Field trip Friday on March 15, 2024. Instead of our regular meeting, we headed just a bit north to Free Flight bird sanctuary. Isabelle Zapata, the Free Flight Learning Center coordinator, was our guide and introduced us to several of the delightful birds that call Free Flight home. After giving the birds a snack, we had our own snacks at Viewpoint Brewing Company.
Matt Kurth
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Del Mar. I am honored to be president of our club for the Rotary Year 2023-2024. As a member of the Rotary Club of Del Mar for over 8 years, I have been incredibly fortunate to meet and make friends both here in San Diego and all over the world. Rotary is the premier service organization that takes an active, hands-on approach to solve local and international problems. Members of Rotary Club of Del Mar love to work together to improve the quality of lives in our community and spread that joy to our Rotary friends in Asia, Africa, America and Europe. Rotary projects focus on 7 areas of service:
- Peace and Conflict Prevention / Resolution.
- Disease Prevention and Treatment.
- Water and Sanitation.
- Maternal and Child Health.
- Basic Education and Literacy.
- Economic and Community Development.
- Supporting the Environment
To learn more and to make a difference in our community and the world, please join us at an upcoming meeting. We meet Thursdays at noon at Pacifica Del Mar. This video summarizes just a few of our recent projects.
Thank you and see you soon!
Matt Kurth
What’s Rotary?
Rotary is where neighbors, friends, and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change.
We were saddened to hear of the death of our long-time member Al Tarkington on March 13, 2024. Al joined the club in 1973 and membership was just one aspect of his devotion to the Del Mar community. He was the Del Mar mayor from 1979-1980 and was instrumental in the acquisition of Powerhouse Park. Al was an incredible athlete. In 2019, when he was 80 years-old, Al was the final finisher at the World Championship in Kona, just one of his many years at Kona (click HERE to see a story about Al’s 2017 presentation to the club). Al was married to Stephanie (Steve) for 61 years and in 2022 we were happy to see them both chauffeur Karl and Suzy Wagner to their demotion party in a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II, one of several classic cars they owned. Click HERE to read a memorial to Al.
Klaus Gubernator with some Free Flight birds who visited us back in 2017
In lieu of our regular meeting, we have a field trip on March 15 to the Free Flight bird sanctuary near Del Mar Plaza on Jimmy Durante Blvd. (click HERE for a map). Afterward, we can discuss our favorite birds over some Viewpoint Brewing Company brews. The cost is $8/attendee for a guided tour and opportunities to feed the birds. There is limited parking near the sanctuary and dirt lots adjacent to Viewpoint. Email Linda Saville if you have questions. For those attending: wear close-toed shoes that you're comfortable walking in.
We are delighted to induct Dr. Manu Sohaey as the newest member of our club. Manu had a successful plastic and reconstructive surgery practice in the Chicago area, where he raised three children with his late wife, Minoo. His daughter Dr. Roya Sohaey is a respected radiologist at Oregon Health Science University and daughter Jasmine Sohaey Grassi runs a retina care practice with her husband in the Chicago area. His son Christopher is in real estate in the San Diego area. Manu is proud to have been a U.S. citizen for more than 60 years and his family emphasizes the value that immigrants bring to this country.
Membership chair Dee House (third from left) and President Matt Kurth (far right) congratulate our newest blue badgers RoseMary Pellegrino (far left) and Susan Maronde (second from left)
Congratulations to Susan Maronde and RoseMary Pellegrino for completing all the steps on their journey to earn their regular badges.
Beth Davidson stands on the Bloodmobile steps showing off a new addition to her wardrobe.
The San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile was back behind the Del Mar Civic Center on March 7 for another successful blood drive. We collected over 60 pints, and donors got a T-shirt as a special reward. If you couldn’t make this blood drive, click HERE to book an alternate appointment time at one of SDBB’s convenient donor locations. If you donate before March 31, 2024, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a Magnum Pathfinder 500 fat tire E-bike. Thank you to Mary Savoy for organizing the drive.
