June 2004

Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.

July 1 - President Babe Amaral's first meeting
July 8 - President Babe Amaral's second meeting

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DEBUNKING PHOTOS

What an evening, what a dinner and what great fun!

The Official Debunking of President Onita took place at the Petaluma Hotel on Saturday night and with an open bar for an hour and a half, all were in a great mood.

We began with a group of songs led by STEVE RUSTAD . . .

             . . . and a prayer by HERB BUNDESEN. If you were unable to attend you may want to find a copy of the song book, which also included some great cartoons by songleader Steve.

ONITA announced that the club had received second place among large clubs in our district for inducting 14 new members, most of who were introduced at the meeting. (Some were not in attendance).

PRESIDENT ONITA started with congratulations to LOU and JULIE STEINBERG who were celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary that evening and a happy birthday to George Viguie, husband of GRETA.

ONITA then introduced her father Joe and her daughter and her soon to be son-in-law.

ONITA then presented gifts to her board . . .

             . . . and announced the Rotarian of the Year Award; the winner was TOM BAKER. Well deserved, after all he was the editor’s sponsor. A new award was presented for Rookie of the Year and was shared by STEVE RUSTAD and JOANNE FERRIS.

DG Norm then conducted the changing of the pins. It was also announced that the club had been awarded the Homer Wood award for being an outstanding club.

Our District Governor Norm Owen was introduced, along with his wife, Beverly.

ERIK GUNHEIM then moderated the Onita presentation; however, he digressed with a wonderful picture of incoming PRESIDENT BABE.

Former Assemblywoman Bev Hansen was introduced to tell a few stories on Onita. Onita served as Bev’s aide for years. We were told that Onita cooked, baked and legislated. Bev presented Onita with an Assembly Resolution signed by John Burton, Tim Leslie, Ross Johnson and Jim Brulte. Talk about the powers in Sacramento.

ERIK, being the insensitive lawyer, then told us he was about to show embarrassing pictures of ONITA. He was way too gentle on our outgoing President – except for the big hair picture.

We left feeling that we had a good time, with plenty to eat and plenty to drink and much to laugh about.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DEBUNKING PHOTOS

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Lou Steinberg.

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can:
Microphone:
Visitors:
Editor: Ricardo Marzo

June 18-20 - District 5130 Conference, Santa Rosa
June 24 - Club dark; Debunking Saturday
June 26 - Debunking, Petaluma Hotel
July 1 - President Babe Amaral's first meeting
July 8 - President Babe Amaral's second meeting

By Mike Baddeley (with apologies to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

Listen Rotarians – it was quicker than a cheetah,
The final regular meeting of President ONITA;
On the 17th of June in ought four,
She last presided from the Veteran’s Building floor.
She opened the meeting and moved it right along,
By having all of our songleaders lead us in song;
One if by Barney and two if by Ted,
She knew we would all join in if sufficiently led.

She then had HEIDI KIBBE deliver the thought for the day,
It was axioms about life and how to live the right way;
Then the Prez urged us to do our usual greeting,
Hugs and kisses and then on with the meeting.
No sooner had the embraces released like a clamp,
DAVE AMUNDSEN reported on the RYLA camp;
Plenty of Rotarians helped him with the goods,
For the annual barbeque in the Westminster Woods.

Next, the happy Prez still vital and able,
Turned her attention to the June birthday table;
$5 from each birthday babe who remembered their day,
And $10 from KAREN VAN BEBBER who sat too far away.
Then came the recognition of members who perform quietly but sweetly,
Including LAFRANCHI, HENNINGS, KVALHEIM, SANTOS, SOLTS, WEBER, WELLS, WULFF and FREETLY;
A Certificate of Appreciation for these foot soldiers from the farms,
All of whom served quite capably under the Sergeant at Arms.

The Prez then allowed LARRY JONAS to mention,
That he and Prez-elect BABE had attended the latest Rotary International Convention;
It was held in Japan – land of soy,
Next year is the centennial in Chicago, Illinois.
By the trembling podium, steep and tall,
The Prez then acknowledge the highest honor of all;
It seems STEVE POWELL by contributing another thousand dollars,
Reached the second level of Paul Harris amidst appreciative hoots and hollers.

