Happy Tuesday, September 1, 2015!
Today’s Meeting
Gary Davis will lead us in the flag salute today, and Dick Regnier will offer the invocation.
Our speaker today is Jimmy Weldon of the Center for Youth Patriotism. Jimmy is a frequent speaker to community service clubs all over Southern California. Jimmy founded the Center (centerforyouthpatriotism.com) to fulfill the mission of instilling in “California youth a sense of civic, non-partisan pride and a better understanding of our common heritage.”
Club Recognition
Thanks to Mary Lingua (formerly of Oxnard Sunrise Club, and currently a member of the Camarillo Sunrise Club) for joining us last week on behalf of District 5240 and presenting the club with the Presidential Citation award and the Silver Award for President George Benz’s year! The awards were presented to the club at the demotion celebration of former District Governor Loretta Butts in June.
We look forward to another successful year . . . this year, let’s go for the gold! At left, Immediate Past President George Benz, Mary Lingua and President Mark Spellman.
Despite appearances, George is not mad.
Upcoming Events
Make a calendar note for:
- September 12 - Rotary Club of Camarillo hosts “Biking, Brews & BBQ” at Freedom Park in Camarillo to support the Camarillo Rotary Foundation
- September 15 - Monthly board Meeting, 11:00 a.m. - Remember, you can attend the board meeting and use it as a make-up
- October 2-4 - Rotary District Conference in beautiful Bakersfield! District Governor Jim Bell promises “More Fun Than the Law Allows.”
- October 11 - George Benz again hosts an event to support international services projects, with a Texas Hold ’em Tournament. More information to follow soon.
- January 15-16, 2016 - Rotary World Peace Conference, Ontario, California
Last Week’s Program
With thanks to program chair John Clay, Jr. for bringing us a unique and very fun program, presented by certified appraiser Elizabeth Stewart. With our very own “Antiques Roadshow,” we learned a lot about a variety of different items brought in by club members — artwork from the 1920s & 1930s in the “Exotica” style, Japanese woodcuts from the early 20th Century, a late 19th century calling card holder, and “akey” just to name a few! It was a fascinating afternoon.
In true showman style, Elizabeth saved the best for the last, and gave us a thrilling description of a 19th century “war bonnet,” or what we might describe as a Native American headdress, brought in by Rob Foster. Elizabeth believes it to be from either the Crow or Cree nation, and told us about the craftsmanship of the time, and how she was able to determine its age and where it was from. With a potential estimated value to collectors of perhaps $20,000 or more, the total estimated value of objects appraised last week was $35,000 - $40,000!! Hmm . . . I have an idea for a fabulous fundraiser for the Club . . .
At right, Elizabeth describes a needlepoint that depicts a prayer of a World War II soldier. Elizabeth explained the variety of collectors that would be interested in the piece, and estimated its value at between $1,000 - $2,000. (Not pictured, behind the needlepoint, is Elizabeth’s able assistant for the day, Chase Clay).