A Festive Final Meeting at the Bel Air
WVRC on December 21st

First off was a Toast, by Prexy MIKE. This was aided by the presence of champagne, but, truth to tell, you had to be quick to get a glass! Anyway, MIKE noted we were leaving after 42-45 years (more on this in a minute) and reminded us of the many good years we had here. LEO TSENG came forward to lead the Pledge, and before that he pointed out that he, unlike most of us, was not born in the U.S. He remembers the first time he gave the Pledge, and to this day it brings chills up and down his spine. Truly, we live in a blessed land, and he expressed the feelings of patriotism that each of us should emulate. Next, LENNY FRIEDMAN and RICK CULLEN led us in Silent Night, and we done OK.

I had hoped to give the Invocation, and when Prexy MIKE asked for a volunteer, I leaped forward. Earlier this week I delivered Meals on Wheels, and one couple turned back two warm dishes. After my route, I took them to the Workers Center at Sawtelle and Pico. When I drove up, my car was immediately surrounded by about a dozen men, and I had to tell them that I didn’t need any workers.  However, I told their leader that I did have some food, and he got it out of the car, to be distributed. Then he returned to the passenger side of my car, bowed, and gave me the Sign of the Cross. I was deeply moved by this thankfulness on his part. It reminded me that some people don’t have enough food, and those of us who have too much should remember to share our bounty. I like to think this is what Christmas is all about.

Now, about how long we have been at the Bel Air: Our senior member is PP HOWIE HENKES, who jointed WVRC in 1952. PP JIM COLLINS came aboard the next year, PP JIM DOWNIE joined in ’54, RALPH BEASOM in ’57 and I made the top five in 1961, so all of us were present when we moved from Westwood to the Bel Air in January 1962. That means we have been here 45 years!  PP JIM COLLINS was PRESIDENT during the year of our move, ‘61-’62 – and he continues to thank the Club for providing his roundtrip bus ticket to downtown LA when the International Convention took place that year!

We had a whole bunch of lovely guests. Several members brought their kids – NICK KAHRILAS was with Cole, KACY ROZELLE brought Cate, ELLIOTT TURNER had Alexander, PP STEVE SCHERER brought Ben, and Prexy MIKE took Whitney along. There were close to twenty Spouses, who were introduced en masse – and it made for a full house, which is always fun. A most occasional Member, PP RON WANGLIN, came forward to speak about the long history of WVRC, and as usual, his remarks hit the mark. However, we should not be surprised that PP RON will be assessed a fine, but the amount was not known to YOE as we went to press.

Some naughty bird told Prexy MIKE that PP JIM COLLINS had a significant birthday yesterday – it was his 80th, and my only comment is, “Oh, to be 80 again!”  Prexy MIKE had his story, which concerned Santa’s trials and tribulations in the lead-up to the Big Day.  Everything was going wrong – the Elves were on strike, claiming they were overworked, and as a result the gift production was behind schedule.  Mrs Claus had him on a diet, which he hated, and when he went home for lunch, Rudolph poked his head in to say the reindeers were joining the strike.  Santa slammed the door, and muttered something about “he’d GIVE IT to the next person who walks in that door”.  There was a knock, and when he opened the door, a tiny angel was there, with what she had decided was the perfect Christmas Tree.  And that’s how the tradition of an angel atop the tree came about. Kevin Brophy, who has parked our cars for the last 23 years, had a couple of stories, and they added to the festive air. 

—YOE, Ernie Wolfe

WESTWOOD VILLAGE ROTARY CLUB 2006 - 2007
OFFICERS: President  Michael Gintz President Elect Christopher Bradford Vice President Sean M. McMillan Treasurer Gordon A. Fell Secretary Peggy Bloomfield Executive Secretary Ernie Wolfe Past President Don A. Nelson	DIRECTORS: Community Service Chair Shane Waarbroek International Service Chair Edwin S. Gauld Membership Chair Tony Marrone Vocational Service Chair Elliot Turner Youth Service Chair Ann Samson ..... ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT: William B. Boyd DISTRICT 5280 GOVERNOR:     Scot Clifford