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| Volume 63, Issue 37 | Rota-Scribe: Bill Schenk | |||||||||||
Prez Bill started the meeting promptly at 12:10 and asked Nixon Library docent Ray Hansen to lead the Pledge. Sergeant-Major Song leader Jim Blackburn lead his platoon (Jim Young, Howard Wood, Janie Noppe, Bob Savage, Bill Peloquin, and Leroy Fulton), accompanied as always by Don Ludwig.
Vern Andrews's thoughts were medicinal in nature and dealt with that very addicting and legal behavior, LAUGHTER! Casually dressed Tom Meyer conducted introductions which included President-elect Dick Boyle of Fullerton South, and guests Dr. Kit Dameron, principal of Sunset Lane School (McCune); Diana Fiore daughter of host Franki Berry, and Realtor Joe Linns (Bankhead). Jim Young announced a $500 donation to the Fullerton Rotary Foundation courtesy of another Paul Harris Performance. Arbor Manner left announcements at the lunch tables with special menus for Easter dinner. $25 for adults and $10 for children. Call 714) 446-9446 for more information. John Kunau awarded U of Alabama alum Jim Blackburn with a U of A football T-shirt. Prez Bill also awarded Jim 1000 hours free AOL for past service. Al T announced the monthly program committee meeting April 15 at 7:30 A. M. at Carrows. Pat McKinley had the lucky opportunity ticket and a chance to answer one of Prez Bill’s 12-part questions. Chief Pat answered all twelve parts concerning current event items dealing with the Statue of Liberty.
| Mike Nomura began recognitions with an illuminating history of April Fools Day, and stumped most of the recognee’s with well researched April Fool questions. Wally Bartelt, Dan Kiernan, were recognized for photographs, Howard Wood was recognized for his 81st Birthday, as was Chet Shultz who is as old as the Fullerton Rotary Club (82). Chief Pat again had the right answer to the April Fools question (when did the Baseball Hall of Fame open—April 1, 1938)
Bill Hite introduced Newest Niner Tony Montenegro for his craft talk. Tony gave a very heartfelt and emotional history of his immigration from Cuba in 1961. From a privileged early childhood to a family separations after the Cuban Castro Communist revolution. Tony and his sister eventually went to a foster home in Illinois waited 18 months for their parents to be able to immigrate to join them. The Catholic Church was instrumental in placing Tony, his sister, and later his parents with a family who took the Montenegro’s into their home. Later Tony’s father took the family to Los Angeles where his parents found work at Queen of Angel’s hospital. His parents (trained pharmacists in Cuba) took menial jobs until Tony’s father was able to apply his skills in this country. His father moved the family from Los Angeles to Anaheim where his father thrived in a new career. Tony was educated at Freemont Jr. High, Anaheim High School and Cal State Fullerton. Tony taught school briefly at Katella High School before leaving teaching to establish a thriving Flower Business. After starting his family Tony became a banker. His worked for Security Pacific for many years, followed by Wells Fargo, and finally branch manager of Union Bank. Tony credits the courage of his parents for the bounty of his life. As always, craft talks are the best programs and Tony Montenegro shared his wonderful story with us today. Thank you, Tony |
