NEWSLETTER | July 31, 2024

Dear Rotary Guest,

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Lunch Meeting
Friday, August 2 | 12:15 pm
Program: !

 
August 1: Thirsty Thursday
at Casa Balam
Join Us! 
5:30-7 pm. 
Bring a pal or three.
201 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030 |MAP|

 
 
Weekly luncheon meetings begin at 12:15 pm
on Fridays unless otherwise noted.
. . . . .
SATURDAY
AUGUST

3
Service Project
for FODAC
. . . . .
FRIDAY
AUGUST

9
Meeting/
Speaker:
Andrew Keenan, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
. . . . .
FRIDAY
AUGUST

16
Meeting/
Speaker:
Thomas E. Brown, U.S. Marshal and Author

Announcements
 
. . . . .
REMINDER: Trucks, Trailers, and Volunteers Needed for FODAC Equipment Drive Aug. 3
 
 
Reminder that the next FODAC (Friends of Disabled Adults and Children) equipment drive is happening on Saturday, August 3, organized by the North Atlanta Rotary Club.
 
NOTE: You must register to participate!
First, fill out the volunteer questionnaire and return to Ralph Sims of North Atlanta Rotary (ralphdsims@gmail.com). Having this info beforehand allows them to schedule the equipment pickups by groups and is vital to making sure we get the right people and vehicles to go get the equipment. Items will include power wheelchairs, adjustable beds, body hoists, walkers, crutches, etc.

On Saturday, Aug. 3, at 8:30 am, meet at the back patio of the 57th Restaurant, which is next to PDK Airport on Clairmont Road in Chamblee. Grab some (free) breakfast and drinks. Groups will head out to pick up equipment and return it to FODAC trucks at the 57th. Everyone is usually done between 1 and 2 pm.  

Don’t own a truck? Didn’t eat your spinach? No problem – there are other jobs for volunteers!
 
Questions? Reach out to Ralph Sims (770-778-1907 or ralphdsims@gmail.com) of the North Atlanta Rotary Club. Let’s help our neighbors!

 
FRIDAY, JULY 26  |  2024
Birthdays
Desiree Peagler, Aug. 3
William Harshman, Aug. 13
Dave Jollay, Aug. 15
Membership Anniversaries
Tom Adams, 45 years
John Bennett, 18 years
Laura Brookshire, 1 year
Marion Curry, 2 years
Doug Park, 10 years 
Desiree Peagler, 18 years
Donna Phillips, 2 years
Visitors
Yolanda Dixon, South DeKalb Rotary Club
guest of Jamaal Ellis

Monica Paré, Student Exchange parent, guest of the club

Riley Paré, Student Exchange participant, guest of the club

Selma Doganson, Exchange Student from Sweden
guest of the club

Jennifer and Ian McMillan, Student Exchange host family, guests of the club

Jane Ladefian, guest of Leo Ladefian

Kellie Brownlow, First Step Staffing, guest of Jason Conn
 
Shara Sanders, visiting Rotarian Yolanda Dixon, and host, Jamaal Ellis
 
Leo and Jane Ladefian
 
Jennifer Topple won the weekly wine raffle of a Cotes du Rhone wine.
 
. . . . .
Decatur Rotary Signs Sister Agreement with CEBU, Philippines Club
 

The Sister Agreement signing ceremony: Bing Martinez, representing the Cebu Club (left), Marion Curry, RI Foundation Chair and the Decatur Rotary liaison for the Sister Agreement, and President Dudley Larus address the club and complete the signing of the agreement.
 
The Sister Club Agreement
We the sister clubs, further agree that: The Decatur Rotary Club in RI District 6900, Georgia, United States of America and the Rotary Club of Cebu in RI District 3860, Philippines have mutually agreed to start their sister club relationship for the promotion of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world of fellowship of business and professional persons untied in the ideal of service.
 
1. Both clubs shall promote friendship and understanding between the two clubs;
 
2. Both clubs shall endeavor, encourage visitation, either individually or in groups, and/or undertake social-cultural activities that promote understanding of each other's customs and traditions;
 
3. Both parties shall exchange information pertaining to Rotary activities and services;
 
4. Both clubs may undertake joint activities and joint projects as the club's officers deem appropriate in the pursuit of the object of Rotary;
 
5. The sister club relationship will be effective for a period of one year, renewable by mutual consent as maybe agreed upon such terms and conditions by both parties hereof.
 
In view hereof, the parties have here unto set their hands in this document on the 7th of June 2024.
 
Signed: 

Decatur Rotary Club 
Doug Tozzi: 2023-24 President
Dudley Larus: 2024-25 President
Marion Curry: RI Foundation Chair

Rotary Club of Cebu
Walter Cang: President
Brian Connelly: International Service Director

 
. . . . .
Decatur Rotary Welcomes Selma Doganson. Our Exchange Student from Vasteras Sweden
 
The Decatur Rotary Club is extremely pleased to welcome our 2024-25 Exchange student from Vasteras Sweden, Ms. Selma Doganson. She will be starting the school year at Decatur High School in the next few days.
 
J
ennifer and Ian McMillan with Selma in the middle and John Bennett, her Rotary host.

