Our meeting was called to order by our esteemed President J. Ritchey at 12:18.42:53.17:33 PMPST while in the middle of an absolutely delightful lunch provided by Duane Greenleaf and Colette’s Catering and we were having a terrific party!  The fare consisted of a delightful green salad, thankfully without olives, with a nice goddess dressing and some salsa on the side with chips too.  Refried beans, Spanish rice, Chicken enchiladas in a wonderful green verde sauce with the fruit tray located at the end of the table.  For desert a lovely cheese cake drizzled with a boysenberry sauce or a chocolate cheese cake amply placed for devourment with a nice strong cup of java.

Scott Dowds gave a wonderful invocation filled with love and honor and praise and thanks.  Next up was Cathy Gach who with a strong voice led us in the Pledge to our Country’s flag.  LeRoy Fulton accompanied by Don Ludwig appropriately led us all in “My Country Tis Of Thee”, followed up by a resounding rendition of “SMILE”!

Mr. Mark Geiss had the difficult job of introducing our only guest, Patricia Bailey who was invited by Terri Prado.

President J, as usual, stepped away from the script and acknowledged the Newest Nine for their efforts.  He actually said they were the best he had ever seen.  I guess he forgot about what a great job Dick Daybell, Bill Klinghoffer and Joe Lins did at the Elks lodge back in 2004!  I’m just saying that the class of ’04 was pretty amazing!

Moving on to the ANNOUNCEMENTS.  Randy McFarland let us know that The Rotary Club of Fullerton is in need of a few Rotarians to volunteer to take notes and prepare the Rotagram.  Training is available and obviously no experience is necessary.  Contact Bill Schenk for more information at bill.fhc@@sbcglobal.net.  Allyn Lean called on a few of us looking for reinforcements on why we need to support and attend our concert coming up in March.  Bob Radde came up with the idea and John Phelps said it was our duty to support the club.  Marty Burbank said it was easier to go than to explain why he didn’t go!  Rick Price reminded all of us that it was a wonderful way to support CSUF and Winston Creel said how Vince Burnell used it as a tool to introduce him to Rotary.  Don Bankhead let us know that his Bride, Carol, told him to.  Cathy Gach said it was part of the program as it is our major fundraiser while Zoot said it is a great way to support all the Artisans and Kids who are part of the arts.  Meanwhile, Griff Duncan reminded us what a great event it is and we get to spend an evening with our friends doing something great for the community.  See Winston Creel for tickets before he sees you!  Bob Hathaway invited us to the Friends of Jazz Mardi Grass event coming up next week.  See Bob or Bill Kinghoffer for more information.  Coach Dan Ouweleen found his whistle and is looking for everyone’s help for the End Polio Jog-a-Thon  on the 26^th with more than 700 kids on the track.  Mark McGee is also working hard on the All City Track Meet coming up.  Jim Thompson is coming to town and has already purchased the hot dogs and hamburgers.  It’s the 20^th annual and will take place on March 20.

Bob Clark called up Bob Muschek and his sponsor, Griff Duncan who ripped off his Newest Nine ribbon.  Always a good feeling, especially when you do it as fast as Bob did!

For the drawing, ticket number 00967 owned by Pat, I have no picture in the club roster, Hartnet.  And,the question was; Who said, “A woman once drove me to drink and I never got the chance to thank her!”?  Pat had the right answer.  The answer is posted at the very end of the Rotagram!

Our Recognition Princess Joyce Capelle forced President J to donate $20 to the Fullerton Performing Arts Foundation because at the top of the meeting, while introducing Cathy Gach for the Pledge, J said he was looking for a person with a deep voice such as Rick Crane but settled with Cathy.  Oh baby, do you really think $20 is enough?  Next recognition was Mr. Kevin Flye who appropriately hammered everyone for a raffle ticket upon entry!  Bill Hite, $2 for celebrating his birthday, Terri Prado for being a member of the Newest Nine the longest in history for another $2.  Next on the Princess’s agenda was for everyone to stand, anyone involved with education, sit, next were all who attended the YWCA Chocolate Fantasy, sit, anyone who participated in the Valentine’s day Program, put on by Drew and Debbie Napolin who did a great job, sit, Bernie Dunlap for some reason has a lifelong fine free pass from The Princess, sit.  The few who were left standing were required to chip in $1 each for doing absolutely nothing!  Pretty good job Princess Joyce!  

On to the program hosted by Diane Masseth-Jones who coordinated our speech contest.  The theme this time was:        Building communities bridging continents.  All of our contestants were from Fullerton High School presented by Cathy Gach.   The esteemed judges were; Jim Young, Jim Williams, Randy McFarland and Nissa Foster.  The criteria for the judges was 50% content, 30% delivery and 20% language.  Bob Radde and Bob Hathaway were the time keepers holding our five contestants to 5 minutes each.

First up was Ahmed Ibrahim whose main point was about thinking about what you say and how you say it.  Number two on the docket was Shayla Eddins who spoke of the importance of technology and how the internet is bridging the gap between continents.  The number 3 contestant was Nora Matti  whose theme surrounded how we continue our ignorance by depending on the internet for all the answers.  Chelsea Sandlin was 4^th in line and recommended that we drop the anger act and work toward service above self.  We get worked up over minor defects in our lives and that we can improve our world by instead working on improving one community at a time.  The final contestant was Alex Davila whose main point was that we live in a culture of waste and our failure to appreciate what we have and what we truly need.

 Now, picture this; between each contestant we were treated trivia questions assembled by Diane.  A sampling of the questions was; “What was Ed Norton’s wife’s name?”  Answer was Trixie.  The winner received a Payday candy  bar.  There were many of these during the program being flung way too fast for this Rotascribe to keep up.

Okiedokie, and the winners are:………………………………….

First Place:                Alex Davila

Second Place:          Nora Matti

Third Place:              Chelsea Sandlin

Congratulations to all our contestants, a job well done by all and a terrific job by the judges.

ANSWER TO THE RAFFLE QUESTION:    W.C. Fields

Closing thought of the day by our President J, “Goals are dreams with deadlines”.

Meeting adjourned at 1:33.52 PMPST