Meeting Recap: June 18, 2009
by lou on 28/06/09 at 10:49 pm
11:30 Club
There was an exceptionally large turnout for the 11:30 Club. There were many small groups engaged in conversation and Willy was pouring great drinks.
The Meeting:
Prez. Steve rang the bell, welcomed all to North Fresno Rotary and called the meeting to order on or about 12:30. John Krikorian offered an appropriate invocation and Bob Kittredge
led the group in the salute to our nations flag. Visiting Rotarians & Guests of Rotarians Prez. Steve introduced the eight visiting Rotarians, including 5230 District Governor August
Hioco and Assistant District Governor Stan Dorance. Prez. Steve also orchestrated the introduction of the nine guests of Rotarians (seven spouses of NF Rotarians are included
with the nine total guests).
June Birthday Table
Prez. Steve introduced the Birthday Table (and one who should have been at the Birthday Table) comprised of Scott Shewan, Deborah McHenry, Bill Stevens, Terry Huntsman
and Murr Barry.
Angola Project
Prez. Steve announced that the Angola project is now underway. Additional details will soon follow.
Demotion Party
The demotion party is Friday June 26 at Dave & Debbie Reulands home in Fig Garden. Reservations need to be made by Friday June 19th with Chip Putnam.
Storyland & Jazz Janet Powell announced that additional Silent Auction items are need for the Storyland and Jazz fundraising event. Only six items have been donated so far and August 22nd is
rapidly approaching.
Pancake Breakfast
Entries for the Fun Run should be directed to Carlos Gonzales or Lou Smaldino.
Youth Exchange
Deborah McHenry said that there will be a meeting in Fresno of all District 5230 outbound Exchange Students on Saturday July 11th and that Host Families are
needed for Saturday night. Each Exchange Student will have their own sleeping bag and will only need floor space to sleep. Host Families can take more than one student
for this one night. Host Families are still needed to host our own Australian Exchange Student Emily OGrady for a few weeks or a month. Julie & Jim Keitges just hosted Emily for a while
and said that she is fun and good to be around. Emilys stay in Fresno would probably also be enhanced with some additional offers of dinners and some additional sightseeing
trips from NF Rotarians.
Fresno Metropolitan Museum
Paul Gibson announced that Pulitzer Prize winning author Thomas Friedman has been engaged for a special fundraising event for the Fresno Metropolitan Museum on Thursday
June 25th. The event is a 3:00 5:00 Book Signing followed by a lecture. Contact Paul Gibson or the Metropolitan Museum at 441-1444.
Weekly Raffle
Scott Shewan had the lucky raffle ticket but pulled an unlucky marble (light color). Prez. Steve did allow Scott to draw an item from a black pouch. I think Scott said he
got the same item he had brought to Prez. Steve and the Club when he returned from a recent trip. John Krikorian had better luck. He had the lucky raffle ticket on the second draw and
also picked the correct (dark color) marble. John won $194.00 and a cup from the black pouch. Prez. Steve said that from the proceeds of the weekly raffle Stop Polio
Now received a total of $1,889 from North Fresno Rotary. Way to go North Fresno Rotary!!!!!
Special Program
PDG Ted Marsella took control of the podium as Master of Ceremony to honor Betty Arnold who is retiring from the NFR Administrative Assistant position. The title of the
program was This is your Life at NFR: Betty Arnold Per MC Ted Marsella, Betty has been the Administrative Assistant for thirty-seven years, meaning that she has served thirty-seven current and past presidents of North
Fresno Rotary. Betty has also served for three District Governors that were also NFR 4 members (Don Foppiano, Ed Nichols, and Ted Marsella). Betty was seated in a large
royalty appearing chair, center stage, facing the Rotarians and guests. PDG Ted Marsella presented Betty with a large bouquet of flowers and in a This is Your Life
styles recounted Bettys life. Betty was born in Oregon City, Oregon about 69 years ago. She married Roger Arnold, employed by Lyles Diversified, and initially they lived
in Avenal. Rhonda Grove, a vocalist, paid tribute to Betty in melody by singing Unforgettable and Wind Beneath Our Wings and portions of other songs. Waymon
Watts, a former NF Rotarian was Bettys first boss. Bob Carter said that Betty was a great lady and a good employee. Don Foppiano was having some health problem and
was not able to attend, but sent good wishes to Betty on her retirement. Paul Read said that Betty made every president feel like he or she is running the Club, when she
is actually doing it. Gordon Knott said that Betty did an excellent job, quite and efficient and made him look better than he actually was. Dave Reuland said that Betty has a
warm smile and always had a list of things that the president needed to do. She has big feet and very large shoes to fill. District Governor August Hioco presented Betty with a District Governor Proclamation
that recognized the long and excellent service that Betty Arnold had provided to North Fresno Rotary, District 5230 and Rotary in general. Prez. Steve presented Betty with cards, signed by NF Rotarians, congratulating her on
her retirement. He also presented Betty with a gift card (this reporter didnt the name of the store or business). Betty thanked the club for the opportunity to work as Administrative Assistant for so
many years and for the recognition of her service. For 37 years of excellent service to Rotary, as instructed by the NFR Board of Directors, MC Ted Marsella presented Betty Arnold with an Honorary Past-Presidents Pin.
Roger Arnold was ask to come forward to receive a Paul Harris Fellow (Wall-Plaque and Lapel Pin) presented by Paul Read. You should have been there!!!!
-Cliff Speight-
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