Feb 15, 2011

Jan 3, 2011
Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

Pete Vallerga led the pledge of allegiance and Rich Whitaker offered a prayer to ward off every ailment.

Visiting Rotarians
From Arcata Sunrise, Brandi Easter

Guests of Rotarians
Rich Whitaker brought a guest named Steve Cunningham.
Gabriel Umidon our exchange student from Milan, Italy had a fun time over the holidays and wished us a Happy New Year.

All red badgers were asked to stand up by President Carlton Nielsen, and there was a considerable number.  So, Diane Cipperley and Steve Justus were thanked for heading up the 1923 Committee and others were thanked for serving on our membership committee.  President Carlton said we have reached our membership goals established by the District, but not his goals for our club. Then President Carlton gave a quiz on where the respective red badgers work and most of our members passed the test.

Corky Cornwell and Wayne Wilson were pointed out as the guys to see if you want to advance from red to blue badge. Roy Frostensen as the Sergeant at arms can help them advance to blue also.

Gregg Gardiner was recognized for his efforts for Toys for Tots and immediately asked that the many who helped by serving or donating to the program would stand. About a third of our club stood and received recognition. Greg said that 3,847 children were served with around 8,000 toys.  He thanked his wife, Kathleen, and they were both recognized to the tune of $100.  

Mike Cunningham and Keith Crossly brought attention to the play, My Fair Lady, showing at the North Coast Repertory Theater on January 29 of this year. We bought the house, but friends and family are welcome to attend for the price of $20.

John Bradley reminded us that the Backpacking program is still going. They meet every Thursday at Humboldt Moving and Storage to stuff backpacks. We are doing about 100 backpacks in cooperation with other clubs.

Our dictionary project is headed up by Bob Morris who encouraged us to get the big pile of dictionaries out to the schools and the kids who need them.  Contact Bob or President Carlton if you can help out.

Mike Cunningham was supposed to have pictures of the Christmas party but excused himself due to the recent birth of his almost ten pound granddaughter: his first grand child.  Mike chose to finish up his Paul Harris contributions.

Sue Bosch has not been seen lately at our club meetings. She has been doing several things. Her husband had a stroke and now has turned over the car keys to Sue.  Her business has also moved into a nice new building on 6th street.  Sue settled for a hundred dollars.

Gary Philp stood and smiled, having left his side arm at home (or at the office). Members of our club enthusiastically thanked him for 38 years with the Sheriff's office and eight years as County Sheriff.  Nevertheless, that will be sixty dollars for 38 years of service.

Jim Howard stood and reflected on turning 95 the night of our Christmas party. He was fined $85 and offered to pay $95, which President Carlton readily accepted.

Program
Murl Harpham is known to our club and community as the longest standing officer in the history of the Eureka Police Department.  He said he got into the prostitution side of law enforcement at the age of 22.  Murl described his early years in busting prostitutes, starting in the 1950's.  Pimps come to town in the 1960's and they were easy to identify with their Cadillacs, feathered caps and glow-in- the-dark-skin-tight clothes.  Other pimps were even more colorful!  Murl worked with red light abatement in the 60's, including an under cover cop who thought that  meant the hooker packed a dangerous gun.  Murl was quite impressed with the talents of many of the prostitutes—especially a pickpocket named Billy.&  Other tales of Murl's girls will stay in Rotary.

Respectfully Submitted,
Dan Price

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