Past President of Rotary Club of Del Mar-Solana Beach Susan Hennenfent enjoys offerings from Salt + Lime at the 2023 Sunset Soirée
Even though Salt + Lime had just opened their doors in September 2023, they were enthusiastic supporters of our 2023 Sunset Soirée. Join us for a social to thank them for being part of our event. As always, family and friends are welcomed and encouraged. Their Happy Hour starts early: 2:30PM-5:30 PM so come early to enjoy discounted prices.
Jude and PDG Mel Gallegos (far left), PDG Steve Brown, Chuck DuVivier, Dr. Nick Tsoulos and PDG Marty Peters shared memories of a trip to Eritrea
As Marty Peters was preparing for his District Governor year (1998-1999) he had a simple idea: encourage all Club Presidents during his term to raise $500 to give to Rotary International’s polio eradication efforts. That simple idea snowballed into something far more. Click HERE to watch a video that includes a brief overview of the polio virus and its impact by Dr. Matt Kurth followed by memories from Marty, PDG Steve Brown (1995-1996), PDG Mel Gallegos (2018-2019), Chuck DuVivier (Encinitas Coastal Rotary Club) and Dr. Nick Tsoulos (Rotary Club of Escondido).
Wrapping up the Assembly (l to r) Patti Kurtz, Toni Mecaro, Sharon Schendel, Don Fipps, Matt Kurth, Steven McDowell
Our club great representation at the March 9, 2024 District Training Assembly. Of course Don Fipps was there as District Governor, and Janice Kurth delivered the Global Grants session in the afternoon. International Services chair Patti Kurtz attended, as did members of the Presidential line: Matt Kurth, President-Elect Toni Mecaro and Steven McDowell (nominee for Rotary Year 2026-2027). Past President Sharon Schendel was also there working with District Governor Nominee Luis Carranza. Our club is now certified to participate in District and Global Grants in the coming Rotary Year.
RYLA 2024 is just six weeks away! We have three applicants from Cathedral Catholic that we’ll interview on Thursday March 7, 2024 from 2-4 PM (right after the meeting). Email Sharon Schendel if you’d like to help interview. Gregory Harris, a member of the RYLA organizing committee, says that more facilitators are needed for the RYLA weekend. Being a facilitator is truly amazing. You have the opportunity to meet spectacular young people and some of the coolest Rotarians in the district while spending time in beautiful Idyllwild. Facilitators must be able to attend the entire weekend (late Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon) and be able to walk a few miles each day. Also, they MUST be Youth-Certified for District 5340. Email Greg if you’re interested in learning more about being a RYLA facilitator.
Over 10% of our club was up in Vista on February 24, 2024 working hard to build more sleeping cottages for the Rising Tide Ranch. Thank you to all the members who helped. There is another build on March 9, 2024.
Susan Maronde gave her “Who Am I?” presentation at our February 29, 2024 meeting. She was introduced to our club by Beth Davidson, but Susan was already connected to Rotary through her father, George Lewis, who’s a dedicated Rotarian in South Florida (click HERE to see the July 2023 story about George, including a video about George’s pet portraits).
Susan is married to Mike and mother to son Harrison, who’s a freshman at Indiana University. Susan, Mike and Harrison also share their home with two Westies, Fenway and Poppy. Susan has a Bachelor’s from USC and a Master’s at University of San Diego. She just retired from Wells Fargo after a successful 26-year career.
In addition to Rotary, Susan is involved in the Del Mar Women’s Giving Collective and next year will serve as its president. Each year the Collective supports organizations with around 60,000 in grants and to date they’ve granted over $500,000. Susan will also assume a leadership role in our club in July when she will take over as Club Secretary.
