Pres Allyn Lean opened the meeting promptly at 12:30. Kevin Choi lead the Pledge of Allegiance, Judy Fancher led us in recitation of the Four Way Test, and Terri Grassi provided the invocation. We were led in song by Kim Barlow, accompanied by Don Ludwig: My Country ‘Tis of Thee, followed by Smile!. Ken Kaisch supervised the introduction of guests by their hosts: Bob Jensen (Zoot Velasco), Nick Polizzi (Rick Crane), Bob Stoddard (Lee Brockett), Mike Anderson (Diane Masseth-Jones), Al Morentin (Terri Grassi), Mike Cochran (Larry Bennett) and Nicole Kuntz (granddaughter of Louis Kuntz). Also welcomed was perennial visitor from Fullerton South, Bill Gillespie.
Recognition Master Dick Daybell got down to business: Ken Kaisch was recognized for….being Ken. Rick Crane was recognized for something that sounded like snitching on the Treasurer but Mike Oates was talking so much at my table I missed it! Chris Meyer was recognized for his 20th anniversary, Jim Blake for his many years of appreciated serice on the board of the MWD, Pat Hartnett for his wife’s birthday, and Jim Williams for his 41st anniversary AND for 34 years in Rotary. Greg Hickman was recognized for something to do with his name tag. Our Recognition master then launched into an overlong diatribe about Pres Allyn’s gnome, Chris Meyer’s garden gnome, and probably Travelocity’s gnome, but I had stopped listening at that point. While I was deciding on an offer of coffee, I missed why Larry Bennett was being harassed…excuse me “recognized”, Theresa Harvey was recognized for her efforts to gain publicity for the Rotary Club, Kim Barlow for being in the news regarding another municipal client. Keith Mills was recognized for his 53rd wedding anniversary, Lee Brockett for his 66th birthday, and Greg Hickman for his 34th anniversary. Upon inquiry by Warren Wimer as to why today’s finester was recognizing those previously honored by Mr. Wimer during his tenure at the podium, Captain Daybell replied “rules change”. Good to know.
| 8/22 |
At Morningside Retirement Community
(An Offsite Meeting) |
| 8/29 |
Dan Ouweleen, Jog a thon |
| 9/5 |
Preventive Health Program |
| Proposed new Member: Will Abbot, Boy Scouts of America |
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Zoot Velasco presided over the ‘raffle’, announcing that the pot now totals $144. Alas, although “Lucky Bill” Mathy’s ticket was drawn, he did NOT pick the winning Joker out of the depleted deck. The deck now contains 11 cards, OR SO WE ARE TOLD, improving our odds.
Announcements: Coach Dan Ouweleen jogged to the microphone to inspire us to…not jog. Dan O encourages all to participate in some manner at the upcoming Jog-a-Thon, Sept 29 8:30AM at Fullerton High School. Matching points still remaining, so please donate to this worthy cause! Rick Crane announced a meeting of the Foundation at 1:31PM, immediately following today’s meeting. Marty Burbank invited all Rotarians interested in International service to meet at his office, 2PM, the last Friday of each month. (1235 N Harbor Blvd, Suite 200). Howard Minkley asked for all Rotarians intending to attend the next meeting AT MORNINGSIDE to so indicate on a sign up list circulating for the purpose – Morningside needs a head count for lunch. Bob Jensen announced Fullerton College plans for their centennial next April. Bob is collecting stories regarding the College.
Howard Minkley introduced our speaker, Jay Johnstone, former Angels player and now “raconteur and bon vivant”. Among his many accomplishments, Jay has recently been named spokesman for “Hope for Heroes”, a charity benefitting wounded soldiers. Jay is a member of the La Habra Club and a multiple PHF, Jay is a self-admitted prankster, learning early in his career to while away the hours at the ballpark by playing jokes on his fellow players, coaches, managers, etc. Jay started his career right out of high school, but discovered that being “double drafted” – once by baseball, once by the Selective Service, meant his call to military service came first. So, at age 17, Jay found himself in the only branch of the service that would take a 17-year-old: the Marines! Jay’s father was career Army (a Sergeant major), so Jay was well-prepared for his military duty. After the marines, Jay resumed his baseball career in 1966, playing for the Angels. During his twenty-year career, Jay played for the Angels, White Sox, A’s Phillies, Yankees, Padres, Cub and the Dodgers. Phillie’s manager Danny Ozary, in 1985, said about Jay: “What makes him unusual is that he thinks he’s normal and everyone else is nuts.” Jay regaled us with stories spanning his career in the major leagues, fielding (!) numerous questions. For his presentation, he received a warm round of applause and the infamous “Order of the Gnome”.
In closing, Allyn reminded us to “observe the golden rule”.
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