This Week...
OUR HOLIDAY PARTY at WVRC on December 17th
Although introduced as a retired Santa Claus, PP ERIC LOBERG led the Pledge. PP TOM LENEHEN gave the Invocation. LENNY – and you’ve gotta admire his fortitude – came forward for the song, the only certain thing known being that he would be again identified by Prexy ED, along with the necessary hat. This time, it seems that LENNY was a consultant to Santa Claus, ensuring that any jewelry given out was up to his high standards. And then, of course, the hat – ED’s supply may be inexhaustible!

We had one Visiting Rotarian, who was introduced by ELLIOTT TURNER. She was Lavinia Pellegrini, who belongs to the Rotary Club of Centenario, in Rome. In addition to the many spouses and significant others, Prexy ED had two guests.  John Newman and Prexy ED apparently went to high school together, and Fran McConkey was right behind them. CATHY GAULD introduced John and Fran, and they all have great memories. JOHN HEIGT brought his mother. Seated at the Head Table were PP TOM LENEHEN, PP ERIC LOBERG and TERRY M. WHITE, who has assumed the duties of Secretary for the rest of this Rotary year. The other table had new President Elect GORDON FELL, plus Vice President ED JACKSON. 

While on the subject of all this brass, PP DON NELSON came forward with the suggested slate of officers staring in July 2010.  GORDON FELL, President – ED JACKSON, President Elect – ELLIOTT TURNER, Vice President, LEAH VRIESMAN, Secretary, DON NELSON, Treasurer. Avenue of Service Chairs are Youth, DWIGHT HEIKKILA, Vocational, JOHN HEIDT, International, NICK KAHRILAS, and Community, ALI SHOJI.  I then called for a unanimous vote of Approval, which was granted, along with prolonged applause.

Prexy ED reported that the just-completed Holiday Shopping Spree was a huge success, and MIKE YOUSEM was well applauded.

Membership Chair PP STEVE SCHERER asked JIM CRANE to come forward, and fortunately for all concerned, a certain club officer who shall go unnamed but sometimes writes these matters up, had finally managed to get JIM’S and DANA’S badges delivered. JIM was then formally inducted by PP STEVE. JIM spoke briefly, and it certainly looks like we have some good new members coming along.  Apropos of that, JOHN HEIDT was released from duty at the Yearling Table, and, following PP STEVE’S lead, pronounced the Rotary Oath. 

Before I get to January announcements, please note that we will be dark the rest of this month, resuming our meetings on Thursday, January 7th.

The first District Breakfast of 2010 will be Tuesday, January 12th – we have a table of ten reserved, so please let DON NELSON know if you wish to be included. And on January 15th, LA 5 will be hosting R.I. President John Kenny.  It’s our chance to hear the President, so make plans to attend, please. (And while I have your attention, let’s pat ourselves on the back – several years ago, under President TED IHNEN, we started this whole idea of asking the sitting R.I. President to speak at OUR club – so there!)

There followed an extended Q&A between Prexy ED and that guy in the funny red suit – was it Santa?  Apparently so, since ED’s first question was whether Santa had been to the UCLA Faculty Club before?  No, I never could find the chimney!  Where did you leave your reindeer?  And the surprising answer was, “Today is a furlough day so they stayed home”.  So, how did you get here?  Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer volunteered to take me. So where is he now?  Rudolph is at the Beta House having lunch. Where do you go from here?  To Sacramento – Schwartznegger needs money, so I am bringing $18 billion up. This largesse led to a long and apparently valid drawing series – YOE says valid because he sure as hell didn’t win anything and that’s sad, but expected, of course… Those who did win are here listed, which may put them in jeopardy with the IRS.  STEVE PETTISE, RO SHAW, MARIE ROLF, our V.R. from Italy, Livinia Pellegrini, John Newman (see, it pays to be a guest!), PDG ANDY ANDERSON, PP SEAN MCMILLAN, JOHN WOODALL, NICK KAHRILAS, and JACK HARRIS.

We were then entertained by the Girls Advanced Chorus from University High.  This lovely group were led by Sarah Vanderhall – and I must confess that she looked about the same age as her chorus!  They sang a number of songs, some of which we joined in, and it was a most enjoyable sojourn. Prexy ED surprised them with the gift of a WVRC desk clock, which was well received.  These kids were great – let’s hear from them again!
 
Prexy ED did have some final gift suggestions:
To your enemies, forgiveness.
To your opponent, tolerance.
To a  friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.

ED, as usual, your final words are well done.  Thank You.

—YOE, Ernie Wolfe