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The La Kawañian

July 30, 2003
Bill Watts, Editor
sparkywatts01@cs.com
Photos by Carl Johnson

OPENING: Shirley smiled as she serenaded us with sumptuous songs to sooth our souls. Ed Moulton led us with ferocious fever as he frivolously followed the music of "God Bless America".

HEAD TABLE & GUESTS: The real Chuck Gulick was not fishing this time (as erroneously reported in an earlier newsletter) he was here in person as he led the Salute to our Flag; Karl Johnson presented the invocation. Also at the head table were Daryal Gant & his daughter (and our speaker) Brenda Gant, and of course old what's his name, our President. Sixteen guests included Connie Moulton spouse of Ed; Brenda Gant, speaker; Mustapha Gant, grandson of Mary & Daryl; Carlos Cortez, guest of the club & Ken Lowe; Jim Johnson, guest of the club & Daryal Gant; Ed Selvie guest of the club & Bob Wallace; Martha Crockett, spouse of Hal; Shirley DeGrey, spouse of Dick and our piano player of the day; Fraser Draper from the A.M. Club; Barbara Dawson a lover & friend of Jack Dawson; Don Mazen who was plugging his new book about La Cañada; Jean Scherkey daughter of Bill Scherkey; our old and new Lt. Governor Joe Thompson; Leilani Cho, guest of Jack Dawson; Pete & Marilyn Koonce, guests of Hal Crockett. And in the back of the room was Nila Barkley & a friend whose name I missed. Of Course all were welcomed by "Hi Neighbor" led my Mr. Ed.

BADGE PRESENTATION: our membership chairman Paul Westmoreland presented a permanent badge to Sookie Mathews.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Pres announced again that we would have a vote next week on the $2 dues increase & also a change in the by-laws; Paul Westmoreland said none of our Soap Box Derby winners that we sent to Akron, Ohio had won there and then told of our membership campaign with Daryal Gant's team in the lead, he took a breath and then said he is updating the directory so if you have any changes call or Email him now. Our "Social Butterfly" Diane DellaValle told us of the upcoming "Summer Social" at the beautiful home of the Toffel's, and aren't we fortunate to have them generously donate their home for us to use. The party will be on Sunday, August 10, 2003 from 1:00 to 5:00 P.M. and its Pot Luck with the entre being Chicken, Steak, or wine (just kidding?) so sign up today. Would you believe a Karaoke Contest too? Don't miss this fun filled event!; Daryal Gant told of upcoming programs; Bachy Bachmayer thanked Howard Backer for filling in for him and again urged all to fill up the tubs for the Children's Hospital. Then Pres Bob got "huffy" and fined a whole bunch of us for not having our pins on or shaking the hand of the "Secret Shaker", Jim Ackland. 

HAPPY, SAD OR OTHER BUCKS (OR "PASS THE BUCK"): The Pres couldn't find anyone to fine for their Birthday or Anniversary so he hit the buck bucket with Silvia Kirkorian once again tapped as Sgt at Arms. First to step up to the plate was Doris Howith who bragged about her grandson and what a great golfer he is as he plays 3 to 4 tournaments a week; Jim Reynolds dropped in a half-century in memory of Bob Slattery; Don Mazen got a lot for his buck as he plugged his new book on the history of La Cañada, a paper back that sell for $20; Lt. Governor Joe Thompson put in an "information buck" informing us that he is going to "do it again" and be our new Lt. Governor; Ed Moulton put in the other half of Century in memory of Bob Slattery; never misses a joke Frosty Boyd donated to the cause; Daryal Gant put in a buck for his grandson who was in attendance; Dick DeGrey said he couldn't find anything to put a buck in for so he picked on Doris Horwith's comment about her Grandson playing 3 or 4 golf tournaments a week which he questioned as it takes 4 days to play one tournament.

50/50 RAFFLE: "Good Golly Miss Molly" Jim Ackland did it again!

THE PROGRAM: Introduced by her "proud pappa" was Brenda Gant who told us about "A woman's Life In Saudi Arabia" and had a large table displayed with various Saudi artifacts. She entered the podium dressed in the required garb that Saudi women wear; a black robe type garment that covered her head to toe except for her face. She had several of these on display. Brenda is a beautiful and intelligent young lady who graduated from C.V High in 1981 and was class valedictorian and went on to UCLA where she graduated in 1985 and then got her Master Degree at USC in 1986. She moved to Saudi Arabia in 1986 and was married soon after to a man she met at school. There are several 100,000 American women in Saudi Arabia who must adhere to Saudi customs. Women are not allowed to drive there and marriages are a "contract" with the wife attending the "contract" only on an occasional basis. After the wedding "contract" they have a party of maybe 350 people that starts about 11 p.m. They have only 2 channels on their TV's but can pick up others of the satellite. A very interesting program that also educated us about the country.

 
Guest Speaker Brenda Gant

 
NOTE: Howard Backer will be on vacation from August 2 to August 16. Please contact Bill Scherkey if there is a need for a check to be issued by the Club or the Foundation. 
 

The bulletin is usually mailed by bulk mail instead of first class to save money.  However, often times the bulk mail is as much as a week late.  We need to know if the majority of you want to read the bulletin on the web-site. The bulletin will be mailed to the rest of you by first class mail.  If you can read the bulletin on the web page and do not want it mailed to you, please notify Jeb Long by e-mail:  jeblong@earthlink.net.  Otherwise, your bulletin will be mailed to you.


UPCOMING PROGRAMS: 

• August 6th: "Current Law Enforcement Issues" -District Attorney Cooley - Al Restivo program chairman.
• August 13th: " Financial Planning With Emphasis on Grandchildren & Beyond "Brought to you by "Mr. Bonsai" Karl Johnson
  

Board Meetings are the lst Thursday of the Month at Citibank, 7 p.m.  (JULY 10th for this month)

District Council Meetings are the 3rd Monday of the month at Verdugo Hills Hospital cafeteria - 7 p.m.