I just “LOVE” Penn Valley Rotary and each and every member.  You are the most friendly, fun, and generous group EVER.  Case in point:  we just donated $426 to Anna Dillavou’s sister, Ruth, for her cancer treatments.  We have members with big hearts wanting to help those in need in our community who suffer unjustly.  THANK YOU DEAR HEARTS!!

 

At Tuesday’s meeting we had the honor of District Governor Joe Z’s presence and witnessed Diana Bailey receive her Paul Harris + 5.  We, Penn Valley Rotary, and Kirk Bailey’s Club are also the recipients of a Paul Harris (1,000 points) to be awarded.  Stay tuned…the president might be feeling very generous and offer a “SWEET” deal of matching points for donations made.  Remember that a portion of our gifts to Rotary International this year will come back to our District the year Doug McDonald is District Governor! 

 

It was great to see Luis Vazquez’s brother visiting all the way from military duty in England, Kay Beeman, Nevada City Rotary’s President-Elect Dave Bunje, and, as always, Eric Trygg (whom Doug McDonald says our Club has in joint custody with the Grass Valley Club).  

 

Luis shared the exciting news of his son’s birth.  Christian Mateo was born on his due date, January 28, weighing 8 lbs. 14 oz, and 21.5 inches long.  All are doing fine. 

 

President-Elect Mark Fleming attended Pre-PETS (President Elect Training Seminar) in Reno last Saturday and, as all Presidents have felt, came home overwhelmed.  We are proud of you and look forward to your year as you challenge us all to be a Gift to the World.  He encouraged his board to join him in attending District Assembly at the Atlantis in Reno on April 11.  The registration, which includes lunch, is covered by the club and Mark offered to drive.

 

Thanks to Mark, his brother, and crew, Dan Halloran, Bob Kline, Greg Marshall for installing the horseshoe pits at Western Gateway Park on Valentine’s Day! 

     

In preparation for District Conference May 14-17 at Harrah’s Casino Resort in South Lake Tahoe, don’t forget to purchase our club’s weekly raffle tickets.  After all, if you win the pot, I am sure you will be headed to D-I-S- T-R-I-C-T  CONFERENCE!  (You thought I was going to say Disneyland, right?)  And besides, as I reported there will be all kinds of fun to be had at District Conference, from boat cruises, to golf, to bikinis – I mean biking – to a Polio Awareness Walk.  Registration will be open this coming week.

 

Thank you, Jeanne Puleo (our Youth Chair), for coordinating and emceeing our Instrumental Music Contest.  We enjoyed the Celtic Harp played by Delphine Griffith, our first place winner, and the electric bass guitar played by Ocean Holbrook, our second place winner.  They were each accompanied by their proud moms.  We will have the opportunity to hear them again on April 12 at the 7^th Day Adventist Church, 12889 Osborne Hill Rd, Grass Valley, at 2 pm.  This is a wonderful program and should be attended by all as it is free and a great make-up opportunity, not to mention a wonderfully entertaining event! 

 

Thanks to Dave Henderson for the beautiful certificates for our musicians.  Thanks to Sir George Broder, Barry Gray, and Dan Halloran for judging the contest.  Thanks to Bob Barbaro and Michael Green for being time keepers and for Pat Swope and Michelle Ferraro for taking on the task of tellers.  

 

This coming Tuesday we will hear an update on Lake Wildwood from Debbie Casey, Lake Wildwood's General Manager.

 

Who do you know that would enjoy Rotary, our fellowship, and be a wonderful addition to our Rotary Club?  You should extend an invitation to them to be our guest on February 24 as we will have the opportunity to get to know our newest member, Darleen Won Golder, better as she shares a craft talk and we will also celebrate Rotary’s 110^th Anniversary!