Members enjoy sandwiches before attending a performance of "Clyde's" at Moxie Theatre; Valentina Lunati (Development Director) and Desireé Clarke Miller (Executive Artistic Director; upper right) gave an introduction to the mission of Moxie Theatre
Our members met at the Moxie Theatre on March 3, 2024 to see “Clyde’s”, a play about creative expression and the importance of taking simple ingredients you have on hand to create something new and personal (click HERE to read the story about Moxie’s visit to our club in January, 2024). The Moxie lobby was set up to look like Clyde’s sandwich shop in rural Pennsylvania, while the stage had the back kitchen of Clyde’s, staffed by Montrellous, Rafael, Letitia and Jason, who’ve all spent time incarcerated. All four strive to make “perfect” sandwiches while keeping to task of their boss Clyde, who struggles with her own challenges to keep the business afloat.
In advance of the play, we all enjoyed some perfect sandwiches from Chēba Hut that were generously provided by Dugan and Philippe Lamoise, who are also title sponsors of the production. There is still time to catch a performance of Clyde’s, which runs through March 10, 2024.
Some of Bob's favorite jackets on display in the St. Peter's Parish Hall after Bob's Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Life for Bob Fuchs was held Friday February 23, 2024 at the St. Peter’s Church. Bob served as club president in 2003-2004 and was instrumental in launching our Sunset Soirée and reviving Chili & Quackers in 2017. He also arranged multiple Rotary at Work Day projects at the San Dieguito Lagoon. Bob led a full and rich life and he will be sorely missed. Click HERE to read Bob’s obituary and leave a memory in the virtual guestbook that follows.
Event organizer Garrie Rhodes (far left) presents checks to the competitors (l to r) Lauren Suh, Annie Verkhoczy, Koe Goodsell, and Taj Aliotta
Four talented young musicians treated our members to wonderful performances in the first round of the District 5340 Instrumental Music Competition on February 22, 2024. Taj Aliotta, a senior at San Dieguito Academy, began the competition by playing Cantabile el Presto by George Enescu for flute. Koe Goodsell, a Junior at Canyon Crest Academy, played the Allegro molto appasionato movement from Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, followed by another flutist, Lauren Suh, a junior at Torrey Pines High School, who played Danza de la Mariposa by Valerie Coleman. Annie Verkhoczy, a sophomore at Cathedral Catholic High School, finished the competition with a keyboard piece, Merry Go Round of Life from the Howl’s Moving Castle soundtrack by Joe Hisaishi. The judging panel comprising Janice Kurth, Miles Fleming, and Lowell Gaspar considered the difficulty of the piece as well as the musical interpretation, musical emotion, stage presence and the command of the instrument. All four winners received a check from the Youth Services committee for their participation and the judges chose Lauren Suh to represent our club at the upcoming semifinals in March. Thank you to Garrie Rhodes for organizing our club’s competition. Click HERE from some clips of their performances (unfortunately, Facebook embargoed the video of the meeting).
Our parking arrangement with St. Peter’s is in flux. Any 2022-2023 St. Peter’s parking passes are now invalid. President Matt Kurth is working with the church to get new passes, but the number they provide will be limited.
For upcoming meetings: 1) find street parking; 2) pay at the metered spots along Maiden Lane (insert your credit card FIRST, then select the amount of time you need);
or 3) park in the Del Mar Plaza garage. Pacifica Del Mar offers discounted parking validation for garage parking. Here’s how to get (and pay for) the validation:
- BRING YOUR TICKET with you to the meeting
- SLIP YOUR TICKET in the folio when you pay your lunch bill
- Our server Aly will add $4 to your bill and affix a sticker with a bar code to your ticket, which will now have TWO bar codes.
- Upon exiting the garage, scan BOTH bar codes. Scan the bar code on the ticket FIRST and the bar code from Pacifica Del Mar SECOND.
The lunch pre-order form is updated to ask whether you want Plaza garage parking (question 2). If you want validation, PLEASE fill out the form so they can prepare stickers.
