Volume XIX
Number 28

Tuesday
July 29, 2003

The St. Helena Rotary Club
Welcomes DG Norm Owen and Beverly's
Visit to Our Club

We are very much looking forward to hearing DG Norm's programs
and ideas for the coming year.

District Governor 2003-2004 Norm Owen & Beverly

GOLF OUTING TO SAN FRANCISCO

Rob Andreae

By Steve Yost

On Thursday, July 17th, ten rotarians and one guest were led by Rob Andreae to the Presidio Golf Course in San Francisco where, under clear sunny skies, they played a round of golf. Afterwards, they traveled back to the Napa Valley and had a celebration dinner at Bistro Don Giovanni. (Rumor has it that there was some wagering, but details have not been available by press time.)

Bob Wandel

On July 22, 2003 following the pledge of allegiance to the American flag, Bob Wandel gave the invocation for the day. Bob, who just returned from Sweden where he and his wife took delivery of a brand new Volvo (Jeff and Ron take note), was attired in a sport shirt with STOCKHOLM written on the front.

Guests included, Steve Rivas, a DDS soon to become a new Rotary member; Rob Andreae's 16 year-old son, Scott; and Mark Witt, from Danville Rotary. President Phil Toohey introduced his wife Denise, and his guest and speaker for the program, Jeff Behring.

Following the Welcome Singers, Phil made several announcements. Rex Stults reminded the group that every Thursday evening at the Lyman Park off Main Street there is a FREE musical concert sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

On August 18th, members will have an opportunity to play golf or tennis with the Santa Rosa Rotary - call Rob Andreae if interested.

The Marble Drawing was attempted by guest Ron Sculatti - sorry Ron it needs to be the black one - better luck next time.

Joice Beatty

Joice Beatty was this week's Fine Master and fortunately lots of Bell Ringers helped her out in raising money. Her subject for fines was "How well do you know your balls ... golf balls, that is?" Miles Metzger, Rob Andreae, Dave Brotemarkle, and two others all answered Joice's questions correctly and were fined only $10.00 each. Next time, Joice should think about asking some of the female Rotarians, who may know less about balls .... golf balls that is!

WHEELCHAIR FOUNDATION

Hope – Circling the Globe with Friendship – Mobility

Phil Toohey Club President

Our President Phil Toohey introduced our guest speaker, Jeff Behring, and recounted how he met him through Dick Grace in Tiburon just a few months ago. Jeff is the son of Kenneth E. Behring, Founder & Chairman of the Board of the Wheelchair Foundation. Jeff explained in his presentation that while the organization is still young (only two and one half years old), they have already delivered over 160,000 wheelchairs to disabled children and adults in countries throughout the world. It is now estimated that there are between 100 – 130 million people worldwide who are in need of wheelchairs. The foundation has many notable international people involved in the effort; for example, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain serve as Co-chairmen, and Nelson Mandela and Martha Sahagun Fox, First Lady of Mexico serve on the advisory board .

Jeff showed a 10-minute film about the distribution of wheelchairs by Rotary members in Australia to Papua New Guinea (PNG), their closest neighbor. The pictures told more than words could that this was a gift of mobility and empowerment for many levels of PNG society, the faces of the young and old receiving the wheelchairs was beyond description. The director of the largest hospital on PNG explained that their priority was for medicine and drugs and that The Wheelchair Foundation was a God Send.

At the close of the meeting, Phil presented a $2,000 check to Jeff. Then at the suggestion of Jake Scheideman, and seconded by many in the room, a sign-up sheet was provided so that St. Helena Rotary Members could pledge a wheelchair to someone in need, for a $75 donation.
 

Phil Toohey Club President

President Phil Toohey opened the meeting on July 15^th which was his first formal meeting of his presidency. He introduced Exchange Student Anne-Lise Mahaiu for her last visit before returning home to Belgium. Anne-Lise outlined her pending two-week trip to San Diego, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and Yosemite, of which all but Las Vegas would be camping. Roger Adams then introduced Steve Rivas, and Al Albright who introduced his two sons, Club Service Director Tony and Tony's brother Tim Albright, a trombone player who currently favors jazz and plays for some Broadway shows.

