In the Beginning....
On a brisk late winter day, Rotarians gathered for fellowship and service. President Bill invited Tony Thacher to lead the flag salute and Mike Weaver to lead the invocation. Bill thanked all those whose support made the meeting possible: Matt Clements, Anne Carper, and Ginger.
Alexia Parks, from Boulder, was our only visiting Rotarian. Other visitors included the Living Treasures, about whom more later.
Announcements
Terry Becket encouraged all Rotarians to continue to support Polio Plus; although we achieved 100% participation, the program needs more money.
Tony Thacher asked for more baseball equipment donations to be sent to Cuba.
Tony T. also invited all Rotarians to enjoy the April 17 Ojai Centennial Weekend, and encouraged all to dress themselves in 1917 era costumes. (where are my galluses and button shoes?)
Community Grant applications are due March 31.
Scholarship applications are due March 17
District Training will take place April 1 in Oxnard.
Petrie Alexandra Williams, ED of Safety Harbor Kids, invited Rotarians to attend two fundraisers, on April 14 and May 19, to benefit orphans, foster and homeless children.
PEP Student of the Month: Axel Jimenez
Dr. Bob Skankey introduced Kevin White, a teacher at Meiners Oaks, who nominated Axel Jimenez for PEP Student of the Month. Kevin described Axel as an exemplary young man as well as a gifted and dedicated athlete. Axel gave a sincere speech after receiving the award and the gift of $200. His family looked very proud.
Living Treasures
Dr. Fred Fauvre gave a short overview of the gestation of the Living Treasures program. Sanford Drucker, while trying to stay alive in the Aleutians during WW
II, promised himself that, if he survived, he would find a way to celebrate the people who make life better for other. It was that promise that, today, has grown into Ojai’s living treasure program. This year’s recipients included:
Lillian Tally, who administers the Music Program for OUSD
Jerry Kaplan, who ran the Venice Boys club and supports the City of Hope
Dwayne and Marilyn Bower, who defended Ojai from the freeway, the Petrochemical pollution, the gypsum mine and other threats.
Stan
Greene, founder of the Committee to Protect Ojai (CPO), who describes himself as the “spotted dog at the firehouse”, always ready to rush to the next emergency.”
Helen Peterson, a long time Ojai teacher who protected teachers suffering from spouse abuse and who advocated for special needs children.
Joyce West, who supports Help of Ojai and the Hospital Guilds.
Adjournment
President Bill adjourned the meeting and offered to split the citrus among the living treasures (the loaves and fishes trick).
