Los Altos Rotary Club Home of the Annual Rotary Fine Art Show June 24, 2010

This final meeting of year 09-10 did NOT begin with the usual “Good afternoon Los Altos Rotary Club”.  Instead, it began with PP SAM PESNER, wearing Trojan headgear riding into the meeting on his steed (a broom stick).  With the USC symbol raised high in his left hand, the silver spoon. KENDRA foisted the mike from TRACIE and we went right into the four TRACIES.  These were four of the baldest folks in our club:  GARD, MARSHALL, KELLY and TRACIE (with a skull cap, of course!).  After questions to determine the real TRACIE such as word association games: “ AK47 = sexy”, then “What are you going to do next?” and JACK  KELLY , after reviewing his To Do List, answered “Neurosurgery”.  HERB was asked to comment on beating husband JERRY in Karate (at least a black belt) “I Can Still Kick His Butt!”  Still the question remained, who was the real TRACIE?.  Off came the skull cap and the real TRACIE stepped forward to open the meeting with the familiar “Good Afternoon Los Altos Rotary!”

NEW MEMBER INTRODUCED

President Tracie turned the mike over to Membership Director JOHN CARDOZA to introduce our newest Rotarian JUDY OTT, sponsored by JOHN SYLVESTER.  This brings our club to about 175 members, a large percentage over where we were at any time in modern history and she was greeted with a standing ovation by all the Rotarians in attendance. 

As opposed to what was said above, this is where KENDRA stole the mike away.  JOHN SYLVESTER led the song and it was “Tracie, Tracie Goodbye” sung to the tune of “Toot Toot Tootsie Goodbye”.  You should have heard it; very clever, that JOHN. 

Another moment you had to be there to see and hear these things, believe me. Next JERRY MOISON, aka, Santa Claus, came forward with the thought for the day.  They came too fast for this scribe, but this was a high point of the day, with many odd things for us to ponder.  

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next, an announcement was made for anyone with announcements to come forward.  Most of the club came forward.  One was that the Kick-Out Committee for Dennis Young’s year was to meet after this meeting—waste no time.  Another was by PP PESNER who announced that today, he had no announcement.  PP HARDING announced we were going back to rummage sales to raise money for LAREF.  RANDY GARD announced there was an attempt for the club to be renamed the Allied Lawyers Guild.  Next ANN ARJANI and her famous red badgers, in their usual military chant, announced it was “Kick-Out Time”, then, made fun of JOHN SYLVESTER who announced that the next wine and cheese party will be hosted by DICK BLANDING on 7/23 from 6 to 8.  It was very cute.  He also pleaded with us to drink more, not less at this party.  The last announcement was made by Pres. TRACIE (KENDRA) who said she had so much fun that she’d like to repeat next year.  We were left with TRACIE and DENNIS arm wrestling.

THE PROGRAM - KICK OUT TRACIE

A very clever video perpetuating the myth that KENDRA really is TRACIE was shown.  The makeup was great and she really looked like TRACIE. The plot of the story was truly a “Mission Impossible” as KENDRA lived out a day in the life of TRACIE.  KENDRA said the kids were a little spooked when they were served dinner by her.  The video was produced and directed by DAVE SNOW and he did a spectacular job.  Kudos!. 

WARD WILLDANGER then lauded TRACIE with his own rendition to “Daisy, Daisy” substituting “Tracie, Tracie”.  This was followed with a joke by the master, LEN MCBIRNEY.  KENDRA among a fair representation of the attorneys of the club, read a list of the top 10 reasons you know you’ve hired the wrong attorney.  This was another high point in a great fun meeting.

MICHAEL STADLEN and Company paid tribute to TRACIE with their “Off,off,off-Broadway production complete with a walker-clad chorus line and wheel-chair bound, cane waving old folks to the tune of “Along Came Bialy (Tracie, that is)”

This was followed by the parade of Rotarians in snuggies.  The folks were ANDERSON, GARD, SHEPHERD, then ADAMS donning a designer Giants snuggie, followed by LUEDTKE dressed in Green Bay Packer-Cheese Head splendor.  This was a follow up to the program we had this year where we were told about the use of snuggies for babies in third world countries.  And these folks were supposed to be “grown up” babies.  You had to be there. 

