Today we had our meeting at the L.A. County Arboretum (right here in Arcadia).  The sun was out and it was a most beautiful day.

It was the club’s recognition of members day.  Bryan Hall introduced the program and said that “We’re Going to Have Fun”.   He continued by saying that several club members would tell about the Rotary experience for them and what was most memorable in their association with our club.

BRYAN HALL

Bryan Hall said that Joe Miller invited him to come to the Friday Luncheon.  He was impressed by Joe Miller and he did, indeed come to lunch.   Bob Daggett who was then President said to Bryan “Hang up the Banners!”  Bryan really did not know how the banners were to be hung…after all, he was just a guest that day.  He said he found out where to hang them, and hung them.

Bryan said that there are plenty of things to be done in Rotary.  He spent 20 or 30 Saturdays working at Camp Trask.  Tom was supervisor and through working with the Camp Trask gang, he got to know alot of the Rotarians.  Matt and Denise got him to go mountain biking.  He was asked to serve. and he got right  into Club Service, which he feels is alot of fun.  We have a wonderful club.   And, he finished by saying “I am a proud Club Member.

Dave Didier

Joe Miller stopped by the bank and asked Dave about being a Rotarian.  Actually, Joe took him to Matt Dennys, but it was not a free lunch.

Dave did join Rotary in 2002 and now almost 10 years ago,  He says the the thing about Rotary is the “Gift you have of all the fellow members.”  Rotarians want to do business in the community.  He has gotten a lot of business for the Citizens Business Bank from Rotary.  He says, why not?  Is there another bank in Arcadia and mention B of A….is that still a bank?  You go in there and no one speaks to you.  Banking he said is a tough business.

He also helped at Camp Trask.  He went a bought the biggest hammer, 20 ounce size.  He actually threw his elbow out.  Pat Dolphin and I, well, we’re not very good.  I drove this nail and it merely bent over.  I think they got a picture of my nail.

Dave would like to do more city projects.  Working with the Rotary Foundation, Dave mentioned that there was money.  This year two scholarships were to be given to Arcadia High students @ $1000. each.  Jim Rider was to present these checks in the next meeting.

Pat Barnes

They had must moved to Arcadia and it was in March 1979.  I attended a meeting and he just kept coming back.  “No one ever invited me.”  He was asked to be on the board, but, he had never joined and the President Elect said “you should not even be here.”  Actually, he went through all the steps to become a member.

For the next seven years, he and Barbara Lynn always went to Tiajuana to work with our Rotary Club in building or fixing things for the orphanages.

His father always told him that he had to get involved and to always say “yes.”  Phyllis Thompkins asked him if he would like to help with the Demotion Ceremony.  Phyllis was always the one that thought up the Demotion theme.  That year it was the “Wizard of Oz”.  Laura Freedman was selected to be Dorothy.  The day of Demotion Laura was sick and Phyllis called Pat and said that he was the only one who could fit in the Dorothy Costume.  Pat ended up changing his clothes in the men’s bathroom….which is a whole other story.

The lights were turned off and Pat said he was carried into the room.  No one recognized him, not even Barbara Lynn, his wife.

Pat continued by calmly saying “Saying yes is far more memorable than saying no.”

Being President of our club was the best experience I ever had.  My practice did not suffer.  Itemizing time and enjoy it.

Everyone thought I was too short and I would be a laughing stock.  But they got me a little step stand.  I still have it and it is under my bed.  (Because he is so well liked he got some kidding about needing the little step stand to get into bed.)

Pat ended by saying “Encourage everyone to say yes.”

John Fee

It has had an illustrious time in Rotary.  President of our club and also District Governor.  When I was President someone had put my name in to become District Governor.  And he was selected.

However, a protest was filed as it was noted that I could not become District Governor until I had actually finished my term as President.  The rules were fuzzy in this instance.  R.I. wrote back and said that the Council of Legislation would make a decision on this.  In the meantime John became District Governor.

On another occasion, there was a meeting to be held in at Llaughlin, Nevada.  John had to go and he was deciding on which route to take.  Another rotarian spoke up and said he had a private plane and he would fly June and John to the location.   On there way there, June and John asked him if he knew where he was going?  His reply, “I have never been there.”  About that time three fighter jets were on exercise.  They never saw them, only heard them.  Then there was no place to land.  However, when they finally reached where they were supposed to be, there were cars waiting for them.

John then related he was at work and T.V. cameras arrived and they all wanted to know his opinion about the Supreme Court action that Rotary was to take in  women into Rotary. This was a big deal and everyone was talking about this subject.   That evening on Channel 4 news, the interview with John Fee made the top feature of the day.

John ended his talk with his motto “Something always occurs that makes the difference.”  Those are my memories.

Rich Hutton

Rich started his talk by making the comment that we Rotarians stood and obeyed and all turned around to salute the flag and say the Pledge of

Allegiance.  His observation was that you can’t believe everything and you have to look at both sides and learn what you care about before coming to a conclusion.  There was no flag, but we carried on as if there was.

Rich then told us that his ex-brother-in-law, Allen Yack kept inviting him to Rotary.  Rich replied, “Crime lawyers do not do Rotary.”  Well, he eventually became a Rotarian.

Rich said he enjoyed the relationships in our club and his close friends meant so much to him.

He enjoyed being president.  Lunch today, was humbling and people in general throughout the world are basically good.  Government, politics and different religions has cause so many conflicts.  Rotary, does not allow for the worldly conflicts.  The principles that we have, spreading good throughout the world, and helping other people.  The people in this club, such as John Fee, they make a difference.  He ended by saying “When I miss Friday, I feel like I have cheated myself.”

Eric Barter

Eric grew up in Pacific Grove.  His father was president of  the local Rotary Club.  He went to many Rotary picnics.  He knew about volunteering and it seems that he volunteered a lot for various clubs.

One day he walked into Rich Hutton’s office and Rich asked him to attend Rotary.  As they walked in we were singing “Edelweiss”.  It was not about business…but fellowship.  Eric says he loves it at Christmas when we sing Christmas songs.  He ended his part of the program by saying “This is the best group.”

Phyllis Corliss