Stories

Fun was had by all at Gold Country Rotary's 2015 Mardi Gras event.  You missed a great party if you weren't there.

Gold Country Rotary partners with The Gathering Inn four or more times a year to gather those who are homeless into the warmth of local churches and provide supper, overnight accommodations, and hospitality. On Friday, December 19, Rotarians gathered at the 1^st Congregational Church in Auburn and - with the help of the Girl Scouts - prepared and served Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs, salad, and dessert.  “Thanks Gold Country Rotary,” said Executive Director Suzi deFosset. "The Gathering Inn and the guests so appreciate your support and great food. Icing on the cake is seeing how much fun you are having!”

   On December 9th, Richard Anderson, President of TGH Aviation, very kindly hosted a business tour and social specifically for Auburn Gold Country Rotary Club. We also took the opportunity to help Richard celebrate his birthday.

   Stewart & Stephanie Perry served their award winning wines from their Fawnridge winery. Jim Bril, owner of the Monkey Cat Restaurant, provided appetizers. (The Monkey Cat also serves Gold Country Rotarians during their monthly Board meetings).

   TGH Aviation provides aircraft instrument services. We were all amazed at TGH’s far reaching global impact, and their prestigious list of customers – which include all branches of the U.S. military, NASA, NATO, and a number of foreign militaries.

   A special thanks to TGH’s Jennifer Henry, and Rotarian Katie Abrahamsen, for doing such a great job organizing this event.

World-renowned magician, Alex Ramon, was the highlight of the evening at Gold Country Rotary's Christmas party held at Dingus McGees. Alex has toured with Disney Live and with Ringling Bros. Circus. He recently worked with Taylor Swift at the AMA's (check him out on Facebook). We were incredibly fortunate to have such a great entertainer join our holiday celebration! Thank you Nancie Radakovitz for organizing the party and inviting Alex.

   The Auburn Community Festival was the perfect venue to introduce the public to the Rotary Clubs in Auburn. Featuring live music, large pumpkin and scarecrow contests, costume contests and pony rides for the kids, and so much more -  the festival offered activities for the whole family at no cost.
   The three Auburn Rotary Clubs pooled their resources and came together for a large-scale Rotary Day to showcase what each club does in the community and Rotary's work worldwide. A ShelterBox display (tent and supplies) was set-up alongside the Rotary booths.
  Attractions included games such as a beanbag toss and spin the Rotary wheel. There were Rotary branded prizes and souvenirs including shopping bags and letter openers displaying the Rotary logo - and for the kids, a 4-Way Test coloring book, fake tattoos, and stickers.
   On a beautiful, sunny autumn day, Rotarians manned booths, provided information on how to join a Rotary Club, and handed out literature that highlighted Rotary's humanitarian work. 

Auburn business owner Tom Griffen won an $800 shopping spree at Staples - the door prize at Gold Country Rotary's 27th annual Oktoberfest. Staples generously donated $400 toward the prize.  

When presented with the door prize Tom said, "I was so shocked and pleased to have been awarded this awesome gift. I have a 12 year old son that is in constant need of school supplies and he’s also at the age where, if he doesn’t have a cell phone, he’ll be labeled an outcast. So this gift will come in super handy for me. Thanks to the entire Rotary team for putting together such a fun and festive Oktoberfest.  The food was amazing, the music was festive, and the beer was great too!" 

Tom Griffen moved his business, Gold Canyon Insurance Services, from the Silicon Valley to Auburn eleven years ago. The business provides insurance coverage for Taxicabs, Limousines, and Non-Emergency Medical Transport companies for all three West Coast states and have offices at San Francisco Yellow Cab and in Salem Oregon.     

Tom enjoys living in Auburn, and says "Our Public Auto insurance transportation company has grown leaps and bounds since being here. It’s a real joy to be part of a tight knit community that is able to put together so many fun events." He has already marked his calendar to attend Gold Country Rotary's annual Mardi Gras party on Saturday, February 21, 2015. As with Oktoberfest, the funds raised go right back into the community.

Thanks to all who joined in the fun for contributing to record attendance.

Gold Country Rotary thanks the following sponsors of our 2014 Oktoberfest.

Bavarian Kingdom - $1200

   TGH Aviation - Rich   ard Anderson

Beermeister - $1000

   Advantage Print

   Auburn Journal

Bavarian Castle - $750

  Roper's Jewelers

   Raley's

Black Forest Estate - $500

   Community !st Bank - Jeff Moore

   General Business Systems - Jerry Picaman

   Magnussen's Auburn Toyota - Tony Toohey

   Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital

   First Northern Bank

   Auburn Alehouse

German Farmhouse - $250

   KMSensors - Keith Nesbitt

   State Farm - Ralph Smith

   Vitas Insurance

   Ceronix - Don Whitaker

   Rogers Automotive - Walt Schmidt

   Master Technicians - Jimmy Mullinex

   Cruisers Car Wash - Jeanne Herron

   Harris Industrial Gases - Kathleen Harris

   Lindy Young

   Barber Kenes Capital Mgmt - Glen Kenes

   Auburn Rotary

   Dr. Nicky Hakimi, DDS

   Depoe Bay Coffee

   Lusty's Custom Signs

   Taco Bill

Munich Hostel - $100

   Vicki Winkler

   Argonauta - Janie Naffz

   Ross Kochenderfer Law Offices

   Scinto Graziano LLP

   Mike Holmes, Auburn City Council

   William W. Kirby M.D.

