DIGITAL EDITION   No. 55     December 4, 2013     EDITOR:  John Poremba     PHOTOGRAPHER: Diane Moresi

Our Program For December 11th

CHEF GERARD GIUDICE

This week, we will have the privilege of having Gerard Giudice, President of The Big Tomato, Inc. and owner of Sally Tomatoes Bar and Cafe come to our club to share his favorite holiday recipes. In addition to being a celebrity chef, Gerard is the current President of the Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati.

PLEASE NOTE: Our Poinsettia Project will occur AFTER the meeting. We will be selling poinsettias several weeks prior to Dec. 11th. The delivery of Poinsettias to the Flamingo will be on Dec. 11th so Rotarians can pick theirs up. After the meeting we will deliver them to the elderly at the Vigil Light Apartments and have a party with them. Please see the calendar for more information.

 

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

December 18: Family Trivia
December 25 & January 1: Club is dark to observe the holidays

USEFUL LINKS

Visit our district at: http://www.rotary5130.org
Check out Rotary International at: http://www.rotary.org
Come see us at: http://rotarymeansbusiness.com

OPENING CEREMONIES

President Peggy called the meeting to order and Gary Vice led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. Vickie Hardcastle shared the following good thoughts: [list style=”arrow” color=”blue” el_position=”first last”]

• We don’t have to change friends, we understand that friends change.
• No matter how good a friend, they are going to hurt you every once in awhile and you must forgive them for this.
• Friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance, the same goes for true love.
• It isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others, sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
• Two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different.
• Even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
• The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything;  they just make the most of everything they have.

[/list]

VISITING ROTARIANS

Carolyn Ivancovich was prepared to greet and introduce any and all visiting Rotarians.  Unfortunately, there were no visiting Rotarians this week for Carolyn to welcome.

GUESTS OF ROTARIANS

Rich de Lambert introduced his guest, Terri Derr, from Cardinal Newman High School.  Jose Guillen introduced Sandy Keach, the College to Career job developer at the Santa Rosa Junior College.  Debra Dorfman introduced her very special guest, young Riley Orton and his mother Jennifer.  She also introduced Chris Smith from the Press Democrat.  Don McMillan introduced Troy Ingold, store manager at Walgreens.  Jock McNeill introduced his lovely wife, Laura and their two daughters.

RAFFLE

You could feel the excitement in the room as Cathy Vicini announced that the raffle payoff had grown to $1,049.  Young Riley Orton drew the ticket and after some hesitation Doug Johnson finally realized he had the winning ticket.  Doug was unable to pick the joker from the remaining cards much to the delight of everyone present.  The anticipation of a very large payoff may have colored our feelings toward Doug’s inability to be a winner.  Doug did walk away with his $10 consolation prize.

THE FOUR WAY TEST

Mike Kallhoff, Chair of the Four Way Test Committee, spoke about his committee’s efforts to bring the Four Way Test to the forefront of our club.  Starting in January, his committee’s members will give the assembly’s invocation.  The invocation will feature one aspect of the Four Way Test.  After that, on the 3rd meeting of every month, the committee will discuss ways in which the Four Way Test can be used in our community.  Mike’s ambitious agenda includes bringing the Four Way Test to our local schools.  The Four Way Test Committee should be commended for its efforts to bring a better understanding of this important cornerstone of the Rotary experience.

NEW MEMBER INDUCTION

Past President Debi Zaft inducted new member Troy Ingold into the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa.  Troy is a store manager at Walgreen’s and a former member of the Fortuna Sunrise Club.  With his sponsor, Jack Abercrombie at his side, Troy was presented with his red badge and his rotary pin which he will wear with pride.  The assembly greeted Troy intro the club with a warm welcome and a standing ovation.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ray Dorfman, reminded everyone that family trivia day will on December 18th.  Our Trivia Master has already acquired the new trivia game with up to date questions.  Trivia Day has always been fun while providing the opportunity to bring family and friends together.   Plan on making this a must meeting and remember, no whining if you don’t like the question!

Jose Guillen, introduced Sandy Keech, the College to Career Job Developer from the Santa Rosa Junior College.  Through a program of training and education this program provides opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.  These disabilities are often characterized by significant limitations in an individual’s intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior.  Sandy is looking for new work opportunities for the students in this program.  She encouraged employers to think creatively about their staffing needs and consider the benefits of adding a person with a disability to their team.  For additional information please contact Sandy at (707) 521-7845.

