Volume XXI
Number 9

Tuesday
May 10, 2005

Coming Programs Every Tuesday May 10 John Alioto Nuclear Terrorism & American Ports May 17 Frank Sottile St. Helena Boys and Girls Club Annual Awards May 24 Chuck Bailey Rotary Essay Contest May 31 Robert Wedell St. Helena Police Dept. Annual Report Coming Events May 19-22 District Conference Centennial Celebration Doubletree Hotel Rohnert Park, CA June 18-22 Rotary Int'l Convention Centennial Celebration McCormick Place Chicago, IL Birthdays May 13 Jonathan Briano May 14 Polly Keegan May 14 Wendell Laidley May 14 John Sales May 22 Mark Terrell May 26 Natalie Klug May 29 Alston Hayne May 30 Ed Beard Wedding Anniversaries May 1 Jim Meehan (Lee) May 6 Craig Anderson (Barbara) May 6 Norman Mitroff (Patti) May 10 Diane Dillon (Bill) May 10 Alston Hayne (Lisa) May 18 Phil Toohey (Denise) May 19 Tracy Calkins (Kristan) May 20 Hendrik Smeding (Lettie) May 21 Dave Brotemarkle (Kathi) May 22 Ortwin Krueger (Pat) May 27 Sean Wickersham (Shannon) Club Anniversaries May 1, 1987 Charles Bell May 1, 1987 Don Scully May 3, 1994 Rudolph Papale May 4, 2004 Kathy Zelazny May 7, 1996 Bert Johansson May 11, 1999 Alan Fowler May 14, 2002 Wendell Laidley May 14, 2002 Chuck Meibeyer May 15, 2001 Jake Scheideman

Scouts Overwhelm Rotary!
By Donn Black

KATHLEEN PATTERSON Club President 2004-2005

May 3, 2005.  Red-kerchiefed scouts of all ages nearly outnumbered civilian uniformed Rotarians at today's meeting. Indeed it looked for a few moments as though it would take a second seating to get everyone fed. For once President Patterson had plenty of company at the head table. Any concern about a permanent takeover subsided when Patterson tendered a $500 check to Scoutmaster Stewart Smith, expressing the Club's pleasure in supporting his troop with proceeds of the Winter Ball.

Scoutmaster Smith then proceeded with introductions and a remarkable program detailing scouting at Troop 1 of St. Helena. Other Scout leaders, present and past, included Dr. Robert Garter, Chris Phelps and Jay Dodge . Six members of the troop were present to witness the awarding of Troop Scout of the Year to Dylan Rahn, runner-up Chris Phelps (Jr.), and Scout Rookie of the year, Christopher Collins . Christopher was one of the two 11-year olds in Troop 1 who recently made it to the top of Thunder Mountain (elevation 9400') through two feet of snow. Awesome!

Scoutmaster Smith then detailed some of his Troop's activities, making it clear Troop 1 is not a place for the weak of body or faint of heart. One of the big activities is trips—usually to the great and remote out-of-doors. In 2003 the Troop traveled to a remote park in Canada to paddle canoes more than 100 miles over 10 days, reaching civilization again only in Northern Minnesota. In 2004 the trip was to the Grand Teton for more hiking than this reporter has the energy to even think carefully about. In 2005 the big trek will be a trans-Sierra hike, starting in Sequoia National Park and ending at Mr. Whitney. Whew!

There is no need for sympathy here. The scouts set their own agenda. They choose these back-breakers. Their partial schedule for 2005 is:

• January: Lake Tahoe for skiing (downhill and cross country), snowboarding and snowshoeing.
• February: Silver Lake in the Sierras to sleep three nights in snow caves and to hike in snow to the summit of Thunder Mountain to look down on most of the peaks in the Sierra range and onto the upper ski lifts at Kirkwood.

Scouts Overwhelm Rotary! ... Continued

• March: Bear Valley and the Livermore Ranch for hiking.
• April: The big Scout jamboree near Berkeley to meet up with other scouts from all over Northern California for various kinds of competition like knot tying, log pulling, camp cooking, etc.
• May: A ceremony at St. Helena cemetery, then the Eel River near Altar Point for a 40-mile canoe excursion and three nights on the River.
• July: To Scout camp at Linden near Silver Lake for learning survival skills, earning merit badges, and the trans-Sierra hike.

