Volume XX
Number 21

Tuesday
Oct. 19, 2004

Coming Programs Every Tuesday Oct 19 Measure W Spokesman Measure W Oct 26 Karen Scalabrini Local Government Revenues Nov 2 Dr. Larry Jebrock How to Improve Your Reading Concentration and Memory Nov 9 Andy Bartlett Youth Exchange Program Nov 16 Andy Bartlett Youth Interact - Rotary Youth Leadership Nov 23 Bryan Tong Elder Abuse Identification Fraud Nov 30 Joice Beatty/Natalie Klug Rotary Festival of Brotherhood Coming Events Nov 5-14, 2004 Festival of Brotherhood Guadalajara, Mexico May 19, 2005 Centennial Celebration Doubletree Hotel Rohnert Park, CA Birthdays Oct 2 John Harrington Oct 16 Norm Alumbaugh Oct 17 Diane Dillon Oct 22 Tony Albright Oct 22 Father Mac Oct 28 Diane Bylund Oct 31 Linda Beard-Delucchi Wedding Anniversaries Oct 1 Gary Jaffe (Pam) Oct 4 Bert Johansson (Valerie) Oct 7 Frank Sottile (Penny) Oct 12 Dave McLaren (Melanie) Oct 14 Rob Andreae (Linda) Oct 16 Lisa Marie Andersen (Scott) Oct 23 Steven Rivas (Francine) Club Anniversaries Oct 1, 1987 Diane Dillon Oct 1, 1987 Robert Herrick Oct 1, 1989 Jim Wright Oct 5, 1999 Rex Stults Oct 10, 2000 Charlotte Williamson

A Very Big Day Indeed!
Paul Harris Fellows Announced
awards presented by
District Governor Bruce Campbell
By Father Mac
 

DISTRICT GOVERNOR BRUCE CAMPBELL WITH ST. HELENA PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS

October 12, 2004  –  District Governor Bruce Campbell and his wife Helaine played to a full house as the St. Helena Club came together for food, fellowship, and big business at noon on another spectacular day in the Napa Valley. In addition to past District Governor Franz Wartenweiler and his wife Pat, there were visiting Rotarians from the Napa Sunrise Club, and Middletown and the Governor's club in Sonoma. In addition to those, Jake Sheideman had invited his girlfriend Karensue Frank and his mother, Loralee. Phil Toohey introduced the Interact leadership, including Kaitlyn Reedy and David Brothemarkle's daughter, Caitlyn.  Jim Poulin brought School superintendent Alan Gordon; Jerry McQuiddy was joined by his bride, Inge. Mark Terrell introduced his guest, Janet Lamborn and Mike Thomas was joined by his wife, Ann. Jim Meehan was joined by his wife, as was Charles Bell, who announced his upcoming 50^th Anniversary. Dr. Debbie Victoria-Seale introduced her guest, Lydia Wilson and Rex Stults had a guest as well. Like I said, it was a packed house, and the burgers were great!

District Governor Bruce Campbell ... Continued

As is her custom during this Centennial year, President Patterson drew attention to Rotary International, this time taking us to the Alaska Yukon District. Apparently a group of exchange students had gathered for an all night lock-in to promote world peace and understanding. There were students from Germany, France, Japan, Russia and the USA. Many of them had parents who had fought against each other in War, and were now together to plant seeds of peace. Pretty awesome. As Kathleen concluded: Another great day to be a Rotarian!

ELAINE JOHN

Elaine John, our Rotary Foundation Chair then introduced our District Governor who was then to announce and award Paul Harris Fellows. This was profoundly emotional. Paul began his presentations by offering us an image that encouraged all of us to understand more fully what the Fellowship really accomplishes. He spoke of an eighty-year-old Vietnamese woman being photographed next to a water spigot in her front yard. It was the first time in her life she had fresh water at her house. All because of Rotary. A stunning image, indeed.

On to the presentations for Paul Harris:

Category I: Paid to become Paul Harris Fellows: Gary Jaffe, Mike Thomas, Bill Word, Steve Yost and Chuck Meibeyer

Category II: In honor of another, and these were very moving. Janet Lamborn in honor of Bob, Mike and Ann Thomas in honor of their daughter Carrie, and Charles Bell in honor of his wife, Peggy.

