We had fun welcoming guests and trying out the great craft beers at Old Orange Brewery Co. during our May 25th mixer and social. Past District Governor Jim Paddock visited us to recognize Rae Shirer for contributing more than $7,000 to The Rotary Foundation. We then inducted Mary Noguera into our club and celebrated with a round of great brews. What did PDG Jim have? Why, the “Cussin’ Jim” IPA, of course.
You’ve seen all of the clickbait on the internet: “10 Things to Do to Change Your Life Forever”, “10 Positive Habits That Could Change Your Life”, “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life”, and thousands more links and websites hawking motivational speakers, books, diet milkshakes and exercise equipment.
But none of it sounds fun! So let me share with you a Rotary secret that will not only change you but 200 other people too–in only 3 days!
The secret word is “RYLA”. Wut? “RYLA”, stands for “Rotary Youth Leadership Awards“, a program that develops self-confidence, teamwork skills and leadership traits in high school students.
Sounds boring? Stick with me here. In Rotary District 5320, the RYLA program is a two-and-a-half day adventure in the San Bernardino mountains. Each spring, Rotary clubs sponsor 180 high school juniors from throughout the District to attend the camp for free. (That’s the “awards” part.) On Friday afternoon they get to know each other in “families with icebreaker games, group art projects and by creating their own “air guitar” musical number to perform for the rest of the campers.
Some may stay up late in the RYLA study hall, but they might regret that decision on Saturday, when everyone heads out for a full day on the “Boojum” high ropes challenge course. They, and their adult “parents”, swing from trees, climb rock walls, and solve physical puzzles along the challenge course. By 4 p.m., parents are tuckered out but campers are still raring to go…
…to the Saturday night dance and bonfire (complete with ‘smores). No twerkin’ but plenty of fun.
By departure on Sunday, kids who had never met before Friday are saying emotional goodbyes, trading phone numbers and social media, and making summer reunion plans. In only 3 days, their lives have been changed for the better.
Change your own life in only 3 days–serve as a RYLA volunteer. It won’t even cost you $29.95 plus shipping and handling.
Under challenging conditions, nearly 400 car enthusiasts competed for recognition at the 22nd Annual Orange Plaza Car Show on April 17th in beautiful Old Towne Orange. Thousands of spectators enjoyed the warm weather (91 degrees), light breeze (25 mph gusts) and fabulous local restaurants (yes, they really are fabulous).
Thank you to our many sponsors for making this show the premier event in the Southland!
Orange Plaza Rotary members and special guests gathered for the last Elwyn California Bowl-a-Thon on April 9th. Elwyn is shifting their fundraising efforts to other events, such as the “Pinot and Palettes” event on June 26th and the 3rd Annual Fall Fling, set for September 24th.
Our club has sponsored bowling teams for more than 10 straight years, often including students from our Interact Club at El Modena High School, RYLA students, and other special guests. Over the years, we have claimed the “Rotary Challenge” trophy several times, in a tough category of competitors from the Rotary Clubs of Huntington Beach, Anaheim Hills, Fountain Valley and Long Beach.
We will miss this opportunity for fun inter-club rivalry and fundraising with our friends. However, we will continue to support Elwyn and their mission to provide vocational training and job placement for persons with disabilities.
Old Towne Orange will be rockin’ to the classics, customs, hotrods and streetrods on display at the 22nd Annual Orange Plaza Car Show, April 17, 2016. Orange Plaza Rotary is the proud host of this Southern California tradition, which attracts 15,000 spectators to view 400 vehicles, enter to win fantastic prizes and sample the tastes of the many restaurants in this foodie mecca.
Vendor spaces and sponsorship opportunities are now available online at the event registration website. Vehicle entry registration opens on February 1, 2016 at 8 a.m. sharp. Bookmark the registration page so you don’t miss a thing!
For more information about the Orange Plaza Car Show, please see the links on our website, or contact us at carshow @ orangeplazarotary.org.