Each troop does need to raise funds for its activities. One great project the Troop does is to collect trees left on the front sidewalk by householders after Christmas, with the understanding that the pickup and disposal service will produce a $5 donation. Also, members of the Troop are available for yard work and similar jobs for homeowners. The Troop can always use any surplus outdoor equipment. For both matters, contact Scoutmaster Smith for details at 963-1529. It was a heartwarming program, full of young people and Scout leaders it is impossible to praise enough.

AL ALBRIGHT

Today's meeting began with a letter-perfect Pledge. Then came a warm Thought-for-the-Day from Al Albright . Al is on his way to China, so gave us a Chinese proverb ending with, "If you want to be happy for a lifetime, help someone!" Could have been right out of the Rotary hymnbook.

Many Visiting Rotarians and guests were introduced. Among them San Francisco Rotarian Eugene Lee who brought Ralph Milton Ingols as his guest. Mr. Ingols taught and at one time or another coached all the sports at St. Helena High for 31 years before retiring 34 years ago. He gave us a few words of history, encouragement and about his recent book. Steve Yost introduced Andria Rahn and Wendell Laidley did the same for Paula Pavanis, both mothers of Scouts who received awards at the meeting. Happy Mother's Day ladies! You have every right to be especially proud

BERT JOHANSSON

Wedding and Club anniversaries included Jim and Lee Meehan and Craig and Barbara Anderson. Club anniversaries featured Charles Bell and Don Scully with 18 years each, Bert Johansson, 9 years, and Kathy Zelazny up one year. The Rotary Nine with Wendell Dinwiddie tickling the ivories did their, ". . . come again, come again, come again" in perfect pitch.

Announcements abounded:

Suzan Rada leads a Kayaks outing Sunday, May 27 at Lake Hennessey. It's $39 for the boat and a lesson. Check with Suzan for details. Phil Toohey will lead a two-hour hike at Cable Rock this Saturday and Mike Thomas has a bike ride in Knight's Valley scheduled for Saturday. Jim Haslip briefly mentioned the celebration of 100-plus year olds in June being organized by member Linda Alioto. Call her if you know of anyone in that age group. Jim also said he will be needing volunteers to help collect leftover food from Farmer's Market for the local Food Bank. Steve Yost reminded us of the PUC golf tourney Monday, May 16 at noon at Napa Valley Country Club in Napa. Call Gary Jaffe to sign up. Steve also once again touted the big Texas Hold'Em poker game this Thursday. Twenty players are signed up. The raffle winners were Loren Gardner (who picked the blackball!), David Moreland, and Norm Mitroff.

SUZAN RADA     DAVID MORELAND

Napa Rotarian Bill Bruzian introduced our District 5130 Ambassadorial Scholar for 2005, Jessie Norris. She gave a short but energetic talk, detailing how she will be going to China to study public health facilities and systems there. Her career goal is in the area of public health. She is both excited about and grateful for this opportunity Rotary has provided. Another heartwarming presentation. That's more than enough! Whew.

The Russian Rotarians Were Here
By Jim Haslip
 

April 26, 2005. Boris was here! A team of Russian professionals was touring the Napa Valley, sponsored by the Barnaul, Russia, Rotary Club. This Group Study Exchange stopped to share "Happy Dollars" and a joyful spirit. As President Kathleen reminded us, their visit assists with the Rotary goal of Promoting Peace through Understanding. Their club is 8 years old, has about 25 members, yet attendance is usually 50 people. Their district spans 11 time zones and, despite the travel challenges, their governor attends at least one meeting of each club. Their spouses are involved and are called the "Inner Wheel" of the club.

PHIL TOOHEY

Under the former USSR, Rotary was forbidden and projects of American origin were viewed with suspicion. Despite their relatively new involvement with Rotary International, Barnaul has initiated 34 projects to date and sponsored 3 new clubs. Boris showed pictures to illustrate the activities and then held an impromptu auction for a comb using the guideline that anyone who moved was considered to have bid. Phil Toohey introduced the group. Norm Manzer of Calistoga Rotary was here. Norm has been involved for years in the support of an orphanage in Russia. Their rummage sale is coming up May 20-22.

Allison Gooch was introduced. She is a local student who is being sponsored as our representative to Siberia this summer. The Russians and other guests were welcomed by our singers: Dave Brotemarkle, Steve Ebersole, Tony Albright, Bob Hoffman, Elaine John, and Gene Armstead, accompanied on the piano by Craig Anderson.

STEVE YOST

Welcome to Laura Bourret who was inducted by John Sales as our newest member. Her sponsor was Diane Bylund.

