature of the area prevented personal computers from being effective, but that there were computer labs in nearby cities. Anthony answered Susanne’s question with the statement that student work crews were organized on weekend to maintain the soccer fields with the additional benefit of keeping local kids from getting bored with time on their hands to otherwise get into trouble. And Anthony answered David’s question with an appeal to continue to provide books to the school library. Well, it was an interesting meeting, and the first Skype connected speaker in this reporter’s memory. The draw of the day was won by Patsy Inoue, with the potential to win the pot of $900, but who won a free breakfast as a consolation prize.
So this is club reporter (first class) Vic Bucher signing off the GU&G for the last time (sniff sniff). It been a great run, eh? Thanks to Tom Read for sponsoring me in 1995, Dick McCapes , Bruce Wolk , Bud Harmon and Meaghan Likes for the editor mentoring. Dave Heard, Tom Cross, Vanessa Errecarte and John Youmans for being all-around-good guys, and Bev Stehli for teaching me that Rotary is first and foremost, FUN!
And, goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.