The Prez then stood still to hear KEITH SOLTS’ tale of woe,
When he recently went to PVH feeling kind of low;
He had to wait for his doctor in the uncomfortable seating,
Which doctor happened to be in a Rotary meeting;
The unsympathetic Prez felt Keith should pay at least twenty-five,
But she fined his doctor (ROY MUSICK, M.D.) fifty for not leaving the meeting to help Keith survive.
RICH POREMBA then announced that our Exchange Student is leaving soon,
So the Prez fined Rich $100 for being gone most of June!

RICARDO MARZO then shared a wonderful story,
On June 4 he had another son and named him George Lepori;
3 sons may be some sort of sign,
But it didn’t prevent the Prez from assessing him a $100 fine.
Meanwhile, impatient to fine a full day,
The Prez then nicked NIT ANDERSON $40 for being MIA;
It seems Nit went to Bangkok where they wear conical hats,
And came back with stories about her photo in the Chinese newspaper and being chased by rats!

Speaking of going on tropical trips on a lark,
CLARK ROSEN just returned from Hawaii courtesy of Kenton and JEANETTE CLARK;
For 10 days he lounged around and didn’t do jack,
But he came home early because of a bad back.
So for getting old and being so thrifty,
The Prez adjusted his posture by zapping him for fifty!
JIM BECKER then jumped up to announce a coup – maybe a leak,
The First Lady of Guatemala (Donya Wendy de Berger) will be here next week;
With his usual aplomb and sly little smile,
Jim explained how he couldn’t play host – he’ll be in Yosemite for awhile.

DOUG GARRISON was then fined $100 for traveling around the State,
And for arranging for the Brazil GSE team to tour Cisco – it was great;
A humming of wheels speeding through Shasta,
Cost MIKE WHITE $40 for driving too fasta.
A timely ticket probably kept Mike alive,
And he knows he can’t drive 105!!
LARRY JONAS and his wife (Pam) were only doing 85,
When the CHP stopped Pam just to warn her – no jive.
A thankful Larry donated $100 to Pam’s Paul Harris goal,
Which the Club gladly matched to keep her on her roll.

STEVE POWELL won the raffle and pulled the blue rock,
He received only wine – what a shock!
Apparently last week ERIC GUNHEIM’s rock was brown,
But Babe gave him wine instead of the $ — boy what frown!
The meeting then adjourned but you’ll know the rest from the words you will read,
On how President Onita did such a good deed;
And one day we’ll gather round the bar with a margarita,
To share our tales and toast a great year under President Onita!

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Mike Baddeley.

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: (Debunking)
Microphone: (Debunking)
Visitors: (Debunking)
Editor: Lou Steinberg

June 17 - President's Choice!
June 18-20 - District 5130 Conference, Santa Rosa
June 24 - Club dark; Debunking Saturday
June 26 - Debunking, Petaluma Hotel
July 1 - President Babe Amaral's first meeting

The bell sounded at precisely 12:30 and PRESIDENT ONITA called the meeting to order. STEVE RUSTAD led us in an enthusiastic “America the Beautiful”. I think the Past Presidents helped the cause.

JOANNE FERRIS stepped up to the podium next for the invocation. She read President Reagan’s comments as he finished his two terms as President. As he reflected on his last eight years aboard Air Force One he said, “Mission accomplished---Not yet!”

PRESIDENT ONITA couldn’t let the meeting go without “I’m a Rambler” led by GENE BENEDETTI.

The usual hugs and handshakes quickly followed. The tradition seemed a little louder and longer than it has been in awhile. There were lots of Past Presidents to meet and greet.

PRESIDENT ONITA asked for Rotarians with guests. GRETA VIGUIE introduced Pat Lander. JEANNETTE CLARK brought hubby, Kenton. DAN LIBARLE introduced friend, Jim McDowell. RALPH PELTON had two guests-- Terry Collins and Ted Lane. HARVEY FREETLY brought a familiar face--Duke Iverson. Last but not least, PDG ARTHUR AGNEW introduced his lovely wife, Evelyn.

