Rotary Club of Eureka, California

December 6, 2010
A Perhaps Historic Meeting of Rotary Club of Eureka


Pledge and Invocation
Walt Shimasaki led the pledge of allegiance and none other than Father Doug Thompson gave the invocation. This was our first meeting in over five years at our old location, the Eureka Inn (redivivus—again, perhaps).

Guests of Rotarians
Too many to announce

Visiting Rotarians
John Moore, Eureka Southwest; Jim Seiler, Fortuna noon; Terri Clark, Arcata Sunrise; Bob Johnson, Arcata Sunrise; Teresa and John Porter, Garberville; Cindy Dembo, Eureka Southwest; Nancy Kaye, Eureka Southwest; Dick Wild, Arcata

Announcements
Gary Barker stood tall (in spite of loosing an inch) and waxed eloquent about the mission of Rotary. He also spoke highly of the late Harvey Harper and told several stories about Harvey that revealed their rivalry and friendship in the auto business.

Susie Seely welcomed us back to the Eureka Inn and pointed out to Mr. Porter that there was not one light out in the overhanging chandelier. She estimated she has worked about 2400 hours for Eureka Rotary Club through the years.

Mike Bass, coach of the Eureka High Basketball (not football) team invited us to the Logger Classic to be held at Eureka High on December 16, 17, 18.

Pat Folkins introduced Chris Freeman as our newest Paul Harris Fellow, who was suitably recognized.

New Members
Mike Cunningham welcomed Anthony Antoville who moved to Humboldt County many years ago and built an alternative home that is powered solely by wind and solar. He now manages care for the elderly and is a third generation Rotarian.

Eric Bergel introduced Mandy Nash as our next new member. She is according to Eric, so talented, industrious and creative that she deserved to be introduced in colorful terms—which she was. Past President Don Leonard encouraged both new members to get a hold of a Rotary Club roster in order to get acquainted with our members and mission. Welcome, Anthony and Mandy.


Raffle
After the two winners were drawn for twenty and ten dollars respectively, all were waiting on the edge of their seats for the basket drawing when Murl Harpham car-jacked the meeting, claiming that Greg Pierson should get the basket because Greg tore the tag off his chair at the Rotary Christmas party in full view of a peace officer. Greg denied the felonious deed and claimed he thought he had the winning ticket for the raffle strapped under his seat when he removed the tag oblivious to the penalty, or presence, of the law.

Program
Past president and former District Governor Dave Dillon started by giving us a bit of club history. In 1922 the Eureka Inn was opened and Eureka was excited to have this new luxury hotel. Glyndon ("Sign") Smith provided entertainment for one of its opening events. Sign liked Eureka and moved here, later joining our club and continuing as a stellar member with sixty-nine years of perfect attendance. In 1923 the Rotary Club of Eureka was chartered, sponsored by the San Francisco Club. On October 23, 1923 Bru Brunier officially handed over our club charter. Our first club President was Ritchie Woods, a druggist (of the legal kind) who along with 20 others became members.

Next speaker was Bert Campton, who is a third generation Rotarian serving as club president in 2007-08; Bert read a list of charter members. Kim Bauriedel is also a third generation Rotarian and read further down the list of charter members.

Our club was the first on the North Coast and we were later instrumental in sponsoring Arcata, Fortuna, Crescent City and Southwest Rotary Clubs along with a few others. Kim reminded us of many major projects begun by our club in this area. For example, our club began Prairie Creek State Park with assistance from Paul Harris Fellowship funds.

Dick Nash was introduced next as the longest-ago living Rotary Club President, having served in 1961-62. He introduced his wife of 67 years, Jeanne to much applause. Dick joined our club in 1954 and says things have changed much in the past 56 years. For examples, there were no women in the club in those days, roads were smaller and attendance was emphasized strongly in those days.

Charlie Strope was president in 1968-69 when the idea was launched to start a new club in Eureka. It would be called Southwest club, because they were hoping to find members from the south and west of Eureka. The new club vote was close, but eventually the idea won a majority. Southwest club was slow in starting, with Ed Nilsen and later Bob Palmrose playing key roles in getting the Southwest Club off the ground. They started with about 15 members and grew slowly. According to Ed, they now have about 150 members.

Dave Dillon recounted many activities of our club including relationships with Australia and the strange case of the disappearance of the Australian lobsters.

In January 1962 Laurie Lazio joined our club. According to Laurie, in 1985 the Dow Jones was at about 700 and Wheel of Fortune was a popular show, so President Lazio made a wheel and spun it to determine fines, using some card tricks to get the right results. He welcomes the admission of women members today and gave the ladies credit for their many contributions to the club. Laurie recounted many famous speakers who were hosted by this club through the years including Ronald Reagan, Chuck Yeager and Governor John Connelly.

The next speaker was John Porter, a former Vice President and General Manager of the Eureka Inn, claiming his best move was to fire the chef and hire Susie Seely. He spoke fondly of the presence of our club at the Eureka Inn. Our Rotary Club wanted to recognize Mrs. Barnum for her many contributions to the community through the ownership of the Eureka Inn. The resolution begun by our club and in cooperation with the City proved to be very encouraging to Mrs. Barnum at a time when she needed the encouragement.

In 1987 we admitted our first female member (this reporter did not catch her name) and Pat Folkins recognized many of the female leaders of Rotary, some in attendance today.

Last person up front was Ted Mason, who was president in 1990-91; he came into the club in 1984 through the sponsorship of Dave Dillon and thanked Dave for the opportunity to join and serve.
Respectfully Submitted,

Dan Price