In the Beginning…

President Sue Gilbreth opened the meeting with: “Welcome to the best Rotary Club we know!”

The Pledge of Allegiance was ably lead by Al West, recounting his pride in being a naturalized citizen of this great nation.

Family of Rotary

Please keep Liz Sampson and Bob in your thoughts and hearts. She had a recent surgery at Cedars.

Inspirational Moment

Tony Thacher shared a powerful poem by Richard Blanco called “Mother Country”.

Click here for Mr. Blanco’s reading of this verse. An engineer, poet, Cuban American... his poetry 

bridges cultures and languages – a mosaic of our past, our present, and our future.

Bon anniversaire!

Sue Gilbreth and Wendy Barker’s birthdays were marked by vigorous rendition and a hint

of harmony in song. 

Rotarian Visitors and Guests

Long time Rotarian and friend of the Club, Newby Herrick was warmly welcomed.

We welcomed our program participants: Afton Combs, Steve Owens, Jan Phillips, Chris

Lauer, and Craig Guyer. Toby Petty and Cassidy Lendr were also welcomed.

Thank-Yous to:

Dave Watson-Sgt at Arms

Bill Prather, Dave Watson, and Clinton Haugen-Setup and Takedown.

Greeter-Dana White

Flag Salute-Al West

Inspirational Moment-Tony Thacher

Newsletter Editor-Carl Gross

Roving Mic-Richa Badami

Fining-Bruce Hanson

Treasurer-Dave Brubaker

Great Food-Jayne Cruise (Look out Subway, we have the 30 Ft. Sandwich with all the fixins)

Upcoming Programs

Bruce Hanson told us of upcoming programs:

May 15^th-Rotary Club of Ojai Education Foundation Scholars Presentation. This is one meeting you do not want to miss.

May 22^nd -No meeting. Memorial Day weekend.

May 28^th-Living Treasures 2026 Induction Ceremonies at Ojai Valley Museum. 

May 29^th-Fifth Friday Social-TBA

June 20^th-The 38th annual Ojai Wine Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Lake Casitas Recreation Area. This event features wine tasting from various wineries, regional craft brews, spirits, live music, a silent auction, and gourmet food vendors, with proceeds benefiting the Rotary Club of Ojai West Foundation. It’s not too late to volunteer to help our sister Club. Contact Sue or Wendy if you can help.

Confessions and Fining

Collin Huren led the extraction of tender portion of the program. Notable confessions:

May 16^th-Boccali is celebrating the 40^th anniversary of his restaurant.  There will be food, fun, music (DeWayne and his sons will be playing). Click here for more information.

Questions were posed about British slang and other miscellany.

The Program—Afton Combs and the Glendessary Jam Band-Flat foot dancing

Afton Coombs is a dancer and musician born in Orange County, CA,  and based in Los Angeles. As a dancer, their background is in American tap and flatfoot, house, and jazz, and they  also sing and play traditional early American and Irish music. They first began flatfooting nearly by accident when they happened to meet their future teacher Rebecca Stout at a bluegrass jam. After studying with her, they went on to win first place in step dancing three times at the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest as well as to progress to the finals at the National Buckdance Contest at Maupinfest. Since their start in flatfooting, they have also continued to dance at old time jams and with bluegrass and Irish bands along the west coast, including the Praties, the Honeysuckle Possums, and Sweeten the Third. They also perform at educational programs through Powerhouse Percussive Dance, and they feel lucky for the opportunity to share and create within this art form.

Click here for a short video.

Sue closed the meeting after a gift of citrus.