CROW’S CALL – May 31, 2018
By Bill Harlan
Despite rumors of unrest around the ninth tee, our rapidly disappearing president Lucky Sandhu, “Can-Do,” called the meeting to order. After genuflecting to R.I President Ian Riseley, a.k.a. “The Tasmanian Devil,” Lucky introduced the Greeter, Chris Gayler. In time for the election Chris reminds us that on June 5, 100% of the electorate will believe 50% is criminally insane. He also opined that it is good for us to realize that there are many who are perfectly happy with a whole lot less than we have. Songmeister Don Jones led us in a spirited “God Bless America.” Chris shared that baseball season is finally over for his boys and that he is speaking at an upcoming construction convention – his talk titled, “Always hit the blunt end of the nail.” He declared that we had “No visiting anything today!” Chris and family will be visiting Hawaii next month however.
Nobert Waltz, the man who puts the beer and wine sales together for Memorial Day, gave us a report: He thanked his crew, especially Gary Sloan and Renee Gallagher. We learned that Edgardo Carillo brought his whole family and that Dennis Harvey, because of work, sent his daughter whom everyone liked better than her Dad. Marie Galbo worked extra shifts because she likes feeling hoppy. Norbert got to ride in the back of a police car (not a first!) and went joyriding on the Country Club’s golf cart. Our suppliers, Bevmo and B.H. Beverage worked well with us. However, the overall attendance at the Festival was down significantly and was not helped by construction along Bollinger. We ended up making $3500 less than last year. Time for a rethink. Oh, and our president, Lucky, announced soon after his arrival that he had to cover social media and took off for the rest of the day, allegedly taking pictures under the bleachers.
Announcements:
Ray Giles reminded us to get our checks in to him for our R.I. commitment; do not make him come and find you.
The R.I. convention will be in Toronto June 23 – 27; Lucky’s daughter will get a new stamp on her visa.
Our demotion party will be June 14; there will be no regular meeting that day.
John Tatum and his team won the golf tournament; ever game, our president played golf and distinguished himself by referring to his set of “golf sticks.” In recognition of his being a good sport, Gary Sloane presented him with a curling stick. Golf in July at Diablo Country Club, thanks to Tatum.
Gary Sloane confessed that he misremembered Dennis Garrison’s “Thought of the Day” from last week. What he actually said was that some people could say a lot more if they weren’t so busy talking. I know the feeling.
Recognitions:
Terri Tucker celebrated a birthday and paid.
Ed Duarte was also a birthday boy.
John Tatum once again explained the strategy of getting married on Memorial Day weekend, 20 years ago; it means that the exact date is “flexible” as required by circumstances. He promised no Home Depot gift card this year.
Because the regular speaker failed to show, Lucky asked our resident substitute, Dr. William Harlan, to speak BRIEFLY. (I know, that request shocked this correspondent as well!) Doctor Bill chose to speak on Fear and Loathing among the emigrants crossing the plains in the 19th Century. Lucky took over scribe duties. The doctor began by saying that the settlers were terrified of attacks by wild Indians, but in reality they were in more danger of drowning or dying in an accident. Since they had to frequently cross fast-running streams, they were more liable to drown than to be scalped. Accidents on the trail claimed many, such as the Doctor’s great-grandfather who disobedied, leaned too far out the wagon, fell off and was run over by the wagon behind. He survived, despite being bled for a week. The speaker suggested that the Harlans stiffed the medic. Harlan then asserted that the travelers, encountering mountains, canyons, rock formations and other features unlike any they had ever seen, responded by naming these new places in ways that unconsciously reveal their unease: place names in the Rockies and Sierras are much more likely to incorporate “Devil,” “Satan” and “Hell” than are place names further east where the landscape was less extreme. The talk took a total time of under 12 minutes. Two worthy Rotarians, Marie Galbo and Jeff Disch, won the raffle prizes but not the $160.
Ana Dominguez’s father will be the speaker next week – 70 years in Rotary!
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