With the calendar racing toward her June 28^th demotion (Wyndam Hotel on Harbor; contact Bob Savage) – President Joyce feigned (?) a strained voice to “let” Leroy Fulton preside in her place.  Bob Savage led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, after which Howard Wood performed his usual song master duties by leading us in God Bless America.  Leroy followed up with Smile.  This was a demonstration of character by Leroy, as he is off to North Carolina to conduct the funeral of his best friend of 50 years.  In honor of that friendship, Leroy declared “National Friendship Day.” 

Announcements: 

Jack Hayes and Alan Bridgford are both hospitalized at Saint Jude.  Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  (Last minute update: Due to progressive heart failure, Jack Hayes passed away Wednesday evening, May 3. Details to follow.)

Friday, May 5, 2006 marks Paul Dudley’s retirement party; he is leaving our city’s employ but not our club! 

The District Conference is this weekend at the Double Tree hotel.  Friday night is the Hospitality event and Saturday the Governor’s ball.  Sign up on the District website (linked to our club website, www.fullertonrotary.org).  We are the host club, and there will be salute to Bill Peloquin, so maximum participation is encouraged.

The third annual “Hollywood in Fullerton” night is June 10^th.  7-11 p.m. at the Imperial Ballroom, 114 E. Commonwealth Ave.; sponsor is the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation; event will carry a 1935-1945 theme, including a tribute to "Rosie the Riveter;" tickets $75.  Call. 870-0069

The Group Study Exchange went very well.  Walt Barnes and Kathy Allred gave reports.  Bob Clark hosted a California wine tasting party. 

More than 129 club members are PHF thanks to various donation sources.  We have raised over $38,000 for the Foundation (close to $300 per member)!

Correction: Top 100 dinner for Sunny Hills will be Thursday, May 25th, not the 24^th.  The Fullerton HS Top 100 dinner will be the following Wednesday, May 31^st,  Sign up next week to help. 

Minard Duncan expressed a big thank you to all who contributed to the “Faces of Fullerton” event. 

Mark Geiss won the raffle and correctly identified those at the head table as past club presidents (it didn’t hurt that the year of their term was shown on a card in front of them!):  Bill Peloquin, Bob Savage, Bill Mathy, Chuck Munson, and Leroy Fulton.   Mark won $40, but Leroy donated it “on his behalf” to the “Past President Fund.” 

Jim Young (aka Paul Harris is Honored)

Program:  In our version of the Academy Awards, the “142^nd annual Pauley Award” (actually, the first) extravaganza was hosted by Lady Guinevere of Essex (Carolyn Tormey) and “Reggie” (Keith Mills).  Jim Williams provided appropriate music and Nate Kvetny the 1 million-candle spotlights (or were they flashlights?). 

Nominees for the “Do Gooder award” were:  Dr. Pat Tormey, for his contribution to Fullerton dentistry; Mike Oates – fund raising for sister cities;  Joe Lins --  Fullerton Man of the Year for his work with St. Jude Memorial/Community Foundation and community youth; Bill McGarvey – co-founder of Boys Club and other organizations, and “Paul Harris” (Jim Young) – “founded Rotary, an international service club with over 1 million members.”  Winner: Paul Harris/Jim Young.  Jim’s entire acceptance speech, surpassing in brevity even the Gettysburg Address, was:  “Thank you.”

Each of the Past Club Presidents at the head table rose to highlight the most memorable occasions of their terms: each of them recognized the contributions of Jim Young, following which the club rose to give Jim a standing ovation!  Jim Williams then informed us that our Board had unanimously elected Jim Young as an “Honorary Club Member.”  This singular honor recognizes his THIRTY YEARS as a member of our club, and his many contributions, personally, financially, and otherwise.  In his second acceptance speech of the meeting, Dr. Jim noted that Rotary raises us above the artificial walls of differences in backgrounds, religion, etc. and allows us to focus on how we can make the world a better place for all.  Congratulations, and many thanks, Jim!

Closing thought: “Service is the rent we pay for our room on this earth.”