Dugan Lamoise (far left) with (l to r) Valentina Lunati, Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, Tanya Alexander and DeAndre Simmons
Look up “moxie” in a dictionary and the definitions might include terms like “courageous spirit and determination”. MOXIE Theatre is aptly named. In 2004, Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, one of the speakers for our January 18, 2024 meeting, co-founded MOXIE Theatre to address the lack of representation and voice for women in the dramatic arts. Twenty years ago the need was great: only 15% of plays produced in the United States were written by women. Companies like MOXIE Theatre helped raise awareness of the viewpoints of women+ playwrights, and 100% of plays the company produces are by women+. Development Director Valentina Lunati, the first Managing Director for MOXIE Theatre, also spoke and said that not only does MOXIE Theatre produce plays by women+, but partners with SDSU to encourage women+ to be involved behind the scenes by offering internships in production and marketing as well as technical and administrative support. Beginning February 2, 2024, MOXIE Theatre will present “Clyde’s” a comedy by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage that Turner Sonnenberg will direct. To give members a preview, cast members Tanya Alexander and DeAndre Simmons acted a scene from “Clyde’s”. All members are invited to attend a performance of “Clyde’s” on Sunday March 3 at MOXIE Theatre near SDSU. Thank you to Dugan Lamoise for arranging this program.
District Governor Don Fipps with members of the Secretariat General (far left photo l to r) Alex Radulescu, Jordan Smith and Ereny Tanious and with Conference Co-Chairs (far left photo) Kevin Cahill and Pauline Lim-Endresen; Center photo (l to r): Klaus Gubernator, Kathy Reed and Walt Strangman
The 20th annual District 5340 Model United Nations Conference kicked off on January 20, 2024 with a delegate training session. The session began with country selections, followed by introduction of the two resolutions for debate that concerned loss of global biodiversity and strategies to quell terrorism to build a safer world. The guest speaker was Dr. Ari Novy, the CEO of San Diego Botanic Garden, who focused on global efforts to preserve biodiversity. Don Fipps also attended as District Governor. Thank you to Kathy Reed for again organizing the food, Klaus Gubernator, for securing the Del Mar Civic Center as the venue, and Donna Fipps, Sharon Schendel, Walt Strangman, and Ina von Ber for helping with check in. Mark your calendars for the full session on March 23 and March 24.
The Rotary Family suffered a tremendous loss when Immediate Past District Governor Chuck Pretto passed away on January 15, 2024. Chuck was in the middle of successful term when he was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. After a bone marrow transplant, he developed graft versus host disease, from which he did not recover. You may recall that Chuck encouraged every Rotarian in District 5340 to wear their pin proudly, so we encourage you to wear your pin in memory of Chuck. Our pins can spark memories in others about how Rotary touched their lives, or conversations about all the ways that Rotarians do good in the world. Chuck certainly did good in the world, and he will be missed. If you would like to make a donation in Chuck’s memory, the Pretto family suggests Rotary International Annual Fund, San Diego Rotary (Club 33) Foundation (Chuck was a proud member of Club 33), or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
We were sorry to learn that Bernadette Watkins, beloved wife of our member Jim Watkins, passed away last week. We will post information about services and the obituary when it becomes available.
Foundation Chair Janice Kurth and President Matt Kurth (far right and left, rspectively) presented pins to the latest multiple Paul Harris Fellows (l to r) Miles Fleming, Patti Kurtz and Donna Fipps
Rotary Foundation Chair Janice Kurth recognized Miles Fleming, Patti Kurtz, and Donna Fipps with their latest Paul Harris Fellow pins. For members like Donna who are enrolled in Rotary Direct, Paul Harris Fellow awards come like clockwork! Check out Rotary Direct as a simple way to manage giving to the Rotary Foundation, which provides funds that allow us to pursue projects that benefit our community, and communities around the world.
We had wonderful weather for our first social of 2024, which was at Il Fornaio in the Del Mar Plaza. Thank you to all members who attended and Il Fornaio for the wonderful food and service. We are grateful to Il Fornaio for their long-standing support of our Sunset Soirée.
