Who Doesn't Like Pork Tenderloin?

As meetings go, this wasn't the worst... in fact it finished well into the top half.  The perfect meeting continued to elude us, but we were off to a good start  with Brud Dufficy warmly greeting members and guests alike at the door.  It was only when the nominated Merlin Mauk didn't show up for the Pledge, that the duty was handed off to Conrade Mayer, who, in spite of the short notice, did a fine job of it.  Ross Johnson was the named song leader and he was, coincidentally, the actual song leader.  Nice job.  The quote of the day was from the famed theologian, Rabindranath Tagore who apparently said something about service.  Well said, Rabi (as his friends call him.)  Neil Orchard was selected at random (or simply found himself in the President's field of view) to read the 4-Way Test from the screen, and except for the occasional slip of the tongue, he did a mighty fine job.

 

 

Then it was on to victuals presented by our favorite team of Jan & Dave and it was pork tenderloin with trimmings and a nice salad that tasted delicious.  

 

 

Announcement, yes there were a few:

 

     1. Don't forget to use Smile.Amazon.com for your purchases

     2. Don't forget the Foundation Seminar in Citrus Heights this Saturday

     3. Don't forget to come out for our Cards for a Cause Texas Hold 'Em fundraiser on the 26th right here in City Hall.  Tracy has tickets

     4. Don't forget the District Picnic the following day at Discovery Park for only $7 a pop

     5. Don't forget that on the 29th we will be graced by the presence of the Grand Exalted High Poobah of the Community Council, Shelley Blanchard who will talk to us about the Council (we are members, in case you didn't know)

 

About this time there was a brief kerfuffle when the President presented Neil Orchard with his own stapler, which Neil had thoughtfully (read inadvertently) donated to B&J Body Shop following the 4th of July parade prep.

 

 

 

Next came the weekly drawing and since Mike Passof had ripped off the Club the previous week, the prize re-started at $12.  Most would consider this a yawner, but when Marvelelne Weier picked Bob Adam's number from the basket, there was a palpably exciting mood circulating the room.  Bob managed to snag a white ball and the Club blood pressure returned to normal.

 

 

 

Ross MacCarty had been selected (read 'railroaded') by the regular Sarge Ross Johnson to stand in as Sarge today and even on short notice it became apparent why the guy gets called on so often.  Rising to the challenge and the podium, Sergeant Ross started off with pin and badge infractions and managed to snare Ray Wyatt and PP Sean in his net.  Next, he went back to Ray and complimented him on his 'new' hat for a coupla bucks and just as Ray was about to put away his wallet,the Sarge then nicked him for being late to the meeting.  Whew... A guy can't even break wind anymore without someone making a federal case out of it.

 

 

 The Sarge then tried to catch Gary Spainhower unawares, but Gary had just purchased a handful of Cards for a Cause tickets and made the case that he was fine-free and it stood up.  Mike Passof was then accused of repairing a Rotarian's car, but claimed ignorance (a time-honored defense amongst Rotarians) and was let off the hook.  Navin threw in a few shillings for something your reporter couldn't quite make out and then Ross Johnson contributed for his grandson, Jay, playing lacrosse at St John Vianney and having hormones.  Finally, President Brett threw down some pesos for some transgression which wasn't discernible from the back pews and that was it.  Game over.

 

 

 

With that, we got to the meat of the meeting, our guest speaker, Navin Naik, whose topic was India, his birthplace.  Since arriving in the United States back in the 70's Navin has made 10 trips back to his native country and wanted to talk to the Club about the people, culture and heritage of India.    The largest democracy in the world, India is represented by over 20 dialects.

 

 

 This diverse culture predominantly practices Hinduism, but unlike a number of other eastern cultures, it does not ask it's adherents to adopt a common theology in terms of religious practice and beliefs.  There are a multitude of Hindu sects and each is considered as  representative of the faith as any other.  All in all, it was a very enlightening  presentation and we all went away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Indian way of life.  Well done, Navin.

 

 

With that, the president released everyone on their own recognizance and Rotarians cleared the room as if the Hindenberg had just entered City Hall airspace.  Good meeting.

 

 

Rotarian Ross MacCarty will be speaking next week on a topic your reporter was unable to unearth, but is likely to be interesting nevertheless.