Category: 2018 Jan-Jun

Flag Salute:  Jack Hyde

Inspiration:  Maureen Merrill, with a little help from her friends, Pam Moulton and Sue Nelson offered us this rap:

       We knew this thing would be off the HOOK

       The vibe came alive, you had to LOOK

       Music and drinks and food were KILLER

       People, we carried off a THRILLER

       Raisin’ funds to help us SERVE

       Touchin’ lives with style and VERVE

       Kids get genuine shopping SPREES     

       And movies fit for FAMILIES

       Scholarships that keep grads LEARNING

       Job programs encourage EARNING

       Plan A was to raise that serious MONEY

       To write Plan B would have just been FUNNY

       Bein’ a team, smooth as CREAM,

       Stickin’ together like sweat and LEATHER

       Livin the dream that we’d SUCCEED

       A victorious, glorious LOBSTER FEED!

Song: Warin Parker had a short song “Hey, look me over, Lobster up to here.”

Introduction of Visiting Rotarians:

Club	Classification	Name	Notes
Sebastopol	Newspaper Publishing	Rollie Atkinson

Introduction of Guests of Rotarians:

Member	Guest	Notes
Jack Hyde	Janet Hyde	Jack’s wife
Jack Hyde	Jana	Our Youth Exchange student from Switzerland
Craig Curreri	Cecilia Hewlitt	Youth Exchange student
	Tammy Hewlitt	Cecilia’s Mother
Teray	Talon	Her son
Larry Wasem	Abigail	Robin’s new baby

Renee Hyde                                    Mother of our Outbound YE

Announcements:

President Steve announced that our own Cali Calmecac school in Windsor was awarded a $25,000 grant in Category E, which was a nationwide competition.   Thanks to everyone in Rotary who voted for Cali.

Sandy Krutz and Carol Marin encouraged everyone to go on-line and vote for the Rotary International website for a Webby Award.

Warin Parker introduced our last Student of the Month for this year:  Cecilia Hewlitt.  Cecilia made a short and quite effective presentation, letting us know that she was in Nueva School for the Arts.   Started as a performer,  but discovered that she loved being behind the scenes when she served as Stage Manager for the school production of “Peter and the Star Catcher”.   She is planning to attend a 4-year university – either UC Santa Barbara or Emerson College.

President Steve was a little shy about bragging on his wife, Mapi, who won the award for Best Presentation by a group of professional judges at the “Art of Dessert” event last weekend.  Craig Curreri jumped in to help Steve and didn’t have any trouble singing Map’s praises, which were well-deserved.  At our own Lobster Feed, there was a bidding war for a “Mapi’s Cake” between Craig Curreri and Michael Juric.   We learned that Michael was bidding for his son and fiancé for a wedding cake.  Both Craig and Michael gave $25 to their John Lewis just because they are so impressed with Mapi’s cakes!

Michael Juric announced very preliminary numbers for our Lobster Feed earnings:   These are gross numbers – costs still have to be calculated against these gross earnings”

Ticket sales:  $27,000

Live Auction:  $31,500

Silent Auction:  $8,700

Wine Cave:  $5,000

Fund-a-Need for Kidspree to be donated to 20/30 Club:  $18,000 or 120 kids!   Way to go, Rotary Club of Windsor!

President Steve announced that Saturday, May 5 will be the Windsor Day Parade with our big cold air balloon.  Everyone is invited to participate.

Maureen announced a mini-fundraiser:  A private theater evening social to see the play:  “Women in Jeopardy”  All $30 of each ticket sale will go to the WRCF.

President Steve reminds us that the District Conference is May 18-20 at the McClellan AFB in Sacramento.

Wally Krutz announces that Dick Bishop is home now with a home health worker.  He is looking good and in upbeat spirits, especially since Wally and Sandy brought him a lobster from our Lobster Feed!

Bill Bolster reports that he heard from our outbound Youth Exchange student, Emma Hackethorne, in Sweden, and her message was in Swedish!   She sent along a picture of a reindeer and “everything cold” according to Bill.  He encouraged Emma to communicate in the only language Bill claims to barely know – English.

Renee Hyde announces that Wednesday evening (tomorrow) at 6:30 PM will be information night to learn about the Youth Exchange program.   She tells us that if we know anyone who will be 15-1/2 to 18-1/2 years old for the 2019 school year, to encourage them to come to this meeting at Windsor High School audio-visual room, aka the library.

Renee also says she is looking for host families for our Youth Exchange student next year, even though we don’t know yet whether it will be a boy or a girl.   Talk to Renee if you even think you might want to host.   It is a most rewarding time with wonderful kids.

Our Rotary Scholarship committee met last week at Allen Christensen’s AltaPacific Bank:  Allen Christensen, Warin Parker, Bill Bolster, and Michael Juric, the committee, awarded ten (10) scholarships to graduating seniors.  Four scholarships were for $1,500 each and six were for $1,000 each.

