edited by
JOHN GRELCK
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So far this Rotary year, there has been two open competitions going on. First, for the best singing Rotary Club and I think Suzanne has put us in front. The second is for who can tell the best joke between Bob France, Richard Brown, and others. This has made our club more and more fun. On a more serious note, I think every member should think about the Rotary International's new program - Every Rotarian Every Year. This was created because contributions haven't kept pace with the steady growth in requests for matching grants and other programs. Also, I want to let you know that our District Governor, Jan, is trying to get as many Rotarians and their spouses to sign up for the new Rotary license plates. Build Days for the Children's playground in Sunny Fields Park, our Centennial project, are April 27 - May 7, 2005. Representatives of the three local Rotary Clubs met on July 22nd to give an update on the plans. The city of Solvang has committed $50,000 for the project. The three Rotary clubs have pledged $70,000. The estimated cost of the playground is $150,000. Jeff Cotter of our club and Sylvia Remenga of the Los Olivos Club have raised several thousand dollars in addition to the pledged amounts. Leathers Associates of Ithaca, NY will have drawn up the design plans by Sept. 1. These detailed drawings will help us see what our Children's playground will look like. Participants at Thursday's (July 22nd) meeting were Richard Brown, Jeff Cotter, Len Dalberg, Nelson Owens, and Richard Shawcroft from our club. Landa Parisi and Alan Hitt represented the Solvang Club. Steven Berg and Sylvia Remenga from the Los Olivos Club were present. Due to all of the wonderful service and dedication over the years to Rotary (including the 5th Wednesdays), Tom Barnard was presented a Paul Harris Fellow Award on July 23rd. The award was presented to Tom at his home by Greg Pensa, Bob Moir, and Lord Nelson. Bob Rasmussen fell and fractured some vertebrae in his neck. Fortunately, there were no paralyzing complications, but we will notice the brace he's wearing. Dr. Frank Pedersen reports that his beloved Jean became seriously ill and was hospitalized. We are happy to report that she is now at home recovering nicely. Our club has received an application for membership from Michelle Fairbanks. Michelle has been to several of our meetings and is being proposed by Elle Seymour and is being classified as Title/Escrow Sales. Any comments or concerns about our new candidate should be addressed to Sharon Pike. R.I.'s new president, Glenn E. Estess, Sr., has chosen a very appropriate theme for our Centennial year, Celebrate Rotary. Be sure to read the July issue of the Rotarian. You can learn more about our new president, his wife Mary, and the Estess family. The July issue is full of Centennial news. The Centennial Convention will be in the city where Rotary was born, Chicago, Illinois. The dates for the Convention are June 18-22, 2005. Let's Celebrate Rotary! Coming Programs Wednesday, July 28, 2004 @ 12:10PM Neal Abello, rode a bicycle from Santa Maria to Boston and will tell us about some of his experiences along the way. Wednesday, August 4, 2004 @ 12:10PM Michael Moore, Executive Director of the Humane Society in Buellton Wednesday, August 11, 2004 @ 12:10PM District Governor, Jan Lindsay |
