2024 is a Wrap for Santa Rosa Sunrise Rotary Club!
Our Final Meeting of 2024 was filled with Important Announcements, a Fond Farewell and Lots of Fun!
The slate of officers for our 2025/2026 year was introduced and confirmed.
Welcome 2025-2026 Board!!
President – Lori Rodrigues
President Elect – Mark Campbell
President Nominee – Max Childs
Treasurer – Penny Millar
Secretary/Foundation Chair – Shauna Lorenzen
Past President – Cindy Gillespie
Philanthropy Chair – Steve Herron
International Chair – John Jones
Speakers Chair – Dan Rosaschi
Public Image – Matthew Crooks
Membership Chair – Marty Behr
Service Projects – Rob Sanville
Club Admin – Katharine Anderson
Drumroll please! it was announced that Max Childs accepted his nomination for President Nominee 2027-2028. He's looking for a deputy Bulletin Editor!
We had a really fun raffle with extra holiday prizes distributed by Santa's curly-shoed helper elf, Stacy.
Then, a Holiday Trivia Game led by Mark Campbell:
Question #1. Which Country is believed to have started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree?
Question #2. What iconic holiday character first appeared in a 1939 booklet published by the department store Montgomery Ward?
Question #3. From which country did the poinsettia plant originate?
Question #4. In the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas," what is given on the seventh day?
Question #5. What is the name of the potato pancake that is traditionally prepared to celebrate Hanukkah?
Question #6. In the song "Frosty the Snowman," what makes Frosty come to life?
Question #7. What colors are the candles of Kwanzaa?
Question #8. What type of tree is the ‘Tanenbaum’ sung about in a famous Christmas carol?
Question #9. The beloved ballet The Nutcracker was first performed in what country in 1892?
Question #10. Our present-day version of Santa Claus is based on folklore traditions surrounding Saint Nicholas, a real-life Christian bishop in what modern-day country?
Tie Breaker. Eating Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas Day has been a tradition since the 1970s in what nation on the other side of the world from Kentucky?
(Answers below)
And, in the end, we said a BIG thank you and a fond farewell to Franchettis' Gasthaus. See you next year at our new venue, Chops Teen Center!
Peter Hoberg put together a beautiful speech paired with slide show of the years and a video of the entire club giving them a standing applause!
Right on que, Paul O'Rear, the videographer for the applause, had one job. Instead of video, he had his phone set to photo. Pictured above. And so, a fabulous do-over ensued.
Thank you to Chef John Franchetti and his wife Gesine!
Answers to the Holiday Trivia Game: 1) Germany, 2) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, 3) Mexico, 4) Seven Swans-a-Swimming, 5) Latke, 6) An old Silk hat, 7) Red, black and green, 8) Fir, 9) Russia, 10) Turkey, Tie Breaker) Japan.
