President Eileen's News Flash!

June 2, 2022

To My Esteemed and Amazing Fellow Rotarians:

This past Monday, we observed Memorial Day, a solemn day for Americans to remember those who died in order to protect our freedom to enjoy peace in the greatest country on Earth. Memorial Day originated from Americans honoring those soldiers that lost their lives fighting in the Civil War, the deadliest war in American history. An estimated 620,000 American troops lost their lives in this war. I hope you were all able to take a moment to remember those that lost their lives in this war.

On May 16, 2022, we lost our dear friend Jack Biggar, a long-time fellow Rotarian that served as a community volunteer through Rotary for over 35 years, a Former Tournament of Roses President, Prominent Pasadena Businessman, and so much more. A tribute to Jack and his legacy was published in last week's President's News Flash. The following information was provided by Karol Biggar, who also sends her love and gratitude to our members for your kindness and friendship:

Memorial Services for Jack Biggar

Tuesday, June 21, 2022 - 11:00 a.m.

Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church

30071 Ivy Glen Drive, Laguna Niguel

In lieu of flowers, the Biggar family is requesting donations in Jack's honor be made to the Pasadena Tournament of Roses or the Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church. Please continue to keep the Biggar family in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

Although we did not have a meeting on Friday, Rotarians were working in the community representing Rotary! Scholarship Committee Chair Bill Nguyen, President Eileen, and Vice President Kristin Epperson attended the Senior Awards Ceremonies at Aliso Niguel High School and Dana Hills High School. They presented scholarship letters and certificates to 18 deserving students! This was the first year that scholarships were presented in the names of Robert Ming, Dennis Mulvaney and Jerry McCloskey in the amount of $3,000 each at both ANHS and DHHS, in addition to the Robert Margolis, Harry Cheshire and Davie Koontz Scholarships.

This year, the Scholarship Committee worked with President Eileen to increase all of scholarship amounts which was amazing! There will be a special luncheon that will be hosted by our Club for the scholarship recipients and their parents at our regular meeting on Friday, June 24th at Romeo Cucina so don't miss out!

President Eileen Gomez

June

Birthdays

Chris Doherty

6/13

Elaine Gennawey

6/7

Bill Nguyen

6/6

Dale Stinchfield

6/16

Wedding Anniversaries

Bruce Birkeland

6/12

Kristin Epperson

6/21

Ellen Fine

6/13

Stewart Mims

6/6

Ron Waters

6/15

Club Anniversaries

Miles Sterling

6/29/1999

Dale Stinchfield

6/1/1977

Upcoming

Guest Speakers

6/10

Fireside Chat

6/17

Steve Bender, President, Newport Beach Rotary Club

6/24

Scholarship Recipient Lunch with Parents

Next Board Meeting

Thursday,

June 16, 2022

5:30 p.m.

Rotarians are always socializing and enjoying time together! President Eileen and her son Brandon had a great night out with Assistant Governor Dr. Sheila Steinberg, and her amazing father, Dr. V!

THE ROTARY FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE NEEDS YOUR HELP!

We are collecting items for our big fundraiser in October! Please bring your items to a Friday lunch meeting for our Silent Auction Fundraiser! Here is a list to give you some ideas of what would make great auction items! The Rotary Fundraising Committee thanks you in advance!

Please be sure to RSVP to this email for "The Presidents Night in Tuscany Transition Dinner" on July 16th at 4:00 p.m. at Mark Montgomery's House! The cost is $50 per person which includes a delicious Italian dinner and more

We are always looking for great speakers in our community! Please be sure to forward names and email addresses to me for any individuals in our community that you would like to have come out and speak to our Rotary Club! We have lots of great programs scheduled and we look forward to many more with your help! We are planning some great programs so please be sure to join us for lunch on Friday's at noon so you don't miss out!

Serving To Change Lives,

Eileen

Eileen Gomez

2021-22 President

Rotary Club of Laguna Niguel

Our Next Meeting is on Friday, June 3, 2022 at Noon at Romeo Cucina Restaurant in Laguna Niguel!

Alexander Rosenstein,

Scientific Writer

Please join us to welcome our featured Guest Speaker Alexander Rosenstein, a well-published scientific writer and passionate historian! Alexander is the son of Soviet dissidents and came to the United States from Odessa, Ukraine on a refugee visa without knowing any English. Rosenstein was able to overcome the language barrier and received his undergraduate and doctorate degrees in the United States. Subsequently, he completed his postdoctoral work at Oxford University.

Alexander is passionate about history. He traveled to 6 out of 7 continents and lectured in 9 countries. Alexander is a well-published scientific writer, but a relatively new fiction writer. He has two action/adventure novels, based on real historical events, published by two different independence publishers. Recently, Alexander completed his third novel, which is ready for publication, and currently is working on his 4th novel! Since immigrating to the United States, Alexander returned back to Ukraine and Russia three times! His second visit coincided with the events immediately presiding the fall of the Soviet Empire.

Please join us at Romeo Cucina Restaurant at Noon on Friday, June 3rd to show your support for Alexander Rosenstein!

Next Meeting - Friday, June 3, 2022

Romeo Cucina Restaurant

28241 Crown Valley Parkway

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

(corner of Greenfield Dr. and Rancho Niguel Rd.)

11:45 am - Socialize

12:00pm - Meeting Called to Order

12:30pm - Speaker Program Begins

1:00pm - Meeting Adjournment