Volume XIX
Number 32

Tuesday
Sept. 30, 2003

DON HEYDLAUFF MEMORIAL GROUNDBREAKING
By Tony Albright
 

Don Heydlauff

Friends and family of the late Don Heydlauff clustered in a band of shade cast by Vintage Hall Saturday and tried not to think about the 100-degree heat.

The more than 120 people were there to dedicate a garden – still in the planning stages – named for our former St. Helena Rotary President, Don Heydlauff . Don, who died of bone marrow cancer May 8, was known for his humor and energy.

"Don was just one of these bigger-than-life characters who had fought a courageous battle with multiple myeloma," said Rob Andreae, "He never said, 'Why me?' He kept his sense of humor to the end."

Jeff Epps and others rented a limousine and drove to Stanford Hospital to bring him home to St. Helena. "When we brought him home we told him what we planned to do," Rob said. "He was very touched by it."

Saturday, the plans drawn up by St. Helena landscape architect Jonathan Plant , who donated his time and services, were unveiled. In place of the summer's dried stubble, they show a curved expanse of sloping lawn bordered by the loop rood and flanked by new and existing trees shading occasional benches and meandering paths.

At the Highway 29 end of the garden is a circular patio fronted by a low wall. Curved stone steps lead to the lawn and at the Vintage Hall end of the lawn is a raised, flagpole dais and a stone walk leading to the hall's entry.

"It's almost a park," said Toni Heydlauff . "They were nice enough to include me on the garden committee even though my thumbs are less than green." Her contribution she added, will be a flag pole topped by an eagle.

During Don's term as Rotary president he came up with the idea of holding a fundraiser to help the fledging Boys & Girls Club, which got underway in St. Helena through the efforts of Father John Brenkle and Marianna Schmidt. Heydlauff's idea was to hold a Winter Ball.

Don Heydlauff Memorial -- Continued ...

Bob Trinchero

Since 1990, and with the continued sponsorship of the Trinchero Family, the ball has raised more than $1.5 million for the Boys & Girls Club, youth sports and other local youth-related organizations. Rob said it has become the largest fundraising event of any Rotary Club in the world.

For the Heydlauffs it was merely an extension of their personal interest in helping youngsters. "Don and I believed that if we can help just one child, it helps the larger community," Toni said.

In the two years before Don's death, Rotary friends took part in 5-K walk/run fundraisers for multiple myeloma.

Rob Andreae   Jeff Epps

This year, the club has thrown its energies into the Vintage Hall landscaping project dedicated to Don and in recognition of Rotary International's 100^th anniversary in 2005. The hall, built in 1912 as a high school – and later an early home of the Napa Valley Museum – is owned by the St. Helena School District. "Rotary is taking on the whole huge thing," Toni said. "They don't think small."

Rob and Jeff are co-chairs of our Rotary Club's centennial project and the community-wide campaign to make the landscaping plans a reality.
 

TONI HEYDLAUFF'S RECEPTION
By Steve Yost

After the groundbreaking ceremony at the Vintage Hall, Toni Heydlauff held a celebration in honor of Don at her beautiful home. Many Rotarians enjoyed the hospitality and in reliving old stories of Don.

GOLFER'S DELIGHT
By Steve Yost

In the past couple of weeks our Rotary golfers led by Jeff Epps, Tim Doran, Mark Terrell, and Jim Wright have enjoyed several outings including the St. Helena City Championship at Meadowood (a Kiwanis Club fundraiser), an outing to Napa Valley Country Club (a St. Helena Hospital fundraiser), and an outing to Silverado Country club (much fun for 12 golfers followed by dinner at Don Giovanni where a bit of wine was consumed).

Jeff Epps   Tim Doran   Mark Terrell Jim Wright

Our Elaine John reports the hospital fundraiser brought in the most $ ever -- and this is a down economy! Jeff and Jim teamed with Walt Raymond and Pat Garvey to take 3rd place in the

Elaine John

team competition, while Steve Carbone, Miles Metzger, Sean Wickersham (he shot a 75!), and Steve Yost tied for fourth. Diane Dillon had longest drive and low gross for the women.

Golf outings are open to all of our members no matter what you may shoot, so regardless of how good you are you are welcome to join in the fun. Another outing will be planned for October.

NO HIGH FIVES THIS TIME
By Tony Albright
 

Kathy Patterson

Kathy Patterson filled in for President Phil Toohey on September 23 ^rd. She did a great job filling in Phil's shoes in his absence … sorry no high fives this time.

