In the beginning...
As we entered into the week before the Covid-era Thanksgiving, Rotarians were feeling particularly grateful to gather up via Zoom to do good and crack wise. Here’s a brief rundown of how it went for those who missed it.
Greeter: Patricia Anderson
Pledge: Michael Malone
Deirdre: Invocation from John O’Donahue, celebrated Irish poet,
“May you experience each day as a sacred gift, woven around the heart of wonder.”
Visiting Rotarians and Guests:
The honorary-able Dr. Bob Skankey and Serena Aparicio.
Upcoming Programs:
Therese Brown told us we’d be dark next week. Then on Dec 4th our speaker will be Renee Mandala with Secure Beginnings, then on Dec.11th
Diane Soini will present "Walk, Hike, Saunter: Seasoned Women Hikers Share Tales and Trails."
Our Peace Ambassadors:
Chosen by their teachers for representing core values of the Ojai School District as well as the Rotary’s 4-Way Test, were 8th grader Serena Aparicio, who donated to the Surfrider Foundation
and San Antonio School 8th grader Eru Kaiwai who donated to Community Supported Agriculture. The students receive $50 each and $50 to donate to their nonprofit of choice.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Betsy Watson was seeking volunteers for the Go Ojai demo project on Maricopa Highway. The project is installing bike and safety lanes in front of the hospital and Nordhoff the week of December 1 to December 4th. She is sending a link to sign up for shifts to all club members.
Cheree Edwards welcomed our newest member, Candice Alexander.
Catherine Lee is chairing the Adopt a Senior project from Help of Ojai. We’re adopting six seniors with demonstrated need to donate food and gifts. Tiffany Morse graciously offered the OUSD offices as the facility where the presents are wrapped and distributed.
Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world.
Rotary Day at the United Nations each year celebrates the organizations’ shared vision for peace and highlights the critical humanitarian activities that Rotary and the United Nations lead around the world.
Please click on the link below for more information:
FINING:
Christine Golden took a few confessions before going hard at the club, stumping everyone.
Catherine has split and corded firewood, half and full cords. Half of proceeds go our scholarship fund — she has oak, sycamore and something else.
Suzanne: Has a birthday next Tuesday.
Christine herself beseeched the club “ o take note of the newest public park art installations.” One is next to El Roblar Hotel, another by Libbey Park playground and another on the path in the park by the tennis bleachers. She also said that an Arts Commission grant will be unveiled Saturday at 11 a.m. along the Montgomery Street side of the OUSD building.
Christine then ruthlessly extracted lucre with a Jeopardy! posed answers, in honor of Alex Trebek’s death, seeking questions, with the Thanksgiving theme.
• Bill Weirick … 4 inch bounce. How high does a ripe cranberry bounce?
• Cheree Edwards … Two common menu items that have us towns named after them? Turkey and Cranberry.
• Betsy Watson … the Mother of Thanksgiving. Sarah Josepha Buell Hale after 30 years of lobbying?
• Therese Brown … Pumpkin pie. America’s second favorite pie?
• Al West: This president refused to declare thanksgiving a holiday. Thomas Jefferson?
President Michael: Please pay old fines and confessions!
PROGRAM
Tony Thacher introduced the video presentation (backup plan to canceled speaker) by urging everyone “to give to museum before IRS takes it away from you!” He said for this 20-minute film Severo Lara was the camera person, and filmed it on his iPhone.
The video featured museum director Wendy Barker talking about this past year’s exhibits, including "Founding Families,” the OSA artists, Krishnamurti Influences, the art exhibit, "22 Miles” with landscape art, and the current exhibit, "Insight 2020” The OSA annual exhibit.
Sergio Aragones also made an appearance, talking about how we and Charlene fell in love with Ojai after a talk by Krishnamurti 35 years ago.
Then there was a musical interlude by Perla Batalla, who sang the classic Leonard Cohen song, “Anthem.” She endorsed the museum along with her best pal Caroline.
Next up was councilman Bill Weirick who talked about the importance of the institution and its partnership with the city.
Michele Brourman sang an original song, “Wake Up Darling. You’re Only Old Once.”
Then JB White and Jimmie Calire sent us away with a smile with the Frank Sinatra classic, “I Get A Kick Out of You.”
To see this outstanding showcase of local Ojai talent, click on the link:
Michael Scar’s closing quote was from the inimitable Albert Camus,
“Peace is the only battle worth waging."