Speaker:

JB Leep introduced our speaker for the day, Rollie Atkinson,  of Sonoma West Publishers.

Rollie has worked in newspapers for 43 years, starting as a reporter in his hometown of Frederick, Maryland, before moving to Sonoma County in 1981.

He has worked as sports editor, editor, and general manager and finally as owner and publisher at our local group of weekly newspapers including The Windsor Times, The Healdsburg Tribune, Cloverdale Reveille and Sonoma West Times and News in Sebastopol.  He and his wife have been owners of the parent company, Sonoma West Publishers, since 1995.

Rollie was part of the team that started The Windsor Times in 1987, right around the time the Rotary Club of Windsor started up!  He has a lot of friends in the audience of our Rotary Club.

Rollie began by reading the front page of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, which was just awarded the Pulitzer Prize for their lucid and tenacious crisis reporting about the October firestorms here in Northern California.

He discussed the many challenges facing newspaper reporting and the statistics regarding lost newspapers and lost jobs.   He talked about a new model for newspapers and reporting, and one he has begun with Sonoma West Publishing:  Direct Public Offerings.   Most of the questions and follow up discussion was centered on DPO’s and this new model.

Rollie’s strong conviction is stated this way:

Local News Matters

Local Readers Matter

Local Ownership Matters

President Steve gaveled us to a close encouraging us to “Do Something Rotarian” today.

Opening bell at 7:30 and Pres Steve Klick turned to E. Marie Coakley for a flag salute

Inspiration was provided by the worldly traveler Michael Juric who suggested of all the wonders in the entire world, it is a wonder that he found… you!

Sandi Krutz filled in for Bev Graham as songstress and led us in a rousing God Bless America. ­­

Guests of Rotarians:

Chris Landwehr introduced Mike Rausch with Windsor Police Department, Glenn Worthkin Computer Robotics store.

John Hackenburg introduced his partner in life, Jean Hackenburg.

Olivia Lemon with the Town of Windsor was introduced by Carol Martin.

Out bound student, Natasha Figueroa will soon be off for Brazil, but spent the morning with us and was introduced by Bill Bolster.

Pam was sort of introduced by Dick Bishop.

Announcements:

Robin Phillips had a little girl, Abigail Rose Resendez 6lbs 10oz

Carol Martin and JB Leep celebrated an anniversary at Starks Restaurant for a 28th anniversary

Susan Nelson became a day older… Yesterday.

SNAP Event in Healdsburg with Windsor Rotary hosting Foss Creek Community Center: 1557 Healdsburg Avenue.    Set up at 9 am

Contact Craig Curreri for more information on the upcoming 3rd grade dictionary distribution at Cali Calmecac Elementary school.

People’s Choice Awards presented by Sandi Krutz who told us $5000 was raised.

Carol Martin accepted for Pink Flamingos

Fire Relief Fund with Jason Black.

Movie Night won for best must do it again movie night

Most money raised went to the Flamingos

Lobster Feed on April 24th. Please pass along the sponsorship forms and share the Save The Date provided by JB Leep.

Raffle Drawing:

Pres Steve announced the winning number and our Natasha had it…since she is a minor we didn’t make her roll the dice, instead we made a donation… Congratulations!

Special presentation:

Olivia Lemon made a presentation on our newest community service project, Tuesday Night Kids’ Movies on the Town Green. The movies is centric to Windsor residents and especially families and has drawn up to 1000 people.  The Rotary Club of Windsor is going to be the presenting sponsor. Additional sponsorships are available for other companies. There are numerous opportunities to expand promotion of Windsor Rotary through social media, e-banners, banners and a short film prior to the run of the feature movie.

We got to watch a movie from Pixar… Lou!

Program:

Back to Africa, presented by Michael Juric, Ken Moulton and Pam Moulton.

Here was a recap of the group trip to Uganda with Dale Knight.

We were treated to a gallery of images shot by Pam of the country, it’s people, animals and fauna.

Pam shared the many ways our club has been involved with international activities, both abroad and at home through the hosting opportunities of exchange students and Rotary travelers.

Ken offered a brief history of Uganda, the pearl of Africa. After a 14 hour flight to Dubai they then headed out to Entebbe, Uganda. Uganda is located in the South Eastern portion of Africa. They became independent in 1962. Many of the various tribes were met with brutality by Idi Amin in 1972. He was eventually chased out in 1979. Today the country is prospering and all of the team felt safe in their adventure wherever they went.

Uganda is the start of the River Nile, which flows north. 41 million population with 56 tribes and nine indigenous communities. The average life span is 55 years.

The team went to visit schools and brought numerous school books that were paid for by our club. The books were distributed to schools with classrooms that offered desks and benches, and others that placed children on the ground.

