would become the United States.

MORAGA They maintained peace with the

Indian tribes and learned to survive
in this new land. In 1630 a
ROTARY thousand more immigrants arrived
and the town of Boston was
NEWSLETTER established. Though they were
loyal to King James there were no
November 24, 2020 nobles and there was no religious
_________________________________ test. From the Mayflower Compact
Next Meeting: December 1st and the rules they formed to guide
their young community came the
Zoom at noon concept that “The government shall
Program: Rotary District derive its powers from the consent
Governor, Mark Roberts visits of the governed” which became
our club crucial to the Constitution in 1789.
Greeter: Debbie Roessler Gary then led us in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
____________________________
To participate next week: With the Thanksgiving holiday,
Zoom connection information for next week’s attendance was a bit lower than
meeting will be distributed early next week.
usual today. We had 18
Upcoming Speakers: participants including our guest
Dec 8 – Open Mariela Herrick of MCE Clean
Dec 15 – Mariela Herrick, MCE Clean Energy.
Energy
You will recall Mariela attended
last week’s Rotary meeting. This
~~Twenty-First Meeting of week she told us a little more about
the ‘20/’21 Rotary Year~~ herself. She lives in Oakland and
while a member of a youth soccer
President Brian South rang the team recalled games against
bell to open our meeting. Gary Campolindo High School.
Irwin gave the invocation recalling President Brian mentioned that he
the Mayflower immigrants. Gary also played soccer and perhaps
recalled how they established the without knowing it they ran into
“Mayflower Compact” which was each other at games. Brian asked
the first governing code for what if Mariela would speak to the club
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about MCE Clean Energy and she
said she would be happy to do so.
A date was set for 12/15. Evie
Michon said it will be great to hear
about MCE options and
environmental impact.
~~HAPPY BUCKS~~
• John Erickson had $20
Happy Bucks which came
with an interesting and
uplifting story. John and
MarySue spent last weekend
up at their Medocino property.
On the way home they
decided to stop for lunch at
Applebee’s in Petaluma.
When they called for the
cheque the server told them,
“Your lunches have been paid
for.” They asked who paid but
the server replied, “He didn’t
want me to tell you.” They
looked around but didn’t
recognize anyone. A little later
as they were leaving John
and MarySue asked again
who paid and the server said,
“The man who was sitting at
the table just behind you. He
owns an Italian restaurant
down the street, he comes in
occasionally and will buy
lunch for strangers.” What a
nice habit… John is paying it
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forward with these $20 Happy
Bucks.
• Alka Mulakaluri had Happy
Bucks for her Aunt Ruth and
the blessings of family.
• Herb Wehmeyer put out $10
Happy Bucks because of his
successful pace-maker
operation. All is going well!
• Fran Rathjen produced $10
Happy Bucks for the most
recent Ohio State victory. Go
Buckeyes!
~~BIRTHDAYS~~
Tony Schoemehl had a birthday
yesterday. He wasn’t with us
today but MarySue Erickson
made up a batch of deviled eggs
which Tony loves and ran them
over to his house. We’ll hear
more about how he celebrated
his birthday when we catch up
with him. He’s been under the
weather recently.
Herb Wehmeyer celebrated a
landmark birthday on 10/20
(90 years). Herb and his two
sons had dinner at Amoroma
Restaurante and Mary Caburi
joined them. It was a lot of fun.
 ~~ANNIVERSARIES~~
Fran & Walt Rathjen have an
anniversary coming up 11/28.
Fran says they will probably find
a place to pick-up dinner,
perhaps Amoroma. We’ll check
back later. This marks 34 years
for she and Walt.
~~ANNOUNCEMENTS~~
President Brian said we will do
the Fine Free Hat for December
next week because attendance
today was a bit sparse.
Orinda Rotary is doing a chicken
dinner with Casa Orinda on the
evening of December 9th. This
event is patterned after our
successful “Dinner with Rotary”
events and Brian urged us to help
Orinda out by patronizing their
dinner as many from the Orinda
club have come to ours. See the
flyer on page 8 of this newsletter
for info on the Orinda Rotary event.
Debbie Roessler talked about the
annual Toys for Tots event. This
year with the Covid-19 pandemic it
is suggested that we donate money
and let the organization purchase
toys. You can send your donations
to Rich Render and Rich will send
a single check from the Club to
Toys for Tots representing the total
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collected from our membership.
Rich says, “Make your checks out
to the Moraga Rotary Foundation
and note on the check that it is for
Toys for Tots.”
Debbie Roessler told us the Club
is sponsoring Boy Scout Troop 246
again this coming year. The forms
have been signed. Unlike other
organizations we that sponsor this
costs the Club nothing. The Boy
Scouts will not take money, but
they would appreciate it if we can
suggest service projects for the
scouts – particularly any ideas for
Eagle Scout Projects. One of the
scouts recently took on an Eagle
Project involving building a covered
shed for storing the Moraga Police
Department’s “found bicycles.”
There may be an opportunity for
Rotarians with building skills/tools
to help scouts on their projects.
Just check with the Scout Master.
Looking at the December meeting
schedule we will have no meetings
on December 22nd and 29, but it
would be nice to have a zoom
social with a holiday theme on the
29th. If you would like to be in
charge or if you have ideas for
such a party, please contact
President Brian South.
Please see the flyer on page 9 of
this newsletter for information
about See’s candy sales by our
friends at the Kiwanis Club of Kapha (water & earth) representing
Moraga Valley. Who can resist cohesion/binding.
delicious See’s candy! And the
Kiwanians always support Rotary
events. Recently Kiwanian, Steve
Woehleke raved about our Town
Bakery & Café, ribs dinner event.
Moraga Rotary Public Relations
Chairman, Gary Irwin created an
uplifting article for last week’s
Lamorinda Weekly newspaper
about our recently completed
“Peaceful Community Center”
project in Sierra Leone. Check out
the article on page 7 of this
newsletter.

