Volume XXI
Number 18

Tuesday
Sept. 20, 2005

Wheelchairs to Katrina Victims
and a
Lobster Feed for Nicaragua Housing
By Ima Holcomb

BILL WORD Club President 2005-2006

September 13, 2005. President Bill Word began the meeting by announcing District Governor Charlie Kelly's attendance to occur at the 09/20/05 meeting and reminding everyone of the Regional President's dinner at the Hyatt in Sacramento Saturday, September 24.

Phil Toohey told a heartwarming story of how his representation within the "Wheelchair Foundation" along with the assistance of Natalie Klug and Carol Sobczak from our Club along with contacts at the Santa Rosa, CA and Conroy, TX Clubs were able to procure and successfully ship 30 wheelchairs to benefit the Katrina victims!

Jeff Epps reminded everyone of the 10/08/05 "Lobster Feed" fundraiser which benefits the Nicaragua Housing Effort and the addition of a silent auction and asked that everyone bring a bottle of wine to donate to the silent auction.

Jim Wright needs 3 more golfers for 2 of the Golf Tournaments coming up: Thursday, 09/15/05, 1:00 Meadowood Tournament needs 1 more participant, and the St. Helena Hospital Tournament needs 2 more participants.

ROB ANDREAE

Charlotte Williamson brought and distributed flyers for the Napa Solano Ridge Trail Dedication Day 09/24/05 from 9:00 am – 5:30 pm, which includes a special day of events to honor the Tuteur family for their gift of a trail easement.

Suzan Rada awarded Servaas Mes with biking accessories for his accomplishment of being one of the top 150 finishers in the "Tour de Tahoe" bike race.

Rob Andreae updated everyone on the Vintage Hall project … having sold 26 dedication benches at $3,000 each and still available are 6 bridges at $5,000 each. The dedication ceremony is 10/22/05 with Congressman Mike Thompson in attendance and Rob expects a good Rotarian attendance!

Wheelchairs and Lobster Feed ... Continued

STEVE YOST

Steve Yost announced Texas Hold 'Em night 09/15/05 at 6:30 pm, Grace Church, with an attendance fee of $10. All who have signed up will be charged the $10 even if they don't attend as he does provide wine and water for the event. He also told of how Kathleen Patterson (previous past president) finished 50^th of 96 in a District Texas Hold 'Em match in Oakland.

Doug Ernst spoke of the need for more members to participate in the Relay for Life event on September 17 and 18.


BELL RINGERS

LYDIA WILSON

Lydia Wilson was proud of her new Bocce Ball Team playing on Monday nights, consisting of 3 other Rotary members, Alston Hayne, Ima Holcomb and Suzan Rada who won 2 of the 3 games played and of her great negotiating skills in walking away with 2 bottles of Chateau Montelena from the losing team.

Kelly Crane distributed flyers for a Pancake Breakfast benefiting Hurricane Katrina victims, 09/18/05, 7:30 am – 12:00 noon at Napa Christina School.
 

FINE MASTER: Steve Carbone

STEVE CARBONE

Steve Carbone asked everyone who has taken a vacation out of the country this year to raise his/her hand. He then asked them all to stand and tasked each member with telling the Club where they went and if they attended a "Rotary" club meeting while abroad…. there was a unanimous "NO" to attendance, but our members traveled all over the world this summer, and Steve collected a lot of money in fines:

Jeff Epps, Ireland; Hendrik Smeding, Mexico; Ron Sculatti, Mexico; Chuck Meibeyer, Nicaragua; Margo Kennedy, Canada, Lake Louise; Phil Toohey, Niagara Falls – Canada side; Gary Jaffe, Canada, Lake Louise; Dave Brotemarkle, Canada, Victoria, Whistler; Dave Moreland, Berlin; Bob Gregory, Italy, Hong Kong, Austria…; Rex Stults, Scotland; Rob Andreae, Ireland and Mexico; Doug Ernst, Germany, Austria; Wendell Dinwiddie, England, Norway; Steve Yost, Austria, Hungary; and Donn Black, Paris, Bordeaux.

BOB GREGORY MARGO KENNEDY

 

SPEAKER: Jill Pahl, Director of Environmental Management Department

The mission of the Environmental Management Department is "to provide those services that are necessary to preserve, protect, promote and improve the health and well-being of the citizens, visitors and animals of Napa County and to improve the County's environmental quality."

Jill Pahl enlightened the members with the many areas of oversight for which the Environmental Management Department is responsible for, which include Animal Services, Consumer Protection, Integrated Waste, Land Development, and Pollution Prevention as well as a wealth of "recycling" information about Electronics Recycling & Reuse, Napa Recycling & Waste Services, and Napa-Vallejo Household Hazardous Waste Collection facility.

More info can be obtained from Environmental Management Department at 707-253-4471 or www.co.napa.ca.us for more information; Electronics Recycling & Reuse at 800-253-4471 or www.erecycle.org; Napa Recycling & Waste.

The Greatest Generation
By Donn Black
 

STEVE EBERSOLE

September 6, 2005. Following a flawless flag salute, Steve Ebersole delivered an inspiring invocation that included special concern for those impacted in the Gulf Coast hurricane.

Later, as President Bill tried to restore order to the meeting, the crowd demonstrated its restlessness by its slothful response to the gavel. Something was in the air! Finally the Prez was able to welcome "back" three long gone members, Stephen Carbone (gone the longest but made up all missed meetings on the East Coast), Jonathan Briano, and Miles Metzger . As if to mark the occasion as special, Miles introduced his wife Angelica Metzger.

