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Jeff Epps
Club President 2002-2003 |
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President Jeff Epps opened the
meeting by welcoming visiting a host of guests, including a fellow Rotarian from Napa Sunrise, Natalie Klug's daughter and Tim Coon's wife Teresa and sister Catherine, and
Lia Bentinelli, our returned exchange student from Florence. Andy Bartlett also brought the new president of Interact at the High School, and her teacher advisor. All enjoyed
the lasagna from the Silverado Brewery. We broke with our normal routine to hear a brief presentation by Catherine Coon
, Tim Coon's sister, who spoke about her work in Uganda on behalf of street children. Last winter, Tim let us know that Catherine had been in touch with Rotary
clubs in Uganda, and that members had helped her gain access to very important contacts within the Ugandan government. Rotary is very active in Uganda, with 17 clubs in Kinshasa alone.
Street children are a major social problem in Uganda, one of the poorest countries in Africa. Uganda is a country ravaged by
years of civil war and epidemic levels of AIDS. Women run many families, but there is little sense of collective responsibility for the many children left orphaned by war and disease. Catherine has
been working to find these children medical care, get them into school, and even re-unite them with their families. Rotary has been instrumental in her work, and she thanked the
members for being part of a critical and vital institution.
Nick Bermudez followed, announcing that volunteers will be needed on September 11th for the memorial for the victims of the
World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks last year. Members can call Nick at Morrison to volunteer for the event. Other St. Helena civic groups are also helping out. |
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Dave Brotemarkle took the
podium to perform his Finemaster duties. Delayed for two weeks because of the presentations around Jake Scheideman's guests from Nicaragua, Dave proceeded to quiz unlucky
Rotarians about the Chamber of Commerce. In what is fast becoming a St. Helena tradition, bell ringers, however, took center stage.
- Jeff Epps
paid for Tim Coon's announcement of his new car purchase (from Epps Chevy)
- Linda Beard-Delucchi
announced that her daughter has realized a long-dream of purchasing a horse
- Andy Bartlett
honored Al Albright, somewhat indirectly with a story about his daughter and her new boyfriend
- Wendell Laidley
shared the news of his successful eye surgery; and
- William Thompson
shared with the club that he had been robbed at the bank.
Finally, after Police Chief Bert Johannson failed to explain how the crooks got away in the terrible summer traffic, the few Rotarians
left who had not rung the bell answered what were actually, fairly difficult questions about the activities of our local chamber. When David was over, Jeff fined the current president of the
Chamber, $50 for "promotion" of the Chamber. Dave didn't complain. Andy Bartlett introduced the day's program, Lia Bertinelli, returned exchange student who spent her year abroad in
Venice. Lia shared images and memories of her time in Italy with the members, who were very interested in the country's education system and the future of Venice -- widely believed
to be sinking into the bay. |
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This was her first visit as District Governor. President Jeff Epps
hosted Terri for a wonderful meal at Auberge Du Soleil on Monday night, and then invited her to attend the Club's monthly Board meeting the following morning. After the club's business was
concluded, Terri sat down and listened to each of the Board's officers and directors outline their goals for the year. District Governor Clark was particularly
impressed with the Club's international commitments this year, and visited Jake Scheideman's bike shop to see the television program recently produced on the
baseball field in Nicaragua. She helpfully pointed out some possible funding opportunities and award possibilities to the various board members and re-emphasized the importance of reaching our Polio
Eradication goals. 
