Glendora Rotary WHEEL now online for 9.15.09

Here is the latest issue of the Glendora Rotary WHEEL by Keith Van Vliet and the Wheel Team. If you cannot see the Acrobat.com image below, then click on this LINK to access a copy of this edition of The WHEEL.
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Glendora Rotary WHEEL Now Online for 8Sept09

The Glendora Rotary Wheel (aka GRW) is back in a familiar format thanks to the efforts and good work of Keith Van Vliet who is now the substitute editor for 2009-10 for the substitute, Karen Babineau.

As the club knows, former editor Mike Foxworth has had to take an unexpected medical leave from his Glendora post with Citrus Valley Health Partners and Foothill Presbyterian Hospital. Karen stepped into the void to volunteer for awhile to produce The Wheel and now Keith has assumed that role for the remainder of the current year.

Remotely, Mike is still maintaining these postings and trying to keep the club blog up-to-date. The easiest way to connect with Mike during his leave is to visit his FACEBOOK page.

Here is a LINK to the current issue of The Wheel.
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Glendora Rotary Selects Keith Hilliard as President-elect

Glendora Rotary has selected longtime resident and community leader Keith Hilliard as the president-elect for the club. He will take office in July 2010. More on this story is found in this week's edition of GRW (Glendora Rotary WHEEL) as well as information about how club members may propose a new member.

Other notes from this week (for which the GRW did not have space to print) include:

• Annette Whistler reported that Maria Kyprios and members of her family (except Jimmy) went to New York to visit son George.
• Annette is leaving for a trip to Europe family members to visit communities liberated by U.S. Armed Forces during WWII.
• Keith Van Vliet reported that Thom Hill is about to roll out another production of the famous Hills Pickles for the 2009 season and Rotary's Mini-Grants Program. According to Thom, there is a new product in line this year: asparagas & dill red peppers.
• Ron White reports that his "Smart Car" is running brilliantly as it should because it is a brilliant yellow, as we all know.
• Jim Hayne gave us the scoop on the Fairplex Yellow Bus Program in which LA County School children are transported (free) to the Fairgrounds for a day of education and fun at the County Fair. The events begin September 5 and the Glendora Day at The Fair is September 16.
  

Here also is a SLIDE SHOW of Bob Lohr's photography from the meeting.
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Here is the GRW (Net Edition) for Tuesday, August 4, 2009.
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Rotary Wheel Contributions by Keith Van Vliet

One of the most prolific and consistent contributors to the Glendora Rotary WHEEL for many years now has been our poet laureate Keith Van Vliet. Here is a GOOGLE search of his contributions now posted on our blog. | @ltaSEARCH | @ltaCONTACT

From Keith Van Vliet

THIS WEEK'S QUOTATION comes from one of our early presidents, who was a radical free thinker, and made his thoughts clear. His name, Thomas Jefferson, and he is reported to have written;

"When the people fear the government you have tyranny...when the government fears the people you have liberty."

A ROTARY MOMENT

Mankind's battle with the Polio virus took the first turn for the better in 1955 when Dr. Jonas Salk invented the first inoculation process with a killed virus and within a few years polio was a thing of the past in all industrialized countries. Developing countries continued to suffer though, and with transportation systems throughout the world able to spread the disease, the battle was not finished. With the development of an oral vaccine in 1960, by Dr. Albert Sabin, a method arrived to attack the problem in remote areas. The 1978 Ri President was Clem Renouf, who created a project named Health, Hunger and Humanity, out of which gradually grew the polio plus project we know today.

Reflections by Keith Van Vliet

This one was penned by a popular Irish author, who became famous because his brother became famous first. His name is Malachy McCourt, and he wrote:

"Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die."

A ROTARY MOMENT

The most important aspect of RI is that it does not stand still. Innovation is always present. In 1994, RI began an experiment of training district leaders from within each district, with a three year trial project in 12 districts in 14 countries. After analyzing the results, RI created a new district structure using assistant DGs to train them for possible future service. Our own Gordy Norman is now serving in one of those positions for District 5300.