Finally another great song was sung by a group of talented male vocalists to the tune of “Mr. Sandman” who, at the end, urged President TRACIE to “Please ring that bell”, which she did. The meeting ended with a standing ovation for our soon to be just a regular member and Past President, TRACIE. 

Special Report on the Kick-Out Dinner

June 25, 2010
Jack Kelly

It was an evening like no other; at least for President TRACIE and President-Elect DENNIS YOUNG it wasn’t.  Old friends who hadn’t seen each other in 24 hours (or maybe more) gathered at Fremont Hills Country Club to honor fellow Rotarians and, most importantly, install our new President.

At precisely 7:30 pm most of the attendees were comfortably seated and the salads hit the tables.  Conversation, of course, did not cease.  In fact, it may have picked up a bit.  A picture from yesterday’s Kickout Luncheon graced the large screen at the front of the room.  It showed a resplendent PRESIDENT TRACIE and a Past-President in a gold helmet, red shorts and a USC t-shirt.  I’m certain Past-President SAM PESNER, a proud Bruin, was uncomfortable in Trojan attire, but he did it for the good of the order.

As dessert was being served, Past-President SETH took the microphone and, reminiscent of Rotary meetings past, technical difficulties ensued.  Quick and expert action by STEVE POMEROY, with able assistance from Jerry Murray, got SETH back in charge.  He called Los Altos Mayor and fellow Rotarian, DAVID CASAS, to center stage.  David asked President TRACIE to join him and via Mayoral Proclamation, declared June 25, 2010, “KICKOUT TRACIE MURRAY DAY.”

Next, Past-President MARLENE COWAN presented TRACIE with a scrapbook of all 26 articles about Rotary that appeared in the Los Altos Town Crier during her presidential year.

President TRACIE then took over the way she usually does.  Yep, she did it loud and clear!  Instead of a speech, we were presented with a “Ken Burns style” video of TRACIE’s year at the helm.  Outstanding job!

TRACIE acknowledged her Board of Directors with gifts and gave Past-President SAM PESNER special acknowledgement for all he did for her over the past year.

Secretary KENDRA GJERSETH was awarded the Guy Shoup Clock Award for being the Outstanding Los Altos Rotarian of the year.  In her short and tearful acceptance speech, KENDRA said TRACIE was “truly a role model.”  Congratulations, KENDRA!  And Thank You for all you do for us.

Next, came the “Pinning of Presidents”- Past, Present and Future.  SETH pinned MONA ARMISTEAD as President-Elect; MONA pinned TRACIE as Past-President; TRACIE pinned DENNIS YOUNG as 2010-2011 President.

President DENNIS took command, thanked Past-President TRACIE and introduced his Board of Directors.  They are BONNIE BURDETT, KAREN FOX, CHUCK LINDAUER, MARY MARLEY, CLYDE NOEL and JOHN SYLVESTER.  Welcome and best wishes, one and all.

Past-President SETH presented a beautiful bouquet of flowers to President DENNIS’ wife, Roberta.  He then presented “Mr. & Ms.” Rotary Bears as a parting gift to Past-President TRACIE and her husband, Jerry.

Past-President STEVE ANDERSON told the story of the Guy Shoup Clock Award that goes back to 1979, under his reign.  Your humble scribe missed most of the story due to the more pressing need for re-filling an empty wine glass.  STEVE acknowledged that Art Whipple, Treasurer SANDIE WHIPPLE’s husband, upgraded the Award last year. 
Editor’s Note:  The clock was a treasure found in a long-time member’s home and STEVE ANDERSON decided to make it an award for outstanding member. And that’s been happening annually ever since.  There you have it!

President DENNIS rang us to a close at 9:08 pm.  Best wishes for a great year, DENNIS!

Los Altos Rotary Club 2009-2010 Board
John Cardoza, Kendra Gjerseth, Sandie Whipple, Mary Marley, President Tracie Murray,
President Elect Dennis Young, David Smith, Past President Seth Manning, Jerry Moison