Yummy food awaited those of us that started our Thanksgiving festivities early with our Kiwanis colleagues—stuffed chicken and mac and cheese and chocolate cake. PrezPhuoc had us all gobbling like turkeys to get the meeting started on the right note….
VC led us in an energetic GBA, accompanied by Immediate Past Lt Gov Frank on his Fine Fiddle. Between the two of them, we stayed in tune and sounded wonderful! RevBill led the invocation, reminding us to be thankful for all the blessings we have. Duane gleefully collected the ticket money. Insurance apprentice PrezPhuoc sold a number of insurance policies; Frank, Sandy, VC, and Evie were trembling with fear that they had ignored one of the key rules and regs of the meeting. And a good thing they had insurance; all had missed the Special Greeter. George was the Fine Master.
Jan Robitcher and Lorella were our guests.
Gail and Keiko (and a bit late Vijay) joined us, despite the Thanksgiving holidays (thank you for being with us!). Gail thanked the Carpenters for the special K Family Thanksgiving feast, last weekend. She also reminded us of their meeting next Tuesday, as well as the Installation dinner December 7 (6-9) at Clark Kerr Garden Room (contact Gail if you are attending).
VC reminded us of the up-coming KIWANIS CLUB OF BERKELEY AUCTION. All is ready (although more donations would be appreciated). And if you would bring those treasures to the meeting next week, that would also be
appreciated. Rumor has it that there will be a football at the auction, signed by CAL's Coach Tedford (expect spirited bidding on that one).
VC also has SEE'S CANDY CERTIFICATES for purchase. You'll save $$ and the club will make $$; a win-win for all.
Early Tuesday morning, PrezPhuoc and a Kiwanis contingent (including Circle K'ers) joined the Police Department in packing SPECIAL TURKEY BASKETS; over 400 boxes were completed.
Our next interclub (after a visit to the Alameda Kiwanis next Wednesday, note date change) will be the Oakland Auction December 3 (Park Plaza, 150 Hegenberger Rd).
Roberta is planning her annual cooking/baking party prior to the Auction; details to follow.
We wanted to sing Happy Birthday to Denise, but Denise wisely had taken the week off, celebrating her birthday far away from us.
PrezPhuoc requested a "holiday" travel update:
VC and BC are off on an 8 day Caribbean Cruise to celebrate BC's birthday, Duane is heading to Miami, and Tamara is off to the East Coast to check on her kids and celebrate Christmas with them in the mountains of CT. Jack is already somewhere celebrating in the Midwest.
PrezPhuoc led a lively pre-auction Auction. Evie, for $20, won the treasured Gobbling Turkey (was that Turkey in the Straw coming from that critter?). OK, for those of you there, truth in print requires me to say that "lively" is a bit of an exaggeration….
Lots of happy and sad and confused $$$.
--JohnP sad that the True Secretary was on a trip
--PrezPhuoc happy for the scrumptious Traditional Thanksgiving K family dinner at the Carpenters, happy for all the pre-Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving dinners he has had so far
--RevBill happy for Jan's attendance, happy 3 kids are coming home for Thanksgiving
--Bettye happy to see PreviousLtGovFrank at the West Berkeley Senior Center Party, happy her niece has passed the bar
--Deborah happy for a guitar session, happy 'cuz "her kids" told her she was just the best teacher they've ever had
--Tamara feeling consternation for joining Toastmasters, feeling nervous for her 3rd speech coming up
--PreviousLtGovFrank sad for his performance in line dancing at the above mentioned Senior Center celebration
--VC happy for the chance to tease Deborah about her hot date
--Evie wishing Tamara good luck at Toastmasters
--RevBill happy a good friend was the speaker today
--George happy for the experience of working with Meals on Wheels while in college
--VC happy her grandson adores George (but she is afraid that grandson thinks Our George is related to Curious George…).
Bettye introduced Today's Speaker, Faye Combs (Faye also is Bettye's supervisor). Fay was a riveting speaker, with an opening that revealed the many obstacles she has overcome in her life. Although she was illiterate through a good portion of her life, she is now literate and secretary of the National Board for Adult Literacy!
She has been the Director of Meals on Wheels in Berkeley, for 17 years. There are 8 Meals on Wheels in Alameda County. Berkeley Meals started in 1977. Nutritious meals are delivered to needy seniors between 10 and 2. Project Open Hands is the core behind the program, preparing the meals and delivering them to the Berkley Meals on Wheels who then delivers them to the needy. She explained in details the many steps and equipment used to keep the food safe.
As part of this program, Faye also worked with Volunteers of America this weekend in preparing 360 Thanksgiving baskets!
To apply for Meals on Wheels, you must
--Be 60 years or older
--Be homebound
--Be unable to prepare a balanced meal
--Have a safe pathway to the delivery door
--Be able to safely store and reheat meals
--Participate in 2 brief quarterly phone interviews and 2 in-home assessments annually.
Unfortunately, there are 70 people currently on the Waiting List for Meals on Wheels! Meals on Wheels relies heavily on private donations. A mere $20, for example, will take 3 people off the Waiting List.
For those needed donation checks, Meals on Wheels is located: 1901 Hearst Street, Berkeley 94709.
Meals on Wheels also needs volunteers willing to donate time for a variety of needs.
Thank you, Faye, for an inspiring talk. And thank you for all the good you do in coordinating this special and needed program.
In closing, PrezPhuoc asked Keiko to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
REMEMBER
VC has See's Candy Certificates
HOLIDAY AUCTION December 3
(tjp)
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