Volume XXI
Number 13

Tuesday
July 5, 2005

THE QUEEN IS DEBUNKED!
LONG LIVE THE KING!
By Donn Black
 

"de-bunk (di bungk), v.t., to expose as being false or exaggerated (1920-25 Amer.)"

KATHLEEN PATTERSON Club President 2004-2005     BILL WORD Club President 2005-2006

June 28, 2005. On a Napa Valley glorious evening outside the spectacular home of Mike and Ann Thomas, before some 40 Rotarians and their guests, Queen Kathleen was debunked. Despite the fabulous decor, the fine food and wine and the fun and frivolity, it was neither an easy nor pretty thing to watch. Prince Bill assaulted unmercifully using every lady Rotarian in the neighborhood to repeatedly foil the Queen, who is also widely known as the Princess of Building Supplies, in the court of, "I dare you to identify this piece of hardware!"

To the vocal anguish of her devoted subjects, their Regina stumbled on such straight forward devices as a hay bale saw, a gimlet, and alas, several other even more familiar items! Her Highness' falseness and exaggerated station were unmasked. By the end her foot-high crown was sagging and her father, who had come from afar for the affair, held his bowed head in both hands and her grandchildren hid their eyes! At the very end the badge of Rotary Rule was passed from the debunked Queen to King William, the new Prince, John, stepped forward, and the debunked Kathleen was relegated to oblivion.

Still, murmurs were heard from the assemblage that Kathleen's exemplary record as Rotary President (as distinguished from a Princess of hardware) was left untarnished. Her record number of hours and days of Rotary travel, meetings and consultations was not challenged. Her steadfast stewardship of Club finances and creative concepts for Club projects were not questioned—indeed were acclaimed. Her conduct of the Club's weekly meetings was heralded, and her representation of Rotary to the community was applauded. But alas, she did hold herself out as a Princess of hardware, but could not identify a hay bale saw! And now she is debunked.

And so it happens in the annals of Rotary power. At the end a debunked club president is left with nothing—save becoming District Governor.

THE RETURN OF TOOHEY
By Kathy Zelazny
 

PHIL TOOHEY

June 21, 2005. Former President Phil Toohey opened the meeting by informing us that, "like a bad cold," he was back. Between Phil's reemergence at the podium, the fact that the clock in the room was actually accurate, and the absence of several fellow members, including President Kathleen Patterson, President-Elect Bill Word and Suzan Rada, who were off in Chicago for the 100^th anniversary celebration of Rotary, most Rotarians at the meeting may have been a bit confused.
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

REX STULTS

Rex Stults announced that the Chamber of Commerce will be kicking off its weekly concerts in Lyman Park on June 30, 2005 with the Dixieland Jazz Band. The concerts will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays. Tim Doran added that the last concert will be performed by members of the wind section of the Napa Valley Symphony courtesy of the Chamber and several outside sponsors.

Carol Sobczak informed everyone that she has a list that provides the percentage of attendance of each member at club meetings. She recommends that every member refer to this list to determine how many make-ups they may need to achieve the club's attendance goal.

JOICE BEATTY

Joice Beatty announced that the Elder Financial Protection Network will be presenting "Be Wise", a free and informative workshop on the prevention of fraud and financial exploitation for elders. The workshop will take place on June 29, 2005, 9:00 – 12:00 a.m. at the Meadows in Napa. If you need any further information, see Joice.

Steve Yost informed club members that he just returned from a trip to Hungary where he saw Silvia, a Rotary exchange student. He has pictures of the trip if anyone is interested in viewing them.

POLLY KEEGAN

Polly Keegan announced that she needs additional reporters for the Nairator. If anyone is interested in reporting for the Nairator, and gaining some additional insight into the club and its members in the process, contact Polly.

Diane Bylund reminded club members they need to bring in new raffle gifts for the upcoming year beginning July 1, 2005.

Phil Toohey informed members that $5,000 of the Winter Ball proceeds was allocated to a clinic in Nepal for a new x-ray machine that will help many children there.

MIKE THOMAS

RAFFLE

Beverly Mes' sister won the raffle, but didn't come up with the black marble. Mike Thomas and Dale Brown also walked away with prizes.
 

BELL RINGERS

Diane Bylund announced that she took a week of rest from her marathon training and ran 14 miles. She pledged $14.

SUZAN RADA

Rex Stults enjoyed a 3-week trip to Scotland and France with his family (including his 2 year old) and pledged $20 in remembrance of the experience.

Don Fraser announced that Suzan Rada is in Chicago for the 100^th anniversary celebration and has accepted the Running and Fitness World Chairmanship. He pledged $20 in her honor.

NATALIE KLUG     STEVE YOST     KATHY ZELAZNY

FINE MASTER

Phil Toohey described the amazing hiking stamina of Natalie Klug during a recent trip to Yosemite. He fined her $20 for the approximately 20 miles she hiked. He then proceeded to clear the books by having those who still owe get up and describe their summer plans. The fines were based on what they owe, and not how interesting their plans may be.

Steve Yost told us more about his trip to Hungary and Austria. While abroad, he and his wife visited a sheepdog breeder and ended up walking away with a new bundle of fur. He was fined $35.

Kathy Zelazny told of her preparation for the Napa to Sonoma half marathon and her plans for birthday celebrations with her family. She was fined $40.

Vince Van Dyke is moving this summer. He has finished a project at work and is getting ready to start another one. His son is starting at Berkeley in the fall. He was fined $50.

Dick Rogers has just finished a remodel that took twice as long as it took to actually build his entire house. He was fined $80.

WENDELL DINWIDDIE

 

Wendell Dinwiddie gave us a peach crop report. He predicts that it will be a "medium crop." He was fined accordingly.

PROGRAM

St. Helena To Have Its Own Family Resource Center

Don Fraser and Colleen Chapellet were kind enough to come and speak to us about the new location of the St. Helena Family Resource Center (SHFRC) at 1440 Spring Street in St. Helena. Colleen opened the presentation by giving club members some disturbing statistics. In Napa County, the annual living wage for a single parent with one infant is $39,770. In St. Helena, about one-fourth (22%) of all residents have incomes below $35,000. 52% of students in the St. Helena Primary School qualify for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program. 52% of St. Helena high school juniors have used alcohol in the past month and 56% of them have been high on drugs. SHFRC provides a means for people to use the resources available to them to learn, grow and improve the quality of their lives on an everyday basis. This, in turn, strengthens the whole community. Previous successful programs provided by the SHFRC include the Family Economic Success Program and volunteer income tax assistance. These programs assisted families with establishing budgets, saving money and filing tax returns. SHFRC will now have a location that allows multiple organizations to provide assistance to families on a rotating basis. SHFRC is a 501(c)(3) organization and is currently accepting financial and in-kind donations (furniture and equipment), as well as volunteers for set-up at the new location or in its programs. SHFRC plans to open at its new location concurrent with the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year.

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