potatoes with an assortment of
desserts.
MORAGA
ROTARY
NEWSLETTER
August 3, 2021
Next Meeting:
Tuesday, August 10th @ 12
Noon at La Finestra
Restaurant
Program: Sandee Weidemann
with Shephard’s Gate
Greeter: Jim Campbell
Zoom connection information for next week’s
meeting will be distributed early next week
Upcoming Speakers:
Aug 17 – Alan Purves – Scotch Whisky
.
Aug 31 – Hays Englehart – Adventures on
Route 66
Sep 7 – Adam Nielsen from the
Department of Fish and Game
We met at La Finestra Restaurant
where chef/owner/Rotarian Jeff Assadi
served a delicious buffet with a mixed
green salad, tomato/mozzarella/basil
with a balsamic sauce as an hor
d’oevre, then spaghetti and meatballs,
chicken prepared with provolone and
pancetta, vegetable medley and roasted
President Brian South rang the bell
and launched the meeting remotely via
Zoom. Guests today included – Today’s
speaker Pat Mori from Children’s
Interview Center, Bill Eames, Honorary
Moraga Rotarian and Bill and Shane
Harris (father and son representing the
Campolindo football program).
Greeter/Invocator, Linda May had some
words of wisdom and listed the
commemorations on this date including
National Watermelon Day. Linda then
led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
~~Birthdays & Anniversaries~~
Rich and Peg Render celebrated their
47th anniversary on this day. On
prodding from President Brian, Rich
said they met as sophomores at Bradley
University in Peoria, Illinois. One of their
first dates was to go swimming with
another couple in the strip mine pools in
rural Illinois.
On this very day, it was honorary
member, Lou Roessler’s, birthday.
Mark Hoogs and Joseph Schneider
both had birthdays in July, but we will
have to catch them in the future since
they weren’t with us today.
~~Happy Bucks~~
Gary Irwin had $5 Happy Bucks for the
19th anniversary for his son and daughter
in law.
Evie Michon had $5 Happy Bucks for
the great TGIF party hosted by Roger
and Jan Gregory. John Erickson
added $10 for the good time he had at
the party including the visit from the
hummingbirds.
Roger Gregory had $10 Happy Bucks
for the success of the TGIF party and his
daughter’s 40th birthday party the next
day.
Rich Render had $6 Happy Bucks as he
has retired for the 6th time. Will there be a
seventh?
~~Announcements~~
Angelo Costanza took the podium and
presented a thank you letter from one of
this year’s Camp Royal campers -
Namratha Kasalanati who said “it was a
transformative experience with really
wise speakers. I learned valuable skills
on how to lead myself and others to
achieve success and happiness in life.”
President Brian thanked Gary Irwin for
his contributions to defray the cost of the
hybrid meetings (Zoom and in person).
Frank May was acknowledged for his
ongoing work to get the audio-visual
system working for each meeting.
After less than spirited bidding, the Fine
Free Hat for August went to Gary Irwin
for $50.
Debbie Koo announced that progress is
being made on the invoicing system for
our club.
Gordon Nathan of the Rescue One
organization informed our club that it has
an opening on its Board. Rescue One
supports the Moraga Orinda Fire District.
Bill and Shane Harris solicited our
support for the Campolindo High School
football program. Bill coaches the
freshman team while Shane is a
sophomore currently on the JV squad.
The football program is privately funded
and does not receive funds from the
school. The football team is selling
donation cards which offer discounts at
local businesses.
TGIF- Last Friday of the Month The
Rotary Social for August will be at 6 pm
Friday, August 27 at Bill Eames’ home
in Rossmoor (1901 Lakeshire, Walnut
Creek). Please bring your favorite wine
and an appetizer to share. These events
are always fun.
Brian announced it’s time to replenish
the prize fund for the weekly Encore
Game. $10 to the Treasurer please –
which gets you into the pool of eligible
participants. This week’s game was for a
$20 prize – but more on this later at the
end of the meeting. We always end our
meetings with an Encore Game.
~~Rotary Minute~~
Recall that President Brian threatened us
with this Rotary Minute idea. As a way to
get to know more about individual
members Brian will ask a member at
random about how they joined Rotary.
No participant today. Next week.
~~Program~~
Debbie Roessler, Moraga Rotary
Program Director par excellence,
introduced today’s speaker –Pat Mori,
Director of the Children’s Interview
Center (CIC). Pat has a MS in
Psychology.
Her organization works in collaboration
with Community Violence Solutions. ~ Future Greeter/Invocators~
Their mission is to reduce trauma and 8/17 John Erickson
facilitate healing for child victims and 8/24 Mary Sue Erickson
support investigations of abuse. It is a 8/31 Roger Gregory
complex process that involves multiple
agencies. They deal with mental health For the new Rotary Year our leaders are:
issues, abusive relationships and sexual President Brian South
abuse as it relates to young victims.
President Elect TBD

They are located in a nondescript Secretary Jennifer Brophy

building in downtown Martinez. One
family is interviewed at a time. There is a Executive Secretary Evie Michon
children’s playroom. Interview rooms are
Treasurer Debbie Koo
equipped with microphones and
cameras. Program Chair Debbie Roessler

CIC acts as an advocate for teens, young Community Tony Schoemehl

children and mentally handicapped Service Chair
persons. Among the interview International Debbie Koo & Dianne
participants are a former police officer, Service Chairs Wilson
District Attorney representative, social Foundation Chair John Erickson
worker, forensics expert and language
Youth Services Rich Render
interpreter. It also provides medical Chair
evaluations.
Public Relations Chair Gary Irwin

500 interviews are completed each year. Fund Raising Chair Frank May
Their funding comes from the State Membership Chairs Roger Gregory &
Office of Emergency Services, local Hubert Ma
governments and charitable Advisors to the Board Cliff Dochterman,
organizations including Moraga Rotary. Mary Sue Erickson,
Linda May &
Jim Campbell
District Governor 5160 Kathy Suvia
~~Encore Game~~ President, Shekar Mahta
The prize was $20. The random selector Rotary
chose Tony Schoemehl but he had to International
leave early so Roger Gregory was next
This month’s Newsletter Editor – Ron Mucovich
up. He chose, “The ace of spades.” The
correct suit was the ace of hearts. Sorry.
Next week’s prize will be $30.