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In the beginning…or is it return to the past?
For our first meeting of 2022, Covid imposed on us the necessity of meeting on-line through Zoom. Despite this, our gathering had more than its share of joy and merriment. Thanks to Terry Beckett for his help with hosting the Zoom session. Don Reed greeted us with the hope that we’d all focus on what we are grateful for. Jack Jacobs asked us to meditate on the true meaning of the words of the Pledge of Allegiance. Bret asked that we contemplate our role in making our Country live up to its professed ideals.
Guests
We welcomed Walter Hamann formerly of Rincon Consultants who has worked with Marty on theater sets.
It was good to see Louine Skankey and Bob Skankey Zooming in.
Announcements:
Meetings will continue in zoom through January, when we will re-assess.
Our good friend Dr. John Lyon passed last week. All of us with pets have fond memories of what a caring Vet John was.
Mike Weaver announced that RCOEF will meet via zoom on January 12 at 8am. All are invited.
Leslie Bouche invited all those interested to attend the International Service Committee meeting on January 18th at 7:30 AM
Upcoming Programs
Andy Gilman provided a preview of upcoming programs, a mixture of presentations from businesses and non-profits:
January 21st—Susan Kapadia—Executive Director of
OjaiCares.
January 28th—Club Assembly
Cindy Frings announced the next planning session for Taste of Ojai on 1/11/22 at 5 PM on Zoom. Link will be sent by Cindy.
Rotary International Position Statement on the CoVid Pandemic
In reference to the CoVid pandemic, Rotary has issued a position statement:
As the first organization to envision a polio-free world through mass immunization of children, Rotary believes the decision to vaccinate is a humanitarian imperative. The Rotary International Board of Directors and Rotary Foundation Trustees believe that:
Global vaccination is the path to ending the pandemic, and we strongly encourage vaccination for all individuals, including our members.
Misinformation hinders the fight against COVID-19, and we are committed to providing our members with science-based information.
Rotary is engaged in assuring equity in vaccine access to all people. Through joint efforts with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance we are leveraging our frontline experience with polio to facilitate vaccine delivery.
Rotary salutes health care workers everywhere as they continue to provide lifesaving services. We encourage clubs to offer recognition and encouragement to these heroes.
Rotary and Rotaract clubs are encouraged to redouble their efforts to support COVID-19 prevention and vaccination efforts.
As one of the greatest advances of modern medicine, vaccines are safe, effective and save millions of lives each year. They have eliminated or controlled numerous diseases such as polio, smallpox, measles, and Ebola, and now, there is the opportunity to end the COVID-19 pandemic through vaccination.
The eradication of polio remains the goal of the highest order for Rotary. We can continue to apply the lessons we have learned in fighting polio to COVID-19 response efforts.
Bob Davis 50 years!
On this date 50 years ago, Bob Davis joined the Rotary Club. There was much laughter as Rotarians recounted some of the more memorable episodes in which Bob played a major role:
Leslie Clark showed pictures of Bob astride a camel in Niger, looking less than comfortable.
In honor of Bob’s relentless devotion to Polio Plus, Dr. Frank Finck suggested Bob be knighted as “The Emperor of Polio”.
Bob took the opportunity to extract $1000 from Rotarians by offering to match all donations.
Mr. Davis added:
“Dear Fellow Rotarians:
Thank you all for helping me celebrate my 50 years in Rotary. The proclamation, the etched beer mug, and the kind remembrances were as appreciated as they were unexpected. But the greatest honor was that 20 or more of you joined me in pledging to contribute $50 to RCOEF for general scholarship purposes, or to TRF. I promised to match $1,000 of payments ($50 or more). I will make payment when $500 combined has been made and again when $1,000 has been reached. All payments to either foundation must be received by February 14 to be considered for matching, and each $500 increment must be reached before a match will be made. I ask those Rotarians that pledged to please pay soon, as the sooner you pay, the sooner I pay! Thanks for making old age meaningful!”
Fining and Confessions
Larry Wilde got these confessions:
- Pradeep, calling from Luxembourg, confessed that, after 3 years of wandering, he is tired of traveling and is looking to put down roots again. Welcome back PK!
- Wendy Barker was finally able to meet her daughter-in-law after a year of covid imposed restrictions.
- Leslie Bouche was happy to announce that her husband is recovering nicely from surgery.
- Tara Saylor is continuing to do valuable work in Fort Dix, New Jersey, where she is helping to resettle refugees. They are resettling 400 refugees a week. Keep it up Tara.
Wendy gave a thoughtful and interesting talk about the history, challenges and focus of the Museum. Here are some highlights:
- The Museum was founded in 1966.
- Wendy has been Director for 6 years.
- There are 4 staff members, one full-time.
- The mission is “to preserve and celebrate the art, culture and history of Ojai Valley”.
- The current exhibit is "Ojai Warming”, an appropriate topic since Ventura County is the fastest warming county in the US.
- The pandemic has been hard on the Museum, with significant loss of revenue and loss of volunteers.
- Town Talks have been postponed due to the pandemic.
- The Museum has copies of OVN going back to 1892.
- Go to ojaihistory.com for a compelling look at Ojai’s history
- An important upcoming program will be focused on 1947, a year which set in motion many of the forces which made the Valley what it is today.
- Follow the Ojai Valley Museum on Facebook and Instagram.
Final Thoughts…
President Betsy sent us on our way with a quote from Bob Davis:
“…I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy”
Wise words indeed.
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