In Memory of
Julius (Jay) Winston Watkins
(March 6, 1923 - April 17, 2009)

I feel a great personal loss with the passing of my friend Jay. We traded weekly observations and opinions over breakfast for many years, and though our positions differed on some subjects, I felt a closeness to his nature that is hard to describe. Some found him gruff, but underneath that gruffness I discovered a humanity that was broad and inclusive. He had accumulated knowledge from his many travels around the world and I profited from his insights, which he freely shared with me.

During his extended illness I came to realize how much I missed him. When I visited his sick bed a few days before his passing it was the Jay of old times I saw, and I fully expected him to rally and return for some extended period of continued struggle with his many ailments. Thus, his passing was in a sense a release from the indignities of aging, which plagued him sorely. Now that his spirit is freed from his sufferinging body it is liberated to soar into those realms to which our earthly imagination is forever barred. Whatever realm that may be I imagine will be henceforth forever changed by receiving the unique nature of Jay's presence.

Julius (Jay) Winston Watkins, Glendora resident since 1974, died peacefully, after a long and fruitful life, at home with his family on April 17, 2009. Born to Julius Charles and Bettye Louise Watkins on March 6, 1923 in Vickery, Texas, he was always known as “Jay” to his family and friends, but was Winston to his mother. Jay proudly served from 1942 to 1946 in the United States Marine Corps in the South Pacific Theater during World War II, and was honorably discharged as a Technical Sergeant. Always a Marine, he never did anything that would dishonor the Corps.

He began college at Howard Payne College before the war and completed his education at Southern Methodist University in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Jay was always a man of business and many in his extended family looked to him for advice in their business affairs. His first job after college was with a CPA firm in Dallas and he later moved to a Big 8 accounting firm in Billings, Montana. While working on the Husky Oil account he met the love of his life, Becky (nee Taggart). After proposing to her on the dance floor, they married on September 26, 1953 in Cody, Wyoming. He went on to work with the Northern Pacific Railroad in Billings; was General Manager of WMK Transit Mix in Las Vegas, NV; President of Tri-City Concrete in Redlands, CA, and Executive Vice-President of Livingston-Graham in Irwindale, CA.

Blessed with seven children, he assumed a full role in raising them and assured they knew right from wrong. The numbers could be somewhat daunting whether simultaneously bathing four children in the bathtub or buying enough milk to become the largest private customer of a local dairy. With a surprising level of equanimity, regardless how his children provoked him, he handled all the ups and downs. Centered on family, the Watkins children always knew his love, concern, support and that he was very proud of them.

Jay was a true Rotarian, not just a member. He first joined the Rotary Club of Redlands; he founded and chartered the Rotary Club of Irwindale serving as its president; and was a long time member of the Rotary Club of Glendora. A Paul Harris Fellow, he was always a supporter of the Rotary Foundation He also served his community through the Boy Scouts, PTA, the South Coast Water Quality Board, and local Chambers of Commerce.

Jay is survived by his wife Becky and their children: Sherman (Nancy) Watkins, Wynne (John) Manning, Barbara (Charles) McKay, CO; Nancy (Mark) Walker, Peter (Dana) Watkins, Susan (Doug) Van Cleave, and Michael (Kelly) Watkins; sisters, Marilyn Bradley and Karen (Whit) Coats; 24 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday, April 22, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 120 N. Oakbank Dr. Contributions preferred to the Rotary Foundation, c/o Glendora Rotary Club, PO Box 776, Glendora, CA 91741.

Wheel Edition for 4.21.09 Posted

The club WHEEL for Glendora Rotary is now available online at this link or you can GOOGLE search: Glendora Rotary | Click on this LINK: http://acrobat.twi.bz/a

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This is the final edition of this term to be edited by Pat James. The entire club is indebted to The WHEEL Team (Karen Babineau, Pat Janes, Keith Van Vliet, and photographer Bob Lohrs) for the marvelous job they have done. All of them deserve our sincere appreciation!

