Our guests today included our speakers
Tyler Krochmal, Joanne Larkin and
MORAGA ROTARY
NEWSLETTER
August 21, 2018
Next Celebration: August 28, 2018
Noon, Moraga Country Club
Program: Eric Moe, UC Athletics and
Rotary Day Football Game on Sept. 29
Greeter/Invocator: Al Simonsen
Aug 28 – Eric Moe – UC Athletics and Rotary Day Football Game
on 9/29
Sept 4 – Chef Linda - Cooking with Kids
*Sept 11 – Steve Woreck – Travels in Japan
Sept 18 – Fransena Harmon – Shelter Inc.
Sept 25 – Tony Eltringham – Battle of Atlantic
Oct 2 - Open
Oct 9 - Troy Feddersen – Beer Making
Oct 16 - Open
Oct 23 - Rotary District Governor Visit
* Dinner Meeting @ 6:00 pm – Moraga Country Club
President Ron Mucovich opened the
meeting with three clangs of the bell.
Herb Wehmeyer offered an invocation
noting that August gained a day from
February when Roman emperor
Augustus added a day to his named
month, so it could be equal to that of his
uncle, Julius Caesar for whom July was
named. Herb noted that today is also an
Islamic holiday, “Eid al-Adha” which
celebrates the willingness of Ibrahim
(Abraham) to sacrifice his son.
Herb ended with a short prayer followed
by the Pledge of Allegiance.
John Kenny, and honorary Moraga
Rotarian, Bill Eames and friend of
Moraga Rotary, Larry Tessler.
~~ RECOGNITIONS ~~
Bill Eames, the Pride of Iowa State
University offered a High Five and
wished that Wisconsin will not hurt his
team in their upcoming football game.
Gary Irwin had a High Five for a recent
photo trip to the ghost town of Bodie
with his wife, Carol.
Michele Robbins had three Happy
Bucks and announced in celebration of
Harmony Week and jazz band will be
performing at St. Mark’s Church this
Thursday from 7 to 8:30 pm.
Debbie Roessler recalled happy times
playing a rummy game with Mary Elena
and Cliff. She was reminded of this
when helping Cliff move from the
second floor at Moraga Royal to a new
room on the first floor. Debbie gave
$300 to the Mary Elena Foundation.
Ron Mucovich had a Happy Buck for
the Oakland Athletics taking over first
place in the American League – West.
Roger Gregory had two Happy Bucks
for his daughter, Lisa’s program on
Lupus at last Tuesday evening’s Moraga
Rotary dinner.
 ~~ ANNIVERSARIES ~~
Brian South told how he and his
wife, Suzy celebrated 17 years of
marriage. Brian ordered flowers
and they had a nice family dinner
at home. Brian said the best thing
about Suzy is, “She puts up with
me.” The thing she likes least
about me, Brian said is, “Me not
getting to the lawn.”
Doug Damaschino told how he
and Ann celebrated 57 years of
marriage. What Doug likes best
about Ann is “She loves me.” The
thing Ann likes least about Doug is
that thing he does with the toilet
seat. Doug and Ann had a nice
dinner together with friends.
Jim Campbell and Linda had a 23-
year anniversary. The thing he
likes best about Linda – “She has
tolerated me for 23 years.” The
thing Jim thinks she likes least
about him is his “bad hearing.” Jim
and Linda celebrated by having
dinner with the Renders at the
Moraga Country Club. Jim notes,
“This is the first time in 15 years
we’ve been able to celebrate on
our actual anniversary. Working the
OMPA event interfered before this
year.”
~~ANNOUNCEMENTS~~
Kevin Reneau invited everyone to
attend the free burger and hot dog
barbeque event Tuesday night
(8/21) at the Commons from 5 to 7
pm. The event is a Chamber of
Commerce event.
Ron Mucovich reminded everyone
that tonight there is a regular
monthly Moraga Rotary Board
meeting at Moraga Royal at 5:30
pm.
Lad Lynch noted that a total of $520
was collected at the past two meetings
for the relief of California wild fire
victims. This will be a topic at this
evening’s monthly board meeting too.
Debbie Roessler reminded everyone
that there is a dinner on November 2nd
at the Blackhawk Country Club to honor
past Rotary International President, Rick
King. Many Rotary luminaries will be
there, and tickets are selling fast.
Tickets cost $150. Contact Debbie for
details.
~~PROGRAM~~
Debbie Roessler introduced our
speakers today. First up was Tyler
Krochmal, Senior Public Relations and
Communications Manager for Special
Olympics Northern California. Tyler gave
us a broad overview of the many services
and activities the Special Olympics
provides.
• Special Olympics is the world’s
largest sports organization for
 people with intellectual disabilities, she is his “Angel.”
with more than 5.7 million athletes
in 172 countries and over a million
volunteers.
• Special Olympics Northern
California serves more than 22,000
athletes through year-round sports
training and competitions in 14
sports; inclusive school programs;
and vital health resources.
• Special Olympics is for both
children and adults with intellectual
disabilities, with programs
available from age 2+.
• All Special Olympics programs are
offered 100 percent free of charge
to the athletes.
• The Special Olympics Healthy
Athletes Program offers health
services and information to
athletes who may face obstacles in
maintaining their best health.
• $100 supports an athlete for a John Kenny talking about Special Olympics
sports season. $250 supports an
athlete for an entire year of
competition.
• $0.91 of every dollar donated goes
directly to supporting athlete
programs here in Northern
California.