Scott LaRue (center) accepts check for MCRF Scholarships from President Matt Kurth (right) and Sean Barrett (left)
In 1962, a Marine veteran read in the newspaper that a fellow Marine veteran, a Medal of Honor recipient, could not afford to send their child to college. That veteran helped raise $1500 for a scholarship and represented the beginning of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF), which has since awarded scholarships worth 200 million dollars. Our members raised nearly $600 in Happy Dollars at the January 11, 2024 meeting to help support MCSF scholarships.
MCSF Board of Director Member L. Scott LaRue told us that the MCSF current provides around 11 million dollars in annual scholarship support to help over 2,700 children of Marines. The scholarships are need-based and non-competitive so that all qualified applicants receive support. To qualify, the student must meet simple eligibility criteria: 1) Be a child of a Marine, Navy Corpsman, or Religious Program Specialist, living or dead, who received an honorable discharge; 2) Demonstrate need for financial aid; and 3) Have a high school GPA of at least 2.0.
The success of MCSF graduates in part reflects the work ethic of a Marine. Over 91% of scholarship recipients graduate in four years (relative 56% national average), and almost half are first-generation college students. Scholarship recipients study at a range of institutions, including community and 4-year colleges, as well as vocational schools. The MCSF makes what they perceive as a Cycle of Impact in which a Marine makes a sacrifice for his/her country, the child of the Marine receives scholarship support, and, using the education they receive, strengthens the nation as their parent did. We thank Pat Dougherty for bringing MCSF to our attention.
We have upcoming cottage build opportunities in February and March! In partnership with the St. James Mission Circle Cottage Project, more sleeping cottages are going up at the Rising Tide Sober Living Ranch (2207 Guajome Lake Road, Vista, CA). Help provide safe shelter those who are at transition points in their lives.
The builds will be February 10 and 24 as well as March 9. Check the EVENTS page for details. Wear your “Rotary at Work” shirt (ask Sharon Schendel if you don’t have one) and in general clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or painted. Email Pat Caughey or Steven McDowell if you have questions.
Our past president Bob Fuchs passed away on December 17, 2023 shortly after suffering a stroke. He was 79 years-old. Bob served as club president for Rotary Year 2004-2005, and was instrumental in making the Sunset Soirée a reality. He also revived Chili & Quackers in 2017 and organized several work projects at San Dieguito Lagoon, a place that was very important to him. Bob provided strong leadership for the Rotary Club of Del Mar Foundation, which provides the funds to drive our projects. We send our condolences to the Fuchs family and will have fond memories of Bob’s outstanding service to the club. He will be missed.
Wyatt Hinshaw (left) receives congratulations from his sponsor, Patti Kurtz, Membership chair Dee House, and President Matt Kurth
We’re delighted to induct our newest member, Wyatt Hinshaw. Wyatt gave his “Who Am I” at the January 4, 2024 meeting. Wyatt is a Hoosier by birth, but came to San Diego when he was 8 years-old after his mother accepted the CIO position for Scripps. After graduating from Bishop’s High School, Wyatt studied mechanical engineering at Berkeley hoping for a career in the automotive industry. He joined Fiskar Automotive, an experience that demonstrated that the auto industry was not for him. In 2014 Wyatt joined biotech company Scientist.com working in corporate development. Then, in 2017, Wyatt’s friend Charles Cole asked him to help with the finance side of a beer brewing venture, which would eventually become Viewpoint Brewing Company. Wyatt is now working on a new project: he founded FundaMental Health, which seeks to help individuals struggling to access mental health obtain the help and resources they need. Family is important to Wyatt. He’s one of seven children and is uncle to 9 nieces and nephews. He enjoys cars, surfing and snowboarding, and spending time with his black lab, Maggie Maude.
Congratulations to our newest Paul Harris fellow, RoseMary Pellegrino, and to Val Myers, who earned her Paul Harris +3, respectively. Rotarians who donate $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation are honored as Paul Harris fellows. They earn additional recognition for each subsequent $1,000 they donate. Support for the Foundation comes back to our club in the form of District and Global Grants.
