MEETING OF JANUARY 9, 2003
By Clyde Noel
Editor: Dick Blanding
After two weeks of no Rotary meetings because of holidays, President MARY PROCHNOW welcomed everyone with a “Happy New Year.” ALAN LAMBERT injected the crowd with enthusiasm singing, “For he’s a jolly good fellow, for he’s a jolly good fellow” and the fervor and passion of being a Rotarian was evident in the singing. They are glad to be back to normal.
BILL MOISON provided the thought for the day on investment “while the clock is running.” The enthusiastic Rotarian crowd was still noisy, but Moison endured.
President-elect AL TRAFICANTI introduced visiting Rotarians and guests and the meeting continued with WYATT ALLEN announcing new Rotary Foundation members and their level of donations.
STEVE SHEPHERD was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow, and MARGE GRATIOT was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow with a sapphire pin as was HARRIETT HEEBINK. The Foundation encourages giving by awarding the Paul Harris Fellowships in recognition of donations at various levels.
BOO BUE encouraged those who did not get into the raffle to help the foundation since there is still time to give with purpose, but it’s now a 2003 deduction.
President Mary announced the next board meeting would be Jan. 23 at 160 Main Street in ROY JONES’ Travel Agency back office.
The progressive dinner is becoming a happening because of SHELLY POTVIN’S industry. Sign up and remember the date—Saturday Jan. 25. Each course sounds appetizing and tempting. President Mary said this is a good place for socializing and an opportunity for lots of conversation. “Since we have numerous new members, it would be a good place to get to know each other,” Mary remarked. The deadline for signing up and paying is this Thursday. And if you have signed up and paid, please attend. Otherwise, some of the hosts may find themselves without enough guests for dinner. Itineraries will be distributed to those taking part in the dinner on Jan. 23.
When MARGE BRUNO is the finemaster — the money flows, or should we mention it is extracted. “If you have a happy event, or a sad event, speak up,” Marge said. “Emotions cost the same either way.”
The voluntary fleecing started with JOE CORRAL and his wife celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary and a $50 contribution. Grandfathers are easy touches when the first grandchild comes into this world. Ask BOB FENWICK; he smiled as he offered a $50 fine. AL TRAFICANTI became a grandfather again and that was only $10.
SETH MANNING started a tribute to BILLY RUSSELL because Billy honored the members with his presence. Seth only paid $5, but it was followed with a sawbuck from DICK HENNING and JOAN ROSSELE paid $10 for Billy’s presence. SHELLY POTVIN joined the president’s club because she bought a house on University Avenue. She can now borrow Poupon from John and JANE REED next door.
SAM PESNER had a $20 birthday, while DICK HASENPFLUG and JEFF SUNDQUIST joined the President’s club. Then the sorrowful events of the past two weeks overtook the good news.
IRENE PRESTON’S 19-year-old cat died and she had it mummified. She rambled on about the tragic emotions tied to such a mournful event and her fine ended in an inconsequential amount because of the pathos.
The Gong show continued with STEVE SHEPHERD'S chance of being a statistic when a tree fell on his car during last month’s storm. He offered $5 but the nays were overwhelming from members. “It doesn’t seem right that I pay more,” Steve said. “I just got my Paul Harris pin, what more do you want?”
LEN McBIRNEY offered to pay $2 for a small vitreous tear about a sympathetic tale but wound up paying $20 because it turned out to be good news. DAN O’DONNELL was speechless when MARGE BRUNO called on him. He remained speechless and it cost him $10 to keep his mute reaction from reaching his wife.
The saddest story belonged to Red Badger BRENDA NEIDERT and her quest for console. The catastrophic event to her Lexus resulted in a $10,000 repair job. She discussed this with her significant other and although he hasn’t given her a ring, he has sacrificed his SUV for her to drive. It cost her $25 for her calamitous misfortune.
Finally BELLA BERLLY introduced Kellogg and Diana Fleming and the audience started to dream as the stunning photographic slide show started. Slides on traveling the colorful French canals brought out the oh’s and the ah’s from the dreaming members.
A love of the French countryside led the Flemings into barge chartering as owner-operators of a 90-foot Dutch barge called SWAN.
“We bought a 75 year old iron riveted barge in Holland and cut the boat in half and put in 4 meters,” said Diana. “It’s 90 foot long and 14 foot wide with a draft of 2/12 feet for the shallow waters.”
The Fleming's day centers around the SWAN’s unique teak-framed view lounge and an open bistro-style galley.
“We savor each day at a walking pace, free to tie to the bank almost anywhere our curiosity calls,” Dianna said. “We explore by foot, bicycle or our passenger car. The daily excursions take us to villages, vineyards, chateau and other points of French towns.”
Someone asked when is a good time to tour the canals. The SWAN runs from May to October. You have flowers in the spring; sunshine in the summer and in September the grapes have to be picked.
Plans are made a year in advance and docking fees are paid for with a license that costs $700 a year. “It’s a bargain,” Kellogg said.
The SWAN can accommodate four guests, and the Flemings will be glad to provide information. Additional information can be found at Swancruises.com
The audience enthusiasm for the informality of life aboard a ship resulted in numerous questions from the members and the meeting ran overtime without any negative reaction.
Programs and Events
January
January 16: "The State of the Economy"; Economist Jeanette Garretty, Ph.D
January 23: California State Assembly Member Joe Simitian
January 25: Progressive Dinner, 6 p.m.
January 30: "Information Security: Electronic Commerce and Security Breaches"; Harvard Law School Graduate Stephen WuOTHER ROTARY CLUB MEETING PLACES
MONDAY
Palo Alto: Rickey's Hyatt House, 12:15 p.m.
TUESDAY
Los Altos Sunset: The Echo Restaurant, Los Altos, 7:15 p.m.
Sunnyvale: Ramada Inn, 12:15 p.m.
Mountain View: Adobe House, Moffett & Central, Mountain View, 12:15 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Menlo Park: Menlo Park Recreation Center, Menlo Park, noon.
Woodside/Portola: Woodside Village Church, Woodside, 7:30 a.m.
Sunnyvale Sunrise: Wild Woodys Grill, Sunken Gardens Golf Course, 7 a.m.
Cupertino: Quinlan Community Center, 12:15 p.m.
THURSDAY
Palo Alto Sunrise: Scott's, Town & Country, Palo Alto, 7:15 a.m.
Yosemite: The Ahwahnee Hotel, Noon
FRIDAY
Palo Alto University: Sheraton, El Camino, Palo Alto, 7:30 a.m.
Lake Tahoe: Harvey's Hotel, 12:15 p.m.
"Information in this newsletter is intended for the exclusive use of the members of the Rotary Club of Los Altos to facilitate the work of the club and to promote club fellowship. It is not to be used for any commercial or outside, unrelated, non-profit purposes. No publication of material in this newsletter should occur without the express permission of the club President or the Editor of the Rotator."Copyright 2003 The Los Altos Rotary Club
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