may 2013
Monarch Beach
sunrise rotary on the california riviera
RYLA 2013 by Susan Jefferies
RYLA 2013 (Rotarian Youth Leadership Awards) district 5320, is quite an experience. Juniors in high school from all over our district/ Southern California are awarded and picked for a weekend ceremony to get out of comfort zones, be open to new people, strengthen leadership and team work skills and have a lot of fun. My heart is so open. The RYLA experience began at 5:30am when I got on the road with a then stranger, now new friend, for a quick drive up the mountain. We arrived at a big camp right off the main road in Idyllwild, had a bite with our new friends followed by an introduction to the land. The 178 students arrived at noon to a group of hyper-active adults jumping up and down hooting, hollering and dancing to music, by our own personal DJ*DG, while throwing big soft rubber balls at the four buses. Almost all of these students knew maybe one other kid in the group; they were demure and hopeful upon arrival. Within a half hour my co-parent (a.k.a. my Baby Daddy), Jon Gotz from Lakewood Rotary and I had met our family and got the name Hercules. The theme of this year was Disney. Hakuna Matata was the code word for ‘listen up’! Immediately after that we all headed to the meadow for ‘ice-breakers’ within our family units. For three hours we played a number of games, choreographed a dance, made up a group chant and expressed some first impressions in a group effort art project. We tied ourselves into a huge knot by standing together in a huddle and grasping hands, then had to untie the knot without letting go of anyone’s hand. The atmosphere became silly after the icebreakers. A jaw-dropping, spontaneous talent show lit up the end of the evening. The weekend was transformational through the activities which brought together these people from all different walks of life. Each evening we had a speaker followed by a family discussion; on the second night the students opened up to each other and shared heavy, traumatic and emotional (to say the least) experiences which ended up with them coming to the conclusion ‘we are all the same’. We all shared tears and laughter the entire time; I witnessed and received deep interpersonal healing. Mike Killebrew was there doing his magic again, only this time he did this trick where he split himself into four Mikes. He was everywhere at all times — it was astonishing to watch. I could go on and on about the weekend, but if you want to know more just ask me! I am so grateful to be a member of Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary — and to my Mom for leading my way.
MBSR meets on Wednesday mornings at 7am at the laguna cliffs marriott in dana point • monarchbeachrotary.com
Interact and New Generations
President’s Message by Ellen Turnbull
I can’t believe it is the end of my Presidential year! It has been a true honor to serve our Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club as its 25th President! MBSR has been one of my life’s fondest treasures. Having been a member since 1989, (almost a charter member!) I have experienced along with all of our club members so much joy in all the Avenues of Service activities … we have fun in giving to our communities with “hands-on” projects and enjoying from afar the many international projects we support. But, more so, this year my goal for our club was to “cocoon” and to re-gain our strong core … What do I mean? We have a home — the Laguna Cliffs Marriott. As we progressed through the year, we have become used to our new “digs” and I believe the vast majority of our members enjoy our new home with its beautiful ocean view setting, nice meeting rooms, special celebration “hot” breakfasts and the exceptionally nice and attentive staff. We thank Jim Samuels, General Manager of the Laguna Cliffs Marriott, for believing in the importance of our Rotary Club and desiring our business. Plus, we have fun at our meetings! One of the greatest highlights of every meeting is our song master, John Hayden. John is amazing with the songs he plans and how perfect each and every song is for that particular club meeting day and time. Plus, a little Elvis impersonation was helpful, too. Although we are not singers, as I looked at the expressions on our faces as we sang together … those singing moments are priceless and memories we will always share together. Programs were an area of focus that I chose to take on personally this year, because I wanted my Presidential year to reflect me! I had fun planning the programs. We
This was a great year for Interact and New Generations, culminating in the DHHS Interact Club receiving the “Interact Club of the Year” award from District 5320. Our Rotary Club also received the first place award for New Generations for medium size clubs from the District. RI established New Generations as a fifth avenue of service in 2010. In doing so, Rotary officially recognized that the organization’s future depends upon involving young people in Rotary’s programs and activities. MBSR has always had a strong commitment to our youth. Of the four pillars of New Generations, MBSR is actively involved in Interact, RYLA, and Youth Exchange. Our Interact Club has been active in the following areas. International Community: the club adopted “Water for South Sudan” as its International project and was able to set up a fundraising booth at the Dana Point Grand Prix. They raised over $1200, almost doubling the fundraising take from last year. Additionally, MBSR committed to match up to $1000 of any funds raised by the students. Rotary Club: working side by side with these amazing youth, we were able to provide Thanksgiving lunch to approximately 150 seniors at the Dana Point Senior Center; help young children search for treasures at the Diamond Dig in Dana Point Harbor; and serve 350 attendees at last year’s LobsterFest. City of Dana Point: the City regularly approaches the Interact Club whenever they need volunteers for events such as the Whale Festival Parade; Whale Festival Food Service; Dana Point Grand Prix Kid’s Races; and the Halloween Haunt at Doheny Beach. 5th Marine Support Group of Dana Point: each year, the Interactors collect gifts and gift card to be given to Marine families; they also work side-by-side with Marines at a car wash to raise funds for marine families. As one Interactor wrote to MBSR: “It really opened my eyes to see such a distinct group get together every week, just to make a difference without being recognized for it. I can’t thank you enough for instilling a desire in teenagers to serve the community and change the world.”
