Spoke Newsletter – Feb 2, 2023

TODAY

ROTARY FINANCE

We look forward to our own CAL BOOTHBY who will give a “State of Rotary Finance” presentation to our Club. It should prove very informative. Show us the $Money$ CAL!

HOW TO JOIN MEETINGS ON ZOOM:

We would love to see everyone in person at Rotary Club of Redlands, but if that is not possible, the following Zoom option is available by going to:

https://www.redlandsrotary.org/meetings-online/

LAST WEEK

GARNER HALL PRODUCTIONS
BILL BUTLER’S company, Garner Holt Productions (“GHP”), spoke of the challenges faced during the pandemic at theme parks overseas. GHP is the source of imagination and creativity designing animatronics for theme parks, restaurants and more. After a major fire at a European park, GHP was
able to ensure their July, 2021 opening with new designs and shows while working with limited staff. Universal Beijing had difficult work conditions with staff on site 6 months at a time and limited ability to return home. The educational branch of GHP found a way to deal with Covid restrictions yet stay connected to students. Groups toured the studio and production process. Virtual 24 hour studios/shops were created and utilized worldwide with GHP creatives’ instruction. GHP created and distributed kits so students could create their own animatronic. GHP has a new foray into consumer products,including collectibles such as the Grogu character from The Mandalorian with motion ability ($100,000+), for “high-end geek collectors.” GHP weathered the pandemic, retained all employees and is happy the theme parks are back in action.

NEXT WEEK

LINCOLN IN FILM
MARIA CARRILLO will lead this informative look into another aspect of the fascinating life of Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), the 16th President of the United States.

UPCOMING EVENTS

REDLANDS COMPACT Annual Dinner Mixer – Thursday, Feb. 16 at University of Redlands, Orton Center.
Random Acts of Kindness Day – Friday, February 17
WINE DINNER – Thursday, March 23 at the Burrage Mansion
RED, WINE & BREWS – Mark your calendars for May 13th! SAVE THE DATE and start thinking of auction items and baskets. Great opportunity for committee members as well as new members to be part of this great event. Hopefully, you were able to attend last night’s meeting. DAVID GAUTHIER will be chairing this event, so feel free to contact him. Thanks to all for your participation. Also, now that SHIRLEY HARRY is back in the saddle, she is looking for auction items. Please contact her directly.


TABLE TALK (or Food Fight Provoking Comments)
Before they invented drawing boards, what did they go back to?

If work is so terrific, how come they have to pay you to do it?

If you try to fail and succeed, what have you done?

CLUB TIDBITS

Be forewarned: Those February birthday folks to be recognized on the 25th better all be present and accounted for at the Birthday Table. Only death or hospitalization will be deemed a permissible excuse.

PERSONAL ADVICE & WORDS OF WISDOM
My grandfather was bragging with his buddies one day about how they had given their new wives duties. Grandpa boasted that he had told Grandma that her duties were to keep the house cleaned, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed and hot meals on the table for every meal. The 1st day he didn’t see anything, the 2nd day he didn’t see anything, but by the 3rd day most of the swelling had gone down, and he could see a little out of his left eye – enough to fix himself a bite to eat, load the dishwasher and call a landscaper. God Bless Grandma.

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

February will be a great month for us. After last week’s incredible turnout, I hope this week is as good or better! This is an important month for our club. We are getting a temperature read from CAL as we look forward to our spring fundraisers.

Thanks to all who are participating in the Winemaker Dinner and Red Wine & Brews subcommittees. We need strong events this year to get us ready for scholarships.

Stay tuned for some service opportunities coming our way!

Editor – Betty Auton Beck – Edition No. 29, February 2, 2023