aug/sep 2012
Monarch Beach
sunrise rotary on the california riviera
The Red and the Black The red of a thousand lobsters delighted more than four hundred attendees at our third annual Lobsterfest and, not incidentally, put our club more than $30K in the black. The event was, as it has been the previous two years, held at Doheny State Beach on the Saturday nearest the Summer Solstice (i.e. the longest day of the year). It was a delightful evening with perfect weather. The lobsters were huge and though this year we instituted a two-lobster per person limit, there was enough for all. Chef Louis Lepe and his volunteers did their magic and produced an excellent selection of side dishes to compliment the lobster. The Nick I Hernandez band played from 4:30 until…, stopping only for announcements. One of those announcements was the Head and Tail drawing. With Terry Rifkin calling the flips by patting either her head or her “tail,” we brought in over a thousand dollars. The silent auction was a major part of the evening’s success bringing in over $15,000. To all who brought in silent auction items, know that you were a big part in the financial success of the fund raiser. Although all of us in MBSR chipped in, it mostly fell to chairman Russell Kerr and his hard working committee to put together this fantastic event. As Russell said, “I wish to thank you all so very much for your support of this great event with my special appreciation to Susan Jeffries for her tenacity and attention to detail. I am also extremely grateful to our 2012 LobsterFest committee, each of whom invested hundreds of hours and significant effort to make it a success. It takes a huge amount of work to pull off this event.” John Coffman led more than a hundred volunteers who helped with everything from serving food to cleaning up. “Approximately 70 came from two National Charity League (NCL) organizations (Monarch Beach and Laguna Beach),” said John. “We had around 12 from Interact and another 15 or so from the Boys and Girls Club. We also had six individuals who just volunteered on their own. Of course, several of our members volunteered. I may be inviting the Monarch Beach NCL to one of our upcoming meetings to talk about their organization.” The evening was a delight and a success. As Mary Jefferies wrote, “I liked it the best so far! This year was so organized, food lines, drink servers, lots of appetizers! Dessert! Everyone seemed to feel so at home with the evening. Hope we made money at it. (We did!) Thanks everyone!” And as Russ wrote, “Thank you again for making this such a memorable event – everyone I spoke to had a good time. Hope you did too.” What a great idea! Serving humanity by eating lobster. MBSR meets on Wednesday mornings at 7am at the laguna cliffs marriott in dana point • monarchbeachrotary.com
President’s Message
Ka-Boom! Combat Golf was a Blast
by Ellen Turnbull
In what other tournament do you need a flak jacket to tee off, beware of snipers while playing, and navigate minefields and obstacle courses to finish? Only Combat Golf. This unique golf tournament was held at Camp Pendleton by the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group (DPSG).
Dear Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotarians, As I start my new year as President, I
think to myself, I can’t believe it! As the Club’s 24th President, I am truly amazed and extremely thankful for this opportunity. It is an exciting challenge and I will do my best to uphold this office and work together with all members of our Club to continue our noteworthy tradition as the “Awesome and Award Winning Club” known throughout our District. With this new Rotary year, our Club and our Board faces change. Our beloved, respected and quintessential Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotarian, Rod Eide has decided to resign from his many years of service as our Treasurer and Foundation Chair. I know we as a Club respect, admire and appreciate Rod’s devotion, love, blood, sweat, tears and enthusiasm for our Club. From his 20 plus years serving our Club in the numerous roles from President, Past President and Treasurer, to Rod’s honored roles as District Governor to Past District Governor and all the responsibilities that he continually engages, Rod is truly the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotarian that every member of our Club and District admires so much. Rod Eide truly exemplifies the Rotary International motto of “Service Above Self.” As our Club moves forward, we will continually seek Rod’s wise counsel to insure our future remains bright. It is with deep appreciation and thankfulness to my Board, Alan Wickstrom, continued on p. 4
The Regiment has been deployed for a year in Afghanistan and homecoming for these Marines will be in July and August. On June 18th, eight Rotarians helped and half a dozen Rotarians golfed to raise money for a Home Coming and Tribute to our Fallen Marines and Sailors. MBSR was well represented for this special tournament. In the ranks to play golf for the day were active duty Marines, retired Military, and Wounded Warriors from the Balboa Warrior Athlete Program at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. The scramble format made for “easy duty,” with winners of the tournament to participate in an Adventure Day at Camp Pendleton. Just to be shoulder to shoulder with our Brave Heroes made this a phenomenal day! Golfers, event organizers from DPSG and volunteers alike put their hands together to welcome home and pay tribute to all our Marines who have fought in Operation Enduring Freedom. In the evening there was an Awards Ceremony and Dinner. This was to help DPSG’s mission to raise funds for an Operation Enduring Freedom monument which would provide a Tribute to our Fallen Marines in the Regimental Memorial Park at Camp Pendleton. The purpose of such monuments is to create a solemn place where Marines may pay respect to these heroes, and the families of those lost may come to honor and mourn their loved one. Among the highlights of the Awards Celebration was General J.K. Davis’s (RET) remarks about the importance of Support Organizations that were not always around back in his Viet Nam days. He emphasized the need to support our troops and help them with their transition home from Afghanistan. Next Col Stewart Navarre (USMCRET), who was the Commander of the 5th Marines when the Dana Point Support Organization was formed, set the stage for Carla and Jim Hogan, Gold Star Parents. They talked about their 20-year-old son giving his life in Afghanistan to save eight other Marines. Lance Corporal Donald Hogan was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his valor and extraordinary heroism and has had a Barracks named after him at Camp Pendleton. The heartfelt sentiment was that having a monument to remember him and the nearly 60 Marines from the 5th Marines and attached units who made the ultimate sacrifice would be a fitting tribute.
