DECEMBER 18, 2012

**NEXT MEETING: January 8, 2013 Evening Meeting 6:00 pm Special Program to be Announced Invocation & Greeter: Marv Ellenberg
~~ COMING UP ~~ Dec. 18 Nite at the Races Planning Mays Home at 5:30 Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 No Meeting on these two days! * Jan. 15 Program: Hans Peter Metzer, Whats New At The Saklan School * Jan. 22 Program: Noelle Galperin, A Rotary Journey: India, Haiti and California * Jan. 29 All Club Assembly th Feb. 5 No Club Meeting today. See Feb. 6 . Feb. 6 Five Club Annual Meeting at Rossmoor *Regular weekly luncheon in Soda Center **Monthly evening meeting at Soda Center

George Renworth Remembered the Christmas when he was 12 years old and in bed with pneumonia. His great Christmas wish was for football equipment. He heard his mother and the doctor talking whether he would live long enough to use the gifts and George asked if he were going to die? Doug Damaschino Told of great Italian family gatherings where they would have two dinners. During the war years he received a huge box of empty cigarette packages, and spent the day salvaging the lead foil and wrapping it to give to the war effort. Nora Avelar Christmas is her favorite time of the year and it will be special this year to be with her family and introduce her new boyfriend, Dan Martin. Herb Wehmeyer Recalled a Christmas flying to the island of Okinawa to visit his family stationed there. Tony Schoemehl Told about the year when he had two Christmas Eve celebrations. He was flying into Okinawa and then crossed the date line and flew into Midway both on December 24th. Ron Mucovich Spoke about the custom of the Serbian Church which has a separate calendar and a Christmas is also celebrated in January, which some people call the Crazy Christmas since it is traditional to shoot guns in the air. It was an enjoyable program of reminiscing and recalling the events in our lives which are centered on the Christmas Holiday.

GUESTS
Alecia Sperske Daughter of Al Sperske Keisha Iwayemi Employee of the Month

OTHER HAPPENINGS
The meeting convened around several brightly decorated Christmas trees. Angelo Costanza gave a thoughtful message for the day. President Frank called for several announcements: Mary Elena Dochterman expressed appreciation of the Interact Club for the generous support and contributions so many members have given to Interacts Lumarias Project to help children affected by AIDS in Zimbabwe. Over $200 have been given by Rotarians for the project. President Frank noted that the Reno Train trip is on February 12-14 and reservations must be made by Dec. 28th. He also mentioned that the County Food Bank needs additional canned food over the Holidays.

THE PROGRAM of the DAY

Today we had a program of Christmas stories and favorite Holiday Memories. Several members recalled events which illustrated the traditions and customs of their families. Frank May His Christmas memories center around kids, grandchildren, and youngsters in stores visiting Santa. He called special attention to the special tragedy of the school massacre in Connecticut so Christmas has both plusses and minuses. Cliff Dochterman Told of his hobby of outdoor Christmas decorating and winning many awards in Oakland about 50 years ago. Marv Ellenberg Related a story of a man who fell on hard times, but a priest advised him to look in the Bible, where his fingers fell on the answer: Chapter XI. Gary Irwin Recalled his early days in Kansas with huge extended family for Christmas. His grandfather often went to a group called Rotary. This led him to become a Rotarian in 1988. Angelo Costanza Remembers the traditions of a big Italian family with lots of food, relatives, kids, games and then going to Christmas Eve Mass. Kenin Reneau Christmas is about children and sharing the Holiday events with grandchildren who will be with them this year.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

The December Employee of the Month was presented by Kevin Reneau to Keisha Iwayemi, who is a Care Manager at Aegis Living Center. Bill Phelps, Manager of Aegis Living introduced Keisha as a valuable star of the Care Staff of Aegis Living and an outstanding employee who assists so many of the residents in superior fashion. A total of $100 worth of gift cards and a certificate were presented to the Outstanding Employee!

