Well, it was Election Day at Berkeley Kiwanis, but our President wasn't with us. Some lame excuse about jury duty! Wonder if the judge gave her time off to vote?
Anyway, it gave us a chance to "test" our dual VP system, but only one was in attendance and she had no idea she was supposed to be acting President (AP). The presiding duties fell on Tammy since Past Distinguished Lt Gov Roberta, who ranks Tammy, was elsewhere engaged
PD (President Denise) had sent word that next week she plans to honor our member veterans, but needs help since there's no central record of who in the Club served where. So, her request is that each of us who are, in fact, veterans of the Armed Forces (that even includes the Army Air Corps and Coast Guard, but not the Public Health Service) let her know something about their service to our country. You can call her or use e-mail, but since she may be tied up with jury duty all week e-mail would probably be the best bet. And if you wonder why the Public Health Service is not included, it's because they are NOT an armed force, even though they are a uniformed service. Did you really want to know all that???
We also had a no-show program today, but did know that in advance because it was to be our Lt Guv formal visit, but since Bob was medically "involved", he could not attend. He is recovering from his bout with heart problems and promises that he will get in his formal visit soon.
AP Tammy got off to a great start, by ringing the gong, but then she fell apart, asking Frank to lead the patriotic song rather than Bob. Must say, tho, there was a plan because Frank wanted to know if he could lead "Oh Beautiful For Spacious Skies" (Grumpy was hear "grumping" that it's called "America
Rev Bill gave an invocation which included thanks for our rendition of GBA (gotta get him a new battery) and AP was off and running (and she did have an agenda – in fact two of them).
It was noted that we had a refilled "orange basket" which had no oranges, but did have a plethora of good stuff oriented to the
month of Thanksgiving. Same shtick - $1 per ticket and when all 50 are sold the winning ticket will be drawn. VC (who had arranged with Roberta to refill the basket) noted that the drawing winner last week declined to accept the prize but donated it in pieces to the next holders of drawn tickets. In some manner, one of those winners gets the orange basket itself which carries the responsibility to return it the next week, full and ready to go. There's something a bit different about being a winner in this club!!
There was some encouragement from the podium regarding exercising one's right to vote, but another tradition has gone by the boards. Used to be that if you could not "prove" you had voted (or lie well enough to get away with it) you would be fined. Not even a hint of such a fund raiser today.
In addition to inviting all of us to the Circle K meeting tonight, Kiwanis Family Chair Monica introduced Gail and Stephanie who were accompanying her today. It was mentioned that throngs of Circle Kers will be at the annual Fall Training Conference this weekend, accompanied by Phuoc (and Debra?) who don't seem to mind destroying their hearing acuity. My notes include "4/5 work proj last weekend", but I don't know what that means either. However I did note that they "worked" the rainy game Saturday, selling ice cream. I have a hunch they probably ate all the profits since there was no mention of how much money they made.
VC gave a length explanation of the proximity of the Holiday Auction (Dec 3) and the need for lots of involvement by everyone (since she and Bill are off for yet another cruise and will be back just in time for Thanksgiving and the auction, but perhaps will still be recovering during the
meeting Thanksgiving week. She passed around a sign-up sheet to get members involved with "staffing" the affair, but emphasized that we all need to get going on finding "good stuff" that can be auctioned for exorbitant prices. Sharon and Jack will see to the high prices, but you have to provide the "stuff'. There will also be a 50/50 drawing, lunch tickets (now available) are $15, but $20 at the door. There are also flyers to be spread around and interclubs to attend, but I saw no pertinent signup sheets.
Debra noted that the "dining out" will be at Brennan's tomorrow night, but don't be late or you won't find a parking place. It's a "mess" down there with the "old" Brennan's gone (completely) and most of the parking converted to construction zone. Brennan's is occupying what was the China Station restaurant and previously the SP station.
Jeff was awarded his 7 year perfect attendance pin for which he was most appreciative since he had lost his 6 year version. Something about the size of the pin as compared to his thumbs. And we wished a Happy BD to Dan Pannell who was present neither last week nor this week. Tsk Tsk.
There was some confusion (as usual) about who was introducing the speaker, but while AP and Debra fumbled around, Frank just got up and did it! His subject was writing which morphed into blogging, but see below.
Frank talked about his Father's decision, when he retired, to do some "personal writing" instead of just whiling away his time. He started his journal upon retirement in 1976 and continued it until his passing in 1996. Frank found reading it was a
wonderful reminder of his Father, and in 2005 he (Frank) finally got his act together, scheduling himself to write an article a week. Bowing to the "modern way" he converted to a blog in 2007 (http://dowps.blogspot.com)
and today he read from his cell phone (that is NOT a misprint!) his most recent entry which has "radio" as its subject.
Fascinating to remember back to them days when radio, record players, newspapers and games were the available forms of home entertainment and then to move thru how radio has changed over the years. Reminded me of when we (Mom, Pop and I) would gather in front of the Atwater-Kent and listen to The Lone Ranger (well, probably just me!) and Inner Sanctum. If my parents happened to be out playing bridge when Inner Sanctum (and its squeaking door) was on I would listen by myself, making sure the doors were locked and scaring myself something fierce. Compare that with those rabid talk-show hosts of today.
OK, I've rambled on long enough and haven't even mentioned next week's program: probably because it isn't in my notes. Was it announced??
Hope to see more of you next week. jp
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