This week we had a start-of-meeting-twist with two visiting Rotarians doing the honors of leading the flag salute (Marv Hansen) and the invocation (Brian Malison)…that’s kind of different!  Must have something to do with this being President Ed’s LAST meeting!  (Cheers!…applause!) Even though this was President Ed’s last meeting, nobody “volunteered” to join Sully’s Sailors, however, Dave Burr joined after a substantial bartering session…from $12.50 to $250…even though Dave has reservations about an Air Force guy being captain of the ship instead of a Navy guy! Welcome Aboard, Dave!  Former Visalia Rotary member George Lavenson was here visiting from Hawaii…Good to see you, George!  President Ed presented the Four Avenues of Service Citation Award to Phil Hornburgfor all he does for our club and the Visalia Rotary Community Foundation.  Congratulations, Phil! (Cheers, applause, AND a standing ovation!)  Laurie Isham presented President Ed with a plaque for the support received from our club for ProYouth Heart.  ProYouth Heart serves 3,500 children and recently received a grant to serve at the high schools.  (Totally awesome!)

 

Al Fisher’s Meet the Press segment (guess that sounds better than interviewed/interrogated?) focused on Frank Serpa.  Frank has been in our club for three years.  He grew up in the Azores as the second oldest of 18 children. (Oh, my!) His dad was a carpenter, they had more kids than chickens, and the house had a dirt floor, 2 bedrooms and an attic.  Eventually a 3^rd bedroom was added.  There was no electricity and water had to be brought from the village.  Their mattresses were stuffed with corn leaves.  Frank came to the United States in 1971 with 3 quarters and a penny.  He worked in a factory making jeans.  His next job was as a car salesman…and the rest, as they say, is history…or in this case his story!  Frank thanks his family for their support. We’re so glad you’re here, Frank!

 

 

The deadline for Team Leader and Team Member applications is July 1, 2009 for our Rotary District’s outbound GSE (Group Study Exchange) with District 4670 Brazil (April 10 to May 9, 2010.)  Team Members must be between the ages of 25 to 40 and CANNOT be Rotarians or immediate family.  For more information and applications, contact: Fred Scott, Harvey May, Bill Evans, or visit the District GSE Chair website:  http://www. montereypacificrotary.org/ brazil/

 

We are dark at Noon next week. Please RSVP for President Ed’s Demotion (June 24^th, 6 pm at the Visalia Country Club)  to Don Sharp, 734-9246. It’s free, so plan to attend!  Although you are supposed to choose to dress as a sailor or as a pirate, Captain Ed indicated that as long he is captain the consequences will be dire indeed for Pirates! Yo Ho, Arrrgh, and Ahoy, Maties!