Tracking down the honors

JIM DE BOOM

The Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa honored the 20 winners of the April

16 city of Newport Beach track meet at Wednesday’s dinner meeting.

The Rotary Club involvement with the track meet began in 1981

under the leadership of Rotarian Art Walton who continues to

coordinate Rotary volunteers and sponsorship at the annual meet.

About 20 years ago, the exchange of Friendship Medals with the

winners of the track meets held in Newport Beach and Okazaki was

developed with the group’s sister Rotary Club, Okazaki South.

Corona del Mar High School track coach Bill Sumner, who was named

ESPN National Coach of the Year in 2000 and is a 20-year coach at the

high school, was the keynote speaker and shared the honors with

sophomore running sensation Annie St. Geme, the third best female

high school miler in the U.S.

St. Geme shared her experiences with the youthful track stars in

attendance on setting goals, conditioning and team efforts. Both

speakers answered questions from Rotarians, parents and youthful

track stars.

A letter was shared, written by parent Scott Gayner, which said in

part: “Please thank the members of the Newport-Balboa Rotary Club for

inviting Cassidy to the Okazaki Friendship Medal award ceremony At

the county meet last week, she broke the state SCMAF record with a

leap of 15-feet 4-inches. Her achievement in the long jump and

100-meter dash this year would not be possible without the Newport

Balboa Rotary Club’s annual devotion to our kids Keep up the great

work for the younger kids coming up the ranks ... trying to break all

those records!”

With the aide of Newport Beach Recreation Department staffer Sean

Levin, Walton called each of the recipients to the podium for the

awards presentation. Honored were Kurt Rodriguez, Ryan Rodriguez,

Megan Crosson, Evan Dean, Evan McGuire, Carter Keddington, Alex

Swigert, John Swigert, Laura Crosby, Sarah Toberty, Tanner Love,

Christian Twicken, Cassidy Gaynor, Jessica Leimkuhler, Eric

Leimkuhler, Anna Venturini, Monica Vanturini and Michael Andraszlzyk.

Proud were the kids, proud were the parents and proud too the

Rotarians!

HONORING WWII VETERANS

World War II Veterans are invited to a special program at 10 a.m.

May 29 at American Legion Post 291, said Barbara Murphy, second vice

commander of Post 291. In observance of the dedication of the World

War II Memorial in Washington D.C., Newport Beach Mayor Tod Ridgeway

has signed a “Recognition Day Proclamation” to mark the day. World

War II veterans attending will received a special “Service to

America” certificate. After the program, lunch will be served. There

is no charge for World War II veterans; $5 for guests. World War II

movies will be showing all afternoon in the Great Hall. The Post is

at 215 15th Street, Newport Beach.

FISH FRY CONTESTS

Harbor Mesa Lions Club is in charge of the “Miss Costa Mesa” and

the Baby contests at the Lion’s Fish Fry, June 5 and 6 at the Lion’s

Park in Costa Mesa.

Arlene Schafer, contest chairwoman, is looking for contestants for

the “Miss Costa Mesa” Pageant and Scholarship Contest. The winner

will be awarded a $500 scholarship and a $500 South Coast Plaza

shopping certificate.

Entrants in the contest must be from 16 to 25 years of age,

single, and live, work or go to school in Costa Mesa. For

information, call (714) 546-1429.

Sandi Scheafer is the chairman of the Baby Contest and is also

looking for contestants. For information about the Baby Contest, call

(714) 549-4961.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF SERVICE CLUBS

Cathy Waters, sponsored by Lorna Young, who joined the Harbor Mesa

Lions Club and was inducted by Vice District Gov. Barbara Hayward.

WORTH REPEATING

From the Thought for Today, provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport

Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council ... “While we may not be able to

control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside

us.”

-- Benjamin Franklin

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

TUESDAY

7:15 a.m.: The 47-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club will

meet at Five Crowns Restaurant. (https://www.newportbeach

sunriserotary.org).

6 p.m.: The Costa Mesa Newport Harbor Lions Club will meet at the

home of Lee Gibbs to finalize planning for the Fish Fry.

WEDNESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 10-member South Coast Metro Rotary Club will meet

at the Holiday Inn and the Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club will meet at

the University Athletic Club.

Noon: The Exchange Club of the Orange Coast will meet at the Bahia

Corinthian Yacht Club for a Youth of the Year program.

6 p.m.: The 50-member Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa will meet at

the home of Club President Ed Rennie for dinner

(https://www.newportbalboa.org)

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-plus-member Costa Mesa-Orange Costa Breakfast Lions

Club will meet at Mimi’s Cafe.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club will meet at the

Holiday Inn (https://www.kiwanis.org/club/

costamesa); the 50-member Newport Beach-Corona del Mar Kiwanis

Club will meet at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program by

Pam Hope on “Adopt a Social Worker.” The 85-member Exchange Club of

Newport Harbor will meet at the Nautical Museum for their Antique Car

Show “Consours d’Anciens.” The 100-member Rotary Club of Newport

Irvine will meet at the Atrium Hotel for Craft Talks

(https://www.nhexchange

club.com).

* COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Saturdays in the Daily Pilot.

Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655

or by e-mail to jdeboom@ aol.com.