The Rotary Club of
Ojai
 

Ojai Rotary Reminder Newsletter
June 3rd, 2022

Wendy Barker, Editor

June is Rotary Fellowships Month

Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. 
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.
_________________________________________________
 
In the Beginning...
 
President Betsy called the meeting to order.
 
 
 
 
 
Our greeter Suzanne Scar and Dave Brubaker took our cash and checked us off at the front desk.
 
 
 
Kevin Davis read a wonderful invocation about being a good human, adapted from Marcus Aurelius:
 
Remember, wherever you are, at whatever moment, it is always within your power to be at peace with your present situation, behave justly with everyone, and focus your cognitive skills on the present so that nothing should distract you (without understanding why).
 
Don’t waste time looking around to discover other people’s ruling principles or what drives their behavior. Instead look straight to what leads you; both externally at the things in the Universe which happen to you, and also at our own nature through the acts and deeds you have done. Because every being ought to do that which is natural to themselves according to their own constitution.
 
Focus then on yourself, and resolve to be a good human in every act you do. Remember to look within, for within you is a well, a fountain of good which will only bubble up, if you dig.
 
President Betsy thanked Suzanne, Dave, and Kevin as well as Fine master Bret Bradigan, and Reminder editor yours truly, Wendy Barker. She also thanked Sean McDermott on the roving mic, along with Bill Prather and Andy Gilman for setting up our room.
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
 
 
We had one Visiting Rotarian, Lilian Tally from Rotary West. Kevin Davis brought as his guest, his neighbor Bruce.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On This Day in History
 
Today in History, the 200” diameter Hale telescope was dedicated in 1948. It took 20 years to build. Unfortunately, astronomer George Ellery Hale, who orchestrated its planning and design, and for whom it was named, died before it was completed.
 
The groundbreaking telescope is still in use on Palomar Mountain. As an Escondido historian, I’ll share that the road from Escondido to Valley Center and on up to Palomar Mountain was called the “Highway to the Stars” for years because of the Hale telescope. The telescope spent a night in an Escondido field on its way up the mountain, attracting large crowds of people from throughout San Diego County.
 
Upcoming Programs
 
Andy Gilman shared our programs for the next few weeks:
 
June 10, Christopher Danch of the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council
 
June 17, Our own Andy Gilman will present a highly interactive music performance, Rhythm from Around the World
 
June 24th, President Betsy's Demotion Party. Watch for your evite!
 
 
 
Announcements
 
Mike Weaver shared a heartwarming thank you letter from the recipient of the Wilson scholarship.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Larry Beckett talked about last week’s Matilija Portfolio Project. He thanked Bill Prather for helping set up and all the volunteers. He said the cooperation from the school was the best ever.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lilian Tally, co-president elect of the Ojai West Rotary club talked about their June 18 wine festival. They need another 10 people to help during the event. Please volunteer if you can. Rotary West has always given of time and support for our programs...let's return the favor!
 
She also shared that the summer concerts start on July 3rd. They will be going for 6 weeks in Libbey Bowl, not in the bandstand.
 
 
 
 
 
Confessions and Fining
 
Bret Bradigan was our fine master, with Larry Wilde as the bag man.
 
Catherine Lee confessed she has two camping spaces available at her ranch.
 
Sean McDermott rode his bike to the Community Farmers Market and won a $500 gift certificate for the Mob Shop. Lucky guy!
 
Marty Babayco talked about a trip he took with Kay. It was supposed to be a visit to both Ireland and France but when Kay got COVID their plans significantly changed. They had to skip France, for example. But hooray for Rotarians, Dierdre and Sean both helped support the couple during their “weird vacation.”
 
Memorial Day was the topic of the fining questions. Bret stumped Greg Webster, Renee Halbrook, Kevin Davis, and Jack Jacobs. However, Bill Hatch got his question correct.
 
The Program:  Francesca Gold--Breathe Ojai
 
 
Francesca Gold was our speaker. She is a longtime yoga teacher and has a Masters degree in yoga studies. She recently opened a yoga studio and community hall in downtown Ojai called Breathe Ojai. It’s located at 323 E. Matilija St, suite 217.
 
Francesca is from Pennsylvania. She originally came to Ojai as a college student, studying the teachings of Krishnamurti over two summers at the Krishnamurti Foundation of America. She then lived at KFA for a year after college. When the year was over, she decided to stay in the valley.
 
Breathe Ojai offers yoga, meditation and other learning options. It’s been open just a few months. There are currently 12 classes a week, 2 are outside.  Go to BreatheOjai.com to see all the classes offered. Come as you are. There are very accessible classes, and they welcome everyone.
 
 
 
 
Then the meeting got interactive – and quiet - as she led us through a guided mediation. Once we were all centered, it was time for Q & A.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
President Betsy ended the meeting with this quote:
 
On this International Day of the BicycleH G Wells said,
 
“Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for future of the human race.”
 

You are invited to visit us at an upcoming meeting.

Please add mailservice@clubrunner.ca to your safe sender list or address book.
To view our privacy policy, click here.
 
ClubRunner
102-2060 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, ON, L6H 5R7
Advertisement for Russell Hampton
Advertisement for ClubRunner
Advertisement for ClubRunner Mobile