Orange Plaza Rotary welcomed local car enthusiasts to our regular meeting spot at Marie Callender’s on July 29th. The “cruise-in” was a chance to check out some great cars and catch up with old friends. Many participated in our “Dine-In and Donate” fundraiser, taking advantage of happy hour specials at Marie Callender’s. The restaurant donated 20% of the proceeds to Orange Plaza Rotary, which will use the funds in the battle to End Polio Now. Join us for the next cruise-in event on August 26th at Marie Callender’s.
Cruise into the Marie Callender’s parking lot on July 29th or August 26th for cool cars, happy hour specials and great food!
Present your ticket when you dine and Orange Plaza Rotary will receive 20% of the sale. And don’t forget to order some delicious pie to go!
Proceeds support the community and world service projects of Orange Plaza Rotary. Check out our website to learn more about Rotary in your town.
Orange Plaza Rotary celebrated another year of service over dinner with family and friends at Orange Hill Restaurant on June 24th. The club, which marked its 30th anniversary in March, completed numerous youth and community service projects during the the 2014-2015 Rotary year.
These projects and more will continue, under the leadership of President Tracey L. Curtis:
These and other service projects are funded by the Annual Orange Plaza Car Show, a premier Southern California event. The 22nd Orange Plaza Car Show is scheduled for April 17, 2016.
At the club’s June event, Rotary District 5320 Governor Jim Paddock presented member Jack Sappington with a bejeweled pin in honor of Jack’s $5,000 donation to The Rotary Foundation. The Foundation manages donor funds, directing them into projects around the world to improve water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development in third world countries.
Orange Plaza Rotary is a network of neighbors, friends, and community leaders who come together to create positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world. The club meets Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at Marie Callender’s, 307 E. Katella Avenue, Orange. For more information, visit the club website: http://OrangePlazaRotary.org.
We had a great time taking in the sights of Old Towne during our walking tour on June 17th. Using information provided by the Orange Historical Society, our self-guided tour set out from the Grand Street Center past historic Craftsman and Victorian residences. Taking a turn down Palm, we admired the classic architecture of Chapman University before heading south on Glassell toward “the circle”. Along the way, we looked up at cornices with human faces and lions, examined exterior walls still bearing early 20th signage and appreciated the history of the many theaters that made Old Towne the entertainment center of the 1890s.
It was beautiful weather and we chatted in small groups as we made our way south, past the historic Sunkist Fruit Exchange, and finally arriving at Avila’s Ranchito, once the home of a Victorian styled church. Under the glow of the stained-glassed windows, we sipped cold margaritas and enjoyed a meal and great company.
We’ll do this again!
The crowds really pick up around 10 a.m., but here’s the best kept secret about the Orange Plaza Car Show: come at dawn.
As the sun comes up over Saddleback Peak, 400 classics, customs, hot rods and street rods rumble into the circle to take their places. Against the backdrop of Old Towne’s early 20th century architecture, the ’32 Ford coupes look right at home alongside the 1950s Chevys.
Once in place, car owners pop open thermoses of coffee and polish chrome and glass for showtime. As they work, they keep an eye on the competition and start to compare notes. Tales are told of years of work, lovingly restoring a rusted castoff into a showpiece. Seasoned car veterans share tips with new owners about the finest metal shops, the best parts outlet and more.
By 9:00 a.m., when the Orange Police Explorer color guard marches into the Plaza and a high school choir performs a pitch-perfect rendition of the national anthem, the “car guys” have settled in for another day in sunny So Cal, prepared to greet the 15,000 people that will ooh and aah over their handiwork. At 2 p.m., the best of the best will collect their trophies, while others will trade in long strips of raffle tickets for car polish kits, gift baskets or high end electronics.
And then it’s time to pack up and roll out, down Chapman Avenue and back home again. Until next time, when the sun comes up over Saddleback Peak.