DECEMBER 11, 2012

NEXT MEETING: December 18

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES & HOLIDAY CHEER

Invocation & Greeter: Angelo Costanza
~~ COMING UP ~~ Dec. 16 Christmas Stocking Stuffing and Pot-Luck at Trinity Hall at 5:00 pm (Bring item for Dinner) Dec. 18 Nite at the Races Planning Mays Home at 5:00 Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 No Meeting on these two days! **Jan. 8 To Be Announced Evening Program at 6:00 * Jan. 15 Program: Hans Peter Metzer, Whats New At The Saklan School * Jan. 22 Program: Noelle Galperin, A Rotary Journey: India, Haiti and California * Jan. 29 All Club Assembly th Feb. 5 No Club Meeting today. See Feb. 6 . Feb. 6 Five Club Annual Meeting at Rossmoor *Regular weekly luncheon in Soda Center **Monthly evening meeting at Soda Center

young ladies from Campolindo High School, who sang a selection of songs for the Season. Thanks to Nora Avelar for arranging the group to join us for the evening. An historic poem was presented by Cliff Dochterman which recalled the day that the real Santa Claus came to the noon meeting of Moraga Rotary. (A copy may be attached to this newsletter.) Chairman John Erickson made some very appropriate comments about the theme of the evening Time. He indicated that we all need to take time to do the important things in life. We are all guilty of the claim that we never have enough time. But it is the main thing we will never have enough of and can never recover the time which has passed! Everyone enjoyed the wonderful message. The pleasant Holiday evening ended with a drawing for the beautiful table centerpieces and a gift of a clock Christmas tree ornament to each member from the artists, John & Mary Sue Erickson.

OTHER HAPPENINGS
The evening began with a Holiday thought by Nora Avelar. President Frank called for announcements: An announcement was made by Emily Orwig, CoPresident of the Interact Club about the Luminary Candle Light which they are selling as a fundraiser for a humanitarian project in Zimbabwe, Africa. Ann Damaschino made a request for sign-ups for the Pot-Luck dinner accompanying the Christmas Stocking project next Sunday at 5:00 in Trinity Hall. Frank May announced that the Reno Train Trip is scheduled for February 12-14. More information later! Plan to attend the planning meeting for the Nite at the Races at the Mays Home next Tuesday evening, Dec. 18.

GUESTS
Emily Orwig & Ian Shoemaker Co-Presidents, Campolindo Interact Mary Sue Erickson; Lou Roessler; Sue McCaffrey; Ray Kan; and Linda Campbell Honorary Members Jose & Marcella Avelar Assistant District Governor Dan Martin Guest of Nora Avelar Mary Caburi Guest of Herb Wehmeyer Bill Korn Guest of Sue McCaffrey Joan Ullrich Guest of the Club Ron Schopke; Suzann Costanza; Ann Damaschino; Carol Irwin; Leslie Lynch; Linda May; Joan McSpadden; Yelena Mucovich; Peg Render; Libby Schoemehl; Marilyn Simonsen; Pam Reneau; May Kan; Joyce Ellenberg Spouses of Members

KUDOS OF THE WEEK

Our very special note of appreciation has to go to John & Mary Sue Erickson for once again making the Clubs Christmas Party such an enjoyable success! This was the 44th Moraga Rotary Christmas Party that John and Mary Sue have attended, and they have chaired many of them. For 18 of the years, John has personally made attractive Christmas tree ornaments for every member of the Club. A colorful display of the former ornaments was available at the party. We are all grateful for the dedication, time, talent and generosity John and Mary Sue give to Moraga Rotary.

TWAS THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY

AND DINNER
It was a colorful Holiday evening as Moraga Rotary joined for the annual Christmas Party at the Miramonte Gardens Clubhouse Tuesday evening, thanks to our hosts, George & Pat Renworth. The event, under the leadership of Mary Sue & John Erickson, was another sterling and memorable evening! The tables were decorated with beautiful hand-made clocks, representing the theme of Taking Time for the Season! Delicious food and refreshments were coordinated by Tony Schoemehl. An enjoyable program of Holiday entertainment was presented by the Supertonics, a septet of attractive

We never seem to have enough time to do the wonderful things we really want to do!
Thanks, John and Mary Sue!

EDITORIAL COMMENT
We all seem to get caught-up in this Holiday season. I read in the newsletter of another Bay Area Rotary Club about a member who received a Christmas letter from a distant relative-in-law who is a member of the Rotary Club of Visakhapatnam, India. The Indian Rotarian, who is a clergyman, reported that he is the only Christian in that Rotary Club. Some Rotarians are sometimes inclined to feel Rotary is a Christian organization; but we should remember that Rotary recognizes and welcomes all faiths as befits its worldwide scope and membership. It is important that we be conscious of and respect all faiths and denominations as we celebrate the many customs, traditions and religious observances in the several Holidays of the season! Thats the Rotary way.

CALENDAR OF FUTURE EVENTS Dec. 16 Christmas Stocking Stuffing and Pot Luck Dinner at Trinity Hall Feb. 6 Annual 5-Club Luncheon at Rossmoor Mar. 16 Nite At The Races Fundraiser

Rotary International Theme for 2012-13 PEACE THROUGH SERVICE

MORAGA ROTARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2012-13 President....Frank May President-elect ..Nora Avelar Secretary.........Kevin Reneau Treasurer..Louise Schopke Community Service Chair.Barbara Bruner New Generations...Rich Render International Service ChairTony Schoemehl Rotary Foundation...... Lad Lynch Public Relations Gary Irwin Membership.Nora Avelar Director at LargeDebbie Roessler Director at Large..Mary Elena Dochterman Director at Large...Cliff Dochterman President, Rotary InternationalSakuji Tanaka District Governor, 5160..Laura Day Assistant District Governor.Jose Avelar
Newsletter Editor for December Cliff Dochterman

SPECIAL NOTE: Get in the Holiday Spirit next Tuesday bring your spouse or friend to our Christmas Memories Rotary meeting! Same time and same place. Hummm are those Rotarians on my naughty or nice list?