During this time of coronavirus, the Ojai Rotary club meets through Zoom.  President Cheree asked Rotary members to share their pets as a way to lift our spirits.  And our spirits indeed were lifted by:

 

 

 

As an extra thrill, Mike Weaver recounted his confrontation with a mountain lion cub this morning.

 

Mike Scar led the Pledge of Allegiance and Sue Gilbreth read a moving poem about the joys and sorrows of parenthood. 

 

We welcomed our three guests:  Pradeep Kapadakis, Dr. Bob Skankey and Elisabeth Kunz (guest of Jack Jacobs).

 

 

Bill G provided a preview of upcoming programs

 

Tara S. will preside over this year’s “Fred Klapp” award and asked any members who knew Fred to share their memories with her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don Reed announced an Ed Foundation Board meeting on May 12 at 4pm on (you guessed it, Zoom). 

 

Tony T. informed us that Alice Chesley has passed away.  There followed a warm discussion and fond remembrances of this wonderful woman.

 

Janet Campbell announced that the Ojai Rotary Scholarship Awards will have a virtual presentation on May 22nd, 2020.

 

Andy Gilman announced that the pandemic has forced the Agora foundation to make greater use of social media to accomplish its goals.  Andy expressed pleasure and surprise that the reach of the foundation has been greatly expanded, even internationally.  The Rotary Club of Ojai is now on Facebook and Instagram.  Go on these sites and "like" them to subscribe.  

 

President Cheree announced that the Physical Education Project (PEP) Student of the Month and Peace Student of the Month will be presented at the next meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please mail your fines to RCOEF, P.O. Box 511, Ojai, CA 93024 

 

Bret B. spoke of his nephew Adam Wilmot, who is an accomplished arm-wrestler who will compete in the LA World Arm Wrestling Championship.

 

 

Jack Jacobs was pleased to announce his guest, Elizabeth Kuhn, has joined his business team.

 

Judy Gabriel confessed she looks forward to spending this weekend with her boys. She also announced that the Peace Awards will be presented this Wednesday night and the student's selections of Non-Profit benefactors. 

 

Bob Davis spoke fondly of a trip he took with Alice Chesley to Uzbekistan and eastern Turkey. He celebrated his grandson, Tyler, who was accepted to Oregon State's Forestry Department, Fire Sciences.  He also reminded us to get our contributions in for End Polio Now. 

 

 

 

George Bohrer is the volunteer coordinator of Ojai’s Laundry Love program.  Laundry Love was founded in Ojai by Father Greg Kimura, pastor of the St. Andrews Church.  The program provided the funds and materials needed for families to wash their clothes at the laundromat behind Seafresh.  The annual budget for laundry love is $8,000-$10,000.  The Rotary Grant is $2500, so is a significant contributor.

 

According to George, over 50 families make regular use of laundry love.  George estimates that over half of these regular clients are homeless.

 

 

 

 

Angela Vallance is the director of the Oak View Boys and Girls club which received $3500 from the Rotary Club for their STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).  Angela will use the funds to purchase materials useful for training and education.  Angela stressed that the goal of the club is to get the children interested in education.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President Cheree wished everyone a Happy Mother’s Day and quoted Abraham Lincoln: