DECEMBER 6, 2016

Next Meeting: Tues, Dec.13th

MORAGA ANNUAL
CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY DINNER
6:00 PM
Miramonte Gardens Clubhouse
Greeter/Invocator Barbara Bruner
*Dec. 20 and 27 No meetings
*Jan 3 Nite at the Races and Playground Discussion
**Jan 10 Justin Clark Nephew of Pilot Who Crashed
Into Twin Towers on 9/11/01
*Jan 17 Maria Dempsey: Jet Suite (New airline in
Concord)
*Regular Noon Meeting

MORAGA ROTARY CHRISTMAS AND

HOLIDAY DINNER PARTY
Our Moraga Rotary Holiday Party will be
held next Tuesday, at 6pm December 13th
at the Miramonte Gardens Clubhouse.
Please be sure you have made
reservations with Chairman John Tomei
at jrtomei1@gmail.com (cell 925-2164476). Checks for $60 per person should
be made to Moraga Rotary and sent to
Lad Lynch.

** Dinner meeting

GUESTS

Dick Callahan Guest Speaker

Pete Gears Orinda Rotary Club
Mike & Vickie Radcliff Guest of Frank Mays
Richard Lueck Clayton Valley-Concord Rotary
SGT. Brian Clay & Corp. Joaquin Marino
Representing U.S Marine Corps

~BUSINESS MEETING~
The meeting was opened by Evie Michon
with some very thoughtful observations
regarding childrens play activities.

The Marines Collecting Our Toys for Tots Donations

TOYS FOR TOTS

~ANNOUNCEMENTS~
President Kevin announced that the
Town Council has approved a banner to
be placed at the Commons Park
promoting the fundraising efforts of
Rotary for the All-Access Playground.
We hope that it will expand our circle of
donors in the Moraga community.

Once again, Moraga Rotarians joined in

the national collection of Toys for Tots,
sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps.
Sergeant Brian Clay and Corporal
Joaquin Moreno spoke about the
program and thanked Moraga Rotary
for the third year of support of their
effort to provide Christmas gifts to
needy children. Thanks to all who

helped fill the two huge boxes with

colorful toys, books, dolls, and gifts!

HAPPY BUCKS AND OTHER

HAPPENINGS
Tony Schoemehl was recognized for his
birthday which happened last week!
Lad Lynch proudly acknowledged that his
UCLA basketball team beat #1Kentucky
and has now moved to #2 in the nation,
and paid 5 big happy bucks!
Gary Irwin once again won the Sirs Match
Play golf tournament and had a dollar to
show for the win.
Vickie Devlin waved 3 very happy bucks
for a very significant achievement of her
granddaughter at Univ. of Oregon. (Vickie
talked far too fast for the aging reporter to
understand and record the rather
complicated and convoluted achievement.)
Michele Robbins was pleased to give 2
happy bucks to announce that St. Marks
United Methodist Church now has a new
and talented Musical Director!
Louise Schopke had a few happy bucks
to express great appreciation for Debbie
Roessler taking her to Blackhawk for a
birthday luncheon. Happy BD, Louise!
Cliff Dochterman dug out a happy buck
to tell of his morning adventure to renew
his drivers license. At 91, he passed
100%, even though he asked if they had
any smaller letters on the eye chart; if they
had a more difficult written test; and if they
knew that there was an error in the DMV
Drivers Manual, which he pointed out.
Doug Damaschino told of the sad story of
having his wallet stolen on an airplane trip
to Chicago and losing his drivers license
and all identification. Without his wallet we
dont know where he found the buck to
relate his tale of woe!

Richard Lueck Discussing Cash for Clunkers

CASH FOR CLUNKERS PROVIDES

ADDITIONAL FUNDS
Chairman Richard Lueck gave a report
on some changes in the program which
allows cars which are still in good
condition to be sold and given a second
chance.
This option provides the
potential of increasing the income value.
He presented Moraga Rotary two checks
for a total of $1,249 for two cars recently
donated.
ALL ACCESS PLAYGROUND FUND
MOVING UPWARD
Good news! Our current fund raising
total of cash and firm commitments
received, has now passed the $115,000
total. We are making very good
progress.
There is a new GoFundMe link that can
be used by friends and family to make
direct contributions to the All-Access
Playground:

https://www.gofundme.com/lamorindaallaccess-playground-2vagv4fc
All members are urged to take some of
our project brochures and give them to
your friends and acquaintances every
little bit helps us to reach our goal.
Dont hesitate to tell others about this
great community project!

