6-2-15 Newsletter

We met today at the Rancho Cordova City Hall.

 

Pat Orelli greeted us on the way in while Beth Walter made our wallets, purses and check books lighter and Jerry Foote recorded who attended.

 

President Paul Schubert called the meeting to order and asked Joe Scheimer to lead us in the Salute to the Flag of our County and the singing of God Bless America.

 

Lunch today was provided by Jan and Rosa who was substituting for Dave.  It consisted of bread and butter, fresh green salad, pasta pomadoro, steamed vegetables, chicken and sweet fresh watermelon for desert.

 

The Thought for the Day was provided by Mother Teresa, “If you judge people, you have not time to love them.”

 

We had no guests today but we did have one visiting Rotarian.  Oh, maybe not a visitor, just a member who has been missing for a while, Conrade Mayer.  Good to see you back.

 

PDG Clarence Parkins reported on the District 5180 2013/14 budget status.  Seems that PDG Bill Short did such a great job of managing his year, he ended with a surplus and refunded that surplus to the clubs in the District.  Our share was $361.00.  Good Job and Thank you PDG Bill.

 

PDG Clarence mentioned the fact that we had received a letter of thanks from Brenda Hagan, daughter of our late member Dayo Hagan.

 

Conrade Mayer let us know that Interact at Cordova High is recovering and on the upswing.  There are new leaders being put in place at the school and things are looking up.

 

PDG Clarence Parkins, as our Foundation Chair, took the floor to present a Paul Harris Fellowship to John Chapman.  John, both a Past President and our Incoming President, is now a Paul Harris Fellow + 8.  Congratulations and thank you John!!!

 

PDG Clarence then reported that there have been only 26 new cases of polio, reported worldwide this year.  This figure is ½ of the number of cases reported last year.  Good Job Rotary!!!

 

Pat Braziel reminded everyone that this coming Sunday, 6-6-15, is Rotary Day at the Rivercats.  Some generous contributions, by our local Rotarians, will provide the opportunity for 11 Cordova High Interacts students and 16 needy children from the Sacramento Children’s Receiving Home to see a River Cats baseball game.  Good Job all of you who purchased those tickets for needy kids and Interactors!!!

 

John Chapman distributed some letters from local students at Cordova Meadows school, thanking us for our support in their participation with B Street Theater. It is nice to know that what we do is appreciated.  John also expressed appreciation for the recent joint Board Meeting (President Paul’s Board and Incoming President John’s Board).  We should have a good passing of the baton again this year.

 

Navin Naik had his ticket drawn and the crowd cheered as he drew a white golf ball and the pot grew.

 

Yours truly advanced to the microphone to extract some funding from the group so that we can continue the good work that we have been doing for many years. 

 

Bagman Joe Scheimer assisted and was immediately recognized for something.  Since I wasn’t taking note, I can’t remember what it was for, but he contributed, so thank you Joe.

 

Melody Mayer “almost” contributed for her Birthday on 6-10.  See below.

 

The following folks contributed for their June Anniversary Dates:

 

6-5      Chase Armer and Karen – 11 years

6-8      Joe Scheimer and Marie – 41 years

6-18    Dr. Bob Adam and Dona – 55 years

6-25    Pat Orelli and Carole – 49 years

6-25    Jerry Smutz and Barbara - $100.00 for 60 years

 

Congratulations to all of you!!!!

 

Jerry Foote paid for a trip to Oklahoma City and being caught up in their flash floods.

 

Conrade Mayer was recognized for being in attendance and for, well, being Conrade Mayer.  Once again, welcome back.  He volunteered that he is going to RYLA Camp again this year for a week.  Good Job Conrade.

 

Beth Walter was asked, as a regular contributor, if she wanted to throw in some cash into the coffers and she volunteered some “Happy Bucks” for relinquishing the Treasurer’s job and for the fact that her job and in arranging the Demotion Party for President Paul is almost over.

 

Pat Orelli paid for becoming our Treasurer and for his Anniversary.

 

Pat Murphy volunteered that her grandson just celebrated his 6^th birthday with her homemade spaghetti and she had some cash left over after buying him presents.

 

Make Passof talked about his son’s high school graduation and coughed up some cash.

 

Joe Scheimer contributed $100.00 to Polio Plus for a trip to Las Vegas.  He must have won big time.  Thank you, Joe!!!

 

Melody Mayer was recognized her trip to Las Vegas but begged off paying saying that the trip broke her bank.  She promised to pay up next week.

 

Shawn Twilla paid for “relaxing”.  Congratulations Shawn.

 

Neil Orchard was proud of his grandson graduating from the 8th in Redding where he and Rosalie were headed after the meeting.

 

PDG Sam Anderson and Pat Braziel regaled (he did the talking) the group with their trip to Gothenburg, Nebraska, as the RI President’s Rep, to the District 5630 Conference.  Pat then reminded PDG Sam that had rambled on too long so they threw a Taka Hara into the pot.

 

Our speaker today was none other than our very own Dr. Merlin Mauk, he of the white hair and charter member status in the Rotary Club of Rancho Cordova.  Dr. Mauk took a trip to Cuba arranged by the California Auto Museum where the good Doctor contributes many hours.  Using Power Point, he showed us what Cubs looks like today.

 

It seems that there are many “mature” cars in Cuba and Merlin showed us pictures of some of them.  It also seems that most of our membership, yours truly included, took mild offense at the suggestion that these vehicles could be considered “mature”.

 

Dr. Mauk commented on the “fantastic food” that they enjoyed.  There was lobster to the point that the good doctor finally asked for some lamb.  On the other hand, the food available to the general population was not so great.  There was an overall shortage of food with rice, beans and chicken being the dish of the majority.

 

One of the most asked questions of Dr. Mauk upon his return was whether or not he was afraid at any time.  His general feeling was not one of fear but one of amusement.  When it was announced that President Obama had lifted the US embargo on Cuba, there were major celebrations.  One of the most remarkable celebrations was a group from Venezuela who marched and sang through the hotel where Merlin was staying.  He mentioned how customs was very good in both Havana and in Miami.

 

He said that there were no “classes” on Cuban planes.  Although there were only 2 seats in each row in the front of the plane, there were not referred to as “first class”.  He also said that the President of the airline was at the gate taking tickets.  No further comment needed.

 

In Cuba, the government owns all of the alcohol, tobacco and coffee.  If you are going to profit from a business in Cuba, that is the way to go.

 

80% of the populations of Cuba do not have cars.  As a result, the cars on road are very crowded.

 

He visited a cigar factory where all of the workers were female.  While they are rolling cigars, another lady reads to them, all day.  For that, they make $41.00 a week and 4 free cigars.  The cigars that they make sell from $1.00 to as much as $43.00 a piece.

 

Thank you, Dr.Mauk for a very interesting and informative presentation.

 

President Paul asked Dr. Mauk to sign a book to be donated to a local library.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

The following members of the Rotary Club of Rancho Cordova have become Sustaining Paul Harris Fellows in The Rotary Foundation this year and are hereby recognized for their contribution.

Congratulations to all of the above.  Please join this group as soon as you can.  You can go online to Rotary International and use your credit card or you can contact PDG and Foundation Chair Clarence Parkins who will take your cash, check, credit card.  With a VISA card and about $87.00 a month, you too can become a Paul Harris Sustaining Member.

 

Do it now and you will feel better about yourself and everything else in your life.

 

 

In ancient Greece, tossing an apple to a girl was a traditional proposal of marriage. Catching it meant she accepted.