7.21.2009 and 7.14.2009 Ramblings

Fri Jul 24 17:46:11 EDT 2009

Please excuse any errors in the Ramblings. I wanted to get this out
before I leave for vacation.
I will not be at our meeting on Tuesday but have left the Ramblings in
good hands with David Buist.
Thanks, David, for your help! Have a great week. Lorie 
________________________________

Ramblings 7/21/2009

President Bob brought the meeting to order.

Mr. Gerald Meeks gave our invocation

Jimmy led us in two songs, # 35 Home on the Range and # 57 ROTARY

Harvey introduced visiting Rotarians and Guests:

Olivia and Lucian Njiescu from Romania

Freda Myerson from Yorktown Heights

Make-Ups:  Nancy King (done @ Grand Forks, ND)

Alan Kornblau, Sarah Martin (2x), Sylvia Picarro, and Ernie Simon (who
made up on line due to his vacation in Arizona where there was no
meeting)

Guests:  Jeff Tockman (Ameriprise Financial) with Mike Campbell

Chris, C Ron Allen from Sunrise Club (and with Pat)

Roy Simon did the Sergeant @ Arms Report

We raised $58.00 today...AWOLS:  Bruce Wentzel, Kate Handley, and Dave
Buist

Bob Teninga awarded perfect attendance to:  Ernie Simon (42 yrs);  Bill
Arnst (33 yrs);  Pat Robinson (11 yrs);  Kurt Godfrey (6 yrs);  Sally
Dye (5 yrs);  Harvey Brown (3 yrs);  Alan Kornblau (2 yrs);  Steve Bates
(2 yrs); and Jimmy Weatherspoon (1 yr)....Great Job!

Bob presented Gay Vela with a lovely plaque in appreciation of her
assistance in providing accommodations at Wright by the Sea for our
events, prizes, and fundraising efforts.  Also, thanks for offering the
club members special pricing on their accommodations.  We appreciate
your continual generosity, Gay!  

Pat Robinson and Alan Kornblau received director's pins from Bob as
theirs did not arrive in time to be presented at the installation
luncheon.

Remember to sign up for:

Mae Volen Center drivers this Saturday, July 25th at 10:00

Read with the kids at the Achievement Center from 8-9, 9-10, and 3-4

Harvey Brown introduced our speaker, Taylor Schieck, from Austin, MN.
He recently graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, MN with a BA
in history.  He's been living in Delray Beach for just 2 weeks!  He
works for Mizner Electric as a project estimator.

Taylor shared his experiences in Tanzania where he was studying
conservation.  His study centered on the parks system in Tanzania where
wildlife is abundant.  Many American and European tourists come to the
country and bring money into the economy there.  The upside to the
tourism dollars is an increase of growth in those areas and an increase
in infrastructure.  The downside to the increase in tourism is that it
leads to more people illegally killing wildlife to provide food for
their families.

The students stayed in hotels while they were in Tanzania.  The typical
family that lives near the wildlife parks resides in mud huts in the
countryside.  This presents a dilemma for people...is it better to have
tourists come there to see the wildlife or is it better to protect the
wildlife from being illegally poached by the natives who still do not
make enough money from tourism to provide for their families?  The
question remains unsolved.

While in Tanzania, Taylor visited Tarangire Nature Park and observed the
incredible wildlife for himself.  The Ngorongor Crater which used to be
a volcanic crater holds large herds of animals and water is plentiful
there.  The people that live there, however, cannot have electricity or
cars due to conservation.  There is no money to purchase cattle so the
people hunt the animals to feed their families.

Taylor also climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro.  There are 5 routes that can be
taken all with varying degrees of difficulty.  The one he took was
nicknamed the Coca Cola trail because most anyone could climb it.  It
took him 5 days to get to the top.  It appeared to be well worth the
trip as he arrived in time to watch the sun rise which was truly
beautiful.  Going down, it was like a rock dirt trail that you almost
ran down.

In Zanzibar, which is an island off the coast of Tanzania, we saw some
great photos of the wonderful white sandy beaches they are famous for.
The water was very clear and almost as pretty as here!  Zanzibar is also
known as the spice island because of all the variety of spices grown
there.  The people are very tolerant of all religions.  There are
Buddhists, Protestants, Catholics, and Muslims all practicing on the
island.

Tanzania is full of beautiful places and animals but the issue that
continues to pervade is the struggle of nature and wildlife versus the
advancement of the people that live there.

Bill Arnst announced $938.00 in the green hat.  #103 was the lucky
number held by Bob Teninga.  Bob drew the 9 of hearts...we'll play again
another day!

Ramblings from July 14, 2009

Bob brought our meeting to order

Mike Campbell did the invocation

Jimmy led us in #71 Take Me Out to the Ballgame and # 69 Smile

No birthdays or anniversaries

Harvey Introduced our guests:  Shane Peachy, Pat Bremen, Eddie Bremen
and Cata (from Budapest and special friend of Eddie)

Fred Bonardi did the stock report.  Market is up and oil is up

Candace Etzler did the Sergeant at Arms report:

Thanks to Dave Armstrong for his contribution of $25 in honor of his
marriage.  AWOLS:  Ira Fine, Dave Armstrong, Stormi Norm, 

$84.00 was collected

Remember Mae Volen Center volunteers needed to drive on 7/25

Achievement Center readers needed 8-9, 9-10, 3-4 the last Thurs of the
month

We are sponsoring a new Rotaract Club with the help of Catherine and
Hans.  The first meeting is Aug 5th.  Rotaract is for young adults 18 -
30 years of age.  He needs 15 people to get started and has 8 already so
it looks like it will be successful.  Also,  Catherine would like to
invite the club to their American wedding reception to be held at
Ellie's diner on August 8th from 4-6 PM.  Please RSVP to Hans so they
will be able to have a headcount.  All are welcome!

Sid Bremen introduced our speaker, Coach Snellenberger, from FAU.  He's
won 4 national college championships, coached 7 NFL playoff teams, and
so many other victories and honors, I had difficulty keeping up with
them all.  Suffice it to say that this is one impressive man with all
the credentials to back up a great football program that has been
incredibly successful for the short period of time that it's been in
existence.

Coach joined FAU in 1998 to start the program.  It started a lot of
excitement in Palm Beach County and continues to be a source of great
pride for us all.  In their initial season, most of the players were
walk on-s.  Now the program has grown exponentially and they are
recruiting great new players.  Certainly, the team's winning record has
helped the program.  

As others find out about the competitive football program, more people
will come to our area.  I expect many will find South Florida to be an
attractive place to vacation, as well as to move to.

Currently, FAU is in the process of trying to build a new football
stadium close to the airport in Boca.  Not only will this make the Owls
feel more at home, it will be a large addition to student campus life.
It will draw alumni of the school, future students, and new tourism
dollars to our city.  The stadium will be a catalyst for the school, cit
and conference.

What's next for the Owls??  After their bowl victories, they are seeking
a national championship!  If you want to belong to a winning program,
come and check out the Owls during their regular season.  For tickets
call 561-297-0038 or go to FAU sports.com.  You will be able to watch
some of the best football in the nation, practically in your own back
yard.

GO OWLS!!!!!!!!!

Green hat total $840.00 Pat Archer was the lucky winner but drew the 4
of spades...Better Luck next week!

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