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Birthdays & Anniversaries Aug 2 Aug 9 Aug 10 Aug 13 Aug 16 Aug 19 Aug 20
Russell Kerr Lisa Bartlett Cherie Hinchliffe Joe Fitzgerald Bill Peverill Kathy Flores Kip Horney
Birthday Anniversary (Michael, 1980) Birthday Anniversary (Kathryn, 1988) Birthday Anniversary (David, 1995) Anniversary (Geri)
Aug 23 Aug 23 Aug 25 Aug 26 Aug 27 Aug 31 Sept 2
Mike Killebrew Margarita Martin Susan Jeffries George Rendon Mitch Jackson Kathy Flores Gary Spencer
Birthday Anniversary (Dale, 1982) Birthday Anniversary (Polly, 1984) Birthday Birthday Birthday
MBSR Supports Onevillage Many of the most basic things that we take for granted, including access to clean water, healthcare, and education, are quite simply out of reach for many communities in the developing world. Onevillage, a new international non-profit based in New York, is working to change that and MBSR is happy to be supporting its first global initiatives with a donation of $500. The Onevillage development model connects impoverished communities with the resources and funds needed to empower personal health, education and economic development through an innovative multi-focused approach. Rather than throwing money at any individual problem, Onevillage uniquely connects western professionals with local community coordinators to spearhead small-scale initiatives that will quickly create large-scale change throughout both individual villages and entire regions. Onevillage was founded by three American women who met while volunteering at an orphanage in rural Kpando, Ghana. They were driven to action by their experience working with the children of Kpando. But what started as a way to bring funding to the orphans quickly grew into a full-fledged developmental organization that is changing the way the community accesses healthcare, economic opportunity, and education. According to founder Jill Blumberg, the same cycles that create poverty, illness and hopelessness can also be redirected to empower education, health care and most importantly, pride. “We started Onevillage with the belief that we could develop a model that not only creates healthy communities but fosters a healthy planet,” says Blumberg. “Our goal is to create community empowerment in each village that we serve by improving the lives of its residents and then ultimately to connect these villages as spokes so that we can build a support structure that spreads positive change locally, regionally and globally.” The pilot project in Ghana is already in full swing and funds are being allocated to purchase land for a community center, launch a comprehensive health care initiative (including bringing Western medical professionals to the region in Spring (2013), and to pay for secondary and university educational opportunities for local children. For more information please visit the organization’s website at www.onevillageglobal.org.
Member Spotlight: Jessica Timberlake I first experienced Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club as a senior at Aliso Niguel High School when the Club granted me a scholarship to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelligence, and Diplomacy in Washington D.C. After making lifelong friends on the trip to our nation’s capital, I returned to share with MBSR my most memorable moments: an evening tour of the Washington Monument, a day trip to Gettysburg, and an insider’s look at the Quantico Base in Virginia. The next eight years seemed to fly quickly. I became a member of Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary when, both to my surprise and delight, Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary was launching their new meeting location at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort just as I was beginning my career as the Spa Director there. I’ve made every meeting since joining the club in April 2012 and was thrilled to participate in the annual Lobsterfest. Finding my way back to Laguna Cliffs was a sweet reunion for me as I started my spa and hospitality career with Laguna Cliffs Marriott in 2004 when the spa first opened. Shortly thereafter I joined Spa Gaucin at the St. Regis Monarch Beach. I rose through positions to ultimately serve as the spa manager before transitioning to Spa Director at Laguna Cliffs. I also held several roles at St. Regis Monarch Beach, including Property Service Culture Trainer and Six Sigma Greenbelt. Though I was working full time, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, cum laude, from California State University, San Marcos. Life wasn’t all work and no play, however--I found time to travel to San Francisco, Seattle, Aspen, Park City, New York, Liverpool, Manchester, Milan, Florence, Venice, and Tuscany. I also discovered a love of running, completing four half marathons and one full marathon. In my spare time I love to spend time with my boyfriend Joseph, our two cats, dog, and beta fish. I also like cooking elaborate recipes, drinking wine, writing poetry and short stories, knitting, or crafting at moments of inspiration.