It was picture time next. PRESIDENT ONITA corralled all the Past Presidents to the back of the room. Smiling for the camera were LARRY JONAS, WALLY BRAGDON, HENRY HANSEL, DON RAMATICI, BOB ACORNE, GENE BENEDETTI, CONNIE MAHONEY (HEROLD), RALPH PELTON, DAN LIBARLE, PDG ART AGNEW, ED FULLERTON, MIKE BADDELEY, DAVE AMUNDSEN, JEANNETTE CLARK, JIM MICKELSON, KIP HERZOG, JOHN DADO, GEORGE TOMASINI, ROYCE VAN BEBBER, JAKE GRAY, JANE BORR (TED), BARNEY FAUSS, TED ADKINS, JIM McCAFFREY, PAUL LOUNIBUS, and DUANE BLACKWILL.

Ninety-two year old ADOLF CALEGARI, who was a song leader every week in the 40’s, was also in the crowd. He was the youngest member to join the Club at that time at age 32.

It was then time for all the members to get their picture taken. After much maneuvering, the picture was taken.

JIM MICKELSON announced that 20 something members have not paid for their All-Day Breakfast Tickets. Please pay JIM by next week or your name will be up in lights.

TOM BAKER reminded all to RSVP for the Debunking on Saturday, June 26th. Don’t be left out of a fun evening.

PRESIDENT ELECT BABE presented the Club with the flag for next year with the theme “Celebrate Rotary” after his trip to Japan. He presented three other flags from countries he visited with his travel companion, LARRY JONAS.

Ten dollars was collected from new Chicken Badge owners, DANIEL MARSH, PAT SCHAEFER, and MIKE WHITE.

LARRY JONAS announced that the next Rotary International Meeting will be at Lund’s Café on Tuesday, June 15th at 7:30 a.m. The Thailand Water Project will be discussed.

DAVE AMUNDSEN needs help next Wednesday, June 16th for the RYLA Barbecue. Please contact DAVE if you can help.

PRESIDENT ONITA thanked all the Past Presidents for coming followed by a big round of applause. A few Presidents asked to say a few words starting with DAVE AMUNDSEN. He had the most embarrassing moment of all the Past Presidents. DAVE brought a very important dignitary from Ireland to speak at a meeting. When DAVE got to the Vets, there was no meeting. DAVE and a few of his cohorts took the dignitary to the famous Eastside Irish establishment called McDonalds. PDG ARTHUR AGNEW was up next. There were 75 members in his Club when he was President. He agreed to pay the Club when there was 100% attendance. It happened at 3 meetings, which cost him. Whatever it was---it was way too much.

JEANNETTE CLARK was our first woman President and started our wonderful hug session after the invocation.

ED FULLERTON wished he had started the custom of telling a joke each week, so he told us a joke.

It was time for the raffle. AL CATTALINI drew a blue rock and walked away with a bottle of wine.

PRESIDENT ONITA introduced our very own GENE BENEDETTI and DON RAMATICI of the former Petaluma Leghorns.

GENE let us know the Leghorns started in 1946 and loved being part of the organization.

DON was up next. He felt privileged to follow “GOD” to the podium. DON was quick to point out that GENE’s record for completing 2 passes for touchdowns still stands. Too bad they were for the other team. The Leghorns were a wonderful boost to the community after World War II. There were over 1,500 people per game with standing room only. The team lasted for 12 years and raised over $30,000 for the community. They had a record of 94 wins, 32 losses and 3 ties. GENE and DON both coached and played for the team. Our very own RALPH PELTON, who was a little bulkier then, played tackle. Two other very important components of the team were water boys, JOHN DADO and DAN LIBARLE.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Loretta Catarozoli.

