January 2, 2014 meeting information.
Bob Puckett provided the invocation.
The flag salute was led by John Eminger.
Songs were almost led by Cliff Fowler but Al Ferguson arrived just in time to lead us.
This week’s raffle winner was a Rotary guest, Marcia. After Skip explained how the raffle worked, Marcia pulled out a white marble and received $10. The odds of picking the elusive black marble continue to improve.
This week’s fine master was Fine Hair Guy Walt Con. Jim Miller was acknowledged for the outstanding job he did on the Santa Program this year – over 800 stockings were distributed! Charlie Brewster’s phone rang during the meeting and he was summarily fined. We had guest from Minnesota who were on their way to Hawaii. The stopover in Big Bear was so that they could be better acclimated to the weather change between Minnesota and Hawaii. Al Ferguson agreed to pay their fine. USC alumnus, Jim Miller, Larbi Loucif, Bob Puckett & Dick Shaw, were recognized for the Trojans victory in the Las Vegas Bowl. Dave Johnson was fined for his recent purchase of an airplane. Scott Huele was fined for delegating to John Stock the responsibility of emailing a reminder about tonight’s Rotary meeting. Scott was also fined for getting away to the Colorado River, where he played his third round of golf ever! Scott did get “one par”. John Bartley was fined for being a Chargers fan but wearing a Denver Broncos jacket that he received from his family over the holidays. Skip Suhay was acknowledged for not only starting the meeting on time but a little early! Mike Curran was fined for being late to meeting but he was late for a good reason – his neighbor, who has Lou Gehrig’s disease, needed assistance getting into his wife’s car. Leo McCarthy celebrated his 53rd wedding anniversary and was fined. Rich Collier and Jim Miller were again recognized for the excellent job they did with this year’s Santa Program. Ron Peavy paid their fine. Bob Puckett was recognized for being Santa extraordinaire. Cliff Fowler paid his fine.
The evening’s speakers spoke about the upcoming 2014 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. Rick Bates, director of The Events Resource Office of Big Bear Valley, spoke of the beginnings of the Polar Plunge in Big Bear. This will be the third year of the event in Big Bear. Rick introduced Abbey Leffler, Regional Director Special Olympics Southern California. Ms. Leffler gave details about the Inland Empire Polar Plunge. The first year over $24,000 was raised and the second year over $100,000 was raised! This year’s goal is to equal or best last year’s total. In was pointed out that all funds raised at the Big Bear Polar Plunge are used locally. There are over 1500 Special Olympic athletes (ages 8-80) in the Inland Empire with 10 Special Olympians currently based in Big Bear. Mr. Leffler then introduced Ariel, a Special Olympic athlete, who spoke about what the Special Olympics have meant to her. She is currently participating in basketball and bowling, but will be trying track events this spring. It was a very moving speech, that was even more special because this was the first time Ariel had spoken in front of a large audience.
It was noted that Wolf Creek Resort, owned by Rotarian Dave Stone, will be a major sponsor again this year.
The Polar Plunge will take place on March 8, 2014. Additional information can be found at
www.sosc.org/bigbearplunge
