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A Series of Speakers at WVRC on July 26th
MARK BLOCK led the Pledge, which was perhaps the only routine event of today. Next up was LENNY, who took us through God Bless America. PDG ANDY ANDERSON gave the Invocation, based on the life of John Pierpont. He had lots of disappointments during his lifetime – his play closed, his songs were not popular, he failed in an attempt to become a minister, and yet, after he died, one song became a worldwide hit. This was Jingle Bells, and his eventual success shows us all that accomplishments may not come swiftly to attention. Thanks, ANDY – we all need encouragement.
There were several guests. Grandchildren Jordana and Risa, plus Sunny, were with LENNY today. Not wanting to be outdone, I brought my daughter, Andrea, and her kids, Allie and Will. Andrea lives in St. Helena, where Bill is the Chairman of Joseph Phelps Winery. Allie graduated last year from Vanderbilt, and is working for an event-planning company in the Bay Area. Will has just returned from six weeks in Europe, and will be a senior at San Diego University. I travel somewhere with these two every year. PP JIM COLLINS brought an old friend, Steve Pettice, who is a Special Guest. PP STEVE SCHERER also had a Special Guest, J.R. Dzubak.
ELLIOTT TURNER provided today’s joke:
Seems there was a farmer named Clyde who had an auto accident. In court, the trucking company's fancy lawyer was questioning Clyde. “Didn’t you say, at the scene of the accident, “I’m fine” asked the lawyer. Clyde responded, “Well, I’ll tell you what happened. I had just loaded my favorite mule, Bessie, into the… ”I didn’t ask for any details,” the lawyer interrupted. “Just answer the question. Did you not say, at the scene of the accident, “I’m fine”? Clyde said, “Well, I had just got Bessie into the trailer and I was driving down the road…”
The lawyer interrupted again and said, “Judge, I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the Highway Patrolman on the scene that he was just fine. Now, several weeks after the accident he is trying to sue my client. I believe he is a fraud. Please tell him to simply answer the question.” By this time, the Judge was fairly interested in Clyde’s answer and said to the lawyer, “I’d like to hear what he has to say about his favorite mule, Bessie”.
Clyde thanked the Judge and proceeded. ”Well, as I was saying, I had just loaded Bessie, my favorite mule, into the trailer and was driving her down the highway when this huge semi-truck and trailer ran the stop sign and smacked my truck right in the side. I was thrown into one ditch and Bessie was thrown into the other. I was hurting, real bad and didn’t want to move. However, I could hear ole Bessie moaning and groaning. I knew she was in terrible shape just by her groans.
Shortly after the accident a Highway Patrolman came on the scene. He could hear Bessie moaning and groaning so he went over to her. After he looked at her, and saw her fatal condition, he took out his gun and shot her between the eyes. Then the Patrolman came across the road, gun still in hand, looked at me, and said, “How are you feeling?”
“Now, what the hell would you say?”
In a desperate attempt to inject some sense into the proceedings, CEO CHRIS called for announcements. PP BOB WESSLING and PP STEVE SCHERER, assisted by Andrea Phelps, spoke about the upcoming Summer Fun Party. They reminded us that the date is August 4th, the cost is $75 pp, and some fine Italian wines will be served. Andrea was then called upon for advice about wine. She acknowledged that she would call her husband Bill, and get back to them. The final reminder was that the cost could be charged to your Rotary account.
PP STEVE DAY came forward to plug the forthcoming Paul Harris Dinner, which is set for September 29th at the CBS Studios. This will be the 23rd Anniversary of the first such dinner, pioneered by PDG BILL GOODWYN. The cost is $100 pp, and we are holding three tables of ten for the event. All this publicity made it necessary to call PDG BILL, forward. Under incisive questioning, it developed that BILL and JUDI had run off to Scotland, where they not only made no attempt at Making Up, but didn’t even bring back any scotch from Scotland! These remissions produced a $200 fine, later ‘adjusted’ to $250. But good ole BILL wasn’t put off by this penalty – he even produced a Plaque honoring WVRC on its Fiftieth Anniversary (which took place when the aforementioned BILL was President) but he also handed over a whole box full of Rotary Flags – these having been collected during his Presidency also.
Somewhere along the line, new member LEAH VRIESMAN accepted a WVRC Speakers Gift for her excellent presentation of last Thursday.
Earlier, I had presented PP MIKE GINTZ with copies of the Windmills that emerged during his tenure. He was now called forward to explain his new FBI connection. After some eight weeks of training, at the FBI Citizens Academy here in Westwood, he will join other good citizens as a PR Representative for the Agency. Our Congratulations, MIKE!
SLOSS VIAU called to announce that Marjorie has been moved to Berkeley East, just across the street from St. Johns. She is doing well, and expects to be home within the next ten days. Cards or visits are most welcome.
Please note – the District Literacy Breakfast will be Friday, August 10th, 0800 at Lawry’s. Mark Block is gathering those who will attend.
PP DON NELSON reported on the new structure that will begin to appear on the Westwood United Methodist’s former parking lot – five spaces along Wilshire Blvd. This involves a 55-year lease to Belmont Village, who will construct a six-story facility for the benefit of seniors. The Church and the Neighborhood each have first refusal rights to 12 units, with the rest going to retired Professors from UCLA. It will contain about 200 living spaces, plus two underground floors of parking. The title reverts to the Church when the lease expires.
It was announced that FLOYD DEWHIRST has resigned, and PP RUDY ALVAREZ has moved to Santa Monica Rotary. MIKE YOUSEM was introduced as the Plumber to the Stars. This title was earned since he has provided service to Governor Arnold for many years. While he has not met the Guv personally, they have spoken over the phone, he thinks. Anyway, it’s not a bad name to drop if you need some influence along the way.
Perhaps the last of our several Speakers today was HARLAN LEWIS. He spoke of his long association with UCLA, starting in 1939. Then he noted being in England during the War and in 1947-48 when he and Margaret spent a year there. This led ED GAULD to ask how things looked to him during his time there with Margaret. Among other comments, he noted that walking in London in ‘47-‘48 was easy, since there was almost no automobile traffic. However, they did receive what you could call “Care Packages” from the States, and he concluded that you could find yourself with a lot of new friends when you were the recipient of a 9 lb. canned ham!
And a Well Done to CEO CHRIS for a ‘good job ‘ today!
Since last week, the following members have added their names to the ‘home delivery by mail’ of the Windmill: Andy Anderson, Carol Collins, Gene Prindle, Lou Stroh, Mike Yousem, Dan Price, Homer Newman and Ralph Beasom, who needs two copies. You can still add your name – just lemme know, please.
