Community & Clubs: Columnist honored by Exchange Club
The Newport Harbor Exchange Club honored yours truly last week with an award established in 1917, The Book of Golden Deeds.
According to Garrett TeWinkle, who organized the presentation, the award “recognizes dedicated volunteers who give their time and talents toward making their communities a better place to live.”
Several years ago the club added to the award’s name, that of a longtime member, the late John Crean.
The local Exchange Club has given out the award for the past 35 years, honoring during the past eight years people such as Evelyn Hart, Gary Monahan, Rich Saul, Jeanette Chervony, Ruby Wissman Suikki, Diane Flatten, Paul Salata and Harland Anderson.
TeWinkle introduce Richard Freeman, a past president of the Exchange Club who provided my community involvement background and shared the club’s appreciation for this weekly column.
Lions International Past District Gov. Mike Schaefer and Rotary International Past District Gov. Roger McGonegal added their comments and congratulations as well.
My thanks go to the Exchange Club for the honor.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL FISH FRY
Mike Schaefer, Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club member, said the club has put another one in the books: “We are tired, but relieved. Here are some numbers: 2,112 Fish dinners served, over 1,000 pounds of cod cooked, and the event raised a little over $42,000 for the community.”
Congratulations!
BINGO NIGHT SUCCESSFUL, TOO
Patrick Wines from the Orange Coast Lions Breakfast Club reports that the May 1 Spaghetti/Bingo dinner was a success with more than 200 dinners served and 300 playing bingo.
Wines stated that the club was able to help local schools and charities it supports, thanks to the help of prize donors. They included the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Avila’s El Ranchito Restaurant, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Connell Chevrolet, Dodger Dream Foundation, Five Crowns Restaurant, Golden Dragon Restaurant, Hooters, In-N-Out Burger, Jacks Surfboards, Medieval Times, Newport Rib Company, Souplantation Restaurant, Stater Bros Market, Trader Joe’s, Villa Nova Restaurant, Von’s Market, Wild Rivers Water Park and Z’ Tejas Southwestern Grill.
American Legion Post 291’s primary annual fundraiser takes place on the Fourth of July. The day begins 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and all the trimmings. Lunch and dinner is also available with barbecued tri-tip or chicken with all the trimmings. Live music with Full Spectrum providing the sounds and there will be dancing in the streets. The day is loaded with fun, games, raffles and mingling among friends. Beginning 1 p.m. the Old Glory Boat Parade will start from the Post. That evening you can watch the Newport Beach Dunes’ fireworks from the Post’s patio. For more information, visit https://www.al291.com.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Don’t spend your precious time asking ‘Why isn’t the world a better place?’ It will only be time wasted. The question to ask is ‘How can I make it better?’ To that there is an answer.” - Leo F. Buscaglias
SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS
How are you giving back to your community? Help your community and the world through a service club! For many, service club membership is an extension of our religious beliefs and congregation affiliation.
You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week to learn more about opportunity for service. Most clubs will buy your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.
TODAY
7:30 a.m.: The 10-member Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club meets at Denny’s Restaurant, 290 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.
Noon: The Exchange Club of Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, 1601 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar.
5:15 p.m.: The 10-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Ramada Inn & Suites, 1680 Superior Ave., Costa Mesa. Visit https://www.costamesarotary.org.
5 p.m.: The Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets at the new Hoag Hospital in Irvine for a tour. Visit https://www.newportbalboa.org.
THURSDAY
7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Café, 1835 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa.
Noon: The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. For more information, visit https://www.newportbeachkiwanis.org.
Noon: The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a presentation by Rob Patterson. For more information visit https://www.nhexchange.org,
Noon: The 65-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club, 801 El Peltason Drive, Irvine at UCI. Visit https://www.ni-rotary.org.
Noon: The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Costa Mesa Golf and Country Club. 1701 Golf Course Drive, Costa Mesa.
TUESDAY
7:30 a.m.: The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at the Five Crowns, 3801 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, for a program by Kim Farthing, Operation Home Front. For more information, visit https://www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.