Volume XXI
Number 15

Tuesday
Aug. 9, 2005

LET'S HAVE SOME FUN
AND FELLOWSHIP
By Steve Yost
 

President Bill wants us to have a good time this year as well as do all our service functions, so we are now planning to do just that. SAVE THESE DATES:   BILL WORD Club President 2005-2006

GOLF OUTINGS – usually consist of meeting in the AM, driving to a course where we have a bite to eat and play 18 holes, and then return having dinner (with members supplying the vino) on the way. The idea is to have fun. All are welcome no matter what level of ability. Alan Fowler is chairing our golf program this year and he promises the first outing will be coming up shortly. ALAN FOWLER

TEXAS HOLD 'EM – by popular demand our first poker night of the fall season will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, Thursday, September 15th from 6:30-9:30 PM. Cost will be $10 per person. Prizes for winners will be provided. Contact Steve Yost.   STEVE YOST

POTLUCK – on Thursday October 13th we will gather at 6 PM at Rutherford Hill for a potluck dinner outing; casual attire. Willis Blakewell will provide us with the facility and some of their wine.

HIGHS AND LOWS
A SCOUT TRAGEDY AND A FUTURE STORK
By Steve Yost
 

Our meeting of August 2^nd was filled with pure emotion as we heard the terrible details of lightening striking and killing two in Boy Scout Troop # 1 while on a trans Sierra hike from Crescent Meadow to a climb of Mt. Whitney, the heroism and leadership of those dealing with the event, and the good news bought to us by our announcement/bellringer period.

What a meeting!
 

Let's start with the announcements/bellringers:

Paul and Meghan Krsek are adopting a baby girl born in China. They hope to get Audrey Jasmine Krsek when they travel there in September. Paul is full of joy. Suzan Rada told us of the successful kayak outing attended by 14 Rotarians – way to go Suzan!
	PAUL KRSEK

	Diane Bylund completed the San Francisco marathon with a group who basically walked the entire distance. Congratulations Diane – let us all keep fit! Joice Beatty reminds us of the efforts to save the tunnel of trees.
DIANE BYLUND

Doug Ernst is forming a team(s) to take part in the Relay For Life in Calistoga on September 17^th. Wow! Are our members involved in doing good deeds for the community??!!

President Bill Word shared with us Andy Bartlett is ready to turn over the foreign program to someone else. ARE YOU THAT PERSON? Phil Toohey and Father Mac climbed Mt. Shasta with several others. Ron Scullati sold his building to the longtime owner of Anna's Cantina. Natalie Klug's daughter got her driver's license and was accepted to her college of choice.

ROB ANDREAE

Fines and such:

Rob Andreae did a masterful job of educating new members on who has been who over the years in our club … past presidents, winter ball chairpersons, and former mayors, etc. Probably some of our older members learned also. He also announced a bench will be dedicated at the Vintage Hall project to those who died in the Sierra.

SO, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE HIGH POINTS OF OUR MEETING.
 

GUEST SPEAKER STU SMITH
SCOUTMASTER TROOP # 1

Please pardon your reporter, as I am not going to try and give a detailed description of everything Stu told us in the spellbound meeting. Those who were there know what he said and know your emotions. Those who were not there can read the many articles in the August 4^th edition of the St. Helena Star. The coverage in our local newspaper is extensive.

The SAD NEWS as President Bill put it is that Assistant Scout Master Stephen McCullough and Boy Scout Ryan Collins were killed in the incident. The GOOD NEWS is the rest of the scouts and their leaders survived and in doing so proved Boy Scout training pays off in emergency situations and indeed in living one's life.

Stu wanted us to know the boys and the leaders did everything they could possibly do to mitigate the losses; later a Forest Service debriefing came to the conclusion they were in the right place at the wrong time. They had stopped to camp on a lightly wooded hillside site, safely away from the open meadow. In theory the lightening should not have hit at this protected location but in fact it did.

Scouts Tom Smith and Owen Hale had the presence of mind to go search out the nearby ranger station and ask the ranger to call for help. They did this on their own and without a map. While they were gone others administered CPR to fallen comrades.

For me, the most moving part of the story took place at Fresno Hospital where Stu told us each scout and leader, in groups of three, went into Ryan's room to say a last goodbye.

TEEN TELLS ROTARY ABOUT NICARAGUA
By Doug Ernst
 

CHUCK MEIBEYER

July 26,2005 – At age 17, Matt Meibeyer is already establishing himself as a humanitarian and a pretty good public speaker. The son of Napa resident Barbara Mahan and St. Helena Rotarian/St. Helena Chamber of Commerce President Chuck Meibeyer, Matt thanked the Rotarians for the experience of a lifetime – helping a Nicaraguan village build a kitchen so that children could be assured of at least one good meal per day. Matt said he received much more than he bargained for when he convinced his family and visiting Rotarians to leave him alone in the village for nearly four weeks. He slept in an extra bed in the home of a family whose members he called "some of the greatest people I have ever met."

