Copy of 3-31-15 Newsletter

We met today at the Rancho Cordova City Hall with Melody Mayer collecting the coin and Jerry Foote keeping track of attendance.

 

Steve Forseth greeted us and helped us make sure we had the correct badge.

 

After we filled our plates with fresh salad, yummy beans, pork steaks (?), pork sausage, bread, butter and cookies for desert provided by Dave and Jan.

 

Hard working Steve Forseth (he is a hard working guy) led us in the salute to the Flag of our Country.

 

John Chapman "herded" us through one of the worst versions of God Bless America that has every been sung.  Shame on us!!!

 

The Thought for the Day came from Aristotle, "“Quality is not an act, it is a habit”.

 

We had no visiting Rotarians but were impressed by the presence of Isabella, the daughter of our caterer Dave.  Thank you for helping serve us Isabella.

 

Announcements:

April 4 – Easter Egg Hunt
April 24 – April 26 – District Conference

May 9– Rotarians At Work – River Bend Park - Does anyone need a Rotary T Shirt?  See Pres. Paul

April 7 & 14 - Ross Johnson is "The Sarge"

 

Joe Scheimer had his ticket selected and, to the enjoyment of the crowd, drew a white golf ball.

 

Since Pat Braziel was unable to attend today, yours truly stood in as the Sarge and Melody Mayer collected.  To begin with, since I was ill prepared (how is that for a great excuse?) it is not easy to be the Sarge and take notes at the same time but let us proceed as if that were not the case.

 

Navin Naik volunteered that he made up in his home town Rotary Club of Gaudeui (I hope that I spelled it correctly as I only asked 3 times) in India.  Congratulations Navin!!!

 

Curt Haven volunteered (what's going on here, that's two in a row) to pay since Measure H passed and the City of Rancho Cordova is ready to do some more good for its constituents.

 

John Chapman was recognized for the pathetic version of God Bless America that we offered under his leadership.  Here's hoping we get better soon.

 

PDG Clarence Parkins paid for announcing the wrong date for the upcoming District Conference.

 

President Paul Schubert paid for a birthday.

 

Someone went to Palm Springs and paid but I did not get the name.  Shame on me.

 

Someone else was proud of their daughter and paid but there is another Shame on me for not getting the name.

 

Sean Twilla paid for not having his pin on.  Is that an inherited trait?

 

Tom Redmon and Joe Schiemer volunteered cash.

 

The acting Sarge then asked the group if anyone knew why Sarge Pat Braziel was absent today when it was her day to extract cash from the group.  It seems that Ms. Braziel was busy spending her last official day as the Chief of Staff for County Supervisor Don Nottoli clearing out her desk and receiving accolades from the her cohorts.  The Sarge then asked that all of those who believe that Pat married beneath herself, contribute to the cause.  Many dollars flowed into the kitty including some from yours truly.

 

Hard working Steve Forseth took the podium to introduce our speakers today, Kelly Thompson.  Kelly has a BA in Family and Consumer Sciences, Nutrition and Food from Sac State, a MS in Food/Sensory Science from Kansas State and a Ph D in Hospitality Administration from Kansas State.  She has conducted sensory research in Florence, Italy and participated in cultural studies in Thailand and Korea.  She also has a Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET).  When not doing other things, she teaches at Sac State.  Wow!!!

 

Kelly then proceeded to tell us that there are "no rules" when it comes to drinking wine.  You should drink what you like.  Enjoy what you like.  Try things and don't be hung up by the old "red wine with red meat and white wine with fish and poultry" thing.  If you enjoy it, it is the right thing for you.  Price is not necessarily the best indicator of quality.  Experiment and you may be surprised what you can discover

 

She also spent some time talking about various type of beer.  What they pair best with and what they do not.

 

I did not know that you could get college credit these days for doing things that other people (ahem!) had to sneak around to do in I was in college.  I am now totally a believer that things have changed over the past 50 or so years.  Whatever.

 

Thank you Kelly for spending time with us to share you knowledge and thank you Steve for arranging for her visit.

 

Kelly then signed a book to be donated to our local library.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.