 
. . . . .
Volunteers Wanted To Pack Meals for ‘Rise Against Hunger’

Decatur Presbyterian Church is excited to host another Rise Against Hunger event on kick-off Sunday August 11. This counts as a Rotary Service Project.
 
As always, we will worship together at 10:30 am. Following worship, all are welcome to join us for a light lunch in the parlor at 11:30 am. There is no cost to the meal, but donations are welcome to help offset meal costs and share any remaining donations with Rise Against Hunger. Register for lunch here.
 
Register to be a Volunteer
We will be packing 14,040 meals so we need lots of volunteers of all ages. Our goal is to have 125 volunteers. Please use this link to let us know that you will be coming to help pack meals on August 11. We will need help setting up at 10:30 am and cleaning up at 2:30 pm. Please select these options too if you are able to help.
 
Donate if you can
We have committed to raising $5,616 to cover costs of supplies and shipping of the packaged meals to their destination. Please donate to help us reach this goal. All donations must be received by August 8. Click here to donate online. Or, donate to the church directly and note "RAH event" in the memo line.
 
Childcare
The nursery will remain open through the completion of the event for any children three years old and younger. All ages are invited to help with the RAH event. We noticed that it was a little big for some younger children last year so we are offering an alternative project for young children or children who need to serve in a smaller space. We will pack hygiene kits for the Threshold Ministry, serving our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Register here.
 
Parking
Free parking is available in the church lot on Church Street as well as the Sycamore Street lot. There are additional lots around the square that may have a parking fee.
 
Entering the Church
Come to the awning entrance that faces Church Street. There will be a registration table set up to sign in and receive further instructions. Volunteers will be there to direct you to lunch, childcare, or the packing event. 
 
Want to know more about Rise Against Hunger, check out their website.
 
. . . . .
Maria and Doug Kick Off the Club’s First 2024 Service Project
 
Maria Alverez and Doug Park, service project chairs, wasted no time getting started with the club’s first project of 2024 . . . . donating food to the North Decatur Presbyterian Church Food Bank. The new team targeted leftover food from our lunches that was being discarded and found that North Decatur Church would take it and distribute it. Maria and Doug are planning on this to be a regular weekly service project for the club.
 
Luis Abularach takes the first batch of food to the bank. Thank you to our service leaders and Luis.
 

. . . . .
July 26 Meeting Recap
 
Salvation Army Captain Jamaal Ellis provided our outstanding invocation.
 
Thank you from a STAR Parent
President Dudley Larus kicked off the meeting with a thank you note from our STAR student winner, Mica James Burton who went on to become the Dekalb System Winner. Mica’s mom Courtney wrote: “Your STAR luncheon was such a moving and inspiring event and among our favorite senior year memories. Thank you for all you do to celebrate and honor local students and teachers.”  Mica was accepted at Princeton in the call of 2028.

. . . . .
Decatur Rotary Welcomed Cremalosa Chef and Owner, Meridith Ford
 
Shara Sanders introduced Meridith.

Meridith Ford addresses the club about the joys and difficulties of making gelato and opening a new business.
 
Chef and writer Meredith Ford, owner of Cremalosa American Gelato, spoke and provided gelato samples for the Decatur Rotary Club. The gelateria serves small-batch gelatos, sorbets and other treats made in-house according to Italian tradition, but with influences from Ford's Southern upbringing.

Ford, a freelance food writer who was the AJC's dining critic from 2004-2010, announced the venture last year after working on the pastry programs at restaurateur Richard Ullio's various restaurants, including Sotto Sotto, Fritti, Escorpion and Novo Cucina.
 
“I am unbelievably honored to be opening Cremalosa’s doors in the Decatur community,” said Ford in a prepared statement. “My hope is that the shop serves as a place where families and friends gather often to enjoy each other’s company and some delicious gelato.”
 
Most of the shop’s gelato flavors – malted milk ball, hummingbird cake and peach cobbler, to name a few – are inspired by classic American desserts and candies, but Ford is open to suggestions from customers, encouraging them to write to her with flavor ideas and requests. There’s even a charitable cherry on top – if a customer’s suggested flavor makes it to the Cremalosa gelato case, the shop will donate 5% of the flavor’s monthly sales to a local school or women’s shelter of the customer’s choice.
 
Ford plans for Cremalosa to be a hub for wholesale operations in addition to a retail shop, with products available to restaurants and grocers around Georgia. The shop will also sell boozy shakes, adult affogatos, beer and wine.
 
President Larus shows the club the book, “How To Taste” to be awarded to the DeKalb Public Library system in Meridith’s honor.
 
Cremalosa
2657 East College Ave., Decatur
 
Notes: Excerpts taken from an article on AJC.com.

 
Scenes from around the room at our most recent meeting. Individuals are identified from left to right.
 
Maria Alverez and Herb McCoy
 

Elliot Augustine with Doug Robinson.
 

Honored guest band speaker, Meridith Ford with "Mr. Wimbledon," Lawrence Sharp
 

Jennifer Topple with guest Kellie Brownlow and Jason Conn
 

Doug Robinson with Adam Laverack
 

Smiling Barbara Tedrow

Thank You to Our Club Sponsors 
 
We are grateful for the support of our local sponsors, and we encourage our members to support them in return.

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Sincerely,
The Bulletin Committee
Decatur Rotary Club

 
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