OPENING STUFF

Past Prez Keith Mills (’84-’85)  looked for Commander Buck to lead the Pledge, but had to settle for S/Sgt Wimer in the absence of the sub driver.  It takes two to replace to Howard Wood, as Jimmie Williams provided background on the “friendly club’s) historic guest welcoming song, Welcome to Rotary, lyrics penned by Past President Dr. Al Reiswig (’62-’63) to the melody of Anchor’s Aweigh.  Then he turned it over to Rev. Leroy who led the assemblage in song. Gazing around at the members, approximately 10% were NOT using the cheat sheet.  To the other 90% – here are the words:

Mark McGee (nevermore to be confused with Mark Geiss) provided the invocation.  Marty Burbank, back to operating with both feet, introduced visiting Rotarian, Larry Bennett (Fullerton Sunrise), while Terri Prado introduced her guest, Charlene Hesketh; Ken Kaisch introduced his guest, Maria Thomas and a proud Vern Andrews introduced his daughter, Lorelei Pevey.

MEMBERS’ EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Past Prez Joyce Capelle, reminded us of the Muck’s MOONLIGHT MASQUERADE on October 26^th.  This is a truly fun, wild, unique event in Fullerton.  Call Zoot at 714-738-3328 to make arrangements to attend. 

Remember to take a break, stop by, visit with friends and have a cup at SOCAL PERK, 404 West Wilshire, our community’s not for profit, charitable coffee house that always has something good brewing for our community.  Open every Friday (4 to 10), Saturday (10 to 10) and Sunday (9 to 10 a.m.). 

FULLERTON MAYOR’S PRAYER BREAKFAST.  This is a major event scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on October 29^th at the Wyndam, 222 W. Houston.  Contact Past President Leroy Fulton at 714-879-3901 to make reservations.

ROTARY ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Rotary District 5320 Foundation Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, November 15^th at the Norwalk Marriott.  This is a first class event for all members to attend, particularly those that have an interest in the worldwide outreach and good works of Rotary International and most particularly for Newest Nine to fulfill one of their commitments at an upscale function.  To support the Foundation’s efforts, Allyn Lean is offering opportunity drawing and dinner tickets.

Plan ahead for our Club’s annual Seniors’ Day, with guests from local nursing facilities.  Chaired again by Mark McGee, the meeting is set for December 10^th.

Next meeting for the new Rotary sponsored club, NEW GENERATIONS, will be held at Mickey’s Sports Bar.

Continuing her globe hopping Rotary meeting adventures, Kathy Allred, reported on her visits to the Marbella, Spain and London, England clubs.

RECOGNITIONS/DRAWING

            Dr. Ken promised to make the most of his 10 minutes of fame as this week’s FineMaster.  After getting Dave Schoen for a disclosed birthday, and Frankie Berry for an undisclosed birthday, he moved on to his theme for the day – the Orange County Weekly’s “Best of Orange County” recognitions and why various members did not make it.  Absent Prez McKinley was recognized because the Westminster chief was deemed the best in the County and Deacon Jay was implored to use his influence on behalf of “Aloha Pat”.  Likewise, Dr. Ken recognized and congratulated all Club members that are part of Schools/City Hall/Police for being fortunate enough to have the #1 muckraking community paper keeping them honest.  Dr. Jones advised that his Boy Scout experience has held him in good stead.  Next, Jim Blake, Bill Kincaid, and Mark McGee were fined for sitting in the right place.

            Next, your scribe’s ticket was drawn in the raffle.  He picked Terri Grassi as dance partner.  Neither had the slightest notion of the name of the song nor the name of the one time wonders that sang it.

A DOUBLE PROGRAM

            Bob Hathaway introduced Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Young Il Kang, who spoke to us about the history and mission of the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar program (part of the Rotary International Foundation and dinner discussed above) and his own participation.  This school year, our District 5320 is hosting four students, two from Japan and two from Korea.  In turn, there are four students from our District studying abroad in Scotland, Nairobi, Paris and London.  Young, who has degrees in biology and microbiology, is in the MBA program at Hope University with a focused goal of learning business techniques that will enable him to expand on the work started by his missionary parents in the Phillipines, with particular emphasis on expanding the House of Angels, a handicapped and elderly assistance program established by Esther Kang, his mother.

            The second program was a senior craft talk by our Treasurer, Don Ludwig, a member since 1996.  A multi-talented guy out of high school, Don had a choice between academic and basketball scholarships, opted for academic and graduated with a BSEE from the University of Wyoming in 1955, followed by a MSEE from USC in 1957.  Don worked his entire career for Hughes starting in a group that designed state of the art breakthrough microwave and antenna technologies; then the first radar technology employed in air to air missile guidance, subsequently into project and program management responsibilities and supervising the installation of  air defense systems of twenty five countries, and ultimately into guiding the development and deployment of the Canadian air traffic control system.  Thanks Don!!!

 CLOSING THOUGHT

            Old fossil Keith wishes we would pay more attention to and sing the 4^th verse of our National Anthem: “O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.’ And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!