Steve Olsen announced that the John Brown Memorial Veterans’ Scholarship Fund has already reached $2,000.  The goal is to reach $3,000 by the end of this month.  All donated funds will be matched until December 31st.  Steve thanked everyone for their generosity in creating this living memorial to a truly great Rotarian, John Brown.

Sam McMillan announced that the school dictionary distribution program will take place during the third week in January.  A new dictionary has been acquired and will be given to students and teachers in 28 schools in Santa Rosa.  Sign- up sheets will be available at each meeting, so please sign up.  At least one member of a team must have completed the Youth Safety Training Course.  This hands on project is one that truly does make a difference in the lives of the students but it also touches all those Rotarians who participate.  So please make the time to join in and experience Rotary in action.

Jeff Gospe gave an update on our Rotary Exchange Student, Giovanni Provenzano.  He has now moved to his 2nd family but we are still in need a host family for the 3rd phase of his stay.  The host does not need to be a Rotarian or have other children in the house.  Please contact Jeff if you or someone you know can host Giovanni.  Remember, both the student and host family benefit in the exchange.

Jock McNeill is still looking for bell ringers for The Salvation Army.  Volunteers are needed for two short two hour shifts on the two weekends before Christmas (December 13 & 14 or December 20 & 21).  We have two locations at either G&G Market or CVS on Fourth Street.  Let’s make this a successful campaign.  Sign- up sheets will be at the next meeting or contact Jock directly.

Will Haymaker greeted the Club with his traditional “Aloha” and then proceeded to announce the ten non-profit organizations funded by your Rotary dollars.  The organizations selected by the Joint Charitable Project Committee included: [list style=”arrow” color=”blue” el_position=”first last”]

• Ceres Community Project
• JFCS Jewish Family & Children Services
• IFSN Interfaith Shelter Network
• Women’s Recovery Services
• Salvation Army
• Girl Scouts
• Legal Aid, Sonoma County
• St Joseph Dental Clinic
• Boys and Girls Club
• DeMeo Teen Center

[/list] Your support of Rotary and its fund raising efforts makes these grants possible.  Let’s continue the good work.

Poinsettia sales were very brisk and Dan Walker proudly announced that we have reached our goal of 200 poinsettia flowers, 50 of which will be distributed next Wednesday to seniors at the Vigil Light home.  Rotarians are invited to join him after next week’s meeting when the flowers will be given as Christmas gifts.  It is an opportunity to experience the real spirit of the holidays by joining for Christmas carols and cookies with the seniors at Vigil Light.

Casino Royale tickets are now available.  Our annual fundraiser is January 18th at the Furth Center, 8400 Old Redwood Hwy in Windsor.  The cost of admission to this fun event is only $65 which includes appetizers, a martini bar and $25 worth of chips to try your luck at the gaming tables. Debi Zaft is still seeking auction items for this fund raiser and is asking all Rotarians to work to make this a success.  Any and all items are needed.

ROTARY MAGAZINE QUIZ

Debi Zaft quickly changed hats from Casino Royale promoter to quiz master.  This month’s Rotary Magazine question was: “What day of the week does Rotary meet on the moon?”  It took an attorney to figure that one out and Julia Parranto was recognized for giving the correct answer.  How hard was it to read the answer since it was in the cartoon on the screen behind Debi?

SPECIAL AWARD PRESENTATION

Debra Dorfman introduced young Riley Orton to the assembly.  Riley is 9 years old and in the 3rd grade.  He was recently highlighted in a Press Democrat column written by Chris Smith because of his efforts to assist those in need.  It was Riley’s idea to ship presents to distressed kids who spent Christmas 2012 at the Valley of the Moon Children’s home.  He also instigated a school supplies campaign that shipped badly needed books and other classroom items to the non-profit group, Develop Africa.  The Akili Prep School in the Obunga slums of Kisumu, Kenya named the charitable organization that runs the school after Riley so that his compassion for the children living in poverty in Africa will always be remembered. In recognition for his humanitarian efforts the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa presented Riley with a plaque and a check.  Riley’s efforts are a true example of “service above self”.  This young man is an inspiration to us all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROTARIANS

Elizabeth Karbousky honored the 13 Rotarians who celebrate their birthdays in December.  Liz had a special holiday treat for those present, a holiday stocking filled with candy or a mug with hot chocolate.  Congratulations to Layne Bowen, Roy Hurd, Will Haymaker, Wayne Rowlands, Ted Wilmsen, Robert Pierce, Bill Rousseau, John McHugh, Dan Schell, Nona Lucas, Norman Owens, Chuck Wear and Judy Glenn. *My only questions is did you get two presents when you were young, one for Christmas and one for your birthday?”

