“INTERCHANGE”
The Exchange Club of Fresno
A Weekly Publication
June 26, 2008

secret greeter...opening remarks...flag salute...invocation

It was a small, but mighty, group that Immediate Past President Harry Johnson welcomed at the last meeting in June...the Secret Greeter arrived shortly before the bell rang and although greeted warmly by everyone, only 3 shook her hand...oh, the griping and kvetching that went on when everyone else was fined! Oh yes...your editor was the SG. Next week's SG is someone whose phone number is 431-8033. Look it up!

Dick Seyller did a sterling job leading the Flag Salute and Frank Cristando led the invocation, asking a special blessing for North Fresno Exchange member Liz Diaz who is very ill.

announcements...drawings...exchange anniversary

Lots of announcements...Harry announced that there will be a short Board Meeting after the July 10 meeting...so if you are an officer or board member...plan to stay for a while. Tom is also looking for a chairperson for the “Book of Golden Deeds” program for next year. A great program to chair! With a great deal of fanfare and a slight mishap when Pete temporarily misplaced the pin, Pete Hauck presented the Past President's pin to Harry Johnson. Then, Harry presented the 10 year pin enhancement to Wayne Bright and the 40 year pin enhancement to Frank Cristando. Of note...both Harry Johnson and Bill Booth have been President of ECOF twice!

Wayne Bright then gave us an update on the recent District Convention...a wonderful experience said Wayne! Wayne shared a few copies of the program from the convention and told us about Selena's outstanding address to the members present, which started out on a light note and became serious, captivating the group. As Wayne explained....”you could hear a pin drop”. Wayne also had certificates of appreciation for the families of the recently passed active Exchangites and proudly displayed his District Director plaque and patriotic throw as well as patches for the club for his involvement at the District level. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Wayne! Great job as our District Director!

Announcements continued with a reminder that this month (actually until July 10) is Dental Health Month for Craycroft...we have lots of toothbrushes, etc...but can use more! Also it was noted that Evelynn Walker, Phil's widow, recently passed away and private services were held.

Happy Exchange Anniversary to Richard Grill...5 glorious years as an Exchangite...we appreciate Richard's contributions to our weekly meetings and to our club as a whole!

The Bill B. /Bob E. team won our small prize and Malcolm M. and Eddie E. took home the grand cash prize. Don't spend it all in one place, guys!

happy dollars...travel dollars

Well...the winners of the HD parade were the Bulldog Baseball Team who won the College World Series the previous evening and Wayne Bright who is our District Director. Otto Tocchio started off the HD's and from there the HD's just poured in! Joining the parade were Malcolm Masten, Barbara Mendes, Pete Hauck, Mary Lynch-Wiens, Shannon Christian, Bob Emerzian, Karen Griffin , Harry Johnson and Loren Gaither (that wasn't everyone...just the ones I got on paper). Richard Arnold added one for Margie Wright's Softball Team who brought fame to Fresno as well...Wayne Bright for having his family living with him (son, daughter-in-law, 2 kids and 2 dogs)...or maybe it was for his family leaving him...not sure! Marvin Arnold for his friend Pete Hauck and Pete's misplacing the pin...and a couple of “sad dollars” from Bob Emerzian who had to put his oldest dog to sleep yesterday (he has 26 left on his ranch)...Bill Booth who had to spend $4,500 for a new sewer connection...and Pete Hauck who witnessed the sewer problem! Good thing Bill was a winner of the “pot” today...he can help pay for his sewer.

Travelers...Wayne Bright to Alaska and a famiy wedding in Connecticut...Barbara Mendes to San Diego with her family...Marvin Arnold to San Francisco...Pete Hauck to attend his great-grandson's wedding...Don Scrivner who went fishing at Huntington Lake and caught the limit!

today's program....programs to come...dates to remember

Mike Flanagan hosted today's guests, Ken Guenther and Keri Goossen who are a sales team from Akeena Solar. Ken and Keri gave the group lots of information on the benefits of Solar Energy and the dramatic savings in energy costs by using solar energy. Ken and Keri explained that as PG and E rates increase (4.5% in October 2008 and 2% more in January 2009) the savings using solar energy sources also increase. They also advised that here in the San Joaquin Valley, a desert area, we have an abundance of sunshine. Also, that the more electrical energy we use, the higher the rate of that energy. They are also offering a “rebate” to Exchange Club members....for every unit sold in the next 60 days...a $500 donation will be made to the club. Also, if several members wish to band together to purchase these systems...discounts can be offered. Thanks to Mike and to the Ken/Keri team for an interesting and informative talk.

Our new President-Elect, Karen Griffin, gave us the rundown on the programs for the nest few weeks....

July 3, 2008 – Shannon Christian will host David Case talking about Elder Abuse....July 10, 2008 – Malcolm Masten will host a guest who will answer questions about your problematic computers....July 17, 2008 – Bill Smith is hosting and the program is TBA.

Also, July 10 is our final day for bringing our toothbrushes, etc. Thank you!