   Jim Holmes, Supervisor Dist. 3

   Wilson, Wilson & Taylog CPAs

   Radakovitz Property Mgmt.

   Ben Harwell,  State Farm

   Greenlee Chiropractic

   King Chiropratic

   Joanne Barragan, Realtor

   Tinel Design & Marketing

   Don Powers, Legal Shield

   Leighty Oral Surgery

   Performance Motor Works

   Van Howd Studios

   Daybreak Rotary

   Felt Bicycles

   Pam Tichenor

   Norm G.F. MacLeod

   Bob Litchfield

   Jimmy Louis, CPA

   Bill Wolfe, Big Valley Mortgage

Fernet Branca - $50

   Ollie MacIntosh

   Curves Auburn

Thank you to the following 2014-15 PAUL HARRIS SUSTAINING MEMBERS who have given $100 or more this year to the Rotary Foundation.

Lynne Tinel                  Jim Greenlee                Jerry Picaman

Ralph Smith                 Katie Abrahamson        Walt Schmidt

Joanne Barragan          Laurie Richardson         Donna Book

George Graziano          Fred Vitas                    Michael Dockery

On Sep 4, 2014 Gold Country Rotary held a fellowship BBQ at Recreation Park in Auburn.

Come join us for the fun at Gold Country Rotary's annual Oktoberfest on Oct 3, 2014 at the Gold Country Fairgrounds.

On Aug 17, 2014 Auburn, Gold Country, and Daybreak Rotary clubs participated in a river rafting trip on the south fork of the American River.  Fun was had by all, and the water fights were enthusiastic.

Come and enjoy the free concert presented by the Auburn Recreation District.  Gold Country Rotary will be selling Margaritas and water at our Margaritaville booth.

Gold Country Rotary members collected $138 cash donations, 832 food items, 300# pet food, and $250 in diaper donations.

Gold Country Rotary members built 3 tree enclosures and 1 bench for Rock Creek school.   They also donated and filled 2 oak planter boxes.

Here's a link to the Rotary Radio show featuring Linda Fazo discussing the work Auburn Rotary Clubs are doing at Virgil's Community Garden.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/36567671 

Rotary Radio is broadcast out of Cleveland Ohio and is a great way to get the word out about the wonderful things that our organization does. The format is a 30 minute call in.

For past shows go to – www.rotaryradiointernational.com. The show is on every Monday at 3pm Eastern time.

A new area at the fairgrounds has been Identified as a possible project loctaion.

Come join the fun at Gold Country Rotary's 2015 Mardi Gras celebration.

Sponsor our Mardi Gras event on February 21, 2015 at the Auburn Gold Country Fairgrounds Sierra building.

 It’s no fun spending Christmas in the hospital. So Sybil Louton, a patient at Sutter Auburn Faith, was surprised and delighted when Placer High School students Emaleigh White, Emily Burgard, and Sydnee Binder helped make her Christmas a little brighter. They added seasonal touches to her hospital room, and sang Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

 The girls are all members of Placer High School’s Interact Club, a Rotarian service club for youth whose goal is to learn leadership skills through community service. "I've never done anything like this before. It was very cool," said Interact President Emaleigh White.

  “Interact students and Rotarians joined forces to bring Christmas cheer to hospital patients who may feel shut-off from the holidays,” explained Lynne Tinel, President of Auburn Gold Country Rotary. Rotarians Mindy Danovaro, Nancie Radakovitz, and Lynne Tinel met with the girls to deliver specially made greeting cards and decorative Christmas trees for up to 40 patients at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital.  

  Nancie summed it up, "Great day, fun time, and special moments with young students showing what they can do to make a difference in peoples lives. So pleased to be a part of this, yet another event, displaying what Rotary and the community can do."

  Foundation Executive Director Mindy Danovaro says the staff at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital understands that the holidays can be a stressful time for patients who aren’t able to spend Christmas at home with their families. “We strive to help patients capture the warmth of the season by making their stay as enjoyable as possible."

For twenty plus years Gold Country Rotary Secretary Donna Book and her husband Stuart have been dressing the part to entertain children during the holidays - from grandchildren to children at day care centers. The children absolutely love Stuart! And why wouldn't they? You won't find a more authentic looking Santa Claus. Or two more giving people!

