|
The
La Kawañian
Guest
Editors, Melinda Thompson
July
29, 2004
melinda@ctssolutions.com
OPENING:
Ed Moulton played a rousing God Bless America
while Frosty Boyd directed our singing. Chuck
Gulick led the flag salute, and George Lutes gave the
invocation.
Ed Moulton playing God Bless America
GUESTS
& MEMBERS WE HAVE MISSED: Bill
Scherkey introduced his (and my) daughter, Nicole, and
grandson, Sam (almost three years old), who are visiting from
Minneapolis. Sue
Leabo was sitting nearby, as was Silvia Kirkorian who
just returned from a wonderful trip to Bulgaria and the Black Sea.
Daryal Gant welcomed Don Mazen (who didn’t
need an introduction - we’re glad Don visits often); Don
was pleased he just received a big order from Sports Chalet for his
new book. President
Jim Ackland introduced his lovely wife, Jo, and his
daughter, Karen; Karen is a marketing consultant and
lives in Santa Cruz.
HAPPY/SAD
BUCKS: Diane DellaValle had a happy/sad buck because she is taking her business
online and closing her retail store at the end of the year (due to a
triple increase in her rent). Jack
Dawson has been traveling in Canada with his antique car club.
Ed Moulton had a sad buck because we didn’t sing a
welcome to our visitors, but Pres Jim turned it into a happy
buck by having Ed lead us in Hi Neighbor.
Mary Gant had happy bucks for healing so rapidly and
being able to drive again and more happy bucks for having her family
with her all summer. Mark
Alexander was happy the State of California finally adopted a
budget. Clyde
Hemphill was also happy Mary Gant can drive again,
although he claimed Mary never stopped driving him while she
was “down and out” (with jobs for the Wine and Gourmet Food
Tasting in September). Daryal
was sad because Mary can drive again, which means she can
also shop again. Bob
Wallace gave a happy buck because his kids moved in with Bob and
Bev after they sold their house; Bob
had more happy bucks because they purchased a new home and have now
moved out. Melinda
had a happy buck for quick action by the city (thank you, Mark)
and Edison in changing plans in just three days and installing a
gate instead of a fence when repairing fences along the Edison line
property. Chuck
was happy to have his granddaughter visiting.
GENERAL
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Bob
Wallace announced the final slate of officers/board members to
fill the three empty slots for next year.
In two weeks we will be voting to confirm Frank Ragazzi
as Vice President, Bill Scherkey as a Board Member for a two
year term (to fill the spot left vacant when Barry Riedel
resigned), and Carl Christenson as a Board Member for a one
year term (to fill the spot vacated by Frank
Raguzzi when he agreed to be VP).
Diane reminded us to be sure we have signed up for the
Summer Social on August 22nd.
Paul and Bev Toffel are once again graciously hosting
this event, and
Clyde
Hemphill’s son
will be cooking the meat (a real treat, if you weren’t there last
year). Diane
promised Jack she would only play classical background music.
Frank told us we will each receive complete info about
the Travelogue Series in the mail soon.
Just $35 to be an armchair traveler for six very interesting
evenings. This is one
of our biggest fundraisers, and every member’s support is needed.
Sylvia had the signup sheet for August invocations.
Mary Gant has flyers for the Wine
and Gourmet Food Tasting. Was
she waving her cane at us when she said, “Be there or be
square!”? Paul
Westmoreland announced a $600 contribution to our Foundation by
the sitcom Method in Red as thanks for borrowing six of our
Soap Box Derby cars. They
also paid us $625 for our Super Stock car, which they split in half
and rebuilt for a 350 pound actor (a short Shaquille O’Neil).
Clyde and Paul spent the day near Griffith Park
watching this particular segment being filmed.
The show can be seen on Channel 11 on Wednesday evenings at
9:30 p.m. Paul will
let us know when this particular segment will be aired.
FROSTY’S
SLA UPDATE: Dick DeGrey
is beginning to sound like himself, can walk inside without a
cane, and walks outside every day to build up his strength.
Shirley is still in the hospital for evaluation.
Remember to call Frosty if you know of any member or loved
one who is sick, lame or
ailing.
FROSTY’S
CHALLENGE: Frosty won
again – with a cute joke about taking a year to walk.
(Well . . . maybe it was a cute PG joke.)
Don Mazen’s soup story and Bill Watts’ broken
arm joke were funny, but not cute.
PROGRAM:
Bob Martin introduced Paul Wineman, an American
who was raised in Iran, went to college in the U.S., served in the
Green Berets in Iran, and then earned his Masters Degree in Beirut.
He began his talk by telling us his opinions were quite
controversial. He was
an excellent speaker, who gave us his analysis of the Mideast
situation in no uncertain terms.
We were all impressed by his depth of experience, breadth of
knowledge, and clarity of analysis.
Everyone left with a lot to think about!
Paul Wineman, Guest Speaker
50/50
DRAWING: Mike Leininger
was the winner today.
CLOSING:
We ended the meeting with Hail Kiwanis.
UPCOMING
WEDNESDAY PROGRAMS:
-
August 4
Craig Van Sickle – TV Producer (The
Pretender)
-
August 11
Cole Speer – Deputy Sheriff
-
August 18
Excerpts from Annie Get Your Gun
-
August 25
Apples for Teachers
-
Sept. 1 Harry
Jacobs – California Election Board
OTHER
SPECIAL KIWANIS DATES:
SPOTLIGHT
ON . . . FRANCISCO
CABNAL CUZ
Francisco
is the nine year old student in Central America whose education
is being supported by our La Cañada Kiwanis Foundation.
He is a boarding student attending the
School
of
Sustainable Community Development
, which is run by the Ak’ Tenamit Association.
Francisco is currently enrolled in a basic education class
(called SAT). The support of our Foundation will help him realize
his dream of finishing his basic education and going on to graduate
with a career.
Francisco
lives in the village of Bluk Creek; he travels an hour on foot and
two hours in a canoe to get to the boarding school.
He studies at the school for 90 days and then goes home for
one week. Francisco’s
native language is Q’echi, but he is learning Spanish in school.
His favorite subject is math, and he plays soccer in his free
time. We expect
to get updates on Francisco’s progress, and the sponsor
organization has asked us to write to Francisco.
Francisco
has two brothers and two sisters.
The children live with their parents in a house without
drinkable water or electricity; it has an earthen floor and a roof
of palm leaves. They
cultivate corn, beans, and chile, and raise chickens and pigs.
The
letter we received with this information about Francisco was written
in Spanish. THANK YOU,
Marilyn Corbett, for your translation.
Hal Crockett and the International Understanding Committee of
our Foundation did a great job locating this special child who will
really benefit from our support.
If
you have any questions regarding the website or this e-mail
bulletin, please e-mail Jeb Long at
jeblong@earthlink.net.
|
