Our 1.2 million-member organization started with the vision of one man—Paul P. Harris. The Chicago attorney formed one of the world’s first service organizations, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on 23 February 1905 as a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member.
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In the Beginning...
Past President Deirdre Daly filled in for
President Watson who was on vacation. She called the meeting to order at 12:10.
Larry Beckett led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Leslie Bouche gave the invocation, reading a touching prayer for peace by a rabbi born in Ukraine long ago:
Hasidic Prayer for Peace By Rabbi Nachman ben Feiga of Breslov, who was born in the Ukraine in 1772, and died 1810 at 38 years old
Lord of Peace, Divine Ruler, to whom peace belongs.
Master of Peace, Creator of all things.
May it be thy will to put an end to war and bloodshed on earth,
and to spread a great and wonderful peace over the whole world,
so that nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.
Help us and save us all, and let us cling tightly to the virtue of peace.
Let there be a truly great peace between every person and their fellow, and between husband and wife, and let there be no discord between people even in their hearts.
Let us never shame any person on earth, great or small.
May it be granted unto us to fulfill Thy Commandment to
'Love thy neighbor as thyself,' with all our hearts and souls and bodies and possessions.
God who is peace, bless us with peace.
Amen
Past President Daly thanked all those mentioned above along with, Sue Gilbreth and Fern Barishman at the desk, Mike Malone on the roving mic, Kathy Yee and Marc Whitman for setting up the room, Andy Gilman our tech wizard, finer Brett Bradigan, photographer and editor Carl Gross and yours truly, Wendy Barker, your Reminder reporter.
Visiting Guests
Sandy Buechley, Kevin Davis, Ren Adam, and Cheree Edwards all brought visitors.
Announcements:
A Taste of Ojai’s Tuesday meeting will be on zoom. Carl Gross needs Taste volunteers. Sign up with him or Renee Halbrook.
Many new restaurants are participating, and everyone is excited, although there is a lot more paperwork because it is in a public park.
Greg Webster and Cheree Edwards had a good time with a Fireside Chat for new members. Chats are coming back on fourth Fridays and will be open to everyone.
Past President Deirdre remind people to fill out nominations for Living Treasures.
Go to the Living Treasures website at:
rcolt.org and print out a ballot or vote online.
Leslie Bouche reminded us that online training next
Saturday, March 26th by our
District 5240 is mandatory for officers but anyone can attend. This is a great session for newer members and members in leadership roles. Go to the District 5240 website at
this address to enroll
Fining and Confessions: Bret Bradigan
Our finer Bret Bradigan opened up it up confessions first.
Greg Webster confessed to lots of things, including getting a new dump truck.
Fern Barishman announced that Marc Whitman is giving a talk at the Ojai Retreat tomorrow about his Ojai Art Institute idea for the school district property.
Cheree Edwards gave a shout out to Ren Adam for the recent photo and article in the OVN about new members. She is happy to share photos of her new grandbaby with anyone.
Bryant Huber is glad to be back in person at the meetings.
Deirdre Daly is grateful she got to visit her family in Ireland last week.
Andy Gilman announced the
Agora Foundation is back with in-person events again. There will be a panel discussing water in the valley at Chaparral on May 21.
Tony Thacher said the
Ojai Valley Brewery will purchase 40 cases of pixies to zest for their drinks.
Then Bret tried to stump Mike Weaver, Jack Jacobs and Randy Roth. He did a pretty good job. It was revealed that Dierdre was the only one in the room who married in Las Vegas – and it was a secret that her children didn’t learn about for many years.
Program: The Stage Production of Harvey--Joan Kemper
Pradeep Kapadia was expected to join us on zoom to present our program about his educational organization. Alas, he was a no-show.
Luckily, visitor Joan Kemper was enticed into action as our speaker.
She was here to talk about Harvey, the play. Joan saw the play on Broadway in 1946 and she finally was able to produce it. Dr. Jim Halverson plays the primary role of Elwood Dowd, which had been on his bucket list.
It is playing at
Matilija Auditorium, April 1, 2, 3 and
8, 9, 10. Get tickets through
OjaiTheater.org. Originally set for 2020, it was postponed due to the pandemic.
The Ojai Studio Artists made the many rabbit cutouts seen around town. They will be auctioned by OSA with proceeds going to their art scholarships.
Joan grew up in Chicago. She went through a wonderful college theater program, and specialized in theater lighting. She mentioned working on the Guiding Light soap opera and producing shows in San Marino and Pasadena before moving to Ojai.
She met Frank Sinatra while in still in high school. She saw him perform with the Dorsey Band and then they met later that night at a restaurant. Her amusing story about how the first time either of them went up in an airplane I think is best left for her to tell.
Thank you to Joan for stepping in at the last minute as our speaker.
Past President Deirdre gave the traditional Friends Ranches gift to visitor Tessa.
Final Thoughts:
She closed the meeting early with this quote:
“Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.”
Edward Everett
You are invited to visit us at an upcoming meeting.
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