RECOGNITION

This week President Peggy shared some very interesting photos of Rotarians.  Jackie McMillan recently visited the San Diego Zoo Wild Life Park and shared a picture of a giraffe and its amazing tongue.  Did you know that a giraffe’s tongue is one inch long for every one foot of height.  Now you know.

President Peggy somehow acquired photographic evidence to use against several Rotarians today. Doug Johnson was looking good in shorts and a muscle shirt while washing Jack Tolin’s truck. You may remember that In October our club was pushing Paul Harris donations. Anyone donating $100 had a chance at a drawing for a car wash by Doug and Jack was the lucky winner!  Promise kept!  Jeff Gospe was looking very official in his photograph.  Jeff was recently appointed to the Rincon Valley School District Board.  Congratulations Jeff.  Ann Gospe pointed out that Jeff also looked outnumbered as he attended her homecoming at USC.  Jeff was in his Stanford sweatshirt and all the rest of his family sported USC shirts.  Where did you go wrong Jeff?  To honor Stanford’s trouncing of Cal in the Big Game Jeff and Ann donated $300 to complete his son’s Paul Harris.  Good luck to the Cardinal in the championship game.

Elizabeth Karbousky recently purchased her first house this September.  She was so excited about spending her first Thanksgiving in the new house that she donated $100 to the John Brown Memorial Veterans’ Scholarship Fund.

President Peggy asked if there were any volunteers who wished to be recognized.  To honor his son’s service as an infantryman heading to Afghanistan, Ray Giampaoli donated $100 to the John Brown Scholarship Fund.  Larry Miyano donated $200 to the John Brown Fund in honor of his father who served in the 442nd Regiment during WWII.  The 442nd was the most decorated unit in U.S. military history.  You must be very proud Larry.  Kris Anderson donated $50 to the John Brown Fund in the memory of her Uncle Tom, a proud U.S. veteran.  Doug Chase recently returned from a trip to Eastern Europe and pledged $100 to the John Brown Fund.  Tim Delaney really upped the ante by donating $500 to the John Brown Fund. Additional donations were received from Jackie McMillan $25; Judy Glenn $100 and Darrell Horn $100 raising the total to $3225.

It is moments like this that make you very proud to be a Rotarian.  To not only do we honor John Brown and his service as a Marine, but we honor all those veterans whose service to our country must never be forgotten.  Through your generosity we will be able to help them by providing scholarships.  Rotarians are encouraged to continue to donate to the John Brown Veterans’ Scholarship Fund.  Checks should be made payable to the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Foundation, PO Box 1513, Santa Rosa, CA  95402.

CHRISTMAS WRAPPING PARTY

In the spirit of holiday gift giving, the Rotarians adjourned the meeting to wrap gifts for local children.  As in the past, our club will be sponsoring a group of local children to attend the Nutcracker at Spreckle’s Theater.  After the performance Santa Claus will be in attendance handing out gifts purchased by the club.    Additional help is still needed, if you are interested in volunteering please contact Carrie Ludtke at (707) 495-5434. Santa did make an appearance at the wrapping party thanks to his helper, Tim Fawcett.  Santa was a really big hit with Molly McNeill and Riley Orton whose joy at seeing Santa brought a smile to many Rotarian faces.  Christmas is really for the kids, but we sometimes forget that there is a child in each and everyone of us. See photos from the party at the end of this bulletin.

 

OFFICERS

Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Officers

President: Peggy Soberanis, President Elect: Mark Burchill, President Elect Nominee: Jose Guillen, Past President: Bill Rousseau, Secretary: Jack Abercrombie, Treasurer: Cecil G. Humes, Sergeant at Arms: Jack Geary

President Rotary International

Ron D. Burton, member of the Rotary Club of Norman, Oklahoma, USA

Governor, District 5130

Helaine Campbell, Rotary Club of Sebastopol Sunrise

Attendance Secretary

Jack Abercrombie P.O. Box 505 Santa Rosa, CA 95402 707-538-4770

Board of Directors

Debra Dorfman, Matt Fannin, Jose Guillen, Doug Johnson, Nicole Le, Robert Pierce, Jack Tolin, Creed Wood, Cathy Vicini