Important dates were announced. Steve Yost reminded us that Texas Hold'Em will be held on Thursday, May 5, at 6:30 at Grace Episcopal Church.

MARK TERRELL

Mark Terrell promoted the Del Britton scholarship golf outing at Blue Rock Springs on May 9 at noon. Joel Toller announced the fundraiser for the Public Schools Foundation on May 13 at the Press Restaurant (the day before their official public opening). The cost is $200. May 16 is the PUC golf fundraiser at the Napa Valley CC. Steve Yost also reminded us of the countless activities at the District Conference from May 19-21. He is putting together a Rotary team for the golf event on the 19^th. Barbara Hudson, St. Helena Hospital, promoted Work Well Program to reduce health risks and the Relay for Life on September 18-19 to raise money for cancer research.

Linda Alioto has identified one person over 100 years of age in St Helena who will be invited to our club for a birthday celebration. If anyone knows of other centenarians, let Linda know. It is our intent to make this an annual event as a reminder of the 100 years of Rotary International.

CHARLOTTE WILLIAMSON

Charlotte Williamson shared the good news of 4^th anniversary of her kidney transplant. Remember that you can sign up to pledge your organs at the website: www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org , which is sponsored by the California Donor Registry.

Diane Bylund is running in a marathon to support HIV positive people. The information site is www.AIDSmarathon.com.

Carol Sobczak explained a new form for meeting make-ups. When we do a make-up, we are still charged for the weekly luncheon unless we attend another club that is serving a meal. The make-ups help us toward the goal of 100% attendance for the entire year!

Fiddler on the Roof
at Pacific Union College
By Father Mac

DICK OSBORN

Meeting at PUC 04.19.05. It happens only once a year, and this year it was April 19^th. Our meeting was held on the campus of the Pacific Union College. College President and Rotarian Dick Osborn warmly welcomed us to what is consistently a wonderful event. Before being seated for our meal, we were asked to gather in the auditorium of Paulin Hall. Once seated, we were treated to the first public performance of the great musical Fiddler on the Roof, by the Napa Valley Musical Theater. Director Mei Ann Teo, a former graduate of PUC who is now a resident artist in San Francisco, introduced each of the numbers that we heard. Among them were The Sabbath Prayer, Rumor, and The Dream. It was an outstanding performance, the voices were all excellent, and we were thoroughly entertained. Not often you go to lunch and get a Broadway performance as an appetizer!

Most importantly, we were all extended an invitation to attend the Musical when it officially opens at the Lincoln Theater, on the historic grounds of the Veteran's Home.

The performances are as follows:

May 8 @ 8:00
May 14 @ 8:30
May 15 @ 2:00 (special sing-along)
May 15 @ 8:00

The website is www.NVMT.org . Box office: 707-944-1300.

Hope everyone can make it. The musical is a classic and never disappoints.

Following our time in the theater, we were seated for lunch in the foyer, and PUC put on a fantastic spread as they always do. Thanks, President Osborn and PUC.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it, MAC+

Patterson Wins Texas Hold'Em Event
By Steve Yost

KATHLEEN PATTERSON Club President 2004-2005

President Kathleen Patterson showed her poker skills as she accumulated the most chips at our Texas Hold'Em night on Thursday, May 5^th at Grace Episcopal Church. She displayed patience in choosing her starting hands and aggressiveness when she "had the best of it" – important attributes of any successful poker player.

Second place went to incoming president Bill Word followed in order by Ron Sculatti, Lisa Marie Andersen, Lee Meehan, Susan Rada, Norm Mitroff, and Gene Armstead. Defending champion Jim Meehan was an "also ran". 

Joice Beatty did a wonderful job in providing goodies and her famous soup so the 17 participants and dealers were well cared for and fellowship abounded. The church hall is a great place to hold an event such as this.

A Golf Outing
By Steve Yost

On April 14^th a group of guys (where are the ladies?) journeyed down to the new Eagle Vines Golf Course in American Canyon where they unsuccessfully tried to break par but had a wonderful time on a nice sunny day.

JIM HASLIP

The group included Tim Doran, Alan Fowler, Jim Haslip, Bob Herrick, John Sales, Dale Smith, and Steve Yost. Jim had an unusual round as he shot a 44 on the front nine but found lots of water on the back nine – at least he had clean balls when he could find them!

After the golf some of the group had a festive dinner at Don Gionvanni.

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