JAKE SCHEIDEMAN

Chuck Meibeyer introduced his son by saying that Matt visited New Zealand and Fiji last summer, but this summer expressed an interest in learning Spanish. Chuck knew just the place: Empalme de Boaco, Nicaragua, which St. Helena Rotary has been helping ever since Jake Scheideman fell sick there once and was nursed back to health by the locals. He said Matt had to adapt to dirt floors and outhouses, but that he was quickly adopted by the locals, who called him "Mateo."

"I had no idea what to expect," Matt told the club. "It was just me in a town of 3,000. But because I took the extra step to stay down there, I felt I was about to see it in a whole different perspective."

A kitchen was needed because food preparation in homes is unreliable, Matt said. It was something the whole community needed.

"We really got a lot done. The Nicaraguans were really happy to have Americans there, so willing and ready to work. Once it was just me there, I worked and slept and lived just like a Nicaraguan, for three-and-a-half weeks. I felt blessed to get this chance, to be a worker on a project – I felt I did my part."

The whole time he was working on projects, Matt said, he had "a pack of kids following me around all the time."

The project was all-volunteer, with money for supplies coming from St. Helena Rotary. The average Nicaraguan makes just $450 a year. It is the second-poorest nation in the world, just ahead of Haiti, said Matt.

Matt's proudest moment came when he helped a mother of eight rebuild the side of her house, which was made of mud. By re-enforcing the wall with wood, Matt helped make sure the one-room, four-bed house was safer for its six occupants.

"When I come back, within two years, I'm going to find some way to create what she needs," Matt vowed.

Before he left Nicaragua, Matt gave his host, Yira, a DVD player and a washing machine.

"I can't put into words how great that felt," Matt said.

For four weeks, Matt said he felt Scheideman and other Rotary Club members who help the village must feel when they visit.

"They love Jake like a son, a brother," said Matt. "To share that love with him was absolutely wonderful."

Matt's mom and Betty Carr, a friend of the family, also attended the Rotary luncheon.

Before Matt spoke, the club welcomed several guests:

BEVERLY DAVIES-MES

Norm Mitroff introduced Ima Holcomb, a prospective new member.

Frank Toller introduced St. Helena Police Chief Robert Wedell.

Beverly Davies-Mes introduced Iris Daigre, a Vallejo schoolteacher who lives in Napa.

ANDY BARTLETT

Andy Bartlett announced that an exchange student group from Germany will arrive in Chicago in early August and that one of the students will be arriving in St. Helena on Aug. 16, a day before school starts. He announced that exchange program counselors will attend orientation during the last week of August along the Trinity River.

Suzan Rada announced that the July 27 kayak trip was sold out.

Teen Tells Rotary About Nicaragua ... Continued

DOUG ERNST

Doug Ernst offered to sign up Rotarians for the American Cancer Society's annual UpValley Relay for Life fundraiser, Sept. 17-18, around the Calistoga High School track. Any member of the club can volunteer to sign up pledges (minimum $100). Rotary has at least one team signed up, including Jim Haslip, Polly Keegan, Terry Crane, Bill Word, Diane Bylund, Suzan Rada, Kathy Patterson, Lydia Wilson, Servaas and Bev Davies-Mes, Steve Yost, Jeff Epps, and Phil Toohey. Any member can form another team of at least 12. It's important to keep up with the Calistoga Rotary Club, which has three teams participating in the walk. See Doug for details.

CAROL SOBCZAK

Carol Sobczak announced she has magnetic Rotary pins for sale for only $3. She also has a magnetic personality.

Steve Yost announced another Texas Hold 'Em Poker Night for Sept. 15 from 6:30-9:30 PM at Grace Episcopal Church.

David Moreland donated $100 to his Paul Harris account in honor of his doctor, who waived a fee in recognition of David's volunteer work in Nicaragua.

The club signed a card for Jerry McQuiddy's daughter, Erin Selby, who celebrates her 50^th on Aug. 10 in Connecticut.

DON SCULLY

Joel Toller showed off his shaved head, prompting a joke from Don Scully: "Men who are bald in front are thinkers, men who are bald in back are sexy, men who are bald all over think they are sexy."

Diane Bylund donated $17 for the 17 miles she ran training for a marathon.

Finemaster Joice Beatty's theme was the Tunnel of the Elms. By fining members for wrong answers, she revealed that the trees were planted in the 1880s by the Berringer Brothers and the original California Department of Transportation, because shade was needed to protect barrels of wine being loaded on wagons. The club also learned that the St. Helena Beautification Foundation, founded in 1978, beautified Lyman

JOICE BEATTY

Park, planted trees on Grayson and recently obtained an Urban Forest grant. She said the SHBF has nine trustees including Joice Beatty, Maralyn Ryan, Barbara Ryan, Karen Dahl, Phoebe Ellsworth, Mary Novak, Peter McCrea, Mike Landis, Kellie Carlin and Kathy Carrick (non-voting). She said the organization is taking the lead in figuring out how to preserve the elm tunnel and is collecting money for the project through checks to the SHBF, P.O. Box 454, St. Helena.

