Eric Goodman Presents His Newest Book, "Mother of Bourbon: The Greatest American Whiskey Story Never Told"
Our speaker for May 1, 2025, was Eric Goodman, a former educator and author of seven previous novels. Eric was educated at Stanford and Yale and directed the creative writing program at Miami University for many years. He is also the author of “Curveball,” published in 2024. Eric’s topic was the story behind his latest book, “Mother of Bourbon: The Greatest American Whiskey Story Never Told.”
Mother of Bourbon is the story of Mary Dowling, the daughter of impoverished Irish immigrants, who became one of the most important forces driving the development of Bourbon whiskey. Bourbon is an exclusively American drink and 95% of it is made in Kentucky. Mary married another Irish immigrant, John Dowling, in 1874, when she was only 15 and John was in his early 30’s. John worked in various jobs, including making whiskey barrels. He and Mary started investing in distilleries and eventually became sole proprietors of Waterfill and Frazier in Tyrone, Kentucky. By the turn of the century, the family owned one of the largest distilleries in Kentucky. However, when John had a major stroke, and later died, Mary was unable to secure financing, since the banks did not want to lend to women who, they thought, had no business experience. Mary was also the victim of the rampant anti-Irish and anti-Catholic discrimination during those years. And, when Prohibition came into effect, her business, which had continued to prosper despite the adversity, was nearly destroyed.
The book also tells the story of the bootlegging charges made against her and the consequent trial, appeals to the Supreme Court, and of the disastrous confiscation of 5,000 bottles of her whiskey by the authorities. One of Mary’s solutions to these problems, including the prohibition problem, was opening up a distillery in Juarez, Mexico, just across the border from El Paso, Texas. Mary Dowling was a pioneer, visionary, courageous, and determined woman who prevailed against a system that was designed to suppress people like her.
Thank you, Eric, for the fascinating introduction into the world of Kentucky Bourbon whiskey and the enterprising and determined woman who was one of its prime movers.
On a regular basis, our resident photo pro Warren Smith, submits pictures of what is going on at the weekly meetings. You can always find the most recent pictures at the websites photo journal called "Meeting Sighting" Please note that all the meeting photos for the entire Rotary year are at this location with the most recent on the last page.
Thanks for all the great pictures Warren!Link to Meeting Sightings. The most recent are on the last page!
During last Friday's Spring Concert, Director Efrain Nava recognized the Lobo Band members soon to be graduating. These musicians during their Covid challenged tenure garnered county-wide renown for their music, showmanship and progressive pride in performance DRIVE to excel!
During their run, these students persisted in their dream of performing preeminence. The consistent favorite ensemble at the annual Kiwanis-Rotary Veterans Tribute Luncheon, they have been receiving accolades for appearance in Healdsburg, Petaluma and Santa Rosa's resumed Rose Parade and winning competition, the Band will perform in Disneyland on June 11!
Among the above honorees is Interact Officer Pedro Mendez, (third R from Director Nava) Band Tubist!
No matter how long we’ve been with Rotary, we all benefit from the energy and fresh perspectives of our young leaders. It is my privilege to place this month’s presidential message in the capable hands of one young leader, Vitor Joventino. In his column, Vitor reminds us how teamwork and inclusivity can spark transformative change. As you read his message, I encourage you to reflect on its insights, share in his excitement, and embrace new opportunities to learn. — Stephanie Urchick
I remember the exact moment when I realized the power of Rotary’s youth programs. It was a Saturday morning in Australia during my year as a Rotary Youth Exchange student. I stood among a group of young leaders at a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards event. The organizers challenged us to stand on a large tarp spread across the floor and, without stepping off, find a way to fold it in half.
At first, the task seemed simple. But as we moved, strategized, and adjusted, the reality set in — it required teamwork, agility, and constant communication.
Rotaractors and Rotarians guided us, but no one dictated how to succeed. The decisions were ours to make. And then something remarkable happened. Without being instructed, we collectively decided that no one would be left behind as our space on the tarp shrank.
One of our teammates was a person who uses a wheelchair, giving us an opportunity to adapt, ensuring that he was fully part of the experience. We shifted, lifted the tarp, and reconfigured our positions, using our time to think, plan, and act as a team. In the end, we successfully completed the challenge together.
As we celebrated our success, one participant said, “Society works the same way — challenges will come, but instead of leaving people behind, we must find ways to include everyone.” It was such a profound thought for someone so young, yet it perfectly captured the essence of our experience.
Interact empowers young people to create service projects with real and lasting impact. Youth Exchange builds global citizens who return home with broader perspectives and stronger leadership skills. RYLA develops young leaders equipped to inspire and mobilize others. All of this is The Magic of Rotary, emerging through the actions of youth. These programs are the heart of Rotary’s ability to grow and adapt in a changing world.
But the success of these programs depends on more than young leaders — it requires Rotary members who believe in their potential. I encourage you to sponsor an Interact club, host an exchange student, and support a RYLA participant. Your involvement does more than sustain these programs; it multiplies their impact and ensures that young leaders are not just beneficiaries of Rotary but active contributors.
