[The AppleKnocker Editors are trying out a new look for the banner. This one is intended to showcase a fun event that will be repeated this Fall -Ed.]
The room was buzzing with excitement and anticipation … what would President Rick have up his pastel colored long sleeves on this April Fool’s Day? Comedy and funery? (It’s a new word … look it up in Wikipedia!) Madness and mayhem? Another fine day in Rotary paradise? How about all of the above?!
At the Bell
Debbie Brooks led the assembly in the pledge of allegiance.
In celebration of the annual tax season, President Rick Wilson sent us on a trip down memory lane. Rick dusted off his own vocal rendition of the Kink’s Sunny Afternoon, leaving many of us daydreaming about long-forgotten past sunny afternoons before the last chorus was sung.
Edwin Wilson, after clarifying for all in attendance that he and President Rick Wilson are not blood relatives, shared thoughts appropriate to the day:
“A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.” -Douglas Adams
“The trouble with practical jokes is that they very often get elected.” - Will Rogers
President Rick then got us all atwitter by assigning each table to identify a “volunteer” to tell a joke for the day. Many tables actually took this assignment seriously! As it turned out, we were April Fooled as business and merriment ate up all the available time and we were (thankfully) spared hearing a bunch of bad jokes from our fellow Rotarians!
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Brian Bauer (High Tech) and Bill Sauber (Videography) were visiting Rotarians from Sebastopol Sunrise.
Guests included David Still’s son, Taylor Still;
Bob Hirsch’s great friend Joelle Brahnam;
Mia Del Prete’s buddy and new Sebastopol businessperson Sue Engle;
Cindy Carter’s two sisters and brother-in-law;
Jim Raffini’s friend Jim Chastane from Florida;
Jack Dunlap’s wonderful wife Ruthie;
Sally Ewald’s wonderful husband David;
and Henry Alker’s guest Larry Keltner who is a Rotary scholarship winner and outstanding SRJC student!
Announcements
Rotary InterClub Bocce Ball Tournament and Family BBQ! Fun for the whole family! Meet folks from other Rotary Clubs! Saturday, June 11, 9:30-4:00 at Julliard Park, Santa Rosa. You don’t have to play Bocce … just come enjoy the fun. Bocce and BBQ, $30; BBQ only $25; kids $10. Sign up with Cindy Carter by May 28. [See the announcement and Sign Up sheet below -Ed.]
Jeff Boal presented our club with an exchange banner from a Rotary Club in Uganda, recently visited by the Boals, Mayhews and Rogers!
The Rotary District 5130 Annual Conference will be May 6-8 in Napa. Check the District 5130 website or information sent to each member via email [The link is at the end of the AppleKnocker –Ed.] John Blount touted the merits of Marilyn Fitzgerald, author of “If I Had a Water Buffalo,” who will be speaking at the conference.
Jack Dunlap asked all to fill out the survey on club communications sent by email and provided on the luncheon tables. We only have survey responses from 25% of the club so far … make your input known!
Edwin Wilson shared that Sebastopol Rotary, Sebastopol Sunrise, and the Sebastopol Rotary Education Foundation will have a joint entry in the annual Apple Parade on Saturday morning, April 16. Project Make, Interact and Teachers of the Year, will be featured. We’re all invited to join President Rick and Sebastopol Sunrise President Mikel Cook walkin’ in the parade!
We have received wonderful letters of thanks from Ives Pool and Mr. Music for Sebastopol Rotary’s support through Community Grants. Just two examples of Sebastopol Rotary’s outstanding community service!
Recognitions
It was $35 of no foolin’ April 1 recognition for a boatload of Rotarians …
Steve Zivolich was recognized for receiving the 2016 Lifetime Achievment Award for his local, national and international leadership in enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities; especially through his work developing innovative employment placement outcomes for persons with disabilities.
Kathy Mayhew was recognized for the Cultivate Home grand opening on Main Street.
Harvey Henningsen was recognized for his outstanding collection of about 20 vehicles … most of which actually run! A photo featured Harvey and his 1955 Sunbeam Alpine sports car.
J.T. Martin was recognized for his new motorcycle, which actually got him to today’s Rotary meeting! There was also some mention of JT’s past ability to navigate local roads with amazing skill and speed, apparently without getting caught.
