President FRANK ELMER, along with an assortment of other Famous Franks, called the meeting to order at 12:15 pm.

Rotarians stood for the Pledge of Allegiance, led by BRUCE FITZGERALD.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
On behalf of Fellowship Director MANDY BACH, ELLY WYATT offered this thought, 

“Every interaction gives us a choice: to leave someone feeling better – or not.” 

Her toddler son took that advice to heart today, befriending a child who had just started at his day care.

INTRODUCTIONS
PETE DAILEY facilitated introductions.
There were no visiting Rotarians.
PP Jerry Moison needed no introduction but stood for a loud round of applause.
JANET HARDING introduced her cousin, Lawrence Troxell.
BERNADINE FONG introduced her husband, Herbert.

NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAM
Dr. Alonso Vera will speak about: The Challenges and Opportunities of a Human Mission to Mars.

President FRANK thanked the staff of today’s Frank Talk: 

• Greeters CLAUDIA COLEMAN, KAREN GREGURAS, KATHY LERA, and LYNN WILSON ROBERTS;
• Thought of the Day ELLY WYATT;
• Cookie Monster JACK HIGGINS;
• Rotator photographer BRUCE FITZGERALD;
• Rotator writer SUSIE MIELKE;
• Rotator publisher ANNIE JU;
• Editor PP CYNTHIA LUEDTKE;
• Technical Team LEE CODDING and MIKE KERR; and
• Website and Zoom DAVID GREEN and STEVE POMEROY.

RED BADGERS
The club welcomes a bounty of wonderful Red Badgers ably led by CLAUDIA COLEMAN. They bring fresh energy, talent, and lots of fun. Please say “Hi!” to CLAY HOLSTINE, CRISTINA HOLSTINE, JACKSON WISE, ERIK WALUKIEWICZ, JOE FUSCO, MARIA SANCHEZ, TONY BLAGROVE, BENNY LOEBNER, JANE DUPERRAULT, DAVID DUPERRAULT, DONNA ANTOSIAK, and AMRI SHAPURI. President FRANK thanked CLAUDIA for the great job she is doing.

BASTILLE DAY
LINA BROYDO spoke about France’s annual Bastille Day celebration two days ago. It honored Ukrainians by making them the focal point of the parade. A contingent of 25 Ukrainian service members marched alongside allied forces while a Mirage fighter jet painted in Ukrainian colors flew over Paris. LINA thanked Rotarians who hosted Ukrainian delegations.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
President FRANK shared the incredible experience he and 13 other Los Altos Rotarians had at the Rotary International Convention in Taipei last month. More than 35,000 Rotarians from over 200 countries gathered. Although projects differed from country to country, the needs are remarkably similar. Taipei was an outstanding host city. SHIRLEY FLEGEL proudly showed off her hometown, including a memorable eight-hour walk.

SUSIE MIELKE passed along a heartfelt “Thank You” from the three RYLA campers sponsored by the club. They learned a lot about themselves and developed new leadership skills.  One has an interest in working with our club to start an Interact Club, so look forward to hearing more about that.

President FRANK announced the Rotary Collaborative Impact Summit on September 19th, organized by DG Geeta Kadambi. It turns out, FRANK learned on his trip to Taipei, DG Geeta understandably prefers talking to First Lady SHARI, not President FRANK.

SHARI gave an update on the Los Altos Rotary Intergenerational Volunteer Adventure. Dates have been moved to April 3-11, 2027, to coincide with spring break. Children 6+ are welcome. Hands-on project work in the morning will be followed by afternoon sightseeing. It is not necessary to bring a child to participate.

CAROL DABB shared the great news that every booth at Fine Art in the Park has been sold! She advised Rotarians to wear their Rotary shirts whenever they are in the park so artists and visitors can ask questions. CAROL asked that we all walk the park and not hang out at the Info Booth, as fun as that is. Finally, everyone should plan on buying art, lots of art.

A delightful Wine & Cheese is scheduled for July 24^th from 5:30 – 8:30 pm at PP CHUCK and Ilona LINDAUR’s house. Bring a dish to share and a bottle of your favorite wine.

RECOGNITION
PP CRYSTA KRAMES returned to the podium for an “Invest in FRANK”-themed fining. She commented that President FRANK is one of the calmest, most thoughtful people she knows. We’ll see if PP CRYSTA still says that at the end of President FRANK’S term.

• LINDSAY CARPENTER celebrates her 60^th anniversary with her husband, Craig, at 4 pm today.
• PP CHUCK LINDAUER is relieved and happy that his grandchild is well after being caught with other campers in wildfires on the Minnesota-Canada border. Campers sheltered near a lake, wore masks, and jumped in the lake to escape embers.
• LIZ NYBERG is taking her two daughters to Iceland.
• BROOKE SCHILLER said that today is the last day to pre-order the very first Fine Art in the Park t-shirt.
• CLARI NOLET was delighted with the three interns hired by GreenTown, who worked on the lithium-ion battery recycling website and video.
• KRIS OLSON announced Club 55 tomorrow, 6-8:30 pm at the Community Center.
• DR. GREG DABB started his business 25 years ago.
• CAROL DABB related the explosive story of GREG’S birth 56 years ago.
• SHIRLEY FLEGEL was happy to host LARC in Taipei and joined the President’s Club.
• JOHN MCBIRNEY thanked President FRANK and PP CRYSTA for their hard work, kindness, and humor, and joined the President’s Club twice over.
• First Lady SHARI said she would join the President’s Club if President FRANK knew the name of this year’s RI president from Nigeria. President FRANK will get back to us on that.  Further questions to come…..
• PP HARRY PRICE said President FRANK taught him that the phrase, “Harry, what now?” is a term of endearment.
• Numerous Rotarians described the many ways President FRANK has helped them, including PETE DAILEY, ALEX GLEW, PP MARLENE COWAN, PP Jerry Moison, who wants President FRANK’S shirt from the Taipei convention, ERIK WALUKIEWICZ, ROYCE CABLAYAN, PEN JOE EYRE, KURT HUEG, and JEAN MORDO.
• PP MEL KAHN volunteered because he thought we all looked forward to a new president.

FEATURED PROGRAM: 1776 - PROS AND CONS AND ITS GLOBAL IMPACT

BERNADINE FONG introduced today’s speaker, Bob Pierce. BERNADINE met Bob over 50 years ago when they started Foothill College. She mentioned that Bob paid for a year of grad school with his winnings from two successful rounds of Jeopardy.

Bob pointed out that not all of Britain’s North American colonies signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Only half did. The colonies in what are now called the Caribbean and Canada did not join.

The American Revolution was led by wealthy men and fought by average farmers and working-class men. It was not supported by most people. About one-third were patriots or radicals. Another one-third supported the Crown. The final third was weary of conflict. Most men and women living in the North American colonies supported Britain.

In Bob’s view, Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin were the most important figures in the American Revolution. Washington’s steady hand in battle and willingness to lead were very important to our national creation. While Jefferson had little involvement in the war, his graceful prose in the Constitution was indispensable. Bob argued that Franklin was the most essential hero. He had the vision that birth and social class would not determine who could succeed in the new nation. This vision was constant throughout his life.

President FRANK presented a book titled “Red, White, Blue, and Uncle Who?”  which will be given to a local school in Bob’s honor.  He ended with “I believe our best days are ahead of us. Go out and make a lasting Impact”.