As last week, we got off to a pretty good start, with Greeter Navin handing out badges at the door...
Greeter Navin reporting for duty
and Treasurer Tracy manning the cash register...
"You're not going to give me Clarence's credit card again, are you?"
What a pleasant way to start a Rotary meeting. It was followed by President Brett getting everyone in line for their opening duties: Navin was called into service (again) to handle the reading of the 'Test' and then PDG Clarence led the Pledge, and then Songleader for Life Gary Spainhower led us in God Bless America. All well done. The quote for the day was from Oscar Wilde, who I believe once said, "If you bend over and touch your toes, I'll show you where the wild goose goes" or something to that effect, I forget. Maybe someone else said it...
In school, the pupils who sat up front tended to be the brown-nosers... just sayin'
Anyway, the feeding frenzy commenced and slowed only slightly when the announcement parade began. Here's a few:
1. Don't forget Smile.Amazon.com for your holiday purchases if you want to benefit your Club foundation.
2. Club Christmas Party is on the 16th at 4:00 P.M. at the Spaghetti Factory and the optional part, other than showing up, is whether you want to participate in the White Elephant gift exchange. Do participate...
3. Last Friday, a number of our members helped intoxicate City Hall staffers at their annual holiday party and we netted about $900 in the effort! Well done!!!
4, Too late now, but dictionary labeling took place later in the day at B&J Body Shop and dictionaries are now ready for pickup.
5. January 3 sees R.I. President Ian Risely speaking in San Jose
There was probably more, but your reporter began nodding off and by the rules and standards of journalism, didn't want to begin reporting fake news. However, about this time PP Sean Twilla arose to announce the slate of officers for next year's Club leadership; the names included:
President - Paul Schubert
Secretary - Tracy McLinn
Treasurer - Sharon Ewing
and after that I couldn't hear much more, but there will be an election coming soon, so be prepared.
Somewhere in the melee, the Prez found time to bring Tom Blinn forward to induct him into our august organization. Tom, a former member of the Sacramento Rotary and a Rotarian dating back to 1984 is a retired health care administrator whose single largest mistake was moving into Gold River and finding himself in close proximity to Clarence's place. Tom has had an interesting career and life and it behooves you to engage him in conversation when you can: a very interesting man, and we are delighted to have him onboard.
The Prez inducts Tom into the Club
About this time, PDG Clarence was invited to step up to report on R.I.'s Polio Plus initiative and he did a fine job of it, contrasting last years' count of 37 new cases world-wide with this year's count of only 17, with no new cases reported in Nigeria. Indeed it looks like we are this close... Then suddenly, with no warning, Clarence, who serves as the Club Foundation Chair, invited charter member Dr. Merlin Mauk forward to receive yet another (ho hum) Paul Harris award. Way to go, Merlin; your Club is proud of you.
"Oh geez, another Paul Harris???"
With that little piece of business out of the way, it was time for the weekly Ray Wyatt drawing and this week, Brud Dufficy pulled Bob Adam's number from the basket, but sadly (for Bob anyway) it was all for naught as a lonely white ball appeared in Bob's hand following the 'dipping ceremony'. The $145 now has another week to register some capital gains or interest or earnings (or whatever)...
Some people have no luck at all...
Well sir, it turned out that PP Sean Twilla was the Sarge for the Day and he was aided by bagman President Brett. There apparently being no pin infractions to report, he shot right off into Happy Dollars and a few folks ponied up: Clarence was overjoyed at Marshall playing in the New Mexico Bowl against the Colorado State Skeeters or whatever and naturally Chapman had to fork over some sad bucks for the terrible team his once vaunted Chicago Bears have become in recent years. There were some birthdays: Navin, Jerry Smuts and Pat Orelli (I think) and an anniversary: Brud Dufficy celebrating 40 years of wedded bliss. At that point things got nasty as the Sarge resorted to the old reliable backup.... the quiz. It turns out that the following folks apparently know next to nothing about the Winter OIympics: Neil Orchard, Conrade Mayer, Marvelene Weier and Bob Adam. Finally, the Sarge, in a break with long-standing tradition, nicked new member Tom Blinn on what he called 'general principles.' Then, as quickly as it had started the bloodshed ceased...
"That's Mister Crab to you, buster!"
At this point, PPPP Paul Schubert, our Crab Feed chair, got up to talk about the organization needed to pull off another successful Crab Feed this year. Crab Feed is on February 17 and some jobs still need filling, but Paul did a very nice job of outlining the requirements and lining up team leaders. This is a 100% member participation event for our Club as it is the primary fundraiser we do and it is essential that everyone pick a supporting task. There will be more as we move forward,but don't hesitate to contact Paul if there is something in particular you'd like to do. Anyway, at the conclusion of his presentation, the Prez called an end to the festivities and the room cleared as if a juice bar had just opened across the hall. Good meeting.