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: James Gotelli
Microphone: Ron Harris
Visitors: Carrie Pierson
Editor: Mike Baddeley

June 10 - Past Presidents Day; Gene Benedetti & Don Ramatici - Petaluma Leghorns
June 17 - President's Choice!
June 18-20 - District 5130 Conference, Santa Rosa
June 24 - Club dark; Debunking Saturday
June 26 - Debunking, Petaluma Hotel
July 1 - President Babe Amaral's first meeting

Surprise! When the bell rang at 12:30 to open our meeting, it wasn’t PRESIDENT ONITA doing the dinging. She watched from the audience as President-Elect BABE AMARAL filled in in what must have been a practice run for our soon-to-be President.

He called on STEVE RUSTAD to lead us in song . . .

. . . and then LARRY GOTFREDSON for our thought for the day. Larry invited us to sit for something “slightly shorter than my Sunday sermons” and, noting the 60th anniversary of D-Day, he recalled passages from Tom Brokaw’s The Greatest Generation.

After JOE ALLEN introduced visiting Rotarians from Santa Rosa Sunrise, Windsor, and Petaluma Valley, BABE ascertained that there was no news for the Sunshine Report. We hope that’s good news!

PRESIDENT ONITA urged members to attend the District Conference (June 17-20 at the Vineyard Creek Hotel in Santa Rosa) and stressed the need for reservations if you plan to eat there.

JEANNETTE CLARK reminded everyone to make their reservations for the Debunking on Saturday, June 26 at the Petaluma Hotel. Amazingly, your $50 ticket covers everything for the evening including beverages. Jeannette says you won’t have any reason to open your wallet!

JIM BECKER announced an important meeting of the International Projects committee at Lund’s Café on June 15 at 7:30 a.m. Whether you’re on the committee or not, you’re invited for an update on our international projects including one in Thailand.

Then KIP HERZOG rose to complain that there was no butter available at lunch today and expressed his disappointment that BABE wasn’t supporting the local dairy industry. Our President-Elect didn’t take the bait, but cleverly appointed Kip and RALPH BETTINELLI to be in charge of assuring that butter was available at future meetings.

This prompted RALPH SARTORI to rise and observe that, unlike the folks at Kip’s table, the people at his table (including RALPH BETTINELLI) were drinking milk. BABE showed his appreciation for this interruption by assessing a $5 fine on “everyone overweight at Ralph Bettinelli’s table.” Everyone paid except svelte NANCY KOENITZER who obviously didn’t meet the fining criteria. JERRY GILLESPIE paid and then got socked with a $10 fine for making a “short joke” about our President-Elect.

MICHAEL WHITE gave his craft talk. He’s a commercial real estate agent for Orion Partners and lives in Petaluma with his wife and two sons.

Also giving a craft talk today was PAT SCHAEFER. Born in California, the daughter of a Rotarian, she went to college in Oregon and worked around the country before ending up back in California. She moved to Santa Rosa “to get married” and after working in the 90’s on HIV/AIDS programs, is now, with two children in college, the Community Relations and Development Manager for Petaluma Valley Hospital and the PVH Foundation.

BABE announced that he and LARRY JONAS had returned from the Rotary International Convention in Osaka, Japan. He reported the sartorial advice he received from Larry in Japan: “Either raise your belt or lower your belly button.”

RALPH SARTORI was fined $105 for being featured in a magazine and for driving 360 miles to fish in Blue Lake only to find that the lake was closed.

NANCY KOENITZER was fined $50 to celebrate her becoming the new President of the Chamber of Commerce. PRESIDENT ONITA gladly paid $25 of the fine to celebrate her new boss.

GARY BRODIE, who admitted to “not being around much this year” and asserted that “I live a clean life,” paid a $100 fine for wearing out tires by driving fast cars.

Attendance guru, HARVEY FREETLY, blamed a computer problem for his late arrival at today’s meeting and paid $20 for this tardiness.

ERIK GUNHEIM won the raffle, pulled out a blue rock, and walked off with a bottle of wine.

Then JIM BECKER presented an impressive report on the Guatemala project recently accomplished by our club and the Petaluma Valley and Petaluma Sunrise Clubs.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini.

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: Greta Viguie
Microphone: Keith Solts
Visitors: Gina Pittler
Editor: Loretta Catarozoli