Rotagram - Meeting Notes and Club News Wednesday, January 31, 2007

I made sure to arrive early so I could find a good seat near the front, and next to the Honorable Dr. Jim Young who, I was sure, would be a Judge of the Speech Contest scheduled for today's program. Later our table was graced by the presence of Dr. Pat Frank who recalled some excellent career advice she received from her mom just before she went to her first job: "If you've finished your work, look around and see if there's anything else that needs doing, and then do it." It was a curiously starch-heavy menu this time. Pasta (cheese-stuffed ravioli) with roast potatoes, and chopped carrots with summer squash followed the usual salad and fruit array. Cream pie for dessert. As soon as Prexy Terri Grassi gaveled the bell, Lee Brockett marched to the front of the room and, in a clear tenor voice, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The opening song for the day from Sergeant-at-Arms and Songmeister Howard Wood was none other than our long-neglected favorite "Welcome to Fullerton," sung to the tune of "Anchors Aweigh." Following our hearty (as always) rendition of "Smile," David Schoen offered the Invocation. Dr. Young informed me that the words to the Welcome Song were written by the late Dr. Al Reiswig who joined our club in 1947, served as our President in 1962-63, and remained active until his death in 1999 at the age of 97. "Welcome to Fullerton" used to be sung by our club members to the Visiting Rotarians and Guests after they were introduced. In 1984, when yours truly was privileged to serve as President, we began the practice of singing "Welcome to Fullerton" while circulating around the meeting room shaking hands with the visitors and guests and anybody else you wanted to greet. That singing welcome was later extended by a spontaneous rendition of "Smile." This musical interlude right after eating had the effect of waking everybody up before the program started. Sadly, the practice was discontinued for some obscure reason around 1990 and was never revived. Will it once again, in some form, become a regular part of our meetings?
Dr. Dick Jones introduced Visiting Rotarians and Guests. The Reverend Tom Loftus, a retired minister and member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin was our sole (or Soul?) Visiting Rotarian. When Dr. Jones asked him about the weather back in Wisconsin, Rev. Loftus replied that the snow was about seven feet deep with temperatures in the minus range. "That's why I'm here," he said. Guest Howell McNaughton was introduced by his host, Drew Napolin. Past President Jim Williams was next up to bat on the occasion of the Induction of a New Member. This is

Gary Goodson is Welcomed to our Club

always a good time to remind ourselves why we are active in Rotary. Jim gave an inspiring talk about Rotary and what it means to each individual member and to the community at large. Following Jim (always a difficult task) came Ray Hansen (our club's all-time champ at member recruiting). He introduced our New Member, GARY GOODSON. Gary, a teacher and a former member of the San Gabriel Rotary Club, is sponsored by his long-time friend Warren Wimer. Warren was unable to attend today owing to a prior out-of-state commitment, but he sent a nice note of congratulation. Gary made some brief remarks in response to his welcome, and assured us that it was not his craft talk. Since there was so much to do during today's meeting, Prexy Terri opted to keep the announcements to a minimum. She did, however make a point of recognizing the members of the Concert Committee for bringing off the superb Davis Gaines Concert last weekend. Committee members Rick Price, Tom Meyer, Griff Duncan, Winston Creel, Theresa Harvey, and Bill Klinghoffer received the heartfelt thanks of the membership for their good work. Ray Hansen (big surprise!) was recognized for having sold the most tickets. Fine Dominatrix Joyce Capelle made the weekly recognitions and subsequent monetary extractions: New Member Gary Goodson received his first fine on his first day: "One Dollar per member because there was no musical interlude at his introduction." (Don't ask me, I didn't understand it either!) Scott Dowds was recognized to the tune of $50 for his promotion to Senior Vice President at Farmers and Merchants Bank. (Does that mean he's V.P. in charge of Seniors?) Wally Swatkowski paid $50 for his wife Peggy's birthday coming up on February 2nd. Bill Kincaid and Mark Geiss were both recognized in absentia for birthdays coming up on February 3rd. Ken Kaisch, when asked what was about to happen on February 4th, replied that the sun would rise in the east and set in the west. He appeared to have forgotten that the date was also the upcoming first anniversary of his marriage to the lovely Julia. In gratitude for the timely reminder, the Reverend Doctor Ken was overjoyed to pay the Hundred Bucks that Joyce assessed him. (Cheap at half the price!) Rotary International Foundation Chairman, Waltah Bahnes, stepped up to announce three major awards. Paul Harris Fellow + 4 pins went to Dr. Les Christensen and John Phelps, and a Paul Harris Fellow + 2 pin was awarded to Bill Mathy. Congratulations to all, and many thanks. Your generosity funds Rotary's charitable activities throughout the world.

Fullerton High School's Speech Contestants

Diane Masseth-Jones, Chairman of the Speech Committee took charge of the meeting. Her account of the event follows: "Four students active in the Fullerton Union High School's Speech Department participated in the2007 Fullerton Rotary speech contest. Amanda Rippy, Irvin Duarte, Marco Echeverria, and Bronte Nelson presented excellent speeches created to highlight this year's theme, 'Lead the Way.' Rotary judges included Minard Duncan, Griff Duncan, Jim Young and Bob Hathaway. Bob Radde and Dick Glaus volunteered to time each contestant as a 4-minute minimum and a 5-minute maximum rule is in place. "To begin the speech contest, Sal Tinajero, Speech Teacher, introduced the contestants and mentioned that Fullerton Union High School ranks 15th in the nation regarding placement at national events. He introduced a new category, Interactive Acting. Alfredo Rodriquez and Catherine Quirk demonstrated the technique followed by the speech competition. "The judges had a difficult time placing first and second but after careful discussion Bronte Nelson placed first and Irvin Duarte placed second with cash prizes of $75 and $50 awarded by the Fullerton Rotary. Bronte Nelson will continue on to the Area run off and from the area event, a representative from the area (Sunrise Rotary and Fullerton Rotary) will continue on to compete in the District event." Thanks, Diane, for a great program.

Bronte Nelson Speech Contest Winner

The first raffle ticket drawn was number 496600. When nobody responded a second ticket was drawn: number 496533. It was not clear which number was the one which was finally responded to by its holder, Dick Glaus. Given an opportunity to draw a Joker from the deck for a prize of $135, he came up with the Six of Spades. The ten dollar consolation prize was "contributed by" (read "billed to") Alan Bridgford. Prexy Terri ended the meeting with one of her usual uplifting thoughts, but I missed it. (Sorry!)