Mia Del Prete was recognized for her recent trip to spring training in Arizona. She avoided serious trouble for stepping foot in Dodger stadium by explaining she was there to root for the Giants, and we all believed her! There was a picture with her husband, Jim. But we know her heart belongs to Brandon Crawford – at least during the baseball season!
Chris O’Neill had photographic proof of his recent trip to the Galapagos Islands. Your scribe thought one photo resembled a Sebastopol Rotary Past President, but it was actually a land iguana.
Jackie Moreia and husband Joe were recognized for their recent visit to see their Rotary Exchange Student in Brazil and shared his video memories of good times in Sebastopol in 2005-06.
Steve Beck was recognized for gifting the lovely Mrs. Beck with a new-to-her car of her dreams to celebrate a milestone anniversary. “Worth every penny,” says Steve!
David Still was recognized for being a great picnic and party host … or perhaps just recognized because President Rick wanted to!
Dave Madsen was recognized for closing his and Harry’s Sebastopol office and opening one in Oakmont. Harry says they are still dealing real estate on an intergalactic scale. Dave’s explanation didn’t weaken President Rick’s resolve to recognize.
Ken Jacobs was recognized for his recent super wonderful bike and multiple municipal conveyance trip on the Golden Gate Bridge and around San Francisco with his kids.
Linda Johnson was recognized for her amazing accomplishment of bringing eight new members to the Rotary Club of Sebastopol! Great work, Linda! (Thanks for your $35!)
Dr. Harry Simms spun a yarn about the local hospital medical robot attending both upcoming party conventions and casting delegate votes for $5 each. President Rick went light on Harry … $20.
The Raffle
Larry Ford had the winning ticket, marched up to the podium, drew the winning card and danced away with the $500 grand prize! No … April Fools … Larry got nothin’ but smiles.
Next Week's Program
Overcoming Obstacles Awards program will be on Friday, April 8. David Schreibman asks all Rotarians and guests to come early and be in the meeting room by noon to welcome our Overcoming Obstacles Awardees with a rousing ovation as they enter the room!
Barbara Beedon introduced today’s special program, standup comedians Brian Thomas and Uncle Charlie Adams. Brian and Charlie are featured at the Double Decker Lanes Open Mic on Tuesday evenings.
As a Cotati resident, Brian shared his perspective on Sebastopol politics. Brian observed that the Sebastopol City Council’s focus on banning leaf blowers must indicate that our town has successfully solved all the other more pressing world problems (including nuclear proliferation) so we now have time to focus on the small problems.
Uncle Charlie mused about the life of a middle aged comedian, and shared his old-white-guy rapper chops.
This program was a wonderful change-of-pace for April Fool’s Day, with some great messages:
-Things can look better if you look at them from a different angle
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Edwin Wilson, after clarifying for all in attendance that he and President Rick Wilson are not blood relatives, shared thoughts appropriate to the day:
Bob Hirsch’s great friend Joelle Brahnam;
y Carter’s two sisters and brother-in-law;
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Jack Dunlap’s wonderful wife Ruthie;.JPG)
Steve Zivolich was recognized for receiving the 2016 Lifetime Achievment Award for his local, national and international leadership in enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities; especially through his work developing innovative employment placement outcomes for persons with disabilities. 
outstanding collection of about 20 vehicles … most of which actually run! A photo featured Harvey and his 1955 Sunbeam Alpine sports car. 
Chris O’Neill had photographic proof of his recent trip to the Galapagos Islands. Your scribe thought one photo resembled a Sebastopol Rotary Past President, but it was actually a land iguana.
Jackie Moreia and husband Joe were recognized for their recent visit to see their Rotary Exchange Student in Brazil and shared his video memories of good times in Sebastopol in 2005-06.
Steve Beck was recognized for gifting the lovely Mrs. Beck with a new-to-her car of her dreams to celebrate a milestone anniversary. “Worth every penny,” says Steve!
David Still was recognized for being a great picnic and party host … or perhaps just recognized because President Rick wanted to!
Linda Johnson was recognized for her amazing accomplishment of bringing eight new members to the Rotary Club of Sebastopol! Great work, Linda! (Thanks for your $35!)
Barbara Beedon introduced today’s special program, standup comedians Brian Thomas and Uncle Charlie Adams. Brian and Charlie are featured at the Double Decker Lanes Open Mic on Tuesday evenings. 
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