Bill Schenk banged the starting bell for the meeting and began with sad news. Four kidnapped polio prevention workers were found dead in Pakistan. This polio prevention effort led by Rotary has unfortunately been impeded by 70 deaths in Pakistan over the last four years.

Ken Kaisch gave the invocation asking for God’s blessing for those killed while trying to help prevent polio in Pakistan. He requested that the Pakistan country support the anti-polio effort.

Jay Kremer welcomed guests and visiting Rotarians. Jim Williams’ son Michael Williams, a leader of Rypen, was welcomed. Kathy Schneider’s guest was Gail Bowman of the Special Olympics World Games for 2015. Bill Guetsch’s guest was Russ Nowell a Rotarian and a self- confessed barrister. Zoe Barrett and Misa Grenier of the “Up With People” group were welcomed. Also present were nine singers, four from Fullerton Union HS and five from Sunny Hills HS. Leading the singers were Scott Hedgecock and Anthony Lopez from Fullerton and Reina Salcedo from Sunny Hills.

Bill Schenk gave congratulations to two local Rotarians. Ray Hansen was honored for originating wheelchair basketball at a YMCA in Los Angeles. It is now used to help injured servicemen recover from their wounds. Cathy Gach was honored with a special crystal and diamond pin, engraved with her name, to recognize she is a major donor to Rotary International and their world-wide programs. Congratulations Cathy!

Scott Hedgecock of Fullerton Union HS described the effort he and others are making to have art education become a more valued portion of the learning experience. Arts education promotes creativity, essential in the modern world. Hedgecock has made a major effort to be involved and to lead organizations promoting arts education. Music is reputed to make students “broader minded.”

Rick Crane requested that Rotarians join him on March 7 at 7:30 AM at Troy HS to help set up for the annual Rotary Track Meet. This event allows athletes from Troy, Fullerton Union and Sunny Hills HS to compete in several track and field events and to enjoy free tee-shirts and free food from Fullerton Rotary. Rani Goyal, Principal of Fullerton Union HS, was given a Fullerton tee shirt and a student from Sunny Hills was given a SHHS HS tee.

Joe Arnold encouraged all Rotarians to get their tickets to the Collage Concert which occurs on March 21 at Cal State Fullerton. This is a very well performed concert with a dinner at 6:00 prior to the concert at 8:00. Winston Creel has the tickets. Gail Bowman of the Special Olympics asked for help in the Olympic Games that are to be held at USC and UCLA this summer. There will be 7000 athletes from 177 countries with 80 local host towns. See Kathy Schneider if you wish to help.

Rotarians were blessed by great singing by nine students from Fullerton Union and Sunny Hills High Schools. Both operatic and musical stage songs were well sung. It is encouraging that student talent is recognized and trained by these local schools. While this singing event was previously a lead-in to local, state and national competitions, these competitions have now been abandoned. To honor the students, $300 checks were given to both the Fullerton Union and Sunny Hills music programs.

Misa Grenier and Zoe Barrett of “Up With People” requested help with housing and expenses for about 50 youngsters from all over the world. Their organization journeys to many areas to do benefit performances for local organizations. They have a performance on March 15 at Anaheim Convention Center to benefit Woodcrest Park Playground Buildings. A contact phone number is 719-424-6289.

Sandy Hayes requested that any Rotarians wishing to be part of the Fellowship Lunches get their names to her in the next week. About 45 have signed up so far. Rani Goyal encouraged Rotarians to attend the FUHS presentation of “Annie Get Your Gun” at Plummer from March 13 to March 21. Rani is to make her stage debut on March 19th.

Warren Wimer was the Recognition Master and honored the several persons who have led Rotary singing, including Theresa Harvey, Susan Smith, Greg Hickman, Randy Mc Farland, Kim Barlow and Griff Duncan. Louis Kuntz was recognized for a spousal birthday as was Allen Bridgeford and David Slomovic. Keith Mills was noted for his 79th birthday on March 3 and for sitting at the head table for no good reason. Bill Mathy’s new Corvette convertible was also recognized as a result of his not giving his annual Super Bowl party. Brett Ackerman was also recognized as the pre-school student who frequently was sent to the principal’s office for bad behavior. The principal happened to be the wife of Warren Wimer.

Thought for the Week
Whether you think you can or
whether you think you can’t,
you’re right.
. . . . . Henry Ford

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