Rotary WHEEL Online for Nov. 18

Rotary Trivia for the Week: The RI Board at its 1962 meeting adopted a proposal to formalize the concept of international community service projects, naming it World Community Service. Here was a vehicle where individual clubs-- even individual Rotarians -- could participate in serving mankind in a far distant community. Over the years this beginning grew until it spawned the many matching grant projects we have today. (Submitted by Keith Van Vliet)
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CLICK HERE
for LINK to
the 18Nov08
G L E N D O R A
ROTARY WHEEL
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Rotary Wheel Now Online for 2Sept08

THIS WEEK'S QUOTATION
By Keith Van Vliet

In 1981, Mother Teresa was asked to speak at the RI Convention in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Her remarks stand as a challenge to every Rotarian throughout the Rotary world. She stated:

"If we really want to love, if we really want to live, we must love till it hurts...No Rotarian whose motto is "Service Above Self" should be called a Rotarian, I think, if he does not make time to serve...if we love, we begin to serve. And this is where that beautiful motto begins that the Rotarians have made this year, Take Time To Serve."
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A ROTARY MOMENT: Americans are not the only Rotarians who can come up with an impressive project. In Sweden there exists a Rotarian supported organization called the Doctor Bank. This group sends scores of Rotarian health professionals from all over the Scandinavian countries to render free health care in developing countries.
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CLICK HERE
for Glendora
Rotary WHEEL
2Sept08

Glendora Rotary Wheel Posted for Aug. 26 Meeting

Last week, we were honored to have two of our special members give us a glimpse into their lives by way of a “Craft Talk”. Keith Van Vliet focused on what he does with his “free” time after his retirement, which includes “daydreaming”, pursuing
his interest in philosophy, writing poetry and reading books by authors such as Peter Russell. It is hard to believe this vibrant man has been retired 40 years! And he is such a master of the English language! Thanks Keith!

Dick Farrand chose to reminisce about his life, noting that old people can be known for their lack of memory, but from all the tidbits he gave us from his past, he certainly is not old! His memory of his early life in Pasadena and Pomona was vivid and full of statistics! He has been retired 31 years and you would never know it to look at him or listen to him! Thanks Dick! Our members are very interesting people with lots of stories and history that keeps us wanting more!
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CLICK HERE
for The Glendora Rotary
WHEEL, Aug. 26
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Dist 5300 Training Aug. 2 Report

By Keith Van Vliet

REPORT TO THE CLUB on the District 5300 Training Seminars held at Etiwanda Gardens this Saturday, Aug. 2. I attended the seminar on Foundation, as did Sarah Flores, Jonathan Blake, and Paul Hooker. Gordie Norman attended the public relations seminar offered at the same time.

The course was three hours of intensive information presented by Bob Novell of the Arcadia club and Frank Hall who is Vice President of Resource Development at St. Joseph Health Systems in Orange County. I personally have often wondered why RI has not, sometime over the years, raised the bar on what it takes to become a Paul Harris Fellow. The reasoning behind this is that a thousand dollars fifty years ago was a great deal more than it is today, yet that is all it still takes to gain the title.

In a way RI has developed various ways of recognition that tried to do this, with their multiple PHF levels, major donor, and bequest society designations. The recent challenge gift of $100,000,000. from The Gates Foundation to stimulate contributions for the final polio effort cast a new light on all foundation giving, since it came from a source outside the Rotary organization.

This gift served to demonstrate what was described by the instructors as the special conditions inherent in Rotary giving to the foundation. It is that the donor is usually already highly motivated by any number of reasons, and in many cases just needs to be asked. That seemed to sum up the seminar, although numerous giving plans were discussed to fit almost any set of requirements. It can be a complicated business in some cases, but it mostly boiled down to this. Rotarians are by their nature generous, and just need to be asked.