To those already supporting youth programs, thank you. Your mentorship and commitment make all the difference. And to those considering getting involved, now is the time! Because youth leadership isn’t just Rotary’s future, it’s Rotary’s present.
VITOR JOVENTINO Rotaract Club of Penápolis, Brazil
You can find all prior "RI President's Messages" at this LINK
There are moments in our journey to end polio when doubt and uncertainty may take hold, yet we must remain steadfast and, above all, hopeful as we keep our eyes on the goal. As Winston Churchill once said in a moment of crisis: “We cannot afford — we have no right — to look back. We must look forward.”
In Rotary, we always rise to meet the moment. No challenge is too great. In 1988, when we partnered with the World Health Organization to form the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, an estimated 350,000 polio cases occurred annually across 125 countries. Since then, the GPEI — which also includes UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Gates Foundation, and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance — has worked tirelessly with governments worldwide. Together, we have reduced wild poliovirus cases by 99.9 percent.
The journey has not been without challenges. Today in Afghanistan, vaccinators are prohibited from conducting house-to-house immunization campaigns, while in Pakistan, conflict, terrorism, and migration hinder access to children in certain regions.
Earlier this year, the United States announced its intention to withdraw from the WHO, froze USAID funding, and restricted interactions with the CDC. These developments present obstacles for our polio eradication efforts and other Rotary global partnerships and programs.
Yet we rise to meet the moment, just as we have done before. We did so in India when we faced spikes in cases before the country was declared free of wild poliovirus in 2014. In Nigeria, we also encountered obstacles, but in 2020, WHO certified the country — and by extension, all 47 countries in the WHO Africa region — wild polio-free..
We are meeting the moment once again in 2025. Know that Rotary is working behind the scenes, collaborating with governments, international agencies, and partners to address challenges, manage disruptions, and explore alternative funding. As a nonpolitical organization, we remain focused on operational solutions while serving communities and protecting public health.
My wife, Gay, and I have witnessed firsthand the urgent need of the moment in India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, where we administered vaccines to children. Looking into their eyes, I saw the future we are fighting for — and the responsibility we carry to finish the job.
The winds of change may shift, but with your help, Rotary’s commitment to eradicating polio will stand strong until our mission is complete.
You can find all prior "Messages from the Foundation Trustee Chair" at this LINK
Inspired by the American flags placed beside headstones at military cemeteries, Rick Clark asked officials at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego if Rotary clubs could similarly pay tribute to service members interred there. Clark, a past president of the Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle, is a Vietnam veteran who served as a Seabee, as members of the U.S. Navy’s construction battalions are called. He enlisted District 5340 leaders to recruit 400 volunteers to participate in the project, dubbed 2024 Operation Flags for Vets. “It was a powerful event that impacted so many people, including countless survivors who expressed their gratitude,” says another organizer, Michael Fuqua, a member of the Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo and a retired naval captain. The district plans to repeat the event this Memorial Day. The initiative is supported by a new district committee formed to coordinate projects related to military members and veterans. The committee helped raise about $14,000.
Mexico
Dogs, cats, rabbits, and other pets took center stage during a Blessing of the Animals event co-organized by the Rotary Club of Tehuacán Granadas in Puebla state in January. “Around 1,000 pets and approximately 3,000 people attended the event this year,” reports Paola Ortiz Gómez, president of the club, which partnered with TAC Una Protección al Entorno A.C., a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of animals. Since 2022, the club has organized and promoted the special Mass. “We all believe that by fostering a culture of respect for nonhuman life, it teaches us to respect human life as well,” she says. “It fills us with satisfaction to see that entire families attend and not only receive a blessing for their pet but at the same time receive veterinary care,” learn about animal adoptions, and donate to the care of homeless animals.
This story originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of Rotary magazine.
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Inspired by the American flags placed beside headstones at military cemeteries, Rick Clark asked officials at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego if Rotary clubs could similarly pay tribute to service members interred there. Clark, a past president of the Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle, is a Vietnam veteran who served as a Seabee, as members of the U.S. Navy’s construction battalions are called. He enlisted District 5340 leaders to recruit 400 volunteers to participate in the project, dubbed 
Dogs, cats, rabbits, and other pets took center stage during a Blessing of the Animals event co-organized by the Rotary Club of Tehuacán Granadas in Puebla state in January. “Around 1,000 pets and approximately 3,000 people attended the event this year,” reports Paola Ortiz Gómez, president of the club, which partnered with TAC Una Protección al Entorno A.C., a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of animals. Since 2022, the club has organized and promoted the special Mass. “We all believe that by fostering a culture of respect for nonhuman life, it teaches us to respect human life as well,” she says. “It fills us with satisfaction to see that entire families attend and not only receive a blessing for their pet but at the same time receive veterinary care,” learn about animal adoptions, and donate to the care of homeless animals.