Submitted by Rocky Cosgrove

President Tony Elshout opened the meeting at 12:30 pm.

The pledge was led by President Tony and Pastor Stan gave us the invocation.

Visiting Rotarians

There were many:

      ▲        Rich Ronsheimer – Santa Rosa
▲        Cliff Knowles – San Rafael
▲        Gale Ackerman – Novato
▲        James Steadley – Novato
▲        Billy Doty, Jr. – Novato Interact
▲        Stephanie Olson – Novato Interact
▲        Dave Dobramos – Novato
▲        Phil Brown

Guests

There were no guests.

Announcements

Billy Doty, Jr. told the Club that there will be an Interact Fundraiser – a Halloween Costume Party and Silent Auction – 10/29 7pm start at Days Inn. 

Greg Chidlaw announced that there will be a Monte Carlo organizing meeting 9/13 5p at Inn Marin. 

Hurricane Katrina relief contributions – Dean Moser thanked Don Wichman and Skip Schaefer for leading the effort with large contributions. 

Chuck Swenson provided information about the third annual “Wine in the Grove” fundraiser, sponsored by Ross Valley Rotary.  Live auction, fine wine, buffet at Deer Park Villa, 9/18 from 2-6pm. 

Reverend Stan needs a bike for a worthy individual.  Four-wheel vehicles are always welcome, too. 

Fine Time

Rob "the Bear" Sundberg was in fine form (rim shot, please), and collected from the following Club Members: 

Steve Minutoli for his 25^th wedding anniversary. 

Greg Call for having “no clue” about the date of his September induction anniversary (Mike Fish sponsor). 

September induction anniversaries, too, for Bob Finer, Greg Chidlaw, and Garry Gast. 

Bob Finer AGAIN for his birthday (9/4). 

Anna Levinson for her 33^rd wedding anniversary. 

Peter Pelham for his well-deserved promotion to “Branch Administrator” at Bank of Marin.  

Speaker

Our speaker was Walter Schug of Schug Carneros Estate Winery, who also provided the Club with tasting of his Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.  

A native of Germany's Rhein River valley, Mr. Schug was raised on the region's only Pinot Noir estate. He detailed the history of his involvement in the wine industry, from Germany to California.  In 1959, after finishing his studies at the prestigious German wine institute of Geisenheim, Walter left for California determined to find success with Pinot Noir. Ironically, in the early 1970's he was successful with nearly every other major wine varietal while winemaker for Joseph Phelps Vineyards in the Napa Valley. In fact, he first established his reputation as one of California's top Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling producers.

Yet he longed to achieve this same success with Pinot Noir, the grape of his childhood home. In 1980, starting with a vineyard he had produced at Phelps, Schug launched his own brand. By 1983 his quest for an outstanding California Pinot Noir became serious and he left Phelps to focus on his own wines from the then newly emerging Carneros Region. 

Meeting adjourned at 1:30 pm. 

Upcoming Meetings

September 22       Bill Cope - Bay Model

September 29       Lewis & Clark Expedition, Pat Ravicz

December 18         Lunch at the Youth Center

All Rotarians are encouraged to think about speakers for meetings. If you have a suggestion, please contact Dave Pitchford at 382-8150.

Board Meetings

Ignacio Rotary Board meetings are the 2^nd Wednesday of the month.  They meet at the Bank of Marin located at 378 Bel Marin Keys Blvd.  They begin at 5 pm.

Upcoming Firesides

Upcoming Events/Activities/Projects:

December 8                        Holiday Party at the Marin Country Club

December 15                        Toy Drive at the Youth Center

District 5150 Newsletter and Information

For more information all you need to do is to log on to the District Web Site at:

http://www.rotary5150.org/newsletter.htm
 

Need to make up a missed meeting?  Now you know where and when: