Weekly Bulletin - May 15, 2013
Photos by Rick Mendoza
eBulletin written by Bill Paul
(REDONDO BEACH) May 15, 2013 --President Nancy gave another recap of the recent District 5280 conference in Santa Barbara. She thanked Scott Fellows for doing a “yeoman’s job” assembling the club’s contribution to this year’s Memoriam.” This year District 5280 lost 19 Rotarians including Barry Hamilton from our club. PDG Vicki Radel was selected to place a long stem rose in a vase in honor of Barry’s life and contribution to our club. Our club also received this year’s Golden Spatula Award for the best presentation at Friday evening district party. Thanks go to Karen and Jeffrey Weigel for preparing a sumptuous spread. Which is why our club won the award. Got it?
Paul Hyashi provided the invocation and Ann Gartner led us in the flag salute.
Guests: Al Wise of Manhattan Beach Toyota.
Meals-on-Wheels: Bill Gard and Chantel King; next week: Scott Fellows and ???? (We need a volunteer!)
Fines: Michael Jackson, $40.00 for having to wait 18 months to get his blue, permanent badge as a member of our club; and Laura Fields, fine amount unknown, she waited six months to get her blue badge.
Flag Exchange: Vicki Radel, PDG and Alexis Sheehy presented the Global Exchange trip Alexis and her hubby Jim recently took to Japan. They made the presentation at the Inglewood Rotary Club.
May 19th: There will be a wine and appetizer fundraising event at the Campbell’s home for the club’s Community Foundation. Wine tasting, potluck, bingo and more! It is scheduled from 4-6 pm. Nancy encouraged everyone to bring a check in the amount of $25.00 or more made out to the Rotary Club of Redondo Beach Community Foundation.
May 17, 18 and 19, 2013 – Chuck Anderson’s daughter is performing in The Crucible at El Camino College Location: El Camino Campus Theater.
May 21, 2013 -- Memorial Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Veterans Park in Redondo Beach. The Memorial starts at 1pm. RSVP required by May 20 to Karen Buchanan 208/473-6626.
June 9, 2013 -- Downtown Sounds to benefit the South Bay Children’s Choir & El Camino Collete Chorale. 11am to 4pm. BBQ at the Depot Restaurant in Torrance. Cost $100pp. See Vicki Radel
June 29, 2013 – Women’s Ministry Tea, 3pm. 125 W. Beryl St., Redondo Beach. RSVP to Eunice 310/318-2827.
July 13th The club will hold a combined Demotion and Installation evening at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. This will be an “out with the old, in with the new” type event as we say goodbye to President Nancy Campbell and hello to incoming President Karen Weigel.
Program: “The Spanish American War” presented by Al Wise.
Also known as the War of 1812, “this is a misunderstood bit of American History,” said Wise. “It was the first and only time the White House has been burned down.”
After recounting the conditions that led to the war, who was involved, Wise said. “There were two main issues in this war. First was the impressment of Americas into the British navy, and second the Orders of Council. The Orders were approved by England and forbade American trade in the Caribbean. That led to war.
A key character from the war was Captain James Lawrence, a naval officer. Although Captain Lawrence was killed in battle against the British—in a battle that lasted 15 minutes—he uttered the now famous words “don’t give up the ship.” The phrase has become a rally cry and banner for the U.S. military since.
Wise also recounted how he bought an old Bible from a student for $500.00 when he was teaching at theological school. Turns out the Bible predated the King James Version of the Bible by nine years. Turns out further the Bible was owned by a nephew of Captain Lawrence. Wise estimated it now has a value of $25,000 at auction, though he is not anxious to sell it.
He noted five U.S. Navy ships have been named after Captain Lawrence. Turns out further that Rotarian Jim Sheehy’s last assignment while on active duty in the U.S. Navy was aboard the USS. Lawrence. Small world, isn’t it!
Raffle: Bill Gard won $10. So next week the kitty will be well of $250.00.