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Meeting Notes and Club News
Written and reported by Buck Catlin
Wednesday, June 6, 2001 Volume 60, Issue 45 |
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Director Greg Dyment highlights the progress of his 26-acre former citrus ranch into becoming an agricultural, horticultural and educational gem of Orange County. (More about that later.) The meeting was held on the Fullerton Arboretum lawn with tables and luncheon catered by the Arbor Manor. It was a typical brilliant California Day. ("Time out" for those who need a hat.)
The usual Pledge, "Thought-for-the Day" and "Sextet from Lucia" were dispensed with in light of the Rotary brethren being spread out all over the Arboretum lawn. Prez Wally took note of a Rotary Separatist Group seated under the shade of a nearby tree while the plebeians baked in the sun of a beautiful day. (He missed an opportunity to levy an appropriate fine for gross elitism!)
VISITORS: Frank Stroobant, Bond Services Big Bear Rotary; Jim Kilponen, Fullerton Sunrise
GUESTS: Dan Waters, guest of Winston Creel ; Amy Kluth, guest of Chris Hunt; Bob Wess, guest of Allyn Lean
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mike Oates and Al Triay reiterated their plea for housing the 48 Rotary Exchange students arriving June 24th for two days. A fine opportunity for "Service Above Self" and chance to meet some really fine kids.
Rotary Club of Fullerton Board Turn-over meeting – Tuesday, June 12th.
Special President's "Attaboy" for Rotary Member of the Week Tom Meyer for his performance of "Father Guido" at the District Conference.
FINEMASTER/AUCTIONEER SEGMENT: Arboretum Director Dyment donated two unique plant specimens for auction benefiting the club by auctioneer Jim Blackburn. The first, a fountain grass, went to Dick Mathewson ($50); second, a drought-tolerant plant Claude Jones for $50.
The final donation was a T-shirt bearing the image of a plant with the title "amaroso phallus" to Vern Andrews for $50, but not before evoking a spate of off-color laughs by members' over the double entendre meanings in the auctioneer's patter describing its size, durability and attractiveness--the T-shirt, that is. (Said Blackburn, "Somebody bid for this thing and get me off of this item!!")
GRIDIRON FINES: The Finemaster levied $10 fines on any alumnae Rotary member of a college whose baseball team reached the NCAA finals in Omaha next week. Cal State Fullerton (YEAH!), Nebraska, Tulane, and USC (So. Cal--not Santa Clara) designated.
RAFFLE: Lee Brockett (#9434-44- or 45 !!) won the $70 by being able to name the Normandy Invasion (June 6, 1944) Beaches correctly. (Omaha, Utah, Gold, Sword and Juno). He donated the prize to the Rotary Foundation.
PROGRAM: Director Dyment took the podium and presented a history of the Arboretum. It originated in 1972 when the long range plans for the north 27 acres of Cal State University Fullerton was earmarked for a future parking structure. This did not set well with the community. The idea of an Arboretum had strong support from the environmentally conscious citizenry, and a joint project with the Cal State University System Trustees and the City of Fullerton Redevelopment Agency was signed. Fullerton provided the money for the development costs and agreed to fund 30% of the annual maintenance costs till 2020. It was dedicated in 1976, and over the years has blossomed into four areas of arboretum technology: DESERT, TROPICAL, WOODLAND, AND CULTIVATED. A broad spectrum of educational and civic programs initiated and managed by the "Friends of the Arboretum" does much to support the endeavor. Over 150 volunteers supplement the CSUF maintenance staff. A summer camp, teacher training seminars, a gift shop, "Green Scene" plant sales, and CSUF credit courses are offered. The Arboretum is a unique example of "Town and Gown" cooperative effort benefiting not only Fullerton, but also the entire Orange County region.
The meeting was closed with the assemblage of the Rotary brethren for a group picture, which found many of the members trying to squeeze into a small tier of bleachers. Unless Bob Jahncke's camera has a 180 degree wide angle lens, the picture will be titled, "Rotary Club 2001--and some leftovers".
June 13th - Orange County Fossils
June 20th - A Day in the Life of an Airline Pilot
June 27th - No noon meeting - cuz it's Demotion Night