"FITNESS" REIGNS SUPREME
IN ST. HELENA ROTARY
By Laura Bourret
 

SUZAN RADA

July 19, 2005 – Suzan Rada announced that the Kayak trip is full! This is the first time a fitness event has filled up. Those that booked: Please have checks ready for $39.00 Payable to Mako Marine by next Tuesday. Congratulations to Kathy Zelazny for completing a ½ marathon last Saturday.  Suzan gave her a bouquet of flowers. And also, Natalie Klug recognized Frank Toller, Jim Meehan and Phil Toohey for assisting Natalie in her athletic endeavors. Natalie donated $50 to each of their Paul Harris funds.

Jeff Epps has Nicaraguan coffee for sale as a Nicaragua Fundraiser.

JIM HASLIP

Jim Haslip has 4 slots open for Farmers Market 11:00-1:00 pm, and he needs assistance.

Lydia Wilson continues to cook for an employee to work in her shop, mainly on weekends.

Steve Yost announced the date for the next Texas Hold 'Em – Thursday, September 15, 6:30 pm- 9:30 pm at Grace Episcopal Church across the street.  Also, on Thursday, October 13th, Rutherford Hill at 6:00 pm. there will be a potluck dinner outing.

PHIL TOOHEY

Phil Toohey announced a Rotary Association Meeting – River City Restaurant in Napa, 7:00 pm, Wednesday.  Come by. $19.00. There will be a scheduled meeting every other month – second Wednesday of the month – a great time to bring your projects to the attention of Napa Rotary Presidents.

Suzan Rada announced that she has a 2-bedroom house for rent near Deer Park.

There will be a Rotary Board of Directors Meeting July 21st noon in the Carnegie Bldg. Anyone is welcome.

BILL WORD Club President 2005-2006

Rotary Pins – President Bill said that members will be fined $5.00 for not wearing their pin every Tuesday. Ladies are requesting magnet pins as not to ruin clothing. Carol stated that she has catalog for items to purchase.

Kathy Zelazny is donating $1.00 for first ten miles of her race and $10.00 for last 3 miles for a total of $40.00

PROGRAM
Cancer Society "Relay for Life"

Guest Speaker Jim Flamson announced the Relay for Life, the signature event for the American Cancer Foundation. Calistoga/Up Valley Relay for Life event is slated for September 17^th and 18^th.  Jim is requesting St. Helena Rotary to join Calistoga Rotary in setting up teams. Anyone north of Yountville can participate. A good way to raise money is requesting donations in honor of someone for fighting cancer or has passed away from cancer with lighted luminaries. Doug Ernst is our Rotary representative for setting up a St. Helena Rotary Team.
 

JIM  FLAMSON Rotary Club of Calistoga

Rotary Membership Moments

Week 3 - July 17-23, 2005   Knowing that two Rotary clubs will be chartered someplace in the world today, tomorrow and every day provides a strong endorsement of the vitality and extension of Rotary service throughout the world.  By inviting someone you know to a meeting insures the health and vitality of your own club, enlarges the ideals of Rotary worldwide. Offers a life-changing opportunity to that friend or acquaintance. Week 4 - July 24-30,2005   Members are required to attend at least 60% of club meetings in each half of the year and at least 30% of their own club's meetings in each half of the year.  A missed meeting may be made up by attending another club within 14 days before or after a missed meeting. Make-ups can be fun and enjoyable. You never fail to meet interesting new faces at other clubs and often run into friends you didn't know were Rotarians, much less members of the particular club.  Do a make up, meet a new friend. Week 5 – July 31 – August 6, 2005   Craft talks are usually the introduction of a new member to the club.  We learn where they were born, educated, about their family, employment, hobbies and community interests. In some clubs this is called a Rookie Sketch.  As a long-standing Rotarian, come to a future meeting and share your background so that everyone can get to know you better. It makes a great mini program and you'll be surprised at the reception you get when you share a bit of yourself with other Rotarians. Get to know your fellow members – Let them get to know you. Week 6 – August 7 – August 13, 2005   Have you ever visited a strange city where you know not a soul?  Then you walk into a Rotary meeting and you are greeted with a warm welcome, a hand- shake and an invitation to sit at a particular table and of course you are made to feel welcome.  So when you see some one from another club or a stranger  (they may be your program for the meeting) come through the door of your meeting room offer your hand and a warm welcome.  It may turn out that they are a person you can conduct business with, play a round of golf with or have your kids on the same soccer team. It says that your club is warm and inviting. Treat your meeting place like your home – Welcome visitors warmly.