Flag Salute: Gary Liptak
Kelley Rasmussen delivered a special Inspirational Moment:
Struggle and Hardship
The list is long. Fires, elections, inflation. Currently we are hearing tales of loss and misfortune. And that is true. But I want to tell you a story:
Once upon a time there was a Chinese farmer whose horse ran away. All the neighbors came around that evening and said, “That’s too bad.” And the farmer said, “Maybe.” The next day the horse came back and brought seven wild horses with it. And all the neighbors came around and said, “That’s great, isn’t it?” And the farmer said, “Maybe.” The next day his son, who was attempting to tame one of these horses, and was riding it and was thrown broke his leg. And all the neighbors came around in the evening and said, “Well, that’s too bad, isn’t it?” And the farmer said, “Maybe.” The next day the draft officers came around looking for people for the army. They rejected his son because he had a broken leg. And all the neighbors came around that evening and said, “Well, isn’t that wonderful?” And the farmer said, “Maybe.” The moral of the story: We should be careful labelling the things that happen to us as good or bad. The causal chain of the universe is complex and infinite. Real-life stories continue even after the happy, or not-happy, ending.
Rotarian Visitors and Guests:
No visiting Rotarians today.
Guests included:
Meghan O'Rourke-Guest of Patricia Gates
Jessica Mann-Guest of Clinton Haugan
Eugene Vander-Guest of Clinton Haugan
Marcy Toscher-Guest of Christine Golden
Dan Parazale-Guest of Clinton Haugan
Welcome to all!!
Thanks to...
Today's meeting crew:
Set-up and tech - Don Reed and Bill Prather
Greeter - Marilyn Mosley
Roving mic -Dave Watson
Fining - Sue Gilbreth
Bag - Cindy
Reporter - Tessa Turner
Editor - Carl Gross
Jayne Cruise for our delicious meal
Announcements
With the ongoing resurfacing of the parking lot, spaces will be limited. It was suggested that we carpool, cycle, or park outside the church grounds while this maintenance continues.
There will be a fundraiser for fire victims on Saturday, February15th from 5-10 pm at the Pointsettia Pavilion with 2 bands who are donating their talent. Tickets are $25 and includes hors d'oeuvres. Prodceeds from ticket sales and cash bar will be donated to Rotary's
district 5280 to distribute.
Reminder: Dues are due now.
Coming up...
Next week our speaker is Chris Amendt talking about native Monarchs.
Then it is time for our 5th Friday social stroll January 31. 4:30-6:00 beginning at the Naturalist for a wine tasting ($18) then on to the Olive Oil Press for a tasting (free) then on to Ojai Honey for a tasting (free).
Community Grant to MESA
Clinton and Kelley are pleased to award a $4052.00 grant to Dan Parziale at MESA. Dan says the grant will be used for the new residents and their food and school necessities. There are now 13 young adults. 9 are already working and all now have mental health support. He says the young trees that the Club planted on Arbor Day and the property are all looking great.
Robert Skankey Humanitarian Award Goes to Betsy Vanleit. Leslie Clark reports on Niger.
Leslie Clark talked about some of her experience in Niger and showed a collection of paintings that were inspired by the nomads of the region. She spoke of Dr. Robert Skankey's work to help the women with mid-wife training.
Unicef has acknowledged that his work has made a significant difference to infant mortality. Leslie said that in 2006 ten Rotarians went to the area to start a Rotary Club. She said that Bob Skankey created medical clinics along the route that the Nomads regularly traveled teaching birthing techniques. These efforts have markedly decreased maternal and infant deaths.
Clinton Haugan was very proud to give the Bob Skankey Humanitarian Award to Betsy Vanleit. The certificate and check for $2000.00 were given to Betsy's sister and brother as Betsy has very recently passed away. Betsy's obituary is in this weeks Ojai Valley News and lists her very many accomplishments. and her very incredible contributions to the community. Betsy was also given the Paul Harris Fellowship award.
Fining and Confessions
Fining was a little different today.
Sue called up the "newbies" to our club. Lisa, Marylin,Gary, Bill and Colin came up to the front and in their turn called on Kay, Joe, Gary, Bill, Christine and Clinton to answer questions and pay for the wrong answers.
Today's Program--Our own Leah Hecker
Due to some technical issues, our speaker today did not give her talk on the survivors of the Shoah.
Leah Hecker (one of our own members) will instead do a"get acquainted" talk. Leah started by saying she was
very uncomfortable talking about herself but then gave a very entertaining short history of her life up until today, saying she is living happily ever after here in Ojai with her husband who she met at a carnival in Germany.
Leah has a lovely accent that she acquired from being raised in Germany after being born in the US. Her mother was a psychologist and her father was a doctor. She loved books as a child and her favorite place was the library.
She loved story telling. Leah grew up and went to work in the film industry continuing on in editing and the development of scripts. Leah, welcome to our club....we are so happy to have you.
Museum Moment-President Wendy
Wendy showed us a collection of old postcards. It was so interesting to see the arcade's development from a rather ramshackle wooden structure to the beautiful arches that are still there today.
Recommendations...
One of our board members recommends the book "The Righteous Mind". Why good people are divided by politics and religion. Written by Jonathon Haidt. It is a fascinating exploration of how morals come about, by a moral psychologist.
Brett Bradigan suggests the documentary "Telemarketers" on HBO. He says it is fascinating as a look "into some of the support law enforcement scams. The filmmaker and his buddy who partake in these grifts are very charming and quirky for a couple of heroin addicts".
Final Thoughts...
There are no greater treasures than the highest human qualities such as compassion, courage and hope. Not even tragic accident or disaster can destroy such treasures of the heart.
Daisaku Ikeda
Service Above Self
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