Volume XIX
Number 31

Tuesday
Sept. 16, 2003

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
OF ST. HELENA
By Frank Sottile
 

Frank Sottile

Back in the summer of 1989, approximately 50 children signed up as the St. Helena Club's initial Members. Today, the Boys & Girls Club St. Helena, which oversees two Clubs, one in St. Helena and one in Calistoga, serves over 1,200 children and young adults each year with a daily attendance of about 250 young people. The Clubs offer a comprehensive youth development program with emphasis in five core program areas. They are:

1) Character and Leadership Development which empowers youth to support their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships, develop a positive self-image, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and others' cultural identities. Particular programs include:

• Celebrating Girls! support group program for young women
• Youth Intervention and Diversion Program for youth and their families 
• Youth of the Month and Year Awards Program
• Rotary Youth Awards
• Community Service Projects

• Homework Assistance Program 
• Computer Lab

3) Health and Life Skills develop young people's capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and develop their competencies to live successfully as self-sufficient adults. Particular programs include:

• Smart Moves Positive Life Skills Program
• Junior Staff Program

• Fine Arts Exhibits
• Photography Exhibits
• Talent Show Productions

Boys & Girls Club of St. Helena -- Continued ...

5) Recreation, Sports, and Fitness develops fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social and interpersonal skills. Particular programs include:

• Games Room Activities
• Sports Authority Fitness Activities
• Chess Lessons
• Short Shooters Basketball League for 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd & 4^th grade boys and girls

OPERATIONAL INFORMATION

During the school year, the Clubs are open Monday - Friday, from 3:00-6:00 PM and open earlier on "Early Dismissal Days" at the public and Catholic schools. 

Summer, spring break and Christmas break, the Clubs open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

COST FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR OR SUMMER DAY CAMP MEMBERSHIP

$40.00 for the first child; $10.00 for each additional child. Scholarships are available for families of limited means.

HOW TO CONTACT THE CLUBS

St. Helena: 963-8944
Calistoga: 738-8197

HOW ROTARY HELPS SUPPORT THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ST. HELENA

Since 1990, the St. Helena Rotary has organized and sponsored "The Winter Ball", a dinner dance, with live and silent auctions. Each and every year many Rotary Members volunteer their time organizing, setting up, and overseeing "The Winter Ball".  Truly, "Service Above Self", Rotary's motto, is not just a slogan, but also a way of life.  Because of Rotary's actions, efforts and generosity, the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga, and other youth activities in our community, have benefited. For the past few years, the Winter Ball has generated approximately $90,000 each year to the Boys & Girls Club's annual operating budget. Additionally, Winter Ball proceeds have contributed approximately $250,000 to the St. Helena Club's Building Fund.

ROLL THAT BOCCE BALL
By Mike Thomas

Two Rotary teams just completed another season in the St. Helena Bocce Club Monday night league. The Big Wheels captained by Rich Shurtz and including Hendrik Smeding, Margo Kennedy, Mike Thomas and Bob Gregory and his son, Richard once again dominated their opponents with 41 wins and only four losses to finish in first place. 

Rich Shurtz Bob Herrick Mark Terrell

The Roto Rollers, captained by Bob Herrick, and staffed by his wife Sandy, Barb Shurtz, Joice Beatty, Rob Andreae , Jim Wright, Jerry McQuiddy and wife, Inge also distinguished themselves by coming in fourth in this 12 team league with a record of 28 wins and 17 losses. Rumor has it that the only difference separating these two talented teams is that one of them takes bocce very seriously and the other takes their food and wine seriously.

Both Rotary teams qualified for the post-season tournament consisting of the best 24 teams among the six leagues comprising the St. Helena Bocce Club. Although both teams were smoked in their first games (you can't win them all Big Wheels) they can both be proud of their efforts and there is always next year.

It should be noted that some Rotarians participated on other teams. A special "high five" (or perhaps a "high four" anyway) to Mark Terrell's Lampson Tractor team which took one of the favored teams in the tournament with only two previous losses down to the wire before being defeated. Mark was later seen staggering around Crane Park babbling to himself.

Phil Toohey Club President

President Phil Toohey opened the September 9^th meeting with a big "High Five". Karianne, our latest addition to the exchange student program, was ready to go back home until Jake Scheideman and Linda Beard–Delucchi stepped in. Their support and caring for Karianne helped to give focus and calm to a difficult situation.

Centennial Project Honoring Don Heydlauff

Rob Andreae reminded the club of the restoration of the lawn and landscaping of land in front of Vintage Hall. The idea is to create a community park/open plaza to benefit the city and honor a fellow Rotarian. Jeff Epps, Toni Heydlauff, and Rob Andreae are working to honor a promise to Don to create a lasting memorial for all of his hard work and dedication he gave during his lifetime in St. Helena.

Rob Andreae

Bell Ringers/Announcements

• Bob Wandell is back with his new car (from Europe)
• Jake Scheideman gave thanks to Linda Beard-Delucchi for her help with Karianne
• Tony Albright started Leadership Napa Valley previous week
• Natalie Klug back from dropping her daughter Victoria off at school
• Wendell Laidley has his first grandson thanks to his daughter-in-law
• Bill Word thanked Tony Albright for assistance on a project

Glassy Wing Sharpshooter & Vine Mealy Bug

David Whitmer the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer gave an informative talk about the state of our Valley relating to agricultural threats/pests. David is focused on programs that protect people and the environment and accordingly considers all of us his concern.

Specific areas of focus:

• Quarantine of plants – This practice aids in the prevention of spreading agricultural pests and diseases.
   
• Pesticide laws – Focus on home, agricultural, and institutional use of pesticides. The main attempt here is to have the lowest impact on the population and highest form of success in treatment of disease/pest.
   
• Pest prevention – The two that are getting the most attention at this time are the glassy wing sharp shooter and the vine mealy bug.

Rotary International Theme 2003-2004

Bert Johansson

Bert Johansson led us in saying the pledge of allegiance, followed by the invocation by new Police Chief Robert Wedell. 

Guests included: Chuck Schuman, Sacramento; Gene Amsted, Grass Valley; Herb Schlesinger, Calistoga and Ron Wright, MD. Bert Johnansson introduced his guest, the new Chief of Police for St. Helena Robert Wedell, formerly of Sonoma.

Following the Welcome Singers, Phil thanked Gary Jaffe for making his home and telescope available for interested members to view Mars as it makes its closest pass to the earth in 66,000 years (everyone's invited again when it happens in the year 68003).

Mike Thomas reminded us of the e-mail about the memorial celebration of Don Heydlauff's life, on September 30, 2003.

Tim Coon

The black marble was not drawn, but Tim Coon won a raffle prize and stayed on as the "Fine Master" for the day. His questions focused on celebrities and their earnings. One of the most interesting questions was to Steve Yost. He paid $15 because he did not know that Cy Young was once traded in 1890 to another ball club for a man's suit! Someone at our table thought you might get Barry Bonds for all the Men's Warehouse stores, lock stock and barrel … I GUARANTEE IT!

Story vs. Logic

President Phil Toohey introduced Don Scully, a member of our St. Helena Rotary chapter since 1987. He pointed out what an exceptional individual Don is -- in the physical sense. He told about Don getting up one day and going to a marathon race, not intending to do more than run with the group to get some exercise, and yet completing the race. Phil also spoke of Don's spiritual and caring side. He then asked him to discuss his ideas about the role stories play in our lives and how logic, the ordered task of reasoning, is over-emphasized in today's world.

Don Scully

Don started with a story about Sir Arthur – Sir Gawain and Griselda the Hag. He also told a second story called The Heavenly Woman . The telling of these stories helps us all gain insight into our life experiences and ourselves. Don noted that there is much we can learn from story and image, but often it is order and task that gets the benefit of our attention. We live in a material world that requires "cutting and measuring" which uses the masculine, left side of our brain, to get to the answer. Connecting with feelings is more difficult for many people, particularly men. Getting in touch with the feminine side, or right brain, can often open doors to the world that may be missed if we only work with our analytical mind.

Don shared a dream from his own past . . . in this dream he was sitting by a large stream and the water was moving very fast. He was very focused on the water as it rushed by him. As he watched, a woman came into his dream and asked him to talk with her. He acknowledged her in the dream, but continued to focus on the water flowing swiftly by, saying each time she spoke that he could listen to her while still looking at the stream. Finally, she was forceful enough to gain his attention. Don felt this dream was an important insight into his life. He went on to explain that the stream represented the world passing by and that he was not necessarily a part of it – more of an observer – only partially listening to others. He thought that the woman represented his inner self, and was questioning his life orientation, counseling him not just to listen to the world as it passed by, but also to involve himself in the process more fully. This dream has since manifested itself in his life. He devotes time to helping others, not in just spiritual ways, but through the giving of time, energy and insights to others through his family therapy and counseling practice.

There is a lot to learn from our fellow Rotarian Don Scully.

Home  |  Leadership  |  Make Up Clubs  |  Calendar  |  Newsletter  |  Winter Ball  |  District 5130  |  Rotary International  |  Archives  |  Contact Us

Copyright 2003 - St. Helena Rotary Club - www.sthelenarotary.org