In answer to the question posed above I learned that there is a special designation for Rotarians who are capable of consistently donating $1,000 per year, which surprisingly includes quite a few in the district. Of the over five hundred districts in the world 5300 has worked its way up to the top 25. That’s quite a record.
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About Rotarian Frank Hall:

For nearly all of his 30 plus years as a professional Fundraiser Frank Hall has been recognized as a leader. He has received the highest awards offered by his Professional Associations and has served more that 100 consulting clients around the United States. For the last 16 years he has served the St. Joseph Health System in Orange, California as Vice President for Resource Development. He also serves a small select number of consulting clients.
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CLICK HERE for Frank's website

Governor's Visit on Video (Part 1)

Dist. Gov. Gene Hernandez Visits Glendora Rotary, Inspires The Club That 'Gets It'

Thanks to the good efforts of guest videographer Keith Van Vliet, we can now present video clips of the district governor's visit and speech on July 15. This is the first of several clips that will be posted in coming days. As web-based video productions go, we will endeavor to bring reports of future meetings and activities in this format. Any volunteers for the video-shooting assignment? We provide the camera. Call Mike Foxworth or write a comment below if you would like to help.
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Videos in This Series: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

District Gov. to Visit Tuesday, July 15

This week, our District Governor, Gene Hernandez, visits the club. This reminds me of three decades ago when the governor’s visit was treated with awe by the club. One measure of this was that all members of the club would stand in his honor when he first entered the room, again when was introduced, and again at the conclusion of his official address. This may strike some as a bit formal, but it seemed to add a feeling of specialness to the occasion. Another bit of lore from the memory bank recalls that the district governorship was a more prestigious position in the district, requiring a person to be retired so that he could devote the entire year to the duties. This is probably too much to expect in this day and age, but it was special while it lasted. - Keith Van Vliet
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@ltaLINK to This SOURCE (PDF)

Remember when?

In the early days of our club there were a number of members that worked at Citrus College, then a modest Community College. Ross Handy was one of them, and every meeting he had the job of introducing visiting Rotarians. At that the club met on Fridays, in the Old Hickory Inn, Friday's being a popular make-up day. Ross would study the names of the visitors and when the time came for introductions he could introduce them from memory, without looking at his notes.

-- Submitted by Keith Van Vliet

Join Keith: Members of Glendora Rotary Club may also submit memories, thoughts, and stories for publication on the club blog. Give it a test: Send your email message to:

altaloman.glendorarotary@blogger.com

[Just paste this address in your e-mail address book to send any message directly to the blog. Text will originally appear in draft form for review and editing by the editor-publisher before the copy is published on the blog. You may also e-mail single photos in this manner. Please write and send a caption with each photo submitted.]

Rotary Wheel: March 10

A ROTARY MOMENT
by Keith Van Vliet

From the New Horizons Committee in 1982 came an effort to train young people to become Peace Scholars, with special knowledge in international relations. This evolved into action by the Rotary Centers for International Peace for peace scholars to pursue a fully funded masters program.

Beginning in 2004, 70 such graduate multilingual peace scholars each year have been made available to The United Nations, The European Union and the World Bank for this effort. Rotary's influence is increasingly active in influential places in the world.
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@ltaLINK to The March 10 Issue of Rotary Wheel

Focometer Project Story Told by Keith Van Vliet

Our program Tuesday was presented by Glendora’s very special Poet Laureate, Keith Van Vliet! Annette Whistler asked him to do a slide show on our Focometer Project and he gave us a history of our involvement with the Agua Caliente Rotary Club, partnering with them in providing children in Tijuana with much needed glasses. This was started by Sheila Gutierrez during her presidency and has continued to grow each year. This has proved to be a international project that has reached out to interest many other Rotary Clubs. Thank you Keith, Sheila and Annette!

