5/8/24 – Redwood Empire Food Bank – 2nd Wednesday of the month.  The next one is: June 12th – 5 PM – 7 PM

–> The Giro Bello is just around the corner! June 29, 2024.  Register to reserve your spot for one of the most scenic and fun bike rides on the West Coast – Now with a new start and finish, the Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa.  Click here for more info and to register.

–> Last week’s social at Corricks was a blast. Click Here for some photos.

For pictures and descriptions of previous socials and other events click here.

For more details and additional events, see the Announcements section below.

More socials, projects, & events coming soon!

Opening Ceremonies:

Susan Nowacki led us in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test. Her Reflection was a quote from Jack London, “I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The purpose of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

Visiting Rotarians:

Jim Wieschendroff from the Rotary Club of East/West

Guests:

Dean Nowacki (Susan’s husband), Isidora Sarria (our YE student and guest speaker), Patty Kolin (to be inducted today), Eric Butterfield (to be inducted today), Ilse Lazovick (Richard’s mom who was out to see her grandson graduate from UC Berkeley School of Engineering with a degree in Material Science)

Sunshine Report:

Debi Zaft is out due to hip surgery.  She’s doing alright and sounds like she is getting bored if she was actually vacuuming!  Steve Marburger will be out for a while. Dan Balfe has Covid. Ohn Poremba’s wife had surgery,

Opportunity Drawing:

Today the pot was $165.00 and there were three (thought there was supposed to be only two, but who’s counting) marbles. Julia had the right ticket, but darn if she chose a yellow marble.  The pot rolls over.

Announcements:

1. Heather was passing a board around for Giro Bello activities that need volunteers. If you cannot use Signup Genius, see her.
2. Nona said thank you to all who went to last week’s social at Corrick’s. So much fun!
3. District Conference Friday evening and all-day Saturday
4. Thank you to Tasia Henderson, Peter Holewinski and Julia Parranto for helping at the Roseland University Prep/Roseland Collegiate Prep event
5. Steve Baime’s memorial service is at 2:00 on Saturday. See President Ann if you wish to go.
6. Ray announced a special sunset gala at Pepperwood Preserve for June 2^nd. Tickets are $350.00 a piece. He had two to raffle off.  Jim Green bought them for $1000 and will get identified as a Giro Bello sponsor for his donation
7. Marcus Stephens will have a fund raiser on June 15^th to raise funds to go to the Rotex Convention in Italy. Rotex is the Rotary organization for Rotary Exchange student alumni.
8. The next social will be at Kim Murphy’s house on June 23^rd. Details to follow.  This will be a family event.

New Member Induction

Today Patty Kolin and Eric Butterfield became Red Badgers! Eric is from San Francisco.  he is a writer, editor and musician.  His wife, Pam, is a physical therapist. Their son Etan is at Rincon Valley Middle School. He excels in baseball.  Eric and his wife Pam were solo backpackers before they met and were within 4 hours of each other on a trip many years ago.  Patty Kolin we all know well as the better half of jeff Kolin. She is currently working on her 50^th reunion at Torrance High School. She had a career in commercial interior design and loves gardening and sewing.

Recognitions:

Richard Lazovick donated $75.00 in honor of his son graduating from UC Berkeley

Charlie Howard-Gibbon donated $ 75.00 for the announcement of the Boy Scouts new name “Scouting America.”  Women and girls have been involved in Scouting since 1937.  It is just now that it is becoming well known.  Since 2019 many young girls have achieved their Eagle Scout.  PLUS: he has an event coming up on May 31 called “Blow Up the Clay Pigeons.” So, if that is your thing, give him a call.

Julia Parranto donated $100.00 because Rose stood up for the Pledge of Allegiance today.  Her knees are just getting better and better! Plus, they have been off to two weddings in the last two weeks.

Isidora Sarria:  10 months as a Youth Exchange Student

First of all, she thanked her three host families: the Gospe’s, the Nowacki’s and the Stephens.  They all loved having her. Last August, it was a 14-hour flight to get here. She met up with the other exchange students in our district up in Eureka. Some of her firsts: eating a In and Out burger, trying Indian food, going to the county fair, clam chowder in a bread bowl, and shopping at Target. How about the Warrior’s and Shark’s games?

She went to: Calaveras National Park, Columbia, CA, to the beach, San Francisco, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Baltimore.

She went trick or treating on MacDonald Avenue, the home coming dance and prom. She went to the symphony and played miniature golf. She rang a bell for the Salvation Army and packed food for the Food Bank. She went contra dancing at Monroe Hall. To Yosemite and skiing, vineyards and parks.  So much packed in these last 10 months.  She will be leaving at the end of June.  she still has graduation and Disneyland on her list of “to dos.”  Once she gets home, she will finish her senior year requirements for Chile’s schools.  She wants to go to medical school.