President Bill (about the Fourth President Bill) - opened the meeting  on time and "someone" led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  The scribe for the week was late.

Griff Duncan and a considerable assembly of songsters led us in "America the Beautiful" and "Smile".  After which, Bill Hite appropriately provided a brief but pithy Thought for the Day regarding the importance and benefits of smiling.

It was a Mexican lunch, which concluded with chocolate mousse. (La Moussa Chocolat con Frijoles y enchiladas pollo y arroz con salsa picante)

Mucho Visitors and Guests

Standing in for the absent Dick Glaus- Bill Schenk introduced Visitors and  Guests.

There were two visitors form Fullerton South (one of whom was warmly welcomed):  George Lowe and Dick Boyle

Guests and their hosts were:

George Giokaris   Bob Hathaway
Bob Smith         J Ritchey  ( Bob is also Rotarian from Newport Balboa)
Julie Pierce      Cameron McCune

La Marathon des Announcements:

We have provided 80 more books to schools in Fullerton School District per Dick Mathewson

We have collected over $20K for Rotary Room at Hope International University, but only about 1/4 of our members have contributed. Dean Heiser

On 3/14, we go to the races at Santa Anita.  Sign up $50 per person Jim McKamy

Saturday is Dental Clinic Day at Valencia School (make sure you have your own teeth)  Minard Duncan.

District Foundation Dinner is also 3/14 see Wally Bartelt for tickets.  ($30 per person half ass formal)

2/19 Opportunity to host a visiting DG see President Bill.

2/16 Turn in Community Investment award request to Buck Catlin

2/12 Good Guys Event at Marriott for Fullerton Boys and Girls Club contact Fred Johnson.

President Bill IV read a note from John Kunau, who is resting after a cardiac procedure that went well in La Jolla. Stay healthy John!  We need your money and you.

Fisler School Announcement: The new principal of Fullerton's first new school in forty years (Juli Pierce) made us aware of an opportunity to support he this new science based K-8 school by buying a "fossil"  see Cameron McCune for a brochure.  No, you can not purchase Tony Amato. But, you can get a fossil beaver for $450 and well some more more modest donations.

New Member

PDG Jim Young presided ably over the induction of Ron Soderquist as the newest member of the club.  Ron is sponsored by DGE Bill Peloquin /span>and is retired from the molded plastics business.

Raffles and Recognitions

Franki Berry had the winning ticket, but knew little trivia re the Statue of Liberty,  So, she received $10 from Bob Clark Jr.

Mike Nomura recognized:

·   Wally Bartelt for an award received by his company for the Gold Line of MTA

·   Mike Oates was recognized for an anniversary, and Elizabeth will receive vastly insufficient condolences.

·   Birthdays were noted for Dick Rocke, Cameron McCune and Harry Brown (88)

·   Spousal B'days were feted for Carl Camp, Dan Kiernan and Lee Brockett

Craft Talks and Newest Nine: "de-ribboning " without wardrobe malfunction

Janie Noppe has been a member of the Rotary Club of Fullerton for 13 months, but she has been a Rotarian for about 12 years.  She was born into a vagabond family.  Her dad was a Marine and her mom just liked to move.  So, Janie went to 27 different schools in 12 years.  She was a good student, winning the GA State Spelling Bee and eventually earning a degree from New Mexico State.

Singing is a major outlet for Ms Noppe, when she is not being a Boy Scout Executive for over 100K young people and a mom of two young boys.  One of her sons likes to tell jokes that make no sense.  (An investigation is underway to determine if Mike Oates and Janie might be cousins.)

J Ritchey has only "J" for a first name. This was not unusual in southern Illinois, the US Army was "challenged" by what they found to be an anomalous nomenclature.  J was in the corporate world as a controller and did well in two mergers.  The third merger went perhaps less well for the Ritcheys.  So, J and Rose Marie started their own business.  Their financial services firm (among other things) provides investment advisory services to companies, trusts, non-profits, individuals, etc.  In addition, J and his partners provided generic retirement classes via local colleges and elsewhere.

As always, we continue to attract outstanding members, who bring immense talents and experience to the club.

Next week!!! A Valentine's program "produced" by our female members. Don't miss it. It is sure to be scintillating intellectually and otherwise.