Tyler introduced Joanne Larkin, a

speech coach with Special Olympics.
Joanne told us about what it is like to
coach the various athletic teams.
Left to right – Tyler Krochmal, John Kenny and Joanne
Then John Kenny delivered a heart-felt Larkin
speech about what Special Olympics has
meant for him. John was wearing a few Barbara Bruner won the raffle but did
of his gold medals from various events. not find the green marble this week. She
His favorite events are golf and bocce was “So Close”!”
ball, but he also plays a mean softball.
John teared up when he told us how he
met his wife in Special Olympics and how
~~ NEWS FROM THE MORAGA
ROTARY BUSINESS GROUP ~~
Mike McCluer, shared these notes from
the third Thursday (8/16) meeting of the
Business Group:
“We had 12 people in attendance including
our prospective new business member
Ravi Singh. He told a bit about himself,
Moraga resident and his business at
Rheem Automotive of over 10 years. Gary
Irwin provided this membership lead.
Joy Alaidarous, Rotary District 5160
Assistant Governor for the Fab Five clubs
was good enough to help our relatively
new members understand what the Rotary
Foundation is, the benefit it provides
(Polio help, Peace Center, District/Int’l
grants helping many people in need
including our Sierra Leone orphanage,
etc.) and how people can contribute.
Ron Mucovich mentioned employee of
the month is coming back and great
opportunity for businesses to nominate an
employee
Also most business members have
attended our dinner meeting and provide
an intro and we encouraged business
members to come again and tell us more
details about their businesses, 5-10
minutes is fine
Finally, Mike Mccluer was proud to
mention he has personally talked to every
business member and all are willing to be
involved in the Shelter Inc projects, an
organization that helps over 2,300 people
including 1,000 children find self-
sufficiency. This is pending Board
approval.
Anyone interested in attending future
meetings please contact Mike Mccluer
mmmccluer@aol.com
Cliff’s Corner
Annual Rotary Presidential Themes
Since 1955, every Rotary International
President has selected a special theme for
the Rotary year. This year, our RI
President, Barry Rassin from Bahama,
picked the theme, “Be The Inspiration.”
Over the past 62 years there has been a
wide variety of annual messages created
by Rotary leaders.
The 3 shortest themes were “Act” in
1963-64, “Serve” in 1958-59, and
“Participate” in 1968-69. In 1982-83 the
longest message was “Mankind is One –
Build Bridges of Friendship
Throughout the World.
In some years the emphasis was on the
individual Rotarian, such as “You Are
Rotary” in 1960-61; “You are the Key” in
1985-86; “Goodwill Begins With You” in
1971-72 and “Put Life Into Rotary – Calendar of Future Events:
Your Life” in 1988-89. • Sept 9: Orinda Rotary: Dancing with the
Cars
• October 18: New Orleans/Zydeco
The focus was a very practical one in a Festival provided by Rossmoor Rotary.
few years when the President urged • October 23: Official visit of DG Jon
“Take Time to Serve” in 1980-81; or “Be Dwyer
• Nov 2: Tribute dinner for PRIP, Rick
A Friend” in 1993-94; “Lend a Hand” in King, with RIP, Barry Rassin and several
2003-04; or “Enjoy Rotary” in 1988-89. Past RI Presidents.
• May 17-19, 2019: District Assembly for
four districts at Peppermill Casino in
When Moraga Rotarian, Stan McCaffery, Reno.
was RI President in 1981-82, he promoted • June 1-5, 2019: Rotary International
the message “World Understanding and Convention in Hamburg, Germany
Peace Through Rotary.” When I had the
responsibility of selecting the annual MORAGA ROTARY DIRECTORS 2018-2019
theme for 1992-93, I chose the words, President Ron Mucovich
Co-Presidents-elect Debbie Koo &
“Real Happiness Is Helping Others.” Evie Michon
Past President Dianne Wilson
Co-Secretary Vickie Devlin &
Nearly all the Presidential themes tend to Evie Michon
Treasurer Lad Lynch
reveal insights into the personalities, Foundation Chair John Erickson
special interests and cultural experiences Youth Service Chair Rich Render
Public Relations Gary Irwin
of our Rotary leaders. Newsletter Editor Frank May
Community Service Chair Tony Schoemehl
Co-Chair, International Services Barbara Bruner
Co-Chair, International Services Linda May
Greeter/invocator schedule: Membership Chair Debbie Koo
Director at Large Mary Sue
8/28/18 = Al Simonsen Erickson
9/04/18 = Alka Mulakaluri Director at Large Roger Gregory
9/11/18 = Tony Schoemehl Director at Large Debbie Roessler
Advisor to the Board Jim Campbell
9/18/18 = John Erickson Advisor to the Board Cliff Dochterman
9/25/18 = Kevin Reneau
District Governor 5160 Jon Dwyer
President, Rotary International Barry Rassin

Newsletter Editor – Roger Gregory