Volume XXI
Number 20

Tuesday
Oct. 18, 2005

Help Here and Abroad
from Bob Herrick's Poinsettias and
David Abreu's "Macho Magnums"
By Jim Haslip
 

October 4, 2005. Give a dollar to a person, you freeze their hearts; but if you give them a loan, you awaken the heroes within these women and bring back their dignity," said Lois Swanson, Women's Opportunity Fund. Lois and Anita Cummings reminded us that when we purchase the beautiful poinsettias at Christmas, we are helping the poorest of the poor and unleashing the potential of women around the globe. $15,000 will help create a Trust Bank in Nicaragua so that 30-40 women can access small loans to establish or expand businesses to support their families, send their children to school, and interrupt the cycle of poverty. The goal this year is to fill the windows of the downtown

Help Here and Abroad ... Continued

ROBERT HERRICK

stores and local churches with poinsettias to demonstrate St. Helena's commitment to this noble project. Rotary is joined by Soroptomists, Grace Church, the Catholic Church, the United Methodist Church, St. Helena businesses, and others to expand this global project. A short film, "A Day in the Life of Elizabeth, a Story of Transformation," was shown to personalize this life-changing program. In addition to a loan of $171, which allowed Elizabeth to expand her banana business, she received training in basic business practices, bookkeeping, inventory, and customer service. Once a week, she meets with other women to support and encourage each other while guaranteeing all the loans received by the group. 98-99% of all loans have been repaid. The web site is www.opportunity.org. One billion people make less than $1 a day with twice that number living in poverty. Bob and Sandy Herrick raise the plants to make this effort possible.

JEFF EPPS

Jeff Epps, representing the St. Helena Rotary Foundation, was joined by Christy Abreu, to make monetary presentations of the money we raised at Winter Ball from the 'Macho Magnums' lot. He noted that we "raise money and give it out to really good causes." Del Britton, of the Public Schools' Foundation noted that they give out over $100,000 in grants to teachers each year, which allows them to be creative and meet the needs of their students. This money helps bring learning alive for the youngsters. He noted that our teachers are a fantastic resource and we are pleased to support them. As mayor, he thanked the club for the beautiful park in front of Vintage Hall. We provide the Foundation with $25,000 each year. The Montessori Family Center received $10,000 to support their programs. By the time you read this, Del Britton should have noticed that he hurried off with the wrong check!

DOUG ERNST

Doug Ernst noted that his Rotary team raised $2,045 for Relay for Life, to help eradicate breast cancer. This is a great start for our first year. Congratulations, Doug. Jim Haslip is doing a survey of the club members and family who have committed to our Ryan Collins Organ Donor program. Over 30 people have signed up so far. Go to www.donatelife.org.

ROB ANDREAE

October 22nd is the big day for the Centennial Park dedication! President Bill urges every Rotarian to be present. The club will be "dark" on the 25^th to stress the importance of the event. Bob Andreae and Jeff Epps have done an incredible fund-raising and coordinating job with widespread local assistance in order to bring this dream into reality.

Sign up for a work assignment for the Winter Ball. Kelly Crane is co-chair of our only fund raising event of the year. He passed around a volunteer form so that everyone can be involved.

PAUL KRSEK

Paul Krsek was welcomed back from Beijing. His tiny "scrapper", Audrey Jasmine, is adjusting to jet lag.

The next International Convention will be held in twin cities, connecting Sweden and Denmark. Now is a good time to sign up for "Building Bridges" and get connected with our global organization.
 

ROTARY INT'L CONVENTION Malmo-Copenhagen June 11-14, 2006

Jake — The Snake Oil Salesman
By Steve Yost
 

JAKE SCHEIDEMAN	October 11, 2005. They say Ross Perot is the super salesman of all time-if that is so Jake Scheideman can't be too far behind. At our meeting of October 11th he shared with us the Nicaragua housing fundraiser held at the TFE ranch October 8th brought in around $200,000.00—That folks is 20 or more houses. Wow! The Rotary lot of wine went for $1,300.00. President Bill Word praised Jake and his work.
BOB TRINCHERO	Aren't we blessed to have people like Jake and Bob Trinchero (his firm generously donated the facility)? After sharing his good news with us he introduced his four Nicaraguan guests who flew up for the fundraiser and to visit our town. One of them actually won a raffle prize and they were all happy to have rice and beans today!
Raffle Winner—guest Douglas Durwood—no black marble. Jim Haslip informed us that there are 31 Rotarians signed up in the Ryan Collins Organ Donor program.
CRAIG ANDERSON	Craig Anderson announced Napa County Public Health needs volunteers for the clinic giving flu shots. Mike Thomas had a great trip to Italy. Did you declare everything you bought there Mike when you came through customs? Alston Hayne had a bell ringer because his harvest ended 45 minutes before the meeting.

Program: St. Helena Historical Society
 

MARIAM HANSEN, SUSANNE SALVESTRIN and TRICIA WESTBROOK of The St. Helena Historical Society

Our three speakers—Mariam Hansen, Susanne Salvestrin, and Tricia Westbrook—told us about the now three-year-old St. Helena Historical Society. They were introduced by society member John Sales.

The goal is to collect and preserve artifacts, photos, newspaper clippings, etc., which tell the history of our town. Currently, the society operates out of the 2^nd floor on the library. The speakers brought with them displays for our members to see. To date,

JOHN SALES

there are 125 members. One of the main projects is to interview relatives of families who came here in the early days, like the Hudson and York descendents.

On November 5^th they are sponsoring the third annual Spirits of St. Helena Tour of the St. Helena Cemetery where many Civil War veterans are buried.

For more information, please talk to John.
 

Fellowship Angels
Beverly Mes and Lydia Wilson
By Steve Yost
 

BEVERLY MES	Beverly Mes and Lydia Wilson outdid themselves in making our first ever potluck dinner at Rutherford Hill Winery on October 13th a fantastic success. They organized the courses so everything came out right, they had a ball driving the winery golf cart back and forth taking supplies to the cave dining room, and they made all the 35 Rotarians and significant others welcome.
LYDIA WILSON	Our very own Willis Blakewell (who is VP-Sales for Rutherford) arranged for us to enjoy wines and munchies in the tasting room then led us to the elegant cave where we had a buffet of the wonderful food members brought and we sat at tables of 8. Rutherford Hill Chardonnay and Merlot washed down the good things we ate. Thank you Willis!
CHARLOTTE WILLIAMSON	The biggest hit of the night was the green pea salad dish Jody Adams made for the occasion. Charlotte Williamson's homegrown tomatoes were very tasty. And the brownies for dessert were sumptuous, as was the cheesecake.
WILLIS BLAKEWELL	Thanks again to Beverly, Lydia, and Willis for making this 1st ever potluck so much fun.

Rotary Membership Moments

Week 16 – October 16-22, 2005   Have an after work party on Friday evening. Low key, pot luck, at someone's house. It's a great way to have your spouse, partner or other guest meet those involved in Rotary and hear what Rotary is doing currently in the community. The more you know about our club's members the more you will want to work with them on projects. Perhaps those guests will also want to join in, helping on community projects. Fellowship is the foundations of Rotary. Week 17 – October 23-29, 2005  Be proud of being a Rotarian, wear your pin, and help your club have a good public image. Rotarians are business and professional leaders, from around the world who are committed volunteers. There are 1.2 million Rotary members worldwide who belong to 33,000 Rotary clubs in 168 countries. It is truly an honor to belong to this organization. Be proud that you have been chosen to be a Rotarian.

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