Rotary Club of Eureka Meeting May 1 2017

President Matthew Owen gleefully reported that he had only 8 weeks left on his term.  Don Leonard led us in the flag salute.  Greg Pierson gave the invocation, reminding us how lucky we are to live in Humboldt County with its magnificent rivers, trees, and verdant hills.  Never mind what makes the hills so verdant.

Fred Van Vleck gave a Rotary Scholarship report.  We have distributed $24,500 in scholarships to Eureka High school, CR, and Humboldt State students. Guest Al Costaldi announced that there would be a celebration of the life  of Ray Wickel, Green Beret, aviator and long time Rotarian on June 11^th 1-3pm at Baywood Golf Club. The done in a day project at Food for People is this weekend, not last weekend Show up at 9am and bring gardening gloves. Matthew presented a check for $1,000 to Tom Faso of Redwood Teen Challenge.  They help adults 17 and older with substance abuse problems.

During the Boast Roast and Toast interval, Tom Schallert was recognized for attending a Blood Centers of America conference in Florida.  He caught a Sheep’s Head, and ugly but delicious fish.  Owner of 5 local McDonald’s locations Jessie Klair gave his craft talk.  He came from India to the U.S. at age 14. He worked at a McDonalds and learned English, then kept giving 150% as he continued to be promoted from cook to store Manager, then Supervisor.  16 years later he bought his first McDonald’s Franchise. He reminded us that you can do anything you want if you set your mind to it. Jessie brought some new sandwiches with him for us to try out. They were good. 

 

Clara Pazzaglia

Don Leonard introduced our exchange student from Italy, Clara Pazzaglia.  She comes to us from Milan, where she lives in an apartment with her parents and a dog.  She shared pictures of her family and scenes of Italy.  She said her hosts were like a second family to her.  She’s having a fundraiser this Friday from 5:30-7pm at the Faith Center in Eureka. There will be two kinds of pasta and two Finnish Desserts.  Tickets are $30. The money is to help defray the costs of a cross country trip exchange students go on.  While this was going on Don Smullin’s phone rang and he was fined $100.  Jack MacDonald’s phone rang three times.  He was nicked for $300.  Not a good time for phone calls.

Penned by Hank Ingham