Rotary Spoke for February 21, 2017 (Feb 18, 2017)

Karen McDonald

From co-president Karen McDonald

Our club gathered on Tuesday while the sun was shinning. We were happy to have Chuck Zavitz and Peter Nazarkewich joining us, it had been a while since their smiling faces have been seen at our meetings. Mike Dobbins was healthier but his wife, Linda, has been struggling with a re-occurrence of the flu. Get well soon Linda! Gene Vander Plaats returned from a great visit with his daughter in Colorado Springs where he also visited the Olympic Training Center and got a round of golf in on a frozen course which helped with the slide of the golf ball.

Next meeting will be our Social Gathering – Tuesday, Feb 21, 5:30 – 6:30, Players Sports Bar, no host fellowship. We will NOT have a lunch meeting this coming Tuesday. It looks like we will have a good turn out with 16 members and partners signed up to attend.
Our speaker was Lynn Woerner, Executive Director of K.A.R.E. Crisis Nursery. She heads a supportive program for the youngest in our county, an emergency 24-hour day care for children under the age of six. Lynn invited us to attend their fundraiser Cioppino Kasino Night, Friday, February 24, Foothill Event Center, 5:30 – 10pm. You can obtain your tickets by calling 265-0693.

Our club did a “Pass the Hat” to create an emergency fund. Rotarian Nicole Van Vacas Gagnon was passionate about us helping the children who were involved with the evacuation from the Oroville and Feather River area. We were all in to help but while we were meeting the evacuation was lifted. The money raised will be put into our Rotary Foundation earmarked for emergency needs in the community. Anyone else may donate to the emergency reserve fund if they wish – make your checks out to the Penn Valley Rotary Foundation.
Thank you very much for your generosity and support. Lets hope the incoming storm does not move us to need to use the funds.
Nicole notified us that Williams Ranch School is having their Science Night on Wednesday, March 29. Keep the evening open for a great time working with students and their parents in interesting science based activities. Spouses are welcome to help.
Bob Kline reported that he needed to step down from the WGP Bike Path project due to health. Mark Fleming will take over the lead for the project. We are hoping to get some funds through the District Matching Grants during the next cycle to help move the project forward. More to come.

Chuck Zavitz was presented a Paul Harris in his daughter-in-law’s name. While Chuck had the podium he made a donation of $1000 for the Dick Landis' Making a Difference Scholarship. Thank you for your generous donation in Dick’s name – our meeting day, Tuesday, February 14 was the anniversary of Dick’s passing. Chuck also gave his birthday and anniversary fines to the club. Don’t be away so long this time, Chuck.
Peter Nazarkewich was given his permanent name badge today – congratulations Peter, we are looking forward to many years of service together.

Our President-elect, Mike Dobbins, will be asking folks to help with the leadership of our club next year. Please be thinking about how you would like to support our club, the work is easy when many of us are helping. Club Leadership Assembly is scheduled for Saturday, April 1 at the Atlantis in Reno. Make it a weekend – there is a special room rate for the meeting.