Announcements and Upcoming Events
• Glen Eaton saluted the group that spearheaded the Fall BBQ at Patrick’s Ranch. In particular, Glen complimented Kevin Moretti and his team.
• President Elect Mark Francis shared that diligent research had allowed our club to compile a list of the original members, from nearly 100 years ago, and he briefly recounted how many of the founders have second- and third-generation descendants who were and, in some cases, still are members of Chico Noon Rotary.
• Phil Rowberg said that donations for the Shopping Spree had augmented the budget to Rotary members donated an extra $1,200 plus JC Penney’s donated $500 and gave an additional 15% discount. The event was set for later in the afternoon.
• Glen reminded people that that the Chico Area Recreation District (CARD) had a community meeting scheduled that evening at 6 pm in room 3 of the Community Center. The Ceres Park, which will be our Club’s 100-year-anniversary project, was to be presented to the community for comment. He encouraged us all to go as a show of support, and he noted that the Club has asked for the park to be renamed as the Rotary Centennial Park.
• Team Report - Robb Lightfoot gave his team’s report and noted that even though he is the team’s captain, most of the action has come from the energy and ideas of the team itself. Robb thanked Phil Rowberg for challenging the team and the rest of the club to augment the $2,500 for the shopping spree. Robb also thanked Michele Shover for opening her home and providing catering for the team’s September social. Pat Conroy also was lauded for taking the lead on doing the necessary groundwork to ready a site in Rotary Park for the Jeff Shepard bench. Pat supervised a team of eight Navigators were out in 103-degree heat, and then several days later, Pat returned with his crew, and paid them to finish pouring the slab. The other thing that is in the works is AJ Haggard’s call on behalf of Little Chico Creek Elementary School for a 10/17 carnival. About 12 volunteers are needed at 4:30 pm. The Navigators are compiling a volunteer list, and if they come up short, they may be reaching out to other teams for assistance.
Fine Time and Recognition
Leanne Chrisman may not miss her role on stage, but still has Rotary leadership in her blood and has stepped back into an active leadership role as Assistant District Governor. So watch out, Glen, now she’s your boss! 12 bells
Charlie Kyle: Noted for the sartorial elegance he displayed at this year’s Oktoberfest…even mistaken for Ken Grossman! Just celebrated 30 years with Sierra Nevada. He and Erin are now empty nesters having sent his youngest off to college this fall, 5 bells
Tom Hughes described pictures from trips this year to Belize and the Pacific Northwest. Enjoying being a new Grandfather. 20 bells
Trivia
Alberta Simic became the inaugural club trivia contest winner when Glen plucked her name from among those members who knew that "Git 'r Done" was the theme of Jolene Francis' presidency!
Raffle
The raffle pot was $746, Sima Saboury's number was chosen, but she didn't draw the Joker, taking home $20 instead.
New Members' Inductions
Chico Noon Rotary initiated its newest member, Dr. Karin Lightfoot, sponsored by her husband, Robb Lightfoot, and accompanied on stage by their daughter, Nicole, and son-in-law Frank. Robb said he’d refrain from telling any funny stories about her because, he feared, she had more on him than he cared to hear. But on a more serious note, Robb spoke of how they had worked together, during the 37 years of their marriage, as a team to raise their family and be engaged in their community by a varied of civic, school, art, and athletic activities. Moving to Chico was a an opportunity to start afresh. He noted that Karin’s background in public health nursing had seen her working in many communities to assess needs, advocate for vulnerable people, build teams, help solve problems, and develop leadership—all skills that will serve her, and the club, well. Karin then spoke, introducing her daughter and son-in-law, and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve and be engaged in the community. Glen invited the club to make her feel welcome, and she received a round of applause.
Program
Dave Morgan introduced our guest speaker: pilot, FAA inspector, educator and author Daniel Meier. The title of Meier’s talk was "Liberia: America’s Abandoned Step-Child." He spoke about the pilot friend whose story shaped his most recent book, a novel, Dung Beetles of Liberia. Liberia’s history provides a dramatic backdrop for the adventures of a Ken-the-pilot who flies in a region with no maps, no air traffic control, and no one to help you or come looking for you if you run into trouble.
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