Blue skies and balmy breezes accompanied Dick Daybell as he launched the meeting at 12:30. He recognized some of our attendees today including Ray Ashcroft and his lovely wife, Mary Ruth. He had Zoot Velasco lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the Invocation by Kathy Schneider. Theresa Harvey was our song leader today and the members lent their voices to “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and our traditional “Smile.”
Rick Crane then introduced out guests. Today we honored Jim Thompson, who started our annual track meet 25 years ago. In honor of the occasion, John Tuiek, who was the athletic director at Troy High School when Jim started the track meet was present, as well Jim Burton who was the track coach. Rich Good, a visiting Rotarian from Anaheim, was introduced. John Christensen introduced his brother, Bill (a member of the Brea Club). Leslie McCarthy introduced her husband, Kevin. Today is their 31st wedding anniversary. Dan Ouwelleen introduced Geoff Bishop. Their families have known each other for many years. Geoff shared with us the work an organization to which he belongs is doing to empower people to grow sustainable food supplies. They are working both in this country and in Haiti, Mexico and Cambodia. Jim Thompson introduced his wife, Mary Jane.
Announcements followed. Members were reminded of the three-club fellowship event on April 5 at the Cal State Fullerton baseball game. Dan Ouweleen told the members that they should have received the recent club survey results via e-mail. Kathy Schneider indicated that the Meals on Wheels program she works with is in need of additional drivers. The deliveries take only about 90 minutes and volunteers go out in pairs. Vern Andrews shared that additional thank you notes were on the tables from students at Richman Elementary School on the occasion of our recent donation to their lab. Miko Krisvoy indicated that there were sign-up sheets on the table for the Top 100 Banquets (April 21 at Sunny Hills High and April 26 at Fullerton High). Dick Daybell reminded members that additional help is needed physically setting up for our meetings and taking down afterwards. Rick Crane noted that the Track Meet at Troy High School has been re-scheduled to Saturday, April 9. Finally, Warren Wimer was the winner of the raffle. Sadly, Lady Luck did not tap him on the shoulder, and he was not able to select the winning chip.
Today’s Recognition Master was Pastor Greg Hickman. He began by asking all those who attended the Collage Concert last weekend to stand, and then awarded those who did not stand with the honor of a small fine. John Christensen was recognized for his birthday and recent anniversary. Leslie McCarthy was congratulated on her 31st anniversary that was occurring today. Her husband, Kevin, promptly complimented her on 31 years of patience and forbearance. Griff Duncan appropriately was applauded on his 83rd birthday. Andre Fahie was recognized for his Rotarian birthday. Raco was recognized for his wife, Robin Marie, having her birthday. Scott Dowds prowess as a golfer was recognized not for his having killed a squirrel but instead for his superb eye-hand coordination in hitting a hole-in-one on a Par 3, 140-yard hole. Recognitions concluded with a members’choice “Brag” or “Affirmation” opportunity. Several people took advantage, including Zoot Velasco mentioning the recent award that the Muckenthaler has received, Scott Dowds announcing his daughter’s engagement, Marty Burbank congratulating Drew Napolin on his ability to remember how to get to Rotary for lunch, Diane Masseth announcing her upcoming interviews on KNX honoring the YWCA, Don Bankhead expressing his gratitude on his marriage of over 30 years, Greg Hickman thanking Sandy Hayes for her work on the Member Lunches, and Vimal Seth announcing with fatherly pride his daughter completing her Ph.D. and receiving a national recognition. Joe Arnold was recognized for his chairing the Collage Concert committee. Joe assured the President that, since it so happened that today was Joe’s turn to be Rotascribe, he would take particular care that this item was not deleted from the minutes.
Jim Williams then introduced Jim Thompson, who is being honored today for starting the annual rotary track meet 25 years ago. Since the Presidential primaries are in full swing, and since the Wisconsin primary is coming up soon, and since Jim is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, he felt it was his duty to announce that he had decided to run as an independent candidate for President of the United States. Little did the membership realize they were witnessing a historic moment in United States history—in less than 30 minutes, Jim established the record for the shortest period of time between a candidate declaring their decision to run and then declaring their decision to withdraw all together. Jim Williams served as moderator for the rapid-fire questions addressed to the candidate. Jim regaled the membership with stories about his military service, ranging from his participation in the laying of a submarine warning system in the Pacific, raising sunken ships in Guam, heading Shore Patrol in Manila and being a deep-sea diver. On the question of ever having told a lie, he could only recall one instance clearly—something about “Honestly, officer, I only had one drink.” On the subject of honesty, he assured the membership that he never kept the money when a bartender gave him back too much change. He always gave it back, and ordered another drink with it. He also provided the members with sage advice on his 47 wonderful years of marriage to Mary Jane. In appreciation to the many members who actually attended today’s meeting and, of course, in the interests of national security, today’s Rotascribe decided it was only appropriate that Jim’s pearls of wisdom should remain just with his hearers. Jim also shared with us the many jobs he and his twin brother had during college. They ranged from construction, bartending (one of their cohorts would later become Governor Tommy Thompson), working for the Post Office during Christmas season, and working at Oscar Meyer’s in the lard department (not a misprint, the “lard” department). Jim’s candidacy was cut short by a phone call from Dave Bates indicating that Dave, Jim’s only campaign contributor, had stopped payment on his check. Thus an historic moment in American history ended, and Jim announced his withdrawl.
The meeting ended with Ken Kaisch leading us in the 4-Way Test.
| 3/30 |
Our Club Meeting at the Christian Life Center at 404 W. Wilshire Ave, Fullerton |
| 4/9 |
Saturday Morning - High School Track Meet 8am at Troy HS. |
