Dec 17, 2012

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka
December 17, 2012



The meeting started during a brief let up from the week’s rainstorm.  Chow included a pork dish they ran out of, salmon pasta, and spinach salad along with a Christmas cookie.   

Dave Dillon led the pledge to the flag and Tom McMurray gave the invocation.  He asked for a moment of silence for the children and teachers killed in the school shooting in Connecticut.  

Birthdays included Chuck Ellsworth, 23-Dec; Richard Borough and Russ Harris, 24-Dec, Walt Shimasaki, 25-Dec, Hank Ingham, 28-Dec, Wendy Purnell, 30-Dec and Mike Leggins, 31-Dec.  Chuck Ellsworth was singled out and asked how old he was.  He was coy, admitting only that he was born before WWII ended.  That makes him “long in the tooth”.   

Exchange students Larissa and Franco shared their weeks with us.  Larissa has moved in with a new family, and Franco had attended a basketball game and gone bowling.   

Gregg Gardiner announced that Toys For Tots had raised 8,000 dollars due in part to the generosity of an unnamed individual who gave them a check for $5,500.  The donor had once been a foster child and gone without toys.   

Then we had the first of two choral events.  Eric Bergel had brought his daughter Reesa and her friends Wanda Little (Daughter of Terri Little who was one of the runners injured in the hit and run) Zoe Leonard (Jeff Leonard's daughter) and Campbell Ashby.  

L-R:  Campbell, Rissa, Zoe & Wanda
They were all members of the Redwood Childrens’ Chorus.  They sang “God bless you and send you a happy new year”. 

Gregg Gardiner again came to the podium to announce the awarding of a special Paul Harris Fellowship.  The board awards these special fellowships only by unanimous vote.  The recipient was Charles Young, Eureka High Music teacher, who was recognized for his devotion to the community and the hundreds of unpaid hours he put in shepherding the Limited Edition to its concerts.   

Eureka High School Limited Edition
 Our special Christmas concert followed.  The Limited Edition, a select group of Eureka High students, sang Joy To The World, Oh, Holy Night, Deck the Halls, We Three Kings, The 12 Days Of Christmas, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, and finally our personal favorite, Carol of the Bells.  The group is looking for donations to help finance a trip to Oregon, Washington, and Canada to compete in various choral competitions.  If you are in a generous mood, contact Charles Young at EHS.   

This is the last Rotary Burl of 2012.  The Burl committee wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.   

Submitted by Hank Ingham

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