   Gold Country Rotarian Dr. Dan Mertz and President Lynne Tinel met with Suzanne Flint, Principal at Rock Creek Elementary School on Friday Dec. 12 to discuss the Gold Country Rotary Dental Health & Education Program - a program that would not exist without the tremendous generosity of Dr. Mertz.

   Dr. Mertz and his staff provide free dental care for a couple of hours 2-3 Thursdays a month for 2^nd grade students who, for various reasons, do not receive regular dental care. Gold Country Rotarians escort the children to and from the school and dental office. About eight students have received complete dental care thus far.

   In addition to meeting with the Principal, our favorite dentist conducted screenings to prioritize the order in which the students need to be seen. Dr. Mertz makes dentistry for these young children such a good experience, they protested when recess arrived because they wanted to see the dentist instead!

Gold Country Rotary applied for a District Grant to help finance improvements to Gold Country Fairground, a central hub of community activities. We just completed construction of a new 6’ x 63’ concrete walkway behind the Sierra Building. The project was managed by Rotarians Ollie MacIntosh and Don Powers.

Bootstrap awards winners (from left) Janelle Tatnall, Lauren Morrison, Hollie Hockett, Sarah Ponce, and Kyle deFuentes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgmC26rs2yM&feature=youtu.be

 Gold Country Rotary members interviewed 5 students competing for academic scholarships.  From left to right they are: Amanda Schafer, Becky Matthews, James Vaughan, Emily Zentner, and Alexis Wildman.

Lisa Kodl of Auburn Bike Works received a Community Service Award from Gold Country Rotary for her outstanding contributions to the community.

The Auburn Area Council of Beta Sigma Phi gave President Ralph Smith a check for $1300 to be used to help fund our Bootstrap Scholarships-

Linda and Pam dropped off gifts provided by Gold Country Rotarians.

Sustaining Sponsors $500-$1,250  

TGH Aviation, Advantage Print Marketing, Lusty’s Custom Signs, Auburn Journal, Raley's, Taco Bill, Joanne “Jo” Barragan, Magnussen's Auburn Toyota, Kenmar Instrumentation Services, General Business Systems, The Master Technicians, Roger’s Automotive, Community 1st Bank, Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, KM Sensors LLC, R&K Enterprise Solutions, Barber/Kenes Capital Management, Vitas Insurance Agency, Chardun Enterprises, First Northern Bank, Lindy Young, Auburn Alehouse, Rotary Club of Auburn

German Farmhouse $250

Ralph Smith State Farm Agency, George Graziano, La Fornaretta, Maki Heating & Air, Recology Auburn Placer,

Munich Hostel  $100

Ross Kochenderfer Law Offices, Bail House Frank Calabretta, Radakovitz Property Management, Bill Kirby Auburn City Council, Howell Sew & Vacuum, Greenlee Chiropractic, Auburn Daybreak Rotary, Depoe Bay Coffee, Steven Phillips CPA, Sterling Properties, Norm Macleod, Mike Holmes, Ollie MacIntosh, King Chiropractic, Pam Tichenor, Ted Moore, Felt Bicycles, Cal-Pay Services, Barbara Besana, Bob Litchfield, Cruiser’s Carwash, Donna Book, Stacy Graham

Alan Young would have celebrated his 10 year anniversary with the Gold Country Rotary this August.
       Thank you for your service above self.  
       Thank you for your friendship. 
       Thank you for your leadership with our Bootstrap Scholarship.
       Thank you for your selfless time donated to those in need with Shelter Box.
       Thank you for being an Auburn Gold Country Rotarian!

The 9th annual Rotary West Africa Project Fair including Polio Immunization is scheduled for October 15-24, 2013.

This week-long trip is a hands-on experience in polio eradication, community service,
friendships and learning how to support the Rotary projects of West Africa.

Click on the 2013 West Africa Project Fair link in the Club Links section (below on the left side) for all the details.

We continue to receive updates from Pam Nelson about all the great produce out at the community garden.

Many thanks to Dave and Lindsy, Denise, and Linda Duff for their help picking this morning.

> Today's pick:,  

570 # Tomatoes,
48 # Eggplant
42 # Cucumbers
18 # Pattypan squash
44 # Zucchini

Total pick = 722 pounds - THAT IS HUGE!
 Today's pick takes us past the 6.5 ton mark to 13,164 total pick
for the summer. 

CONTINUING GRATITUDE AND PLATITUDES! 
weather is SOOOOOOOOOOO user friendly!  come on out!

pam

Mark your calendars.  Oktoberfest is Friday October 11, 2013.

Thanks to all those hearty Rotarians who braved the heat to provide cool refreshmnents to those bearing the heat at the Fairgrounds for the 4th of July festivities.  It was a success.

Welcome to our Rotary Club!