Back from Costa Rica

Terry Mesmer gave us a thank you from the bottom of her heart for our club's financial support.

We gave Terry funds toward her trip to Costa Rica where she was involved in a Spanish immersion program. This full emersion program enabled Terry to live with a family and study Spanish for four weeks, five days a week for four hours per day.

"I have become a better person, citizen, and teacher
because of this program … I intend to use this to help
the children in this community and their parents."
– Terry Mesmer –

Back from Nicaragua

Jake Scheideman

Jake Scheideman just got back from working on a housing project in Nicaragua and said that everything is full speed ahead. He and his team were able to accomplish in two days what would normally fill a complete trip (approximately 2 weeks). He was also happy to see that the Wheelchair Foundation is alive and well in that part of the world as well.

Bell Ringers

Some of the bell ringers for this meeting included a first birthday for Ryan, son of Rex Stults. We also heard from Morris Minton, Diane Bylund, Paul Krsek, and Dick Osborn.

Have you ever wondered what a Meatus is? If you have you were in good company with Ron, Kerianne, Bonnie, John, and Jonathan our latest members of the club.

That was the first of many questions posed by Fine Master Joel Toller. Other eclectic questions included: "What is Blue Tooth", "What does Veronica stand for", and "please explain BAUD".

Most of the answers given were as creative as their questions.

Bert Johansson: New City Manager

Rex Stults introduced our new City Manager, Bert Johansson.

"If you see an eagle think of Don."
 – Toni Heydlauff --

Bert Johansson

And he did. Bert was unable to make it to the groundbreaking of the Vintage memorial gardens but per Toni's request he saw an eagle on his trip.

This kind of vision and focus even on an abstract idea as seeing an eagle is not lost on Bert.

His attention to detail and desire to be an integral part of this community is self-evident.

Bert gave us a detailed view of where our city stands on revenues, property tax, sales tax, transient tax and so on. What is most on the forefront of his mind is the status of our city sewer and water structure. These two interrelated topics have been under budget for the last two years and are in need of review. Another issue that is in progress is the flood control project.

SALES TAX How much goes to your city?   PROPERTY TAX How much goes to your city?

Flood control is not a new focus of the city. Efforts are being focused around Pope St. and the Vineyard Valley complex. As far as the "What can I do?" question aside from attending city counsel meetings there are events and classes that we can attend. One such class is the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team Training). This program is designed to prepare you to help yourself, family and neighbors in the event of a major disaster. Please contact Gail and/or Grant Showley at (707) 963-2814 or Erica Sklar at (707) 963-2113.

SURPRISING OCCUPATIONS.
NEW FRIENDS. NEW ROTARIANS.
By Michael Njo
 

The meeting started with the usual formalities with our leader President Phil Toohey. President Toohey addressed a full house of members and many guests on September 16th.

Phil Toohey Club President

1. At the board meeting two items were discussed and shared with the membership at large:
    
1. Make ups – is expected, and an opportunity to see how other clubs work and operate.
2. Rotary logo wear – the membership was encouraged to purchase and wear to show spirit, visibility and support.
    
2. Chains for badges are now available for sale for $6.00.
    
3. District 5130's Annual Rotary Foundation Dinner will be held on November 8th, 5-9 pm at Finley Hall at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. $35.00 per person.

Bell Ringers: "A Piggyback Theme"

1. Jim Wright – Great showing for our golf team at the St. Helena Foundation Golf Tournament.
2. Elaine John – The most successful golf tournament St. Helena Foundation has had.
3. Jonathan Briano – Commended Miles Metzger's growth as a golfer.
4. Miles Metzger – Won the combined low gross two man's best ball at the St. Helena's Foundation golf tournament.
    

We are pleased to induct three new members:

1. Ron Sculatti – Owner of Mario's & Amelia Claire
2. Jonathan Briano – Pro golfer/Metzger Gallery
3. Karianne Blanck – Exchange Student from Oslow, Norway

Fine Master Tony Albright

Tony Albright

Due to the fact there was no guest speaker we all had a nice opportunity to get to know our members by having Fine Master Tony Albright request information of our fellow member's previous occupations.

Fines were assessed with interesting discoveries:

• Lisa Marie … Firefighter … Wow!
• Rob Andreae …
  Fired as a bus boy caught smoking??
• Alan Fowler …
  Popcorn box folder.

The meeting was adjourned with a few chuckles.

Rotary International Theme 2003-2004

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