Finally, and this too was very touching, Jake had honored his mother, Loralee, with a Paul Harris Fellow, and thanked her for teaching him to help other people, and she had done this by EXAMPLE. What a moving tribute. Well done to all Paul Harris recipients.

Program:

BRUCE CAMPBELL,
DISTRICT 5130 GOVERNOR

Bruce was introduced by Shawn Whitney from the Middletown Club. The introduction was impressive, and I will only summarize by saying that Bruce Campbell is VERY dedicated to Rotary. The list of his accomplishments and tireless devotion give evidence to a man whose compassion has found a home in Rotary.

Bruce visits a lot of Clubs. He has been to all 43 in our District and loves it. He gets to spread ideas around and sees what is working where. Often in his Board visits, members will even become aware of what is happening in their own clubs that they didn't know about. He commended our Club on all it is doing and made mention of the ideas that came from his visit with us. His quote about ideas is this, if an idea isn't shared…it's a bad idea."

The central theme of the Governor's presentation was "making Rotary relevant." And he addressed three levels at which relevance is felt. First, on an individual level, being creative about new ideas, ways to serve and programs to develop: keeping the spirit of service alive. Secondly, on a community level, how Rotary can act as leaven in a community, raise the level of compassion and improvement by example. And thirdly, on an international level, striving for world peace through understanding.

Bruce lifted the four-way test to a new level. He challenged each of us as individuals in our many contexts to conduct ourselves ethically and morally in ways contrary to the existing culture. With corporate and individual excesses everywhere and an anything goes climate, he called Rotarians to examine their conscience and live by higher standards.

Bruce gave examples of the many ways Rotarians are stepping up: the Cool Kids Camp, the 10,000 dictionaries that have been distributed to third graders, international projects, the list goes on and on of the really fabulous efforts being made all over.

Finally, the vision for the Centennial year.

APRIL IS VOLUNTEER MONTH…EVERY ROTARIAN IS BEING CALLED TO CONTRIBUTE 10 HOURS OF SERVICE TO A PROJECT OF THEIR CHOOSING

The push for eradication of polio is still on and fierce. More pressure will be put to this end. President Patterson was presented with a bottle of wine labeled Pinot for Polio, which is to be opened only when polio is eradicated.

DG BRUCE CAMPBELL PRESENTED  PRESIDENT KATHLEEN PATTERSON WITH A BOTTLE OF WINE

Mark your Calendars

DISTRICT CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
DOUBLETREE HOTEL, ROHNERT PARK
MAY 19, 2005

St. Helena Rotary
Under Surveillance By District 5130
By Donn Black
 

KATHLEEN PATTERSON Club President 2004-2005

October 5, 2004  –  According to normally reliable but confidential sources, the St. Helena Rotary Club is being closely monitored by officials of Rotary District 5130. Two weeks ago, the District Governor's coordinator, Shaw Whitney attended the Club's weekly meeting with no apparent mission. Last week a Past District Governor Mike Merrill was on hand, albeit as Speaker of the Day. This week District Governor Nominee, Erna Stevenson was very much present, but when asked by this reporter what brought her to the meeting, she replied simply, "Oh, just visiting (wink, wink)." Next week the current District Governor, Bruce Campbell will attend, again as the featured speaker. (Slick cover!).

Inquiries to Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, Illinois revealed that there is no recorded instance of four consecutive weekly visits by District Officials to a single Rotary Club. However, headquarters denied any knowledge of any District 5130's focus on St. Helena. Likewise, our confidential source had no specific intelligence on the matter, but was willing to speculate that it may have something to do with either the growing reputation of Club President Kathleen Patterson's outstanding meetings and her recitations of, "The World of Rotary," or the large sums flowing through the Club's lottery and Winter Ball.

AL ALBRIGHT

Probably unrelated, and after the pledge and a nifty remembrance to mothers by Suzan Rada, continuation of the meeting was once again threatened by a very dead microphone. Only the quick vault of Al Albright up to the electronics locker and a sharp blow to the side of the sound system amplifier saved the day. Undaunted, President Patterson carried on by introducing the only Visiting Rotarian, the said Erna Stevenson, District Governor Nominee.