Nite at the Races 2017 Reminder

Now is the time to start thinking about
donations to our live and silent auction.
Popular items include dinner parties,
vacation properties, sailing excursions and
other services. We will discuss both the
Nite at the Races event and auction items
at the first club meeting in early January.
Also
There will be an envelope stuffing event
at Frank and Linda Mays home on
December 29th at 10 AM. Come and
spend an hour or two getting the word out
to the community about NAR 2017.
And finally
Nite at the Races Committee meetings
are scheduled for January 9th, January
23rd, February 6th and February 27th at
Moraga Royale. Add those dates to your
calendar.

SPECIAL ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

PRESIDENTIAL DINNER
Rotary International President, John
Germ, will speak at the Doubletree Hotel
in San Jose Tuesday evening, January 3rd.
Rotarians from 5160 should have received
an email from Fred Collignon inviting you
to the event and offering a link to register.
Let Debbie Roessler know if you register
to attend and we will try to arrange to sit
together at the event.

Remember, next weeks meeting is at

Miramonte Gardens Clubhouse at six
oclock. Enjoy an evening of fun,
good food, and Rotary fellowship!
DICK CALLAHAN, POPULAR SPORTS
ANNOUNCER, GUEST SPEAKER

Dick Callahan With President Kevin

Moraga
Rotarians
were
again
entertained by the ever-popular sports
commentator, Dick Callahan. Everyone
enjoyed the informative and humorous
stories and experiences the speaker
shared about
his many years
of
announcing over 2000 Oakland As, St.
Marys College, and Golden State
Warrior games. Dick wrapped up his
address with a personal story of
attending the stage play about the life of
Vince Lombardi, when the lead actor
stepped out of character and addressed
him with the comment: Your journey
isnt over till you say it is over. He
admonished us to believe that everyone,
at any age, still has contributions to
society to be made!

RANDOM THOUGHTS FROM

YE OLDE EDITOR
As we seek support for our 50th Club
Anniversary project, there may be a
potential for some members to feel
personal pressure of being put into
an uncomfortable position. I truly do
not feel that such efforts would be
within the spirit of Rotary. We will
be talking about seeking 100%
participation of all Moraga Rotarians.
However, lets be sure that when
each member thoughtfully considers
their own personal donation; it is
made totally within their own
personal capacity and available
resources. No one should feel that
they are unduly pressured to do more
than they feel is personally realistic.
I urge all Club members to just do
your best so that we all can be part
of this amazing gift for the children of
our expanded Moraga community
and be absolutely happy about being
a part of this achievement. As we
seek substantial donations from
outside foundations, individuals, and
corporations, it would be great to be
able to say that every Club member
contributed to this project.

The Promotion of Lieutenant Brian South

Several club members attended the swearing-in
ceremony for Lieutenant Brian South and Police
Chief Jon King. It was a great chance to
celebrate with Brian and to meet his family.
Congratulations, Brian!!

Lieutenant South with Police Chief, John King.

MORAGA ROTARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PresidentKevin Reneau
President-elect Dianne Wilson
Past President.....Roger Gregory
Secretary .Vickie Devlin
Treasurer..Lad Lynch
Community Service ChairBarbara Bruner
Youth Service Chair....Rich Render
International Service Chair..Tony Schoemehl
Public Relations..Gary Irwin
Membership Frank May
Director at Large ....John Erickson
Director at Large ...Marv Ellenberg
Director at Large ....Cliff Dochterman
Director at Large .Debbie Roessler
Director at Large ....Linda May
Director at Large ..Mike McCluer

~~~
President, Rotary International .John Germ
District Governor ...Fred Collignon
December Newsletter Editor Cliff Dochterman

CALENDAR OF FUTURE EVENTS

Dec 13 Moraga Rotary Christmas & Holiday party
Jan. 3 -- RI President John Germ Dinner in San Jose
Feb. 15 -- Five Club Joint Meeting at Rossmoor
Mar 11, 2017 A Nite at the Races dinner/auction
Mar 24-26, 2017 District Conference in Berkeley
June 10 -14, 2017 Rotary International Convention,
Atlanta, GA