Dan Ouweleen brought the meeting to order and played for the membership a recording of a barbershop quartet song that was sung at Ray Ashcroft’s service. Ray had a long history as a lover of barbershop music. Randy McFarland then led us in the Pledge, followed by an excellent Invocation by Vern Andrews. Griff Duncan, with his usual panache, led us in “Home on the Range” and our traditional “Smile.” Joe Arnold introduced our guests today: Sharon Quirk-Silva, Angela Pontes and Fullerton Mayor Jennifer Fitzgerald, as well as Travis McShane (a prospective member who is being sponsored by Carl Camp). President Dan also extended an especially warm greeting to Bob Radde who was able to join us today.

Announcements: Distributed at tables and also being sent as an e-mail is the District Governor’s Special Message about Rotary efforts to respond to the needs in Haiti as a result of the devastating Hurricane Matthew. Our district is working with the Rotary Club of Les Cayes in Haiti. Members can contribute to the District Disaster Relief Account that can be accessed at the district website. Bob Jahncke reported out on the very successful Annual Kids Auction that was recently held on behalf of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fullerton. The same event will occur next year on October 7. Jim Williams reminded the membership that is not too late to consider a sponsorship for the Annual Jog-a-Thon on October 22. He also mentioned that Frances Hunter is recovering well from surgery. Dan Kiernan and Jim have visited her recently. Vern Andrews noted that he is still accepting nomination forms for the Endowment Awards. Sandy Hayes indicated that 66 people have signed up for the Fellowship Luncheons (a record). Theresa Harvey reminded the members that we will have a Rotary Evening Social at the Elks Lodge at 5:30 p.m. on November 2. It is free for Club Members and will be held in lieu of our lunch meeting that day (guests $25). Club members are encouraged to bring a donation of canned goods for local charities to distribute throughout the holiday season. Scott Dowds served as the facilitator for our election of a President Elect. Ballots were distributed at the tables. Rick Crane reminded members that we will need some help on October 22 for the Jog-a-Thon. We will begin setting up at 7:00 that morning at the Fullerton High School Track, with the event beginning around 8:30.

With only two owls left to choose from, Tony Fabelo had the winning ticket for the lottery. The kitty was in excess of $300. A “50-50 chance” apparently means just that, and the winning owl eluded Tony’s grasp. With only one owl left for next week, the odds seem reasonably favorable for whoever buys the winning ticket. Bob Muschek was the Recognition Master today. He shared a recent newspaper photograph of Bob Hathaway at a castle ruin in Scotland. It was hoped that the trip had not cost too much, because the castle in question looked like a wreck. Greg Hickman’s notes from last week when he was Recognition Master were put on display. They were quite a sight (sort of like a Jackson Pollack “drip” painting on a bad day). Greg was complimented on his ability to work with them so successfully last week. Scott Dowds was recognized for his daughter’s wedding last week. Bill Gorman was recognized for his book he donated today. Joe Lins was complimented on the gentle breeze that now wafts over his upper lip. Jo Brannock was recognized on the occasion of her birthday and Cathy Gach for her husband Don’s birthday. Greg Hickman and Frankie Berry are celebrating birthdays, as well Thad Sandford’s wife, Ann. Bill Hite and Tony Fabelo are celebrating their Rotary birthdays. And Bill Mathy and Robin are celebrating their 42nd anniversary. Bill indicated that he had thought of taking her out to a traditional pancake restaurant, but he recently discovered that there is an “International” option available. Nothing like that continental touch. Scott Dowds and Joe Lins approached the lectern to announce that having completed their ordeal of higher math, they could safely announce that Marty Burbank had been elected the President Elect. Dan congratulated Marty and extended his condolences.

The Senior Craft Talk today was provided by Griff Duncan. Graced with some fabulous black-and-white photographs that revealed a very, very young Griff, he regaled us with stories of his growing up in Arkansas. He shared with us the various “crafts” that he acquired over the years, ranging for his Tom Sawyer period, his work delivering newspapers for 60 cents a week, his jaunty looks as a track star and baseball player and his less inspired phase in the military. He eventually would work for General Motors in Oakland and Hunt Foods in Hayward, among others, and studied labor law, learned about labor negotiations, and even had experience closing factories. As though this were not enough, he and his wife (a professional actress) started major theatre company (Fullerton Civic Light Opera) in 1971 in a recently renovated structure, Plummer Auditorium. By the 1980s they were one of the 100 largest regional theatres in the country. They also went into scenery and costume rental, eventually being the second largest company in the country in that line of business. The decline of audiences and the economics of 2008 eventually led to their shutting down as producers of shows, though they kept the rental business. Their particular focus now is continuing the remarkable and successful youth programs they created. A great craft talk and no one tells more engaging stories than Griff.

Dan Ouweleen brought the festivities to a close.