THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Ray Welles allowed as how Krysten Laine's salutation at the end of her multitudinous emails is pretty good. But he thought he had a better one...to wit:
Life is too short for drama & petty things,
So kiss slowly, laugh insanely,
Love truly and forgive quickly.
KING JOHN FAZEL SEIZES THE FINAL MOMENTS
John ended his last meeting as our fearless leader with a quote from Winston Churchill. "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is what it takes to sit down and listen." He was able to do the former. We have grave doubts about the latter. Anyway, he ended with "I have been your President for about as long as it seems! Thank you. Meeting adjourned."
But that was just the beginning of the end. He followed up today with his first, and last, Newsletter Message from the President. In its entirety, for your reading enjoyment, here we go...
Dear fellow Lamorinda Sunrise Rotarians,
I have just completed, to the relief of many (Mary Lou among them), my year as your President of Lamorinda Sunrise. Having been a member for 23 years I can say, without reservation, it has been my most enjoyable year in Rotary.
Thanks to all of you for stepping up to do what had to be done to make our year productive and successful in our quest to do what Rotary does best. Serve others. I would like to acknowledge each one of you, but I am afraid I might leave someone out and I couldn't let that happen. You know how it is when you get to be my age. Well most of you don't, but hopefully will find out someday.
There is, however, one person I do want to thank. Someone who has stood by me all year long and has been there when I needed someone to talk to and that is your very own First Lady, Mary Lou. Thank you, I love you and I promise we will hop in our little motor home and skip town this fall.
Last week was a real whirlwind as we kicked off the festivities on Wednesday with the 11th Annual Orinda Three Quarter Century Luncheon. It was a full house with about 125 guests ranging in age from 75 to 100 years. Helen Vurek, our Queen was 100 and her son Jerry was our Baby of the Year having turned 75 in May. Ralph and Louise Tufts were our Longest Married Couple having been married for 69 years.
Betty Soskin was our Rosie the Riveter guest speaker and held the audience captive during her presentation. A most enlightening talk. Additionally, 15 year old Braden Sweeney from Granada HS in Livermore blew the doors off everyone with his singing voice that could have put him in the top 10 of this year's American Idol if he were old enough. He sang at the Rotary Convention in South Lake Tahoe last October and was brought in by Laura Day from the San Ramon Valley Club following their Valley Idol competition. To the many club members who assisted, thank you.
Friday I was on overload as I presided over my last meeting as your President. I was then properly roasted that evening at the home of Gillett and Tamra who graciously hosted this solemn, serious and most reverent occasion. All my loyal subjects were in attendance to pay homage and heap the well deserved praise upon my omnipotence. I know you must have been paying attention during the meetings otherwise how would you remember the depth and breadth of my many foibles foisted upon you during the year. Mary Lou and daughter Andrea said that you didn't miss many.
Tay, there is only one person who knew as much about me as was exposed by you. Not even Mary Lou knew some of the things of which you spoke. Agatha Sue Lee, don't you remember that what happens on the trails stays on the trails? Do you want me to tell the story of the bulls up in the American River Canyon?
Yesterday was the frosting on the cake. The First Annual Motorama World of Wheels was an over-the-top-success. Krysten, you are to be congratulated for what you have accomplished with your organizing, delegating, persisting, vision and sheer will power to get us ALL working together to accomplish what we did.
Sunday we, Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary, CAME OF AGE !!!!! For 23 years our club has been searching for a signature project that would identify and connect Lamorinda Sunrise and the community. We did that on Sunday and EVERYONE in the club is to be congratulated.
I thank each of you for a fantastic ride as I head off into the sunset, knowing that the future of Lamorinda Sunrise is now in excellent hands and we will have a Peek(s) performance as Thomas takes the reins.
What a Club. I love you all.
Past Pres. King John
A BUNCH OF FOLKS SHOWED UP FOR JOHN'S SWAN SONG
VISITING ROTARIANS
Jerry Wendt - Past President, Oakland
Larry Duson - Noon Club - Motorama sponsor
Larry Blodgett - Noon Club - Ditto
Mike Heller - Noon Club - Ditto
Becky Ware - Not really a visitor, but good to have her back
HONORED GUESTS
Mary Lou Fazel - Long-suffering first lady
Lisa Shaffer - John's aide de camp at Prudential
Fred Nielson - John's friend
Manuel Silva - Joe Bettencourt's father-in-law
Katie Rose Ware - Graduating middle schooler
Chris Lane - Former member returnee
And a special hello to Patti Witalis. Back for John's events and Motorama.
