We had no meeting last week, but managed to keep ourselves busy with the Wine Tasting Fundraiser and the Foundation Dinner. The Wine Tasting was a big success. Between ticket sales, the raffle, and a percentage of wine shares, we easily exceeded our fundraising target. The grand prize in the raffle (a magnum of 1997 Jordan Cabernet) was won by the new Superintendent of the Nevada City School District, Roxanne Gilpatrick. Nice way to welcome her to the new gig. The Board will discuss whether to make this an annual event at its December 7th meeting. Thanks to all of you who contributed to the success of the event, especially event co-chairs Ellen Davis and Derek Poppell.
The Foundation Dinner was a fun evening, too. It was a privilege to introduce pP Don Fultz as our Club's nominee for a Special District Governor's Award for contributions to the Foundation. I noted Don's substantial contributions to the Foundation of his own funds, his leadership in persuading others to donate, and his work in landing and administering the 3-H Grant for our Uganda Project. Congrats, Don!
We also received recognition as a Club for meeting our commitment last year to Polio Plus fundraising, but the credit there goes to pP Bob Buhlis and his Board. It was a pleasure to award a Major Donor recognition to George Rebane and Paul Harris Awards to all who achieved that recognition this year: Pete Brost (PHF+2), Bob Buhlis (PHF+1), Michael Colantuono (PHF+1), Nicole Dillard (PHF+2), John Hazelwood (PHF+1), Carolyn Inglis (PHF+2), Nancy Kemp (PHF+2), David Kenitzer (PHF+6), Jo Ann Rebane (PHF+4), and new Paul Harris Fellow George Foster. Thank you and congratulations all! Oh, and we heard a great presentation by Rotaractor Sol Henson and his colleague Tor Erickson regarding their incredible work on water and sanitation projects in Bwindi, Uganda. 32 members of our club RSVP'd and I think most made it to the event. Thanks for making it a successful evening!
We have a great turn-out the week before last for Dave Fluke's video program on the 1997 wedding of Monte Schultz, son of the late Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schultz, who spent some $600k on one of the most elaborate wedding celebrations Nevada County has ever seen. pP Bob Buhlis brought in a photo of himself in his Victorian-era costume and told us of all the shipping for the wedding and his arrival in a horse-drawn carriage. In addition to the excellent program (thanks, Dave!), the great attendance might also have arisen because word leaked out that Tom Coleman was serving grilled steaks and pumpkin pie. Yum! Or, it could be that last week was one of only two meetings this month, as we are dark for Thanksgiving and moved to the Foundation Dinner.
Whatever the reason, the good turnout produced lots of Club news, too. On a sad note, Cheryl Benso's grandson Trevor has a serious health condition. If you are interesting in pitching in to help his family, there will be a spaghetti feed at the Nevada City Elks Club on November 19th from 4 to 7:30 p.m. The Pokerettes are talking about a bake sale for the event, too. There is no set admission price, but donations will be accepted at the door. For further details click here.
On happier notes, Director at Large Pete Brost reminded us that Derek Poppell and his wife Sharon (a Rotaractor) are expecting their first-born. Carolyn Inglis told us of her grandson's Greek Orthodox christening and Membership Co-Chair Austin Farrar paid a fine so he could tout "She Loves Me" at the Foundry, in which he performed. pP Bob Buhlis also noted the 16th anniversary of his business, the Nevada City Postal Company. In other good news, the Club recognized pP John Hensley as Rotarian of the Month for October for his work this year (and the past 12) on the Rock Creek BBQ. We will credit him with 100 points toward his next Paul Harris Fellowship. He is out of the country at the moment, but thank and congratulate him when you see him!
Returning to sad, but more common, news – my bell (Lucy) made a brief appearance at the meeting, but managed to disappear during the "happy/sad bucks" sharing. Perhaps she was "moved" by the news from our Club members. We also had news about several upcoming events for our Club. Club Service Chair Dixie Redfearn asked us to "save the date" for the Holiday Party, which will be held on the evening of Saturday, December 12th at the National Hotel. Details to follow. The holiday season also brings two hands-on community service events. If you are interested in helping with bell-ringing for the Salvation Army, contact Gayle Denney. If you are interested in a "Food-Raising" effort at the local SPD Market to provide non-perishable goods to the Nevada County Food Bank during their season of greatest need, contact Community Service Chair, Cathy Wilcox-Barnes. Cathy is also putting together a team to participate in the 4th Annual Mike Bratton Turkey Trot, a fun-run or walk at NU High School on Thanksgiving to raise money for mental health and suicide prevention services. If you'd like to burn off some of that turkey and stuffing with your Rotary friends, contact Cathy.
Vocational Service Chair Nicole Dillard reminded us that it is time for nominations for our annual Rotary Vocational Service Award, which our Club gives annually to a Club Member who best embodies the spirit of Rotary and the 4-Way Test in their professional life or best brings the values of their profession to Rotary. If you have a nomination or questions, contact Nicole. Membership Committee Co-Chair Walt Stickel announced the formation of a Club committee to evaluate a possible Bike Race Breakfast fundraiser at the Foundry on Sunday, May 16, 2010 – the day the Amgen Tour of California Bicycle Race kicks off from Nevada City. If you are interested in helping develop this proposal, contact Walt or Austin Farrar.
Note that our Club Calendar has been updated through the end of 2009 and is accessible at www.ncrotary.org. If you have additions or corrections for the Club Calendar, contact me, PE Eleanor Kenitzer or Secretary Dave Kenitzer and we can upload them for you. We'll get it updated through the end of the Rotary year soon.
Director at Large Pete Brost, who also chairs the Club Foundation's Board of Directors, announced the annual election of members of that Board. Current members are Pete, Ellen Davis, Nicole Dillard, Laurie Powell, and John Woodford. Nicole and John's seats are up and, although both are interested in reappointment, the Club Board will consider others, too. We will provide a list of nominees to the Foundation Board, which makes the decision. Service is limited to active members of the Club. The Club Board will make its decision on nominations at the December 7th Board meeting, so let me or any officer know of your interest before then.
Whew! There's a lot going on for our Club in a month when we have only two club meetings! See you Thursday!
