MID APRIL at WVRC - the 14th
It was a festive atmosphere, in anticipation of our inducting two new members.
PP STEVE SCHERER started it all off by leading the Pledge. LENNY FRIEDMAN and JACK HARRIS took us through America the Beautiful. PP STEVE made his second of several appearances, providing a thoughtful and well-received Invocation. He quoted our late Saint, MILO BROOKS, “Thank you, Lord, for giving us a life that is not like the NCAA Basketball Tournament… everyone in this room probably needs 2nd, 3rd, and maybe even 4th chances.” And lo and behold, we had TWO Visiting Rotarians - our former PP BILL BLOOMFIELD JR, and Jim Hunter, both of whom now call Manhattan Beach their home Rotary Club. Jim was accompanied by his wife – and Peggy’s daughter, Joanne Hunter, and her grandson – who sat next to me – Heath Gregory. We also enjoyed the company of two of our Rotaract members, President TORI HETTINGER and VP CANDICE DANESHVAR.
PP STEVE spoke briefly about the coming Golf Tournament at Los Angeles Country Club. Monday, May 9th, gather at 0730 at the starters shack, disperse to your beginning hole, and ‘balls in the air by 0800’ for the Shotgun Start. Price is a bit above a hundred bucks – and don’t forget you need shoes (no sandals) plus no shorts, OK? STEVE or DONN CONNER will sign you up. It was announced that the Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee met and made the final selection of our two candidates, who will be submitted for final approval. TORI HETTINGER outlined a program they are planning with Fire Station #37 for May 22nd – The Rotaractors will be washing and polishing the Fire Engines, while the Firemen and other guests will enjoy a BBQ lunch. .Should be fun, so mark the date, please.
RUDY’S ANNOUNCMENTS
The recent District Speech Contest at El Camino College was reported upon. Incoming President DON NELSON and Senor RUDY attended, and the competition was quite good. The three winners received $1500, $1000 and $500 awards – so speaking pays off!
The District Conference in Palm Springs starts on the 28th, and plans are developing.
Note that the International Convention in Chicago is set for 18-22 June – it promises to be a real whiz-bang! (Watching PP RON LYSTER arrive while standing on the handlebars of his motorcycle is worth the price of admission, all by itself)
RUDY’S WORLD featured a Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles, which compares favorably with similar Temples all over the world
PP MIKE NEWMAN came forward to induct our two newest members. PP STEVE SCHERER and Senor RUDY were the sponsors for PEGGY BLOOMFIELD, while NICK KAHRILAS was sponsored by PP JIM COLLINS. NICK is a fraternity brother of PP JIM, and that’s how they met. He’s quite a paddle tennis player, and JIM has sponsored him into the Bel Air Bay Club. Besides, his wife’s maiden name is Collins, so what more can you ask!
PEGGY had four members of her family present for her induction – and PP STEVE surprised them all by asking them to come up to the podium. He then asked each of them to select one word that best describes PEGGY. First up was grandson Heath Gregory, and his phrase was “very caring”. Son-in-Law Jim Hunter suggested “very generous”.
BILL JR first pointed out that he was senior to PP STEVE as a WVRC President. and therefore “he didn’t have to do what you say”. BILL of course proceeded to take a few liberties with his instructions, pointing out that PEGGY will be a great Rotarian – she can do anything! Last up was #1 daughter Joanne, who pointed out that today was PEGGY and BILL’S wedding anniversary. Her choice of ‘just one word’ was “Sentimental”.
It was a lovely induction – and we all look forward to their Craft Talks!
PDG ANDY ANDERSON introduced our Speaker, Jeanette Bolden. A graduate of Centennial High School, Jeanette was selected for the Olympic Team in 1980 (which did not travel to Moscow) and in 1984 in Los Angeles, placed 4th in the 100 meters and won a gold medal in the 4 x 100 relay. She trained for the 1988 team, but tore her Achilles tendon at the trials. While at UCLA in the early 80’s, she was a five-time All-American and graduated in 1983. Joining the UCLA coaching staff in 1991, Jeanette became Head Coach in 1993 when Bob Kersee stepped down. Her record since that time includes 70 straight dual meet wins – including 11 over USC – and the national outdoor championship in 2004. Jeanette is the executive director and coordinator of the Jeanette Bolden Asthma and Alergy Track Clinic.
She began by telling of her early battles with asthma – her Mother wouldn’t allow her to play with the neighborhood kids, and some even believed that the disease was contagious. She began a garlic treatment regimen in the 9th grade – and says as a result, she never dated in high school! But she discovered that “I can really do something” as a sprinter, and after meeting Bob Kersee, she enrolled at UCLA. After her gold medal in 1984, she traveled the European Track circuit, until her injury in 1988. When she first tried coaching, it took her awhile to realize that she was dealing with 18 year-olds, and so she learned to bring in her own personal experience.
She is the only black women’s track coach in the Pac 10, and this took a bit of getting used to. Bob Larsen was the men’s coach, and when they went to Arizona State in Tempe, she found herself being ignored – so she vowed never to lose to Arizona State!
She suspects she might be a bit vindictive…In her eleven years as Head Coach, she has won the Pac 10 title ten times, and was second in the NCAA five times, before winning it all last year. She described in detail her qualms about who to run in what sequence in the final 4 x 400 relay, in which UCLA had to place fourth to win the championship. The anchor leg by Monique Henderson was run in 49.6, which equaled the fastest split ever recorded at an outdoor NCAA event and that got them the 4th place finish, beating LSU by one point!
Jeanette Bolton, thanks for sharing your record and life with us – our only regret is that there was no time left for Q&A
A personal appeal, if I may?
One of our members is facing extreme financial difficulties. This person has very few assets, is not well, and has just been evicted. If you would consider making a donation, please call me and I will provide more information.
I do recognize that this is a most unusual request, and I also realize that I am overstepping whatever boundaries my editorship of the Windmill might allow. However, a few hundred dollars will be enough to get past this financial crisis. Immediate gifts of any amount will make a difference. YOE, Ernie Wolfe (310) 277-3910.