Wyatt Hinshaw, Donna Fipps, Val Myers, Dugan Lamoise, Janice Kurth, and Sean Barrett (l to r) all gave brief "Who Am I" presentations to kick off 2024
For our first meeting of 2024 we featured “Who Am I”s from several veteran members of the club and two of our newest members, including Sean Barrett. Sean was born in Kentsville, Missouri and graduated college as the Viet Nam war was ramping up. Since his father had been in the military, Sean knew that entering the service would be his only option. Trying to secure a job as a supply officer, he listed Viet Nam for his top three duty stations, which explain why he was ultimately assigned to Guam. After serving in Guam, he went to New London, Connecticut Naval Submarine Base, where he officially became a “bubblehead”: someone who served on a submarine. After leaving the service, Sean earned an MBA from Indiana University and entered a career in banking. Sean wore a flat cap for his presentation to accompany a story about his being mistaken for a certain celebrity while traveling with his wife, Denise, by train between Paris and London. Apparently this celebrity, also named Sean, frequented the train, and there is indeed a certain resemblance.
We added our latest regular badge to the box for Dr. Ina von Ber, who completed all the tasks for Rotarians who transfer into our club. Congratulations Ina!
Powerhouse Park was the site of a holiday party for Ukrainian children and their families that was hosted by Slavic Refugee and Immigrant Services. Our club helped support the fun through a donation of $750 from the Youth Services committee and $1250 that members raised in a single Happy Dollars session. Thank you to Klaus Gubernator and Steven McDowell for helping to organizing and being onsite during the event.
Enjoying wines at Gianni Buonomo (lower photo, clockwise from left) General Manager Al Dorvinen, Linda Strangman, Sharon Schendel, Matt & Janice Kurth, Patti Kurtz, Roy Randall, Toni Mecaro, Ina von Ber, Suzy & Karl Wagner, Walt Strangman. Keith Rolle and Al Dorvinen (upper center and right) were our guides, and Luigi Agostini of Pizzeria Luigi pizzeria stopped by.
We wrapped up a year of socials in the heart of Ocean Beach, where we thanked our long-time Sunset Soirée supporter, Gianni Buonomo Vintners. Our tasting featured a variety of interesting wines, including a Blaufränkisch, Lagrein, and a Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc reserve. We extend our gratitude to the "Secret Santa" who picked up the entire tab! General manager Al Dorvinen was our guide in choosing some interesting bottles, and vintner Keith Rolle also stopped by to provide some insight into the inspiration for some of his wines. Next time you’re on Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach, stop in for a taste!
Another wonderful holiday party for members of the San Dieguito Boys & Girls Club La Colonia Clubhouse and their families. Children made crafts at the different stations and enjoyed a wonderful dinner provided by Jake's Del Mar.
Circles highlight donor names (upper left). The club appears twice, and Marty and Mary Alice Peters as well as Bill and Kathy Dougherty and members of the Woolley family are also listed. The basketball court and main area are shown- games are available after homework is complete
As a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Mark Barry developed skills to engage children. He even made some extra balloon hats on the spot so every child had one.
Wil Lopez (upper right) gave us a tour of the music center at the Polster Youth Arts Academy.
We were in Carmel Valley on November 16, 2023 to tour the Polster Clubhouse and Teen Center, part of one of our most important beneficiaries, Boys & Girls Club of San Dieguito.
Pat Caughey (left, second from left) with Kathy Faller (far left), founder of Casas de Luz, and members of the St. James Mission Circle
Members are working to build more sleeping cottages, this time at Decelles Unicorn Village For At Risk Youth in Vista. The most recent cottages will complete Phase I of the project to provide shelter for youth who are at risk and in need of transitional housing.
Our latest blood drive on November 2, 2023 was a great success. We collected 23 pints that can help 69 people. Thank you to Mary Savoy for organizing the drive. Couldn’t make this drive? Donate any time at one of the convenient San Diego Blood Bank donation centers.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar is a registered 501c4 non-profit organization.