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Did anyone notice the pink tie on our fearless new Prez? Interestingly enough, Past Prez Ben Clay wore the matching shirt. Was that a harbinger of today’s program??? As we were to find out later, our fishing industry isn’t exactly in the pink. But we’ll “school” back to that later.
Prez Dick Troncone opened the meeting by welcoming back Burt “If-I-Only-Had-A-Heart” Nestor, who returns to the Club with a new pacemaker. Burt’s done an amazing job with the 4-Way Test Speech Contest so we’re glad to have him back! New member Todd Jackson delivered an inspirational moment, citing lessons learned from his Grandmother. Apparently, his G’ma insisted that the harder you work, the luckier you become and that certainly resonates with our Rotary principles. And hey… what happened to George “Sing-Song” Harris (not the prison)? Poor Suzy Spafford banged on the ivory while… oh yeah… Prez Dick led us in America the Beautiful… pink tie and all. We all smelled a hefty fine for George coming!
Bert Wahlen gave us the Club History Minute (1911 no less!) and then delivered the news. Jo Dee Jacob presented awards to Martha Dennis and Linda Stirling as Club 33 Fellows, leaving us all to wonder as she announced that one of the three Rotarians wasn’t a real blonde! Some of us will loiter on that one for a while. Bob Thaxton announced our Day at the Races in Del Mar set for August 5. Register online or call the Club 33 office. Next up was a Club vote on the proposed Constitution and Bylaw changes. Ballots were distributed and collected with results published in this issue’s Quick Bits column.
Prez Dick then reported on his attendance at the Rotary International Conference, which by all accounts returned our fierce leader charged up and ready to make a difference… despite the dang pink tie. We sometimes forget how far our reach is as one Club that’s linked with so many others. Combined, our 1.2 million Rotarians are making the World a better place for all humankind. A short video was run proudly displaying this. It was most inspirational. As our Prez said, “ordinary people working together can do extraordinary things.” If you missed today’s meeting, the video will be posted on our Club website soon. Viewing is highly recommended and will definitely reinforce your giving of time, talent and treasury.
It was time for our program and Prez Dick introduced Bob Fletcher as Chair of the Day. OK, for those who have followed my comments in our e-newletter, you’ll know that I have this thing about Bob “King Fish” Fletcher. I mean, this guy has won the Club’s fish derby trophy so many times, you just have to wonder! So here he is, introducing a program that’s promoting… yup, you guessed it… aquaculture. And why that? Obviously so he can catch more fish! No doubt about it, this guy is a Fish-Catching-Machine. Well, he’s also a terrific Rotarian who gives to the community in so many ways, so I’ll go easy this time.
Bob introduced Don Kent, the President of Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, which is doing some remarkable things to increase fish production. We learned the importance of California’s $100 million annual recreational and commercial fishing industry (yes Bob, we do listen!). Don covered a lot of ground that left us all thinking about where and how our seafood needs for the future will be provided. One hopeful project is being hosted just five miles off our coast and will be one of the first U.S. efforts to build and operate a commercial scale fish farm. For a subject largely located in deep water, the message was crystal clear!
Editor of the Day: Richard Ledford
Photography by Paul Nestor
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