The Crab Feed.... It's Over?

We needed one of those Federal Census workers today: we had scads of members, guests, visitors and even a few wild dogs (and you know who you are...)  Packed house, good food, better conversation... isn't that why you joined?  In any event, 'twas President Brud's swan song as President of the Month for February and your poor reporter believes it was a pretty good month, crab feed and all.  Today's meeting got off to a good start with Neil Orchard greeting, Neil Orchard leading the pledge and songmaster Gary Spainhower doing his usual vibrant job of leading us in song.  The quote of the week was from Mark Twain, who, had he thought about it, would probably have opined, "Whoever said diamonds are a girl's best friend... never owned a dog."

 

 

 

 

At this point came the customary introductions and we had a bunch: introduced for the last time as a visiting Rotarian, Jennifer Chiappone was outed by PDG Clarence Parkins; Lorianne Ulm, Community Engagement Manager for Rancho was introduced by Ross Johnson; Becky Harvey was shown off by Merlin Mauk; Mason Beasley, the outreach manager for Somerset Assisted Living and a Lincoln Rotarian, was introduced by Treasurer Tracy as well as visitor Ryan Golze, the Grand Exalted High Poobah for Somerset. 

 

 

Good crowd and the visitors brought the overall quality of the room up by more than a notch.

 

 

Next thing you know, everyone was gobbling down some swell soup and fresh bread.  Naturally it wasn't long before President Brud interrupted what was a pleasant interlude by rattling off some announcements.  Here's a couple:

 

1. According to Treasurer Tracy it looks like we made about $15 grand at the crab feed.  Final tally due out before long.

 

2, Speech contest - temporarily on hold while we sort out the contestant issue.

 

3. Texas Hold 'Em - we're looking for a trail boss.... see Brud and bring a pardner with ya

 

 

4. Charter Night - final date will be released shortly

 

5. Easter Egg Hunt at Hagan Park - we'll be hiding eggs the Saturday morning before Easter.  Mark your calendar.

 

6. The Rancho Cordova Golf Classic is on May 5 and we are participants, so dust off your clubs or your excuses

 

7. District Conference is May 15 - 18 at Hyatt North Shore.  This is a hoot set in a gorgeous setting... you must go...

 

There was probably more, but Clark Kent dropped his pencil and missed it.  

 

At this point we got to enjoy one of those most pleasant events that have been populating our year.  PDG Clarence got up and asked Jennifer Chiappone to come to the front of the room and he performed Jennifer's induction into the Club.  When he finished bloviating, Jennifer gave us some of her background and then in a new twist, Clarence asked each member to come up and congratulate her, which seemed like a good idea worth repeating in the future.  Welcome Jennifer...

 

 

The weekly golf ball drawing was next and Treasurer Tracy asked lame duck President Brud to pick the lucky ticket, which turned out to be Clarence's.  Representing his cartel, Clarence made a good effort but came up with a crappy looking white ball and so the $149 purse went a-wanting for yet another week.  Dang...

 

 

With that, it was time for the Sarge and this time Sergeant Sean rose to the occasion and opened with the standard pin and badge infraction question.  Oddly it was Pat Orelli who fessed to being pinless during the week.  Following Pat, Ross Johnson pitched in for the fine Olympics we all recently enjoyed.  Bob Adam then noted that he had just gotten a new roof on his place just a day before last week's sudden rain, so he paid. 

 

 

When Gary Spainhower paid for missing the volunteer 'event' at the Carmichael Crab Feed, it reminded several back-biting Rotarians that they had missed seeing your poor editor at the same event, so naturally he paid.  Mike Passof got the nod for missing our own crab feed and then Tom Blinn fessed up to some issue with the silent auction and, quick as a wink, the bloodletting was over.

 

 

Before anyone could adjust their shorts, Ross MacCarty got up to warn everyone that federal pressure on lenders, just passed in Washington, DC, was going to result in rising interest rates and so now might be a good time to refi, if you've been putting it off.  That's your economics lesson for the day.

 

 

As the introduction of our guest speaker was gathering steam, someone suggested that he pay for the privilege, so Walt Little from the Cordova Food Locker got up and gave us a gander at the $1500 check presented to the Food Locker that enabled it to purchase a badly needed refrigerator at a big markdown.  It was indeed a big check, estimated to be at least 24 by 48 inches and only a few of us could have accommodated it in our wallets, let alone presented it to our bank without laughing.... Just sayin'...

 

 

With that little bit of business out of the way, it was time for Ross Johnson to formally introduce Walt, who is a long-time friend of our Club and previous speaker.  Walt went into the history of the Food Locker and congratulated the Club on it partnership in support of the food program.  He talked about the two main challenges the Locker faces every year: $ and people.  He noted that they recently passed the 6 million mark in meals delivered to needy residents, a number which surprised a number of folks in the room.

 

 

  He noted under intense questioning that the Locker hands out meals and food at Thanksgiving and Christmas to approximately 1200 to 1500 people per day, which results in 5000 to 6000 Cordovans getting nutrition assistance during the holidays.  I hope we all feel blessed and thankful for the opportunity to serve our needy brethren in  the community and proud of the effort the Rotary Club has rendered in support.

 

 

  Nevertheless, as all good things come to an end, it was President Brud's final act to thank Walt with the book and the room cleared as if the Titanic had just anchored in the parking lot.  Good meeting and good job, President Brud.