Rotagram - Meeting Notes and Club News Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Merry Christmas from your Rotagram Staff

Next Week we are at Angelo & Vinci's

OPENING TRADITIONS

President Joyce Capelle opened the meeting using the butt end of a dinner knife on the Rotary bell. Bringing us to attention for the flag salute led by Bob Hathaway.

Howard Wood lead us in the singing of the “Fa la la la la, la la la la”  song, aka “Deck the Halls”. David Schoen gave the justifiably denominational invocation, considering it’s the week before Christmas.

Joe Lins proudly introduced his son Jeremy who was NOT sporting a bow tie!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Walt Barnes made a presentation to Joyce and was seen distributing copies of our Paul Harris Banquet group photo.
• Theresa Harvey invited all to the Chamber of Commerce holiday mixer being held that evening.
• Dick Daybell clarified that the fellowship lunches are not expected to take place this year… early next year is fine!
• It was announced that Bill Klinghoffer was under the knife at Hoag Hospital.
• Rick Crane is organizing a Rotary event to a Cal State Fullerton Women’s Basketball game with pre-game fellowship and food. (SAVE THE DATE-FEB.2) Maryalyce Jeremiah may get some unsolicited coaching assistance that evening!
• Lee Brockett was (barely?) recognized for his clean-shaven look, which he indicates may not last for long, so hopefully you got a good look! Randy McFarland also had several hairs cut on the top of his head. If you are reading this sentence right now, let me know at our next meeting.
• NEXT MEETING AT ANGELO AND VINCIS’  AT THE USUAL TIME!
• Mark McGee received a round of appreciative applause for chairing the well-run Senior Christmas Party. Several did their part to make it a success!

RAFFLE

Harry Brown’s ticket was drawn and he won a prize!

PROGRAM - Senior Craft Talk

Dan Kiernan stayed very professional while a select few Rotarians (who felt a need for “payback?”)  harassed him for the first 3 minutes of his craft talk, but they finally settled down and actually paid attention while Dan recounted his early days in the South Bronx, New York. He grew up in an apartment building where everyone kept an eye on each others’ kids. Despite his watchful neighbors,  two sisters, and the nuns in school who used a yardstick to discipline the unruly, Dan would get around town by jumping on the backs of city busses, worked for a dress shop, making deliveries using public transportation, swam in the Harlem River, joined the “Black Ikes” at age 13, worked at Yankee Stadium selling tube steaks (if he got picked to work that day). One day he made $28 doing this!  A true fortune for a kid of 13 in 1953. Dan witnessed some historical moments, like Willie Mays’ first game at the nearby Polo Grounds.

      A precocious kid, Dan got OUT of the National Guard at the age of 18 (having lied about his age to get in!) He worked as an electrical engineer, worked for the railroad, joined Hughes Aircraft, married a nurse (Ann) in 1953, had twin boys, and worked in Europe installing anti missile systems. In 1968 Dan got into real estate, the savings and loan business and became an investment advisor until he semi retired in 2003. Thanks, Dan for your interesting story of your life in New Yaak!

Prez Joyce again adjourned the meeting with the traditional ringing of the Rotary Bell.