"Bring Democracy into the limelight" was the title of a speech given by Sarah Rutan, 17. She advocated using education, not
force, in spreading democracy to other nations. Sarah plans to study communications at San Jose State University. She is the daughter of Anna and George Gong.
Gabino Lopez, 17, spoke on the topic, "Birth of Democracy in the Middle East." He is planning to study communications and international business at San Jose State University. He is the son
of Gabino and Soila Lopez. Kaitlyn Reedy, 17, gave a talk titled "The Belief of Democracy." She will major in liberal studies at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, with
an eye toward becoming a teacher. Her parents are Monty and Susie Reedy.
The club also welcomed visiting Rotarians Bo Wikstrom and Eva Malm, from Landskrona, Sweden. The word "Landskrona" means "Crown of the country." The city of 40,000 people boasts a
Rotary Club of 85 members, who meet every Monday in a castle built in the 16th century. The club is known for promoting integration, supporting medical programs in Africa, and for
continuing the club's international focus on eradicating polio from the face of the Earth. The club also welcomed the guest of
Rob Andreae — Terence Ford of Terence Ford Photography, and the guests of Roger Adams — Jim Zoll, principal of St. Helena High School; and Cindy Brown, counselor at the high school.
Bell Ringers: The club recognized Alston Hayne for reaching a milestone – 80 years of good, clean living.
Kelly Crane recognized fellow club members Kathleen Patterson, John Sales, Tony Albright and Bill and Margaret Word
for attending the recent Rotary conference. Attendees from Gualala, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Napa, Middletown and Willits also enjoyed the conference, highlighted by dancers from the Santa Rosa
Cultural Center who danced to "happiness and prosperity." Kelly noted that the conference heard from a State Department representative who praised a
Rotary fellowship program designed to eliminate landmines. The problem is especially bad in Cambodia, where one of every 250 Cambodians has been maimed by landmines. Rotary is working
to eliminate mines there and in Afghanistan, Angola, Iraq and Laos, Kelly said. |
|
|
KATHLEEN PATTERSON
Club President 2004-2005 |
|
President Kathleen Patterson
noted that the conference featured recognition of various Rotary Clubs in gold, silver and bronze categories. St. Helena Rotary won two gold awards for International Work and Community Work. St. Helena
also won several silver awards in other categories. She also talked about the pride she felt when St. Helena's two exchange students — Mo Thomas and Jason
Micheli — marched into the conference with 60 other exchange students, each carrying the flag of his or her home country. "They all marked in, hugging, laughing, happy, with the flags of
their countries. It gave you so much hope to see young people making friendships that will last a lifetime," Kathleen said.
Jake Scheideman appealed to the club to help clean out the Lyman house on Memorial Day weekend. Several hands went up
and several Rotarians turned out for the event.Andy Bartlett announced he had listened to four senior presentations at St. Helena High School and came away
impressed by how articulate and inspirational the students were. "If they're the future of St. Helena we're going to be in very, very good hands," he said. Suzan Rada
praised Rotarians who participated in Junior Achievement at St. Helena Elementary School. "They were so happy learning how the city works, the duties of planners and
zoning — they loved it and appreciated it," she said. Jim Haslip encouraged Rotarians to perform community service on Fridays by lugging unpurchased produce from the farmers
market to a local church, where the food is picked up by the Food Bank. David Moreland, recently back from a business trip in Germany, presented a Rotary Club flag from that country. Doug Ernst asked for volunteers who might be willing to be part of a St. Helena Rotary Club team of members willing to walk around the Calistoga High School track on Sept. 17-18 to raise
funds for the annual Relay for Life event, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Volunteers included Jim Haslip, Polly Keegan, Terry Crane, Bill Word, Diane Bylund, Suzan
Rada, Kathy Patterson and Lydia Wilson. At the request of Jeff Epps, Doug was fined $20 for wearing a handsome San Francisco Giants shirt. Jim Meehan
stepped forward to recognize his granddaughter, who was recently names student athlete of the year. He paid $39.50 in honor of her 3.95 grade point average. Father Mac
gave $21 in honor of the $21,000 raised by the Norm Manzer Rummage Sale on behalf of orphans in Russia who need transitional homes. The event filled the Native Sons Hall and the Parish Hall.
Roger Adams introduced Cynthia Brown, who introduced two students selected by the club to be RYLA campers this summer. The students, who are both concert and jazz band members, are
Dominque Olea and Walker Ryan. Al Albright, just back from China, summed up "Young People's Day" by noting that the club's scholarship committee had a
tough time deciding scholarships this year. "Our greatest national resource is the education of our young people," he said. |
|