Al Albright followed suit by introducing his wife, Marilyn Albright. Their 37th wedding anniversary was March 7th. Congratulations Al and Marilyn (and Tony!)! Next, Diane Bylund introduced her tall, handsome son, Blake Bylund.

Wendell Dinwiddie has a birthday September 12th. That and the anniversary brought on the Rotary 10 of course, who sang acappella and more or less on tune. "... come again, come again, come again!"

Prez Bill then explained why DG Charlie cancelled his scheduled appearance. He needed to attend the funeral of a Rotarian's son who had been killed in Iraq. His visit is rescheduled for September 20. Bill then explained all the things that are being considered by our District leadership regarding hurricane Katrina Rotary relief. News will be available on the District website. Stay tuned. Frank Sottile announced that 6 of the 7 Boys and Girls Clubs in the Gulf Coast region lost their clubhouses in the hurricane.

Club Treasurer Norman Mitroff announced that the $61.++ charge on members' current monthly statements is in error and will be revised downward. We didn't learn how much or what the error was, but Prez Bill took full responsibility for the whole affair.

Recent Prez Kathleen Patterson , a big winner in the past, announced another Texas Hold'em night on September 15th. Grace Church. Lydia Wilson reminded Rotarians of how to donate to the remarkable County Search and Rescue organization we learned about last week. Go to  www.hsus.org. Diane Bylund, Sergeant at Arms, reviewed meeting assignments (set up, etc.) for the next two weeks and asked members to get their two $25.++ dollar raffle prizes in.

Charles Bell announced that a memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Sunday, September 18th for his beloved wife, Peggy Bell at the PUC chapel.

Soon to be Australia bound Andy Bartlett introduced his guests, Marilyn and Paul Asmuth, the host parents of our exchange student from Germany, Swatje Paragenius. Following touching remarks by Swatje, and upon motion duly made and seconded (toot, toot), Swatje was inducted as an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of St. Helena! Stay tuned.

HENDRIK SMEDING, PAUL ASMUTH, SWATJE PARAGENIUS, MARILYN ASMUTH, AND ANDY BARTLETT

The lucky raffle winners were: Swatje Paragenius (Yes! But no black marble.); Mike Thomas; and our newest member, Ima Holcomb. Diane Bylund was the Fine Master, but luckily, due to the program running late, only for just long enough to illicit the following Bell Ringers:

• Father Mac for the $10,000 his Church recently raised for Katrina relief.
• Joel Toller, $20 for the recent marriage of his father.
• Charles Bell, $30 for the timely return of his son David and his professional singing group from its African tour.

PAUL KRSEK

Stepping into the program breach created when DG Charlie had to cancel, Paul Krsek came through with a truly excellent and inspirational presentation, "The Greatest Generation." That refers to the WWII age people who were responsible for taking the United States from a state of almost complete unpreparedness to victory in the most devastating event in world history, WWII. Paul had originally given this talk at St. Helena Rotary 10 years ago, at which time 10 members who were veterans of WWII were in attendance. Of those only Ed Beard, Alston Haynes, Jim Lider and Rudy Papale are present today. We are losing the Greatest Generation fast.

Paul recounted several gripping stories of some of the heroes of the epic, including the Air Corps unit of black airmen who although heavily discriminated against, came through to be true combat heroes. Another was the story of his own father, and another of a man named Higgins who designed and built the Higgins landing boats, some 20,000 of which made D-day militarily possible. 

Paul pointed out that just like throughout our history, the U.S. and our democracy remain works in progress--wonderful, but far from perfect. An especially apt lesson in these troubled times.

That was it. The closing bell catapulted the meeting into the annals of Rotary history. 

A Fun Time
at Grace Church
By Steve Yost

Last Thursday – September 15^th – 16 Rotarians and friends gathered at Grace Church to take part in an evening of Texas Hold'em poker. A great time was had by all who attended.

After about 3 hours of play, the winner was---------Marcia Kalapus. Who is that you say? Well it turns out she is Lisa Marie Andersen's mother and a fair poker player she is. Norm Mitroff came in a close second – he was beaten on the last hand when Marcia turned a straight (if you don't know what that means ask me). The winner received a PokerParty.Com polo shirt as well as getting the pick of the 6 prizes.

Beverly and Servaas Mes, and Lydia Wilson arranged for munchies and drinks, which everyone enjoyed. By the way Servaas, who was only present for part of the play, finished 3^rd. In addition to them, we would like to thank dealers John Sales and Joel Toller. These Rotarians made the poker party happen.

BEVERLY MES SERVAAS MES     LYDIA WILSON     JOHN SALES JOEL TOLLER

Rotary Membership Moments

Week 12 – September 18-24, 2005    Be proud of the fact that you belong to the world's greatest service organization.  Rotary is well respected.  When you wear your pin you tell the world that you are special, you abide by a code of ethics, The Four Way Test.  You are recognized as a business leader.  Wearing your pin can give you the opportunity to meet the most fascinating people in an elevator or at the airport. Try it the next time you travel. Week 13 – September 25-October 1, 2005   Who is a mentor?  The person who agrees to shepherd a new member thought their first year of Rotary.  A mentor welcomes them at meetings, introduces them to other members, sits with them and encourages them to join in activities and belong to a committee.  In other word helps them get involved. Educates them on what Rotary is and how it functions. Be a mentor, help a new member learn about Rotary.

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