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Birthdays & Anniversaries May 2 May 11 May 15 May 15 May 17 May 25 May 27
Paul Lehrich Al Soley Mark Cruz Jorge Lujan II LaVal Brewer Allison Peterson Stephanie McCormick
Anniversary Anniversary Birthday Birthday Birthday Anniversary Birthday
June 6 June 9 June 10 June 17 June 24 June 24
John (Kip) Horney Farhad Mohebbi John Hayden Gary Spencer John Baumann Bonnie Myers
Birthday Birthday Birthday Anniversary Birthday Birthday
Alan Wickstrom
President’s Message,
Incoming president Alan Wickstrom was born in Chicago and moved to California in 1984. That was the year he met the love of his life, Liz, at an Elvis Costello Concert. Liz and Alan were married in Las Vegas in Oct 1987 and have lived in Dana Point since 1986. Their daughter Julie, the love of both their lives, was born in June 1992.
loved hearing the former Angels baseball player, Bobby Grich, share his stories; we learned about OR7,the first grey wolf in California in 90 years; we experienced music-making with the Curator of the Museum of Making Music; we celebrated our 25th Anniversary with our Past Presidents along with the fabulous memories shared with us by the amazing and notorious Terry Rifkin and Lisa Wilson Jackson and we carried on our traditions with our White Elephant Exchange, Vocational Day, Foundation Meeting, Membership Meeting, and so much more. With the joys experienced as Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotarians, we have gained 11 new members this year. It has been a combination of all our efforts to attract these wonderful new members! Thank you to Kip Horney for leading this charge … our best membership year ever!! Yes, we have had to make changes in our club service operations. We have a new Rotary key chain as our gift to program speakers, retiring our beloved chocolate Rotary wheel. We publish our newsletter bi-monthly, both hard copy and on-line and have cut additional club expenses along the way. The board created a finance committee this year and for years to come, where financial decisions are reviewed and recommended along with on-going review of our budget to ensure our financial stability. We can thank Nancy Baumann for her financial expertise and prudent guidance as our treasurer this year.
Alan started his company BuildingOnline in 1995 to help bring the Building Products Industry to the Web. After 18 years in business, he is proud of the more than 300 web sites his agency has created for many leading companies in the building industry. Alan has over 24 years of marketing experience in the building products and home improvement industries. He has worked in online media as well as marketing and advertising for more than 18 years. Alan has been a member of the Dana Point Chamber since 1996 and is an active member of the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club, the City of Dana Point’s Arts & Culture Commissioner, and a board member of Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, Dana Point Coastal Arts and Dana Point 5th Marine Support Group. He was selected as Dana Point Citizen of the Year in 2009 and has been a featured speaker on internet technology in the building industry throughout the United States. He has created and participated in some of the most relevant information tools in the building industry, such as BuildingOnline’s eUpdate Building Industry News Service. Alan’s hobbies include caring for their 4 beagles, Cher, Dino, Jackie and Eddie and their rescue dog, Max, a flat-coated retriever. He also likes to see any live performances from rock concerts to plays to operas, cooking, watching anything to do with NASA or space, swimming, photography and hanging out with his friends.
MBSR in the Community
Save the date!
Saturday, August 24, 2013 LobsterFest, Doheny State Beach
contd. from page 2
A major THANK YOU to my entire 2012-13 board. Each and every board member and their teams along with the club service committee members … JOB WELL DONE! Our club has had fantastic leaders guiding and leading us. The time, effort, commitment and love was evident in all our Avenue of Service activities. I deeply appreciate each and every one of my board members. In order to be a strong club, I felt it important to “cocoon” and have a strong core … good home, good leadership, good fun, good programs, good fellowship and young new Rotarians. I think we did it! My Presidential goals for our club were met! I know that Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary is strong and positioned for continued greatness together and we can all look forward to a great new year with President Elect Alan Wickstrom leading the charge! All my best.
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?
junei s R o ta ry Fe l lo w s h i p s M o n t h Student of the Month
Students of the month (center) Alexandrea McDermott and Ethan Rinchick, are pictured with (left) Anna Bryson, John Coffman, Zohreh Behbehani, and (right) Dana Hills High School principal Jason Allemann.
In Loving Memory
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................. Linda Hess 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 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.
Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast
First, let us express what a powerful man Bill was. He transitioned from his body so steadfast to be where he is now. His love was so connected and deliberate. In his last days whenever we thought of him all we would see was his bright blue eyes just patiently gazing. We will all miss you, Bill!
Dozens of our amazing Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotarians banded together under the leadership of our awesome Jenna Spizzirri to provide breakfast for the families that attended the City of Dana Point’s Easter Egg Hunt at Sea Canyon Park on March 30th. Chefs James Littlejohn, Gary Spencer and Ricardo Beas flipped hundreds of pancakes and sausages donated by our sponsor, Stacks Pancakes. Our president, Ellen Turnbull and Renee collected the money while Anna Bryson, Anita Lugo Houston, John Heldman, Jessica Timberlake, Cyndi Elders, Carl Linhardt, Susan Q Jeffries, John Baumann, Joe Fitzgerald and Michael Maxwell served, cleaned and brought smiles to hundreds of happy customers. A huge shout out to Mike Killibrew for organizing the grill and keeping the flames hot for our chefs. Bravo MBSR — YOU ROCK!
MBSR meets on Wednesday mornings at 7am at the laguna cliffs marriott in dana point • monarchbeachrotary.com