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The La Cawañian La Cañada, CA – May 31, 2000 Meghan Serwin, Editor Memorial Day patriotism persevered, though the holiday itself was history. Shirley DeGrey provided a bit of musical Americana, segueing into Ed Moulton’s multi-song tribute to our country and to those who’ve defended it. As we sang the Marine Hymn, the Army anthem (the Caissons Go Rolling Along), Anchors Away, and the Army Air Corps song, vets of each service branch rose to be acknowledged – a stirring experience, even for those of us without a military background. Ken Lowe led the flag salute, and Bob ("I didn’t sign no list") Martin did the invocation. (Guess what, Bob? The best ones never sign the list.) Guests included pianists Marie Hyland and Shirley DeGrey; Mark Manerelli, with Al Restivo; past Lieutenant Governor Gordon Yanz; Phil Hammonds’ lovely wife, Harriet; Barbershop Quartet member and former Noon Kiwanian Gaby Pryor; new LCHS Key Club Sponsors Mary Walsten (my ninth grade English teacher!) and Mary Weaver; and my friend and fellow LCE mom Elysa Del Guercio (whose husband, Stephen, sat next to me in Ms. Walsten’s class in ninth grade, I’ll have you all know). Awards were presented by former Lt. Gov. Yanz to Jim Barrett and Bill Scherkey, the latter accepting both as past President and on behalf of our club at large. Kudos and congrats to all who helped to earn our Service Award, Club Growth patch, and Distinguished Club award. The Soap Box Derby was proclaimed a success by many, beginning with official Derby recapper Daryal Gant. Daryal held up today’s Foothill Leader -- there were the Derby winners, right on page 1! We had 48 racers, each of whom apparently enjoyed the experience immensely. Two of the five races were won by members of LCF’s own Kent family (one Kent sister beat another in the Super Stock division – I hope the Kent parents have strong sibling rivalry management training). Financially, we broke just about even, which sounds to me like good news for any maiden endeavor. (I can’t get my checkbook to break even, and I’ve been working on it for quite awhile.) On balance, Daryal gave the event a B, but said he knows how to turn it into an A or even an A+ next year – when his motto will be "Get the kids out of the malls and back on the streets!" Derby committee chairs are asked to provide their reports at a wrap-up meeting next Wednesday night, June 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the YMCA. NSBD (non-Soap Box Derby) announcements came from Hizzoner Jim Reynolds, who needs volunteers to staff the Travel Adventures team for next year. Jim also reminded the few who missed last week’s demand to bring dues current that, well, you need to bring your dues current. Matt Regan had one last sign-up sheet for Sunday’s Governor’s Visit at the Gene Autry Museum. Ed Moulton announced a yard sale on June 10 and 11 (to benefit an organization for the blind with which he’s associated); he needs things to sell as well as people to buy things (call Ed for more details). Jack Dawson had a set of keys that someone left in his car over the weekend; he volunteered Tom Slaughter (what did you call him, Jack – our resident computer nerd?) to find the keys’ owner through advanced technological means. (Tom, couldn’t you just use that Blockbuster key chain to get yourself a few free rentals?) Jack also had high praise for Melinda Thompson, who apparently did most of the heavy lifting on Derby days. Reminders of coming events came from Tom Gilfoy (re: the Chilean Consul General’s visit next week) and Bob Wallace (re: the June 14 Pet Clinic). Tom Sleeman gave a second call for frequent flyer miles to help get our Derby winners to the Nationals in Akron this summer, while Carl Christensen asked again for volunteers to help stain the wood for the Jack Hastings Gazebo. (If you can move a roller back and forth, says Carl, then you’ve got what it takes to stain wood.) Dick DeGrey thanked the 32 members of his Memorial Day burger cooking crew, then enlisted the fabulous vocal talents of Jerry Healey to auction off the leftover meat. Happy and Sad Bucks came from Sheila Cook, whose daughter’s getting married (happy buck) this September (sad – what mom can plan a wedding in only three months?!?) Sharrin Orr had happy bucks for the triumphant Derby volunteers, as well as sad ones because her Croquet Tourney duties kept her from helping them. Tom Slaughter had a happy buck because his son, a Derby contestant, won 3 of his 6 heats. In Frosty Boyd’s absence, Daryal Gant came through with a truly Frosty-esque (Frostian?) groaner about a three legged dog looking for the man who shot his paw, while Howard Backer scraped bottom with "the Czech was in the male." Our sweetly harmonic program featured the Kiwanis Barbershop Quartet (it was a Septet, though, wasn’t it?). Our own two Jacks (Dawson and Orr) joined Ken Lowe, Al Perry, Ed Moulton, Gaby Pryor and A.M. clubber Joey Gibson (I think that’s what Ed said) in a wonderful performance of spirituals, classics, and even a sing-a-long that made the tone-deaf in the audience (that’s me!) sound good. It was all most impressive, and a lot of fun as well. Next week: Consul General Gonzalo Mendoza of Chile will speak (introduced by either Pat Anderson or Tom Gilfoy). Jim Hunt (who did sign the list) will do the Invocation, with Eileen Ferber leading our salute to the flag. Jim Barrett will sell raffle tickets, and Mike Stokes will continue as Sergeant-at-Arms. Thought for the Week: It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.. -- Harry S Truman
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