~~PROGRAM~~
Club member Alka Mulakaluri
spoke about her dedication to
Ayurveda – the Science of Life.
This is an alternative medicine
system with roots in India. Alka
says it is a “complete science” and
in India it is called “medicine.” It
involves balancing healthful herbal
compounds with a healthful life.
Combined with yoga it brings
together relaxation and spirituality.
Ayurvedic philosophy is based on
the laws of nature combining VATA
(air & space) representing the
energy of transmission &
transportation, PITTA (fire & water)
representing transformation, and
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Alka demonstrated how the
manipulation of herbs/spices in our
foods can promote healing of
specific conditions. She calls our
kitchens - our pharmacies. The
spices in our pantry are
categorized as sweet, sour, salty,
pungent, bitter and astringent.
Each of these qualities has a
different effect on our body and
mind:
• Sweet – promotes growth and
brings compassion, love
 • Sour – energizes the body
and brings stimulation,
perception to the mind
• Salty – strengthens the
digestive fire and brings
conviction, passion
• Pungent – Improves digestion
and brings sharpness, focus
of mind
• Bitter – eliminates toxins and
brings satisfaction, self-
awareness of mind
• Astringent – improves
absorption and brings
quietness of mind
Essential spices in our kitchen are:
Cumin, Coriander, Turmeric,
Mustard, Fenugreek, Clove,
Ginger, Garlic, Cinnamon,
Cardamon, Nutmeg, Rosemary,
Thyme, Sage, Oregano, Holi Basil,
Mint, Fennel, Cocoa, Rock Salt,
Black Pepper, Onion and Saffron
Each of these spices blends
elements of sweet, sour, salty,
pungent, bitter and astringent, and
can be combined with our food to
elevate our body and mind. For
example: Alka had an amazing amount of
information in a multipage
PowerPoint presentation which has
been sent to newsletter recipients
in a separate communication. The
meeting attendees thanked Alka for
presenting this topic so well. There

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is much to think about in this luck next time. Next week the prize
science of India. is worth $30.

~~ENCORE GAME~~
Evie Michon was selected to play
the game that traditionally ends our Greeters/Invocators
Tuesday meetings. Evie had to
pick between four possible Ace Volunteers:
suits and selected “Spades” - but
• 12/1 - Debbie Roessler
the card President Brian was
holding was the Ace of Diamonds. • 12/8 – Alka Mulakaluri
Too bad Evie. You will have better • 12/15 - Rich Render

Moraga Rotary Directors 2020/2021

President Brian South
President Elect Brian South
Past Co-Presidents Evie Michon & Debbie Koo
Executive Secretary Evie Michon
Secretary Jennifer Brophy
Treasurer and Youth Services Chair Rich Render
Club Administrator Debbie Roessler
Foundation Chairman John Erickson
Community Service Chairman Tony Schoemehl
Public Relations Chairman Gary Irwin
Fundraising Chairman Frank May
International Service Chairs Dianne Wilson & Debbie Koo
Membership Chairman Roger Gregory
Director at Large Mary Sue Erickson
Director at Large Linda May
Advisor to the Board John Erickson
Advisor to the Board Jim Campbell
Advisor to the Board Cliff Dochterman
District Governor 5160 Mark Roberts
President, Rotary International Holger Knaack
This month’s Newsletter Editor – Roger Gregory

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