Pledge led by: Susan Cole
MJ Gerard reminded us to appreciate being an American with the privilege of casting our votes on election day.
Bill Arnone, followed MJ’s comments by leading us in God Bless America
Visiting Rotarians:
Ken Moulton introduce his wife, Pam Moulton, past President Healdsburg Sunrise, & Jess Shaw of Healdsburg Sunrise.
Sue Nelson introduced Colleen Carmichael, Healdsburg Sunrise and executive Director of North Sonoma County Services, Rick Cafferta, Homeless outreach coordinator for NSCS and Husband John Nelson.
Guests:
Pam Moulton introduced Gail Gender
Warin Parker introduced Tina Castelli, board member of Windsor’s Parks Department & Windsor’s Farmers Market Manager, and Olivia Lemen, Windsor’s Parks Dept. & management analyst for the Town of Windsor
Joe Decan introduce his wife Pat, and Jack Hyde introduced his wife Janet and our Exchange Daughter from Sweden, Ella.
Remember Ella, loves horses, photography and adventure, she is looking to do and see as much as she can of our beautiful country while she is here. Ella is also a pleasure to spend time with she will open your eyes to the wonderful things we see every day but forget to appreciate.
Ella was to give her presentation today on her life in Sweden, however, due to some technical difficulties and time constraints she will present November 29th.
Olivia was here to share the update on the children’s playground, at the Windsor Town Green, and to receive, on behalf of the Parks & Rec Department of Windsor, the first check of the $25,000.00 pledged by the Rotary Club of Windsor.
Olivia stated the project was first started in 2012, funds dissolved and the project stalled, in 2013 a new design was created to build on to the existing playground. Fundraisers, such as the painted tiles, and signed bricks you see on the town green were created to raise more funds.
2016 the final drawing of construction was created; however, they discovered grading issues at the playground and would have to remove all the existing equipment. They found a company willing to give 50% off on a new structure, ADA accessible, including slide and swings.
They have successfully removed the existing play equipment and used it to replace old equipment at Lakewood Meadows Park in Windsor.
Construction began in September and is scheduled to be completed January 2017. Olivia will notify The Rotary club of Windsor when ribbon cutting is scheduled.
Program:
We were very fortunate to have Pam Moulton, Sue Nelson & Gail Gender present to the club on their experience of doing a photo shoot on the homeless in Healdsburg.
Sue Nelson stated when she agreed to this photo shoot, and to meet Rick Cafferata at the St. Paul homeless shelter, she expected to she would spend an hour or so at the shelter take some photos and be finished, Pam shared similar sentiments. As it turned out, they arrived at the shelter to find none of the homeless where there nor did they show up. With Rick, the homeless outreach coordinator, as their guide, he took them into a homeless encampment in Healdsburg. Cal trans had cleared the area they previously occupied and they were busy helping each other move their belonging.
I cannot begin to convey the true experience each of these ladies experienced, but, I got a full sense that the environment of the encampment was what one would expect, but the welcome and hospitality extended from the individuals they met was far more than expected. They told us how the people they met were willing share what little they had to make them comfortable. They discovered how diverse the backgrounds were of these people that found themselves in this situation, that is wasn’t isolated to drug addicts & drop outs. The photographs these ladies captured are incredible, you truly see the person, the struggle, the pain, the human being.
Their photo shoot did not end on that day; they came to know the stories of these people and others at the shelter. They not only walked away from this experience with a different perspective of “the homeless”, but have shared their photos and experience with others to shift the perception of those without shelter for many.
The two Rotary clubs in Healdsburg and Windsor Rotary are presently working with St Paul Church to provide showers at the shelter in Healdsburg.
Calendar:
11/19- Celebration of Life for Floyd Coakley, 11am at the Grange in Windsor, Pot Luck
11/20 – Frozen Turkey Party, Drop in Brunch 10am-3pm Home of Leigh & Lindy Matea 8501 Shade Tree, Windsor, Bring: Frozen Turkeys, boxed instant mashed potatoes, stuffing, salad dressing, or canned cranberries, gravy mix, canned sweet potatoes/yams or broth. Frozen turkeys will be delivered to F.I.S.H (Friends in Service Here) food pantry in SR, nonperishables will be divided between F.I.S.H. and Windsor’s Service Alliance.
11/22 No Meeting
12/3 – Holiday Party
12/17 – Bell Manor Holiday Lunch
Dictionary Project will start January 2017