REX STULTS

There were three Honored Guests: Rex Stults introduced Tracy Calkins of West America Bank, and Bob Graham, of the CIA, both of St. Helena. Tony Albright introduced Lydia Wilson of Marlow & Co. Jewelers, of St. Helena. Then the Seven Swells plus A Piano serenaded the honored trio with the familiar, ". . . come again, come again, come again." And this time they meant it!

JOICE BEATTY

Announcements:

Joice Beatty made a passionate plea for at least two volunteer applicants for open Advisory Council positions with Area Agency on Aging Serving Napa and Solano. "AAA" for short. The serving seniors group has an unusual problem. Ample funds but not enough qualified Advisory members to determine how to best spend the money. Takes only a few hours a month, including afternoon meetings on each first Thursday. Call 707-644-6612.

Don Scully, Co-Chair of the Recreation Committee (with Suzan Rada ), announced the upcoming 175 mile bicycle ride of Mike Thomas to benefit the Fibromyalgia Association and in honor of his daughter who was recently taken by the disease. Best wishes to Mike for his epic ride.

Elaine John wanted to sell more raffle tickets to benefit the Rotary Foundation, in connection with the October 16 District 5130 family picnic event. Careful, the District may be watching St. Helena Rotarians in attendance.

STEVE YOST

Steve Yost passed a signup sheet for a trip to the Westlake Village Rotary Club in Southern California and/or to host members of that club when they come to visit us. The idea of this exchange and possibly other joint projects is the brain child of Westland Village Rotarian Mark Jaffe, son of St. Helena Rotarian Gary Jaffe.

President Patterson announced the District Governor's visit and speech next week and invited one and all to a reception for the governor and his wife at her house that evening. Contact Madam President to sign up. She then read a touching tale of international service.
 

RON CLARK

Raffle:

The raffle winners were 836966, 799003 and 799016, Ron Clark (great tool kit), Carol Sobczak (wine and almonds) and Polly Keegan (a book on College Football), respectively. No black marbles.

Under Surveillance By District 5130 ... Continued

Bellringers:

TIM COON   SERVAAS MES   BERT JOHANSSON

Once the excitement of the raffle subsided and the members had quieted down, Finemaster, Tim ("I love this job") Coon, fined Joice Beatty $10 for worrying aloud about when the raffle winners would be picked, and elicited bell ringers from Servaas Mes, Elaine John, Al Albright, PP (Past President) Phil Toohey, Frank Sottile ($100 to PHF in remembrance of his father who passed away two weeks ago), Loren Gardner, Tim Coon and Mike Smith (for his "stupid" skateboard injury--$100 to PHF). Then aeronautical engineers Ron Scullati, Frank Sottile and Steve Ebersole where invited up to make and fly paper airplanes or suffer the consequences. Clearly Steve's plane crashed and the other two flew well. Nevertheless, all three pilots were fined heavily.

Bert Johansson, who had been downright quiet about his anniversary last week, got nailed for $29, a dollar a year of marital bliss, he confessed. Frank Sottile, married 14 years, was fined $14, and for some intriguing, undisclosed reason. the fine was passed on to Dick Rogers.

Program:

SHELI SMITH
AND A NEW UNDERWATER PARK

SHELI SMITH

Rex Stults introduced The Speaker of the Day, Sheli Smith . A duly ordained geologist/anthropologist and professor at Napa Valley College, Ms. Smith often consults or runs special projects in her field. The California Department of State Parks tapped her to organize and run a project called "The Frolic," the discovery, mapping and preservation of the wreck of an 1850s, former opium trafficking brig named, The Frolic, off the Mendocino Coast (near Point Cabrillo lighthouse). Off course, the ship sunk without loss of life in shallow water after tangling with rocky costal crags. According to Ms. Smith, the captain subsequently lied under oath about where the ship sank, undoubtedly to defraud the insurance companies.

Sports divers first discovered the wreck. Assuming gold was aboard, they used dynamite to uncover the cargo, which turned out be mainly porcelain and other decorative glass. Finally, about 1963, the citizens of Mendocino raised funds and talked State Parks into exploring the wreck and establishing California's first underwater park. It was a fascinating, satisfying story of history preservation and a job well done. Thank you Ms. Smith.

The closing gong rang out exactly at 1:35, unleashing the customary din of chairs being dragged and up to 10,000 good words.
 

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