MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2003
Rotator Writer: Dick Blanding
Editor: Dick Blanding
With both the Giants and the A’s in the playoffs, life is good, as was evidenced by the gusto with which we all sang Seth’s selection of “The Old Ball Game.” Joining in were long-time contributors to all the fun here in LARC, Ingrid Jackson and Walt Scholey, back for a visit after having moved out of the area. Both were fit, tanned, and happy.
Major Dictums from President Al :
(1) No announcements should be made without first contacting Al in advance. The announcements should be short, less than a minute; if needed, more information can be posted on the bulletin board.
(2) There are many interesting, important, and worthwhile community events and activities, but only Rotary related, approved, or sponsored projects and activities should be the subject of announcements at our meetings. Traditionally during the fines period, with the consent of the fine master, personal matters, bragging rights, vocational kudos, and the like can be volunteered for a price. These are not announcements.
(3) Traditionally, we give standing ovations for our new members; this is a great tradition and should be continued. We have neither had a tradition of giving standing ovations for Red to Blue Badge achievement, nor for the awarding of various degrees of PHF presentations. In consideration of many members still finishing lunch, a rousing round of applause without standing for Blue Badge and PHF presentations would be sufficient. During the meeting portion of our lunch, let’s consider reserving standing ovations for new members. This dictum was greeted enthusiastically with a standing ovation.
Treasurer Sandie put out a call to all members who have still not sent in their dues for the year, to do so asap. Ellen Yamane reminded especially Red Badgers of the importance of attending the upcoming Avenues of Service evening. Call her for details. Dr. Ben McGann mentioned flu shots being available at our Oct. 6th meeting. Also, if you have signed up to help serve food at Rotacare and you need more info about when or where, call Glenda’s pager at 650 329-6318 for answers.
Mona A. asked all interested Rotarians to sign up to help counsel students about their particular career field. Also John told of the signup sheets going around for computer classes on Clubmate. And finally, there was a call for a replacement Sergeant at Arms, for Herb, who will be having surgery soon. Call Jerry Tomanek or Herb to volunteer.
President Al presented Steve Gruber with the special Service Above Self Award, for his outstanding contributions as our Webmaster. From Social Czar to Webmaster, Steve always does a great job of whatever job he undertakes.
Billy Russell gave his twelve minute talk, which was a gem. Born 89 years ago on a farm in Iowa, he celebrated the end of World War One by helping hang “Kaiser Bill” in effigy. He went to school in a nearby town of 250 population. When he was in Junior High, he noticed a pretty thirteen year old, and got her father’s permission to walk her home from church. Seven years later, he married Trish, his wife for the next 60 years. He’s seen sixteen Presidents (of the U.S.) come and go.
Billy was a page in the Iowa legislature for two terms, and wrote a column called “Under the Capitol Dome.” He graduated from the U. of Iowa in 1938, majoring in pre-law, but really more interested in his ROTC career. One month later he was on active duty, as a CCC officer only 40 miles south of Canada. He and Trish lived in a genuine log cabin there, with cracks in the walls big enough for snow to come into their little bedroom, which made for great cuddling. In 1940 they were transferred to Fort Ord, in ’41 he was sent to Command Staff School, and after Dec. 7th of that notable year Billy helped
organize the defenses of the West Coast, from Oregon down to Half Moon Bay. Next he received orders specifying only the destination of “temperate zone.” He spent the next three years without seeing or communicating with Trish, as he served on General MacArthur’s staff, first in Australia and later in New Guinea. During the U.S. invasion to free the Philippines, he was sent to that island nation. Finally, he was able to be with Trish for six weeks in Southern California, and then was transferred to the Pentagon as Harry Truman became the new President. After VJ Day……………
To be continued!
Following part one of Billy’s fascinating tale, President Al called for new member Marlis McAllister to come forward to be welcomed into the club. She is an attorney specializing in Real Estate Construction law, and enjoys reading, skiing, gardening, and volunteering in Boy Scout Troop 37. Her son Garrett is in the troop, and is a student at Egan Jr. High. Marlis was greeted with a hearty standing ovation by the club.
Cindy L. introduced our speaker Sandie Zander, with a resume of volunteering that
was more than half a page long, focusing chiefly on helping the schools in Cupertino. She was recognized as Volunteer of the year by The Educational Endowment Fund and the Jr. League of San Jose. Having taught math for twenty years, she now is Executive Director of the Fremont Union High Schools Foundation. Sandie has been a member of the Cupertino Rotary since 2001, and was accompanied today by Past District Governor Jim Walker. She is now the official Liaison between Rotary International and the Wheelchair Foundation, which was her topic today.
This organization was begun in 1999, as philanthropist Ken Behring discovered the huge need for wheelchairs worldwide. He gave $15 million to help. This has so far produced 160,000 wheelchairs, 50,000 donated by Rotarians, which have been put into service for people of all ages, all over the world. A very emotional film showing the presentation of these life-changing chairs left few dry eyes among the membership today. The recipients were folks who had been bedridden, or who had spent their lives crawling and dragging themselves around in the dirt of their locale. Their appreciation was profound, and they described the bringers of these chairs as Angels of Mercy, and the chairs as Gifts from God.
Sandie’s daughter Meg, a Spanish language major, was a great asset on her last trip South of the Border. The next trip will be to deliver 840 wheelchairs to needy people in Mexico, and you are invited! If you can’t make the trip, you can help by supplying a wheelchair for $75, or two for $150. Go for it!
Programs and Events
September
Sept. 27: Wine Tasting Tour at Byington WineryOctober
October 2: Jim Mealey- Rotary Foundation
October 9: Rama Bhatia- Partners in Rotary Service
October 16: Candidates for the Los Altos School Board, Foothill-DeAnza Board, and discussion of the El Camino Hospital bond issue
October 16: Flu shots at the weekly meeting, $20 each
October 23: Roy Lave-Candidate Forum
Oct. 24: Fellowship Night
Oct. 30: Karen Fox, St. Petersburg/Leningrad
NovemberNov. 20: Jennifer Kuiper- Israeli/Palestinian Conflict
Nov. 21: Fellowship NightDecember
Dec. 4: San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales
Dec. 17: Holiday Party, Jesuit Retreat House
JanuaryJan. 16: Fellowship Night
Jan. 31: Progressive DinnerFebruary
Feb. 20: Fellowship Night
Feb. 27: Cioppino Feed, Garden House
March
March 26: Fellowship Night
April
April 7: Celebrate Spring at Chef Chu's
May
May 7: Golf Tournament
May 21: Fellowship NightJune
June 25: Kickout Dinner
OTHER ROTARY CLUB MEETING PLACES
On-line Meeting: www.rotaryeclubone.org
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.
East Palo Alto Bayshore: Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula, 2031 Pulgas Avenue, East Palo Alto, 12:15 p.m.
FRIDAY
Palo Alto University: Sheraton, El Camino, Palo Alto, 7:30 a.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