Thanks to all of you who made for an excellent turn-out for last week's visit by District Governor Jan Gage of the Auburn Club. DG Jan spoke inspiringly of the vision of RI President John Kenney for the coming year. She told us about her goals for District 5190 – the first and most important of which is "Have Fun!" We told her the Nevada City Club was fully supportive of that! It was such a good meeting that my peripatetic bell even made a brief appearance! It did not, however, manage to ring the meeting in or out, as it arrived during Robin Milam's Rotary Minute (circumstantial evidence of how it disappeared during my first meeting as President!) and disappeared while my back was turned during the recitation of the Four Way Test. As to that last fact, I hope the mischief-makers who stole the bell see the irony in it!
We also recognized three Paul Harris Fellows – George Foster, a new member of the Club and already a PHF; Dave Kenitzer a PHF+6 at a tender young age, and Bob Buhlis, a PHF+1. Congrats, all. DG Jan also presented our annual Quiet Rotarian Award to Carolyn Inglis. Although our Club is made vital by the energetic contributions of many and we had several good nominations (including some from Carolyn), your officers were pleased to recognize Carolyn for her quiet, consistent and unassuming service to the Club – as last year's Rotary Auction Co-Chair, pitching in mid-year last year to take over the International Service Committee, chairing that committee this year, pinch-hitting for Secretary Dave on Board minutes when needed and doing the minutes for a recent meeting regarding our Clubs 3-H grant to provide a dairy goat project for the Batwa Pygmies near Dr. Scott Kellerman's clinic in Uganda. Congratulations and thank you, Carolyn!
During the "sharing time" we had opportunity to congratulate George Rebane on the pending marriage of his first grandchild. Congratulations to George, Jo Ann and their family for this happy milestone!
We are getting ready for our annual Fair Booth fundraiser August 12th to 16th. We need every Club member to cover two shifts at the fair booth – as of last Thursday we still had some 20 shifts to cover. If you have not signed up, please contact Austin Farrar (raustinfarrar3@yahoo.com or 265-0125). This is a fun way to attend the fair, catch up with your friends, and help us raise funds for scholarships and our other projects. We ask all members (and invite all Club of 85 members) to cover two shifts. You are welcome to bring a friend to cover half your commitment – anyone over 14 is fine. Please pitch in on this major fundraiser for our Club and our many service programs!
This week's meeting is our annual Fair Booth Picnic at the fairgrounds at 6 p.m. Please bring a salad if your last name begins with the letters A through P and bring a dessert if you are in the Q to Z range. Also bring a tablesetting for yourself and participate in our annual table-decorating challenge. This year's Fair Theme is rabbit-inspired – "Hop on Down to the County Fair." Some of you may prefer a version of that theme that involves hops, as in the floral agent used to flavor beer! The Club will provide the entrée, wine, beer and soft drinks. If you would like to pitch in with the picnic, contact Club Service Chair Dixie Redfearn or pP Ben Barretta.
You are also welcome to make a donation to support our annual "Tools for Schools" effort. This year we are collaborating with the Nevada City School District. If you can bring $12 worth of Crayola products (i.e. markers, paints, or crayons), reams of copy paper, and/or cash for your supper, our Youth and Vocational Services Committee will use them to augment supplies for the Nevada City Elementary Schools.
Unfortunately, a business commitment will have me flying to Portland Thursday evening, but International Service Committee Chair (and Quiet Rotarian!) Carolyn Inglis will cover for me. I look forward to seeing many of you on Sunday, August 9th at Raley's Field for Rotary Day there. See you there!