Michael introduced several other projects the team and Rotary have been involved with. Of the 5 schools the team visited they ran a range from boarding schools with young scholars to technical schools with automotive classes, fashion design. Schools included elementary to the equivalent of high school.

Pam let us know the intrigue the children showed seeing white people and were curious as to whether the white would rub off if they held hands. The connection with the children was exceptional with numerous dance recitals and chanting. It was inspirational to see the depth of humanity that locals had for each other. Interesting comment was that no one was truly homeless since near everyone was open to encouraging and nurturing others.

Our presentation was concluded with images of the animals that inhabit the surrounding countryside. Amazing photos and an amazing team that reflected Rotary People in Action.

Opening – The meeting was officially opened by President Steve Klick at 7:30 am followed by the pledge of allegiance lead by Teray Elrod.. Inspiration – The inspiration was given by Renee Hyde quoting a former Youth Exchange Student in saying “Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone”. Guests – The following guests were introduced: Rotarian Ted Calvert– Healdsburg Sunrise Rotary Mike Raasch – Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Glenn James Percy – Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Carlos Basurto – Windsor/Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Glenn Sugden – Visitor/ Guest for third time Jennifer Berndt – Volunteer for Project Graduation Announcements Youth Exchange – Bill Bolster announced that our outgoing Youth Exchange Student, Natasha Figueroa, is looking for part time work to supplement her expenses for the the youth exchange experience Literary Guild of Healdsburg – Ted Calvert announced that a hike for the Sonoma Land Trust would be taking place today at 10:00 am and that John Vanderzee would be speaking Thursday at 7:15 pm for the Literary Guild of Healdsburg at Shed for anyone interested. SNAP – Art Diaz announced that the second sponsored activity for Special Needs students was held last Saturday at the Community Center in Healdsburg. SNAP is collaboratively presented as part of Rotary Cares for northern Sonoma. A special thanks to Tom Boylan, Ken and Pam Moulton, Juan Vasquez and the extended family of Art Diaz for their participation. Dictionary Project – Craig Curreri announced the second Dictionary distribution would happen at Cal Calmecca Learning Academy this Friday, Any Rotarian interested in helping out should report for the dictionary distribution at 9:00 am to assist. Lobster Feed Fund Raiser and Celebration – Chairperson Michael Juric reminded the Club that our celebration/fund raiser is scheduled for April 14, 2018. Tickets are now available on the Website and for sponsorship opportunities see Michael. Jack Hyde announced that silent auction sign-up sheets were on each table. JB also announced that advertising was going on Facebook and should be shared with your friends. Save the Date cards were also distributed.

Wine Cave – Michael Juric also announced that 100 tickets would be sold for a raffle item at the Lobster Feed. Each Club member is asked to contribute a nice bottle of wine ($25 or more) for this raffle gift. Brabetz’s Celebrate 50 Years – Diane and Les Brabetz will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Steve Klick asked that each Rotary sign a special anniversary card located in the side room before leaving. Raffle Drawing – No drawing was held since no tickets were sold. Speaker – Jennifer Berndt – Project Graduation – Windsor High School Jennifer Berndt is in her second year as a parent volunteer for Project Graduation. The Rotary Club of Windsor is one of the sponsors of this graduation activity whose theme is “Keeping kids alive to see the dawn light”. Jennifer discussed many of the activities that are provided to students on the night of graduation. This program is an alternative to private graduation parties. It goes from 10:00 pm to 4:30 am and includes such activities as a casino night, rock climbing, fortune tellers, massages, and plenty of food and games. A coffee bar with plenty of special drinks is very popular later in the morning. Jennifer and her committee thank Windsor Rotary for their support of this Project Graduation   Craft Talks New Rotarian Teray Elrod was introduced by Maureen Merrill. Teray talked about her involved with Rotary as a member in Sebastopol Rotary. She works for Rotarians Kim and David McDonald in their Insurance Company in Santa Rosa. A long time resident of Sonoma, Teray shared pictures of her family and grown children (Thomas is in the Navy). She expressed her interest in running and her participation in marathons. Teray celebrated her wedding day by running a half marathon in Healdsburg in her wedding dress and being married at the finish line. Teray is an enthusiastic new member who finished her craft talk by saying “Sign me up and put me to work.” Congratulations Teray, you are the new chairperson of the Lobster Feed. The second craft talk was given by Juan Valencia who was introduced by Art Diaz. Juan is also a long time resident of Sonoma County coming to California from Mexico at the age of 12. Followed by members of his family, seven brothers and sisters, Juan, attending schools in Santa Rosa graduating from Sonoma State University in Marketing. He currently is the owner of Valencia Motors in Santa Rosa. Juan hobbies include soccer, snow boarding, and travel. He has a large extending family and is a very dedicated family member. The Rotary Club of Windsor warmly welcomes both Teray and Juan to our family!