Announcements began with President Phil continuing his new policy to start meetings off with high-fives for new members John Harrington and Bonnie Schoch. Lisa Marie Anderson then gave a brief report on Alston Hayne who is looking after Lisa who has just come home from the hospital with her broken ankle and has a morning nurse after which Alston and other family members look after her for the rest of the day.  That led Kathleen Patterson to suggest reviving the Sunshine Committee to help keep track of buddies whose attendance was missed.

Nick Bermudez

RAFFLE GIFTS
Sergeant-at-Arms Nick Bermudez told everyone that this year's Raffle Gifts have been scaled up to two gifts at $25 each (that's $50 folks). He would like everyone to bring them in within three weeks.

Andy Bartlett reported that KeriAnn from Norway will arrive August 25 as our new Exchange Student.

Fine Master Rob Andreae asked for Bell Ringers and Diane Bylund told of her oldest son's wedding where Gabriela Metzger stole the show as Flower Girl. Elaine John reported that the annual patient surveys of California hospitals again showed St. Helena Hospital as one of only six hospitals to get the top rating in all five categories.

Dick Rogers told of his great holiday in the Cayman Islands, Linda Beard-Delucchi of her daughter being "shot" in police SWAT training, but happily with a blank, John Harrington his third wedding anniversary and Frank Toller of his daughter's wedding during the weekend when Joel rode search & rescue and when the groom broke his leg on a bicycle. Many members were fined for failing to name distinguished Club Members for specific accomplishments, including your faithful scribe who couldn't name Bob Trinchero as Parade Master at the Calistoga July 4 Parade.

Lisa-Marie Anderson Vocational Service Tony Albright Club Service Morris Minton Community Service Jake Scheideman International Service

President Phil then introduced the first group of his Board Members to tell the members their plans for the coming year.

Lisa-Marie Anderson for Vocational Service reported her aspiration to 1) build on Hendrik Smeding's on-going plans, 2) support Junior Achievement of which she is a grateful graduate, 3) reinstate the Employer of the Year program, 4) hold a well-attended Teachers' Bar-BQ on August 22, and 5) add a Job Shadow component to Career Day so students can learn from real experience what work is about, all in addition to her co-chairmanship with Joel Toller on Winter Ball

Tony Albright on Club Service spoke of his plans to spread the word of who does what around the Club with a reference poster of the Board Membership and the Directors' respective responsibilities, where members can readily see every week who works on what committees, all with the hope that more members will participate where they can contribute.

Morris Minton on Community Service spoke of the plans initiated by President Phil to replace the roof of the Red Cross Building and to replace the piano in Native Sons Hall with one from a friend of Don Scully.

Jake Scheideman (no N and no R) on International Service spoke of prospects to revive the I-House Bar-BQ and of our plans to deliver a full container of 280 wheelchairs to Nepal next year, for which President Phil has already received commitments for about 80% of the $21,000 cost.

At our July 8^th meeting, two new members were inducted into St. Helena Rotary. They are the first since President Phil TOOK OFFICE. Jerry McQuiddy was in charge of the ceremony. Our new members are:

• Bonnie Schoch
  Currently a member of the City Council.
• John Harrington
  Software training business owner.

Finemaster Jake Scheideman acknowledged several Bellringers, and also welcomed Bob Lamborn back after a long absence due to illness. The subject for the fines today was the Tour de France. It was soon proved that there were no experts on the subject, and the fines were proof.
 

GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The program today was presented by John Livingston, local vintner, and parishoner of Grace Episcopal Church. John presented an update on Rotary's neighbor across the street, in relation to the building program on the new structure, which will house a new sanctuary, and serve as the center of church life and community service. It was also noted that our own Father Mac is enjoying a sojourn in Italy, soaking up culture, etc. at present.

The original church was located near Sylvaner and Spring Streets, but was relocated in the late 19th century, in order to be "closer in" to town. The new facility will be open by the Christmas season, including a new and larger sanctuary, as well as ample meeting space. The older stone church building will be modified to accommodate more people.

NAIRATOR STAFF

Thank you for all for your good work over the last several months. I look forward to our team putting out a great newsletter this coming year.      -- Steve Yost, Editor

(Not photographed: Rose Camp and Father Mac)

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