Once you realize there are no tire spikes in the ground, you’ll find the easiest way to negotiate the parking labyrinth at the Meridian Sports Complex is to enter the parking structure through the EXIT. (Just hope nobody’s coming out at that moment.)

Our caterer continues to provide us with gourmet delicacies for our luncheons. Today it was some tasty, tender Mahi-Mahi delicately flavored with pineapple and cocoanut.

Suddenly, our lunchtime conversations were shattered by a loudspeaker at full volume calling us to order. The voice turned out to belong to Past-Prez Joyce Capelle who was subbing for our absent Chief McKinley.

Once the speaker volume was brought under control, Past-Prez Ray Ashcroft led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Howard Wood then assembled his ensemble to “Sing a Song of Rotary” to the tune of “Give My Regards to Broadway,” followed by “Smile.”

Reverend Greg Hickman delivered a thought-provoking Invocation on the subject of “Friendships.”

Tony Amato introduced the visitors and guests: Zoot Velasco brought college student Sonia Bawa. Ray Ashcroft introduced his wife, Mary, announcing that they’re celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year. Many Congratulations, Mary and Ray!

We began to make the transition to the new Announcement Format. (Just to review: Rotary-related announcements will be made as usual by the Rotarian involved. Non-Rotary-related announcements will be handled by “Town Crier,” Rick Crane, or his assignee.)

The first Rotary-related announcement was made by Mr. Baseball, Rick Crane himself, who announced a special Rotary Club Day for all three Fullerton Rotary Clubs at a Fullerton Flyers double-header at Goodwin Field on the CSUF campus on Wednesday July 30. The first game is at 5:00 pm and the second game at 7:00. General Admission is $25.00.

Randy McFarland reminded interested comedians to sign up for next week’s “Jokeathon” program. This should be one of the year’s highlights. Don’t miss it!

The non-Rotary-related announcement was made by the unauthorized, self-appointed Town Crier, Ken Kaisch, Ph.D. who exhorted us to turn out for ZOOT’s one-man show, “Token Cracker” at the Muckenthaler Cultural [?] Center, July 9th and 10th at 8:00 pm. Admission price is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. The proceeds go to benefit the Boys & Girls Club.

We were admonished to stay out of the kitchen at Meridian. Something about liability issues.

A New Rotarian was inducted. Jim Blake introduced his friend Todd Huffman. Past-Prez Jim Williams gave some brief introductory remarks about how important Rotary has been in his life.

Dr. Dick Jones was the appointed Finemaster for the day. Since he is running for re-election to Fullerton City Council he said that he would drop his evil persona, “Dr. Diablo,” in order to avoid alienating potential voters. He was tempted, he said, to pay everybody’s fines out of his campaign war chest, but feared that his managers would prefer to use the money for advertising circulars. Under the new benign persona of “Dr. Delightful” he cited the following birthday and anniversary celebrants:

Bob Hathaway, for his Birthday; Z. Ray Ashcroft, for the aforementioned Anniversary; Ed Little, also for an Anniversary. Drew Napolin, Dr. John Davis, and some other guy were singled out for no discernable reason.

The PROGRAM was presented by Professor Robert Jenkins of Santa Ana College. Mr. Jenkins, whose B.A. and M.A. are from CSUF, is Director of Continuing Education and the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program. He talked about the differences between teaching students who have to come to class to get graduation credit, and voluntary Adult Education students who are there because they are interested. The challenge is to maintain the interest of the students and create a mutual learning environment and opportunities for the students. He makes it a point to learn the students’ names and greet each student by name every day in class.

We adjourned a few minutes late. No final thought.

— THE END —