Save these dates! Sept 16 Sept 22 Sept 23 Sept 24 Sept 29 Sept 30
Cyndi Elders Terry Rifkin Don Gonneville Marsha Prentice John Rose John Hayden
Anniversary (Bob, 1995) Anniversary (Chris, 1990) Birthday Birthday Anniversary (Maryanne, 1979) Anniversary (Nancy, 2007)
Monday, October 22
Children’s Charity Golf Tournament Talega Golf Course
Saturday, October 27
Halloween costume party
The 4-way test of things we think, say or do… Is it the truth? • Is it fair to all concerned? • Will it build goodwill and friendships? • Will it be beneficial to all concerned? is membership and extension month august
Combat Golf,
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Chris Madsen, M/C for the Anaheim Ducks and the M/C for the evening, then asked guests to pledge a “Gift from the Heart” to help raise money for the Monument. Hands immediately shot up and an astounding amount of money, ranging from $10 to $5,000, was donated to make the vision of a monument a reality. The Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group will match up to $5,000 as their contribution for the evening. A remarkable day like this can only happen with volunteers like our Rotarians who have a heart for service, a generous community that plays golf and sponsors Marines and Wounded Warriors to play, and a passionate cause. The success of Combat Golf will contribute to an outstanding “Welcome Home” to our brave Marines returning to American soil and giving them a monument where they can honor their comrades-in-arms who were wounded, and for those who gave all and won’t be returning home. Thank you Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotarians for answering the call!
Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Officers & Directors 2012/13
Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Make-Up Locations
President............................ Ellen Turnbull Vice President....................John Coffman Secretary..........................Marsha Prentice Treasurer........................Nancy Baumann President Elect ...............Alan Wickstrom Imm. Past President.....................Al Soley Club Service Committee Leaders: Scholarship Program...........Bonnie Myers Golf Tournament..................Kip Horney International Service.....Margarita Martin Vocational Service.............. Gary Maxwell Community Service................ Linda Hess Club Service....................Alan Wickstrom New Generations...............John Coffman Membership...........................Kip Horney Foundation Support.......Jeannie Hankins Website...........................Alan Wickstrom Public Relations..............Alan Wickstrom Club Bulletin.......................... Bill Palmer Photographer.........................Terry Rifkin Programs ................... Zohreh Behbehani Info & Orientation....................Rod Eide Song Leader......................... John Hayden Social.....................................Mary Jeffries Fine Master.....................James Littlejohn Fellowship..........................Penny DiCaro Attendance............................... John Rose Sergeant at Arms...................Paul Lehrich RI President....................... Sakuji Tanaka District Governor.................. Jim Lorman
Tuesday
President’s Message,
7:10am, Mission Viejo Casta del Sol Golf Club House 7:15am, San Clemente Sunrise Talega Country Club Heritage Grill 7:30am, Newport Sunrise Five Crowns, PCH 12 noon, Laguna Niguel Savannah Chop House
Wednesday 7:00am, Coto De Caza/RSM Del Sol RSM Bell Tower 6:15pm, Newport-Balboa Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club 6:15pm, San Juan Capistrano Sarducci’s Capistrano Depot
Thursday 12 noon, Newport-Irvine University Club @ UCI 12 noon, San Clemente Iron in the Fire Restaurant
Friday 12 noon, Laguna Beach Aliso Creek Inn & Golf Course
Go to monarchbeachrotary.com for more details.
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President-Elect; John Coffman, Vice President; Marsha Prentice, Secretary; Margarita Martin, International Service; Linda Hess, Community Service; Gary Maxwell, Vocational Service; and Kip Horney, Membership Development that I embrace this opportunity. At our first board meeting we nominated and voted Nancy Baumann as our new Club Treasurer and Jeannie Hankins as our new Foundation Chairperson. The Board and myelf — in speaking for all members — thank Nancy and Jeannie in accepting these important roles and know they will do a great job! It is an exciting new year, and our Club is beyond compare! We are Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary, we are the “Awesome and Award Winning Club” of our District. Let’s enjoy our new year together!
MBSR meets on Wednesday mornings at 7am at the laguna cliffs marriott in dana point • monarchbeachrotary.com