april/may 2012
Monarch Beach
sunrise rotary on the california riviera
Operation Rack Pack by Terry Rifkin 350 Friends of our Fifth Marines descended upon Camp San Mateo at Camp Pendleton on Sunday March 18 to clean the barracks in preparation of our 2nd Battalion 4th Marines coming home from Afghanistan after a 7 month deployment. Rotarians were there. Margarita Martin, Marsha Prentice, Mary Jeffries, Pete Hammer, George and Polly Rendon, and Terry Rifkin put on their rubber gloves and “got down and dirty” with mops, disinfectant, and sponges to make the rooms look and smell presentable to the tired and weary Marines to welcome them home. The pillows were lumpy and the sheets were short, but the hospital corners were in place and after the “Welcome Home” posters, entertainment packages and goodie sacks were put on the bed along with notes and toiletries, I am sure it was a sight for sore eyes and there was no doubt that our Marines would know that they returned to a grateful nation. Other Rotarians gave a cash donation, and some contributed in-kind items and goodies to add to the huge stash to be distributed. Donating time and elbow grease and working boots on the ground with one another in service was inspiring and the least we could do to welcome our brave men home. How wonderful to have them back on American soil and to know you were part of this special event for them. Each of our cleaning brigade truly made a difference. Semper Fi!
MBSR’s LobsterFest is June 23! by Alan Wickstrom The 3rd Annual Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club’s Dana Point LobsterFest Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 4pm at Doheny State Beach is going to once again be the party at the beach that starts the summer! Last year’s LobsterFest had over 500 patrons & volunteers in attendance and our goal this year is to make it bigger and better! Tickets are $75 per person and include the gourmet lobster & steak buffet prepared by renowned Chef Louis Lepe, a live band (sponsored by Sunsets Bar / StillWater Spirts & Sounds) and soft drinks. There will also be a silent auction and opportunity drawing plus a “No-Host bar” for the adults to purchase adult beverages at the event. Our goal is to sell 20 “Big Tail” tables for this year’s LobsterFest, which continued on p4
MBSR meets on Wednesday mornings at 7am at the laguna cliffs marriott in dana point • monarchbeachrotary.com