Mark Your Calendars
March 27 – “Rotary Shares” Area Speech Contest, noon, Turnip Rose, Orange
March 27 – Car Show Planning Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Grand Street Center
April 5 – District Assembly – Beckman Hall, Chapman University 8:00 a.m.
April 16 – Car Show “Bag and Tag” – goodie bag and raffle collection. 5:00 p.m., Grand Street Center
April 17 – Car Show Sponsor VIP Reception – 5:30 p.m., Cask ‘n Cleaver Steakhouse
April 18 – Business Rotarian of the Year – 11:30 a.m., Turnip Rose, 300 S. Flower, Orange
April 20 – 14th Annual Orange Plaza Car Show!
April 26 – Rotarians at Work Day Food Drive
Rotary Clubs of Orange Join Forces for Police and Fire Awards
The Rotary Clubs of Orange, Orange North and Orange Sunrise held the 34th Annual Police and Fire Recognition Awards on March 20, 2008 at the Turnip Rose in Orange. All three clubs attended the luncheon, held to honor the Police Officer of the Year, Firefighter of the Year, police and fire Explorers of the year, top managers in both departments and outstanding civilian employees.
The sold out event was attended by Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell, Orange Mayor Carolyn Cavecche and Orange councilpersons Jon Dumitru, Tita Smith, and Denis Bilodeau. Members of Police Explorer Post 266 presented the colors, as advisor Marla McGee (RC of Cypress) and Past District Governor Lane Calvert (Anaheim), looked on from the audience. Erin Kociela (RC of Tustin-Santa Ana) led the crowd in singing “America the Beautiful, including special verses not usually heard.
It was a bit of challenge for attendees to get to the luncheon, as only an hour before, the DEA requested the city’s assistance with a raid a mile from the venue. Several blocks of Chapman Avenue were closed to traffic for hours, as Orange fire, police and SWAT teams assisted in the search for suspects in the area. Although “the incident” kept Police Chief Bob Gustafson away, Lt. Dave Hill of the Orange Police Department returned as Master of Ceremonies and presented the honors to that department’s top picks. Police Officer of the year Augusto Rocha appeared to accept his award in his “Special Enforcement Detail” plainclothes, and then immediately returned to the DEA operation.
Orange Fire Department Chief Bart Lewis presented the plaques, certificates and trophies to members of his department, including Firefighter of the Year Keith Marshall.
Photo: From left – Orange Fire Chief Bart Lewis, Fire Explorer of the Year Brandt Loucks, Fire Civilian Employee of the Year Rena Davis, Firefighter of the Year Keith Marshall.
Last Chance to Save $40!!!
Register today for the Rotary International Convention, hitting town (LA) June 15-18. Two reasons to sign up before March 31: our District receives a rebate from registrations prior to that date. But the best reason is that you will save $40!!
Don’t miss the best opportunity you may have to attend an international convention at an affordable price and convenient location! Sign up today at www.Rotary2008.com.
Youth Programs in the Spotlight
El Modena High School student Matt Halchoski will represent Orange Sunrise in the area level competition of the District 5320 Annual Speech Contest. Matt and students representing the Rotary clubs of Orange, Orange North and Villa Park will speak on this year’s theme “Rotary Shares”. The competition will be held at noon, Thursday March 27th, during the regular meeting of the Orange club. Lunch is at the Turnip Rose, 300 S. Flower, Orange. $20 payable at the door.
The El Modena Interact Club will be our guests at our regular meeting at 5:30 p.m., at the Grand Street Center. This rapidly growing and active club will discuss the many service activities that have participated in this year and discuss plans for the future–including assisting with the Orange Plaza Car Show, attending Rotary International Convention, and supporting Aids Walk Orange County.
This year’s scholarship recipients for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards have been selected for the camping adventure set to begin April 25th. Orange Sunrise will send three campers this year.
Rotary Reaches for Record
This year, the 30,000 Rotarians attending the Rotary International convention in Los Angeles are asked to bring a book for the “Wide World of Books” children’s book drive. The drive is the commemorative project of the Los Angeles convention. Help build a “mountain of books” and break the official record for the most books collected in a single book drive! The publishers of the Guinness Book of Records have already been alerted! How you can help:
- Collect new and gently used children’s books from family, friends and neighbors
- Pick up gently used children’s books for next to nothing at garage sales, thrift shops and “friends of the library” sales
- Hit the 99 cent stores for great deals on kids books
- Toss your change in a mini “Reading by 9” bank. Save it up for pre-convention spending spree!
Bring your books to any club meeting from now through May. Remember–it’s Reading by 9, so no adult books please! Books for K through fourth grade, in any language, will be donated to Southern California schools.