The Greatest Rotary Club in the World: Santa Clara, California
The Big, Live Return: May 20, 2021
Mike Sellers, President, but fading fast
Bob Ricks, Always Humble Scribe..also fading fast
PP Rod “hang em High” Stafford was freshly back from either Bora Bora, Paw Paw, Michigan or Moosehead, Montana and led us in the Pledge. All stood as we were all live and in the flesh. Most knew the words. Rod had his memorized.
Inspiration: PP Lorenzo Rios led us in the Shout Out and the Inspiration. He made a grateful thanks for the United States of America……the greatest country in the world. Lorenzo also made note of 2020, the two things gone bad and the hope that America can overcome both. He felt strongly that the USA would survive……..
We are Live! President Mike led off the meeting by announcing that this was the first meeting TGRCITW had conducted fully live since sometime around March 20, 2020. The newer members were busy settling up bets on how tall Mike was in person. Mike then welcomed back all the 55+ members and guests in attendance…..even the ones still at the bar when he rang the bell.
A few notable guests were in the audience:
This slide was played just to warn anyone planning a move to Arizona to be prepared. Change happens fast! Plus, Joe used the photo on the right to run for Membership Chair and Assistant Governor in Arizona and won. The Arizona team likes em rough around the edges, not smooth as silk like Keech. ……..Joe still denies any knowledge of the location of the Bake Bacon Bell.
Heath Hanich brought a special guest for all to meet…..his daughter Hope….an appropriate name for being born in 2020.
All in all, President Mike had a good time going through the audience and recognizing all the longtime members and guests. It was good to be LIVE again!
PPFAD John Bertolotti was somewhere in Hawaii trying to buy King Kamalehaleau’s old Rolls Royce and could not join us on his birthday. We were prepared to sing. John was trying to figure out the shipping cost on another car.
Dan and Julie Winter planned their birthdays very well. Sure makes it unlikely either will forget the other.
Don “knows Buffet” Skinner and Jenna celebrated their 36th anniversary on May 19. Don responded that he was just glad to be here after the year he had. He has not responded to Warren Buffet’s calls regarding Don’s recommendation of Bitcoin.
President Mike and Denise will be celebrating 6 years on May 23. Denise was on Zoom to ensure he got this on the agenda. Congratulations to all!
Thomas Silva at 2 years and Ann Watts at 6 years are still celebrating their membership in the Club. Thanks to both of you for your contributions.
We were all pleased to see PP Larry Fargher at today’s meeting. He is one of the stalwarts in this club. Welcome back, Larry, and thanks to Lois for getting him here.
PP Mike Moul can now do parts of the shuffle, but still no Hokey Pokey. He was still absent from the live meeting and in recovery mode for his recent meniscus surgery.
PP Dan Holder reported that Anna is spending time with her sister and the cancer is progressing. It does not look good for the future. Please keep the Holder’s in your prayers during this difficult time.
Denise Sellers sister, Darlene, is having surgery on Friday and we all wish her a speedy recovery.
PE Bill Kelly reported on the just completed BOOK PLUS effort at Scott Lane School. Volunteers PP Andy Ratermann, Don Skinner, Ed Bouwhuis, Mike Sellers and Stella Kemp helped him on the big day. We got the books delivered to some excited kids. They have some great reading ahead this summer. Andy was seen slipping a spare copy of a Nancy Drew mystery in his briefcase for a summer vacation………
Future Meetings:
May 27 and June 3 will be a hybrid meeting at the Elks Club. This means you can attend live but can also Zoom if you are still staying out of the public.
June 10 will be the PPBBQ and President Mike’s debunking at the Elks Club. This one is LIVE!
June 17 will be the car show at John Bertolotti’s warehouse. This is a must see event. No Zoom will be provided and there are no photos allowed at the event.
June 24 will be the last meeting for President Mike as PE Bill Kelly takes over. Miles Barber will still retain the title as the FINE KING of all Rotary and President Mike will surely finish as most lenient………but there were a few exceptions:
It pleased all members to learn that PP Dan Holder, now Permanent Club Secretary of State and Local TV personality, received a $200 fine for the above comment. 
Dan has been on TV over 20 times since Covid started. This is right behind Dr. Fauci but ahead of Gavin Newsom. That alone is worth $200. Dan has turned down an opportunity to be a YouTube influencer as well as the Sunday host of NBC Bay Area News. He seriously considered taking one of them as he needed the extra cash to pay off all his Santa Clara County fines levied on his restaurant during Covid.
Dan received a light fine due to his work with Steps for Success and being able to wear women’s shoes while in a police uniform. He and wife Julie were at their cabin recovering from another tough week at Intel. Dan had the club sing Happy Birthday to Julie which cost him $200.
PP Phil Auger may never live these two photos down. He was recognized as the Charter Member of the Bake Bacon Award. Poor ole Bake is still somewhere wondering where his Bell went. Sweeney still ain’t talking. Joe has requested we name the new bell SWEENEY MEMORIAL BELL, but the discussion is still stuck in committee. Phil misplaced his original Bake Bacon pin and decided to get a new one by generously donating $1,000 to the SC Foundation.
Special Note: PP Bob Buchser and PP Phil Auger were the only two Rotarians to make all of the Tuesday Happy Hours during Mike’s presidency. This does not mean that they stayed awake the entire time, but their computer was working.
All in all, it was great to see all the members in person again and back to being TGRCITW. President Mike signed off at this time for more fellowship and good times together.
Lorenzo Rios was in a corner trying to explain his inspiration to a few members…………
See you next week.