President Gordie says….

Tuesday at our regular Rotary Meeting the Club reintroduced “Students of the Month”, a most rewarding program of showcasing some of our top students in our schools here in Glendora & Charter Oak. Thanks go to Dr. Catherine Nichols , Superintendent of Schools, who is the Chair of this “Student of the Month” we started off with a terrific launch of the program. Dominic DeGrazia, Principal of Goddard Middle School, introduced two outstanding Students, Brittany Osier and Jason Rietz, and their parents. All enjoyed the opportunity to hear of the accomplishments and accolades of these two outstanding young people.

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Rotary Moment….by Keith Van Vliet
The first time a Rotary Club float was entered in the Rose Parade was 1924, but it was wasn't until 1981 that the practice became an annual one. It is arguably the largest audience of any public relations effort the organization encounters.

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October Birthday’s
Mike Bevilacqua Oct. 1
Lou Zellers, Oct. 1
Denise Malki, Oct. 7
Georgie, (Bill Zander), Oct. 8
Ken Herman Oct. 9
Ron White, Oct. 9
Catherine Nichols, Oct. 11
Imelda Hooker, Oct. 14
Dee Hupp, Oct. 15
Pat Janes Oct. 19
Betty Exton, Oct. 20
Sherrill White, Oct. 28
Jon McNeil (Mary Martiniz), Oct. 29
Karen Davis, Oct. 31

Anniversaries
Dave & Maurine Hentsch, Oct. 5
Ken & Joanne Herman, Oct. 7
Guadalupe Corder & Alphonso, Oct. 13

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A ROTARY MOMENT by Keith Van Vliet
The first time that the city of Los Angeles was chosen for the Rotary International convention was in the year 1922. The business before the convention was to change the organization’s name from The International Association of Rotary Clubs to Rotary International. They also adopted the current design of the Rotary wheel.

A Rotary Moment by Keith Van Vliet

At one time the members of the first Rotary Club didn't think expansion to other cities was a good idea. It took the actions of an individual member, Manual Munoz, who was being transferred by his employer to San Francisco in 1908, to bring the concept to another city.
Thus began the amazing process that is R.I. today.

Glendora Rotary History (Part 2 of 6)

One of the early service projects was for the widow of one of our members, a schoolteacher named Bob Ausherman, who had suddenly taken ill and died. The family had just moved into a new home in the South Hills and the club turned out one weekend to landscape the property so the widow could easily sell it. The effort was organized by Tom Yoshikawa, who taught horticulture at Cal Poly. It was an impressive concentrated effort to achieve this worthy goal.

In 1966, one of the Club members, Tris Hubbard, recommended to the board that the club should sponsor an All Star Football Game for the entire San Gabriel Valley high schools. This was a large undertaking for our small club, and took many phone calls and letters to coaches, etc.

The game was held at the newly constructed Citrus College Stadium. The evening of that first game was clear, and the nearby mountains were wreathed in shadowed dusk, making a gorgeous setting for the event. As current club president it was Keith Van Vliet’s job to signal when the show was to begin.

The game was a success, and the decision was made to make it an annual event, with the outgoing president to be game chairman. The club continued producing the game for fifteen years, until the insurance became so costly that the game was suspended. The charity that was chosen as the main recipient for the proceeds was Casa Colina Hospital, which at that time was small and could really use the help. As of the last game our gifts to the hospital totaled over $110,000.A colorful member of the club at that time was an Italian named Mike Sassone. He owned a ranch in the South edge of Bluebird Hills, which turned out to be the home site of a band of Indians who lived in this area in prehistoric times. Archeological digs on the land provided many artifacts for nearby universities.

Mike originated the restaurant in which we now meet, in an earlier version of course, and we frequently used it for demotion parties, but we didn't use it as a meeting place till after he sold it. Mike was a productive worker for the club, and once brought a giant pizza on the back of a flatbed track to sell at an all star game.