FUN AND OTHER STUFF

Mary Elena and Cliff Dochterman both celebrated birthdays this past week. They each paid their $60 maximum contribution! Angelo Costanza had a high 5 for taking the Silver Salami award in a bocce ball tournament in a

San Francisco Law association event! Louise Schopke had a birthday of note, plus $2 for announcing that her mother has arrived safely from New Jersey to live in their home. Gary Irwin had a happy buck for the very attractive decorations in our meeting room today! Al Sperske had a happy buck since his daughter was visiting him for the Holidays. And, incidentally, Alicia actually drew the red ticket with Als number and Al pulled out the white marble for $193 bucks! Nora Avelar told of her great success in this years Fantasy Football and had a high fiver for winning first place. John Erickson was able to continue his bragging rights on his fantastic granddaughters. Brittany is home from university in Florida and his cheerleader granddaughter at Cal High is going to the National Championship Cheerleader Contest. All this was worth $10 for John! Frank May put in another high Five for all of John Ericksons talented work in making the Christmas tree decorations for everyone which were given at the Christmas Party.

And when my life on earth is done, it will be my final plea: Let someone somewhere think or say, You made a difference to me. author unknown Lou Piconi was one of those Rotarians who certainly did make a difference.

EDITORIAL COMMENT
Gift giving is a part of this annual Holiday Season. Since it is so common, we often overlook the chance to express sincere appreciation. The other day I received a Christmas letter from Wilf Wilkinson, the Past President of Rotary International who visited our Rotary Club in 2007. Let me share his personal message: THANKS. Its the one and only word that always comes with a memory, the memory of something good, something thoughtful, something helpful. Said from the heart, its the best word to celebrate great endings or new beginnings. And its not just the word, but everything it means: I noticedIm grateful you made a differenceI appreciate you, and all that you do. So, may the Joy and Blessings of the Holiday season be with all of you. And may the New Year fulfill all of your grandest good wishes. That is our Holiday Thought.

KUDOS OF THE WEEK

This week we salute all those who joined in the Sunday evening Christmas Stocking Stuffing Party and Pot-Luck Supper and made it a wonderful fellowship event! Our special thanks go to Ann Damaschino for coordinating the pot-luck supper, assisted by Peg Render. We all appreciated the delicious food which was prepared by the attendees. The Stocking Stuffing job went along in precision fashion, thanks to Debbie Roessler, Linda & Jim Campbell, Gary Irwin, Frank May and others who added bits of assembly-line advice. The beverage table was well stocked by Tony Schoemehl. As the colorful stockings were filled with socks, puzzle books, Kleenex, playing cards, candy and the containers of toiletries (provided by Bill Phelps) it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Those who took part in this near-final step of our Holiday project were: Lad & Leslie Lynch; Doug & Ann Damaschino; Frank & Linda May; Angelo & Suzann Costanza; Rich & Peg Render; Debbie & Lou Roessler; Vickie Devlin & Alex Tegenkamp; Herb Wehmeyer & Mary Caburi; Jim & Linda Campbell; Gary Irwin; Tony Schoemehl; Lena Sword (Linda Mays mother): and Cliff and Mary Elena Dochterman. To everyone, who has taken a part in the stocking project this year, we offer a great big THANKS!

Rotary International Theme for 2012-13 PEACE THROUGH SERVICE

CALENDAR OF FUTURE EVENTS Feb. 6 Annual 5-Club Luncheon at Roosmoor Feb. 12-14 Reno Train Trip and Joint Meeting Mar. 16 Nite At The Races Fundraiser

A MEANING TO ROTARY
This past week a very good friend of mine, Lou Piconi from Pittsburgh, PA died. Lou had been a Director and Vice President of Rotary International, as well as a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation. He was one of the real pioneers of our Polio Plus program. Lou had a favorite poem which he often said expressed the reason he was a Rotarian. It gave reality to his Rotary membership. It went as follows: God has given me a place on earth to be here for a while. I hope as Im passing through I will make someone smile. I want to make life easier for all those that I meet, I ask God for His blessings to the strangers on the street. I hope Ill never fail a child, if I can help somehow, And always be as generous as my resources will allow.

MORAGA ROTARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2012-13 President....Frank May President-elect ..Nora Avelar Secretary.........Kevin Reneau Treasurer..Louise Schopke Community Service Chair.Barbara Bruner New Generations...Rich Render International Service ChairTony Schoemehl Rotary Foundation...... Lad Lynch Public Relations Gary Irwin Membership.Nora Avelar Director at LargeDebbie Roessler Director at Large..Mary Elena Dochterman Director at Large...Cliff Dochterman President, Rotary InternationalSakuji Tanaka District Governor, 5160..Laura Day Assistant District Governor.Jose Avelar
Newsletter Editor for December Cliff Dochterman