GOODING: THIS CLUB IS 'SMOKIN!"

WHAT A HANDSOME GROUP

Kneeling: Dave Buechler (Chaplin), Ray Rausch, Joe James.  Row two: Jim Schoettger, Heather Williams, Rick Basterrechea, Steve France, John McLaughlin, Larry Robertson, Leo Sanchez.  Row three: Marg Brockman, Holly Sabala, Bill Oakley, Dale Butler, Kelly McCool, Claude Scanlon, Ray Goodman, Matt Kent, Phil Brown.

THE GOODING CLUB:  ENERGY WITH COMBINED WISDOM

Look at the picture of the club members who attended on July 9. One sees a combination of older and younger professional, business and community leaders from young Joseph James, president, and president-elect Leo Sanchez, to venerable members such as secretary and mentor Larry Robertson who joined Rotary in 1967. Three other notable members for longevity are Claude Scanlon, Bill Oakley, and Don Simis, all of whom joined in 1959. 


THIS CLUB IS 'SMOKIN!'

The club must have one of the most unique fundraising projects in the district, a “Boxing Smoker.” The 5th District High School Rodeo Club lines up the fighters in weight categories. They fight 3 three minutes rounds at the high school gym in a ring rented by the club from CSI. The winners receive trophies. The club charges admission and the money collected is donated to the high school track program and the rodeo club. No, attendees who pay admission do not smoke cigars at the “Smoker,” which is just a figure of speech.

In addition, the club participates in a golf tourney, the dictionary project, Adopt-a-Highway and many social activities. Yep, this club is ‘smokin!”

CAN YOU PASS THIS HISTORY QUIZ?

For whom was the town of Gooding named?   Hint:  He served as Governor of Idaho in 1905 before he became a United States citizen. Wikipedia states he was known for his off-putting and abrasive personality, but I found no remnant of his personality in the Rotary Club of Gooding when I visited.


Yes, history buffs, the town was named for Frank R. Gooding who served from 1905 – the year Rotary was founded - to 1909.   (As far as I know, he was not a Rotarian, and he did not know Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary.  Further, he was born in Tiverton, England so he probably had an accent.)