Welcome to the Sunrise Spirit –
the Weekly Newsletter of The Rotary Club of Arcata Sunrise
We hope that you will attend one of our lively Friday meetings,
whether or not you are interested in joining Rotary.
Usually, we meet on most Fridays at 7 am in the Plaza View Room
at Arcata’s historic Jacoby Storehouse,
however, while we are under the Shelter In Place order, we are meeting online.
Please visit the RCAS Website for the meeting links.
The Calendar …
RISE: “Rotary Involvement Strengthens Everyone“
Watch here for events as they return to our Calendar …
The Arrival
In which President AJ arrives at the socially distanced Debunking Zone. Master of Ceremonies Gregg Foster points out early on that it had been an “uneventful year”…
Wildfires & Blackouts
… To deal with last summer’s rash of wildfires in Northern California, President AJ is provided with the latest in firefighting equipment – a hard hat and a squirt gun. And despite a major blackout that caused the relocation of one meeting (to Maggie’s garage), we continued the Backpacks for Kids program. In this segment, President AJ as asked to make an “AJ Sandwich” (that is, Applesauce and Jelly” while blindfolded …
PSPS, Guatemala, & Grand Theft (Almost)
… President AJ was provided with a lighted sign that was soon de-lighted! Yes, PG&E came and extinguished it. But AJ was unflappable – but not un-flapperable. He was heading into 2020 with a full cash box from a successful Taste of the Holidays, as he and a crew of volunteers headed for Guatemala to build a house for a deserving family. However, whilst AJ was away, there was an attempted robbery at his bank! “Dude – What the heck!” …
Smoooooth Sailing!
… When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we realized that we needed to protect President AJ. He donned protective gear, including a face shield. As Gregg noted, “We don’t want any spittle to get on you – and as a Rotary President, that happens all the time.” Since AJ continued to be unflappable, he wore the flapper dress over the Tyvek suit, and for further protection, he put on the special protective bubble. We learned about AJ’s “Membership Secret”, and also about the plot by Exchange Student Thomas Spengler to get away from El Presidente …
A Musical Interlude
… As the festivities were close to winding down, Dick Johnson performed the traditional Debunking Song. This year’s edition was called “Every Friday”, and it is based on the song “When You Walk in the Room,” by Jackie DeShannon …
Final Words of AJ’s Year
… Gregg closed by noting that AJ had faced about “six to seven years worth of challenges” during 2019-2020, and he opined that Incoming President Maggie Kraft should have smooth sailing in the year to come. Oh, yeah …
Thank you for leading the Sunrisers through a fun and – um – interesting year, President AJ!
Now you can relax. (If you can get the bubble off, that is!)
Don’t miss a minute!
(Click here to view the video of the full meeting.)