A MOMENT WITH AYMERIC
This was Aymeric's penultimate appearance as our Belgian exchange student. And what a delight he has been. He loved what he dubbed the "crazy American event"...The very cool senior all-nighter. He was spotted at Millie's having breakfast with two lovely Acalanes co-eds at 6:30 a.m. Aymeric spent the rest of the week mostly sleeping, attending a film screening and going to a 48 hour film festival. We look forward to viewing some of his creative film work at his final meeting with us on June 25.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
King John grabbed the initiative again by hauling up front seven likely specimens for humiliation. They were, in no particular order:
Wedding Anniversaries
Thomas Peeks - 31 years of wedded bliss to Yolanda
Hays Englehart - 33 years of the same with Regina
Mark Roberts - 25 years (you know the rest) with Claire
David Isenberg - 23 years (had enough yet?) with Evie
LSR Membership Anniversaries
Cal Lee - 17 years
Dominic Porrino - 1 year
Joe Bettencourt - 1 year
Birthdays
John Fazel - He turned himself in, not wanting to be fined by new Prez, the aforementioned Mr. Peeks. He tried to fine everyone including himself $25. It didn't work. Dominic cheerfully coughed up $1 on his and Joe's behalf. Rich Shearer reminded that a president cannot fine himself. That is the charge of the sergeant at arms. Rich quickly appointed Brad Davis to the position. Quick witted Brad promptly hit the Fazel for a C note. Who knows what actually will come of all this tom-foolery!
GARDEN PARK APT. KIDS TAKEN FOR A RIDE
Well, not until August. However the erstwhile Brad Davis, Rich Shearer, Ernie Furtado, David Waal and son Ryan assembled there on Saturday to assemble a small bike for a three year old, and fix assorted dinged up bikes for other kids. Brad reported they were glad to see us because Rotary always does such nice things for them. There will be a short bike ride for kids age seven and older, ending with a mini ice cream social. Coming in August and you all are invited!
THREE QUARTER CENTURY CLUB LUNCHEON
Was only mentioned in passing by the overwhelmed King John. He made up for it in his Newsletter address to the membership.
DEMOTION PARTY ON FRIDAY NIGHT
Stay tuned for a Special Edition some day.
MOTORAMA ON SUNDAY
Stay tuned for a Special Edition some day.
BANNER PRESENTATION BY REICHERT
Don reported on major expensive make-up luncheons in France ($50) and Switzerland ($57). All he had to show for it was a double sided banner from the ever-cagey Swiss. He keeps adding to a banner collection record that will never, ever be challenged for as long as this club will live.
PROGRAM
Our speaker this morning was James Bouquin, Executive Director of The Wellness Community, a non-profit organization that provides free cancer support services to anyone in the community. This is the only organization of its kind in the Bay Area to provide comprehensive, psychosocial support and education programs for people with cancer and the caregivers, children and families. These services enable cancer patients to manage their treatment and recovery as effectively as possible, increase their chances of survival and provide for a higher quality of life.
The Wellness community is an affiliate of the International Cancer Support Community organization, but is an independent non-profit corporation, so all of the funds raised are used in the local community.
The first Wellness Community was opened in Walnut Creek in 1990. They also provide services in medical centers and other community locations in Antioch, Concord, Pittsburg, San Pablo, San Ramon and Vallejo.
Over 15,000 people have been served by this organization over the last 20 years. There are 12 million cancer survivors in the U.S. today, and an additional one million + are added every year.
The Wellness Community Calendar is exceedingly full of activities and seminars every day for cancer patients, families, friends and caregivers. Jim pointed out the parallels with the goals of Rotary sprinkled throughout the self care support system.
1. Emphasizing partnership with the Medical Team
2. Nutritional Counseling and a plant-based diet
3. Regular physical activity
4. Mindful and authentic open approach to all parties
5. Social support and community building.
Jim has a strong academic and work background in the social services support industry. He earned a Human Biology degree from Stanford and followed that with several management positions at the University. He was the founding Director of the Disability Resource Center and also directed the Child and Family Resource Center, developing a national model for university-based family services, childcare centers and daycare homes. In 2006 he joined the Wellness Community as their Executive Director. Not coincidentally, Jim had received information and support for the Wellness Community when his wife was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic colon cancer in 2001. Happily she is alive, well and an eight-year survivor today.
There is much more to be learned about this essential service for anyone whose life is touched by cancer. You are welcome to call (925) 933-0107 or visit their website at www.twcba.org. Thank you, Jim, for being with us this morning and for the great services your organization provides to our greater community!
CALENDAR
6/25/10: Aymeric van den Hove, what a year.
7/2/10: Becky Ware, how cool is Argentina?