The meeting on December 13, 2019 was packed full of news, worthwhile endeavors and talent. First, notable member Terry Earl’s birthday took place on December 14, 2019. Inimitable member John Fee’s birthday was on December 13, 2019. He turned a young and spry 97 and Ken Mallory, our ever steady support system for all things “set up” and “take down,” turned 95 years old. Ken drove John to the Rotary luncheon, by the way, and they went 90 in honor of their respective birthdays.

Mike Real celebrated 29 years in Rotary, Pat Barnes celebrated 40 yrs (!) in Rotary and Gina Kang celebrated 3 wonderful years! Pat Barnes obviously started the club in utero.

On October 19th we shipped out 300,000 meals through Rise Against Hunger to various countries in need.

Mark your calendars for the 1st week of May, where we have an abroad service project to build a new Rotary playground. Talk with Gina Kang and Matt Weaver for more details.

Our Camp Trask program is moving full speed ahead thanks to a donation by Keith Brown. Rosie Mares is very busy taking 25 wheelchairs to Tijuana. Dick Martinez will be honored in Tijuana for all of his selfless work in this community.

Next, we honored “Teacher of the Year” Nikki Montoya of Longley Way Elementary School, “Students of the Month” Hayeong Kim for Academics , Marching, Dance, Interact Rotary and National Honors, Tiffany Lo for Athletics, specifically, the Golf team, and Evan Primeau for Performing Arts, specifically, lighting and design.

Brent Foresee was kind enough to make an appearance and introduce our scheduled program: The Arcadia Choir, “Chanteurs” with Choir Director, Amanda Svetich.

The songs performed were:

1.) Jingle Bell Rock
2.) Once upon a December
3.) You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
4.) Carol of the Bells
5.) Pie Jesu
6.) Lux Aurumque
7,) Somewhere in My Memory
8.) We Need a Little Christmas

They received a standing ovation because they were fantastic! We expect nothing less of anything in Arcadia. If you like these notes, you can thank Ashley Andrews, whose business is in Arcadia. If you do not like these notes, then please direct your comments to Jeff Johnson, whose business is in Pasadena and Monrovia….and not Arcadia.

Meeting Adjourned