Clara Perez-Rossi displays the pins she has collected while in the U.S
Most Americans probably think of Argentina as a warm-weather country. So it was surprising to learn from Rotary International exchange student Clara Perez-Rossi that she is from the southern part of that country– where there are glaciers, snow and penguins! Clara is from Bariloche, a small town located just 15 minutes from mountains and ski resorts. She educated us on this and other aspects of this South American country at our meeting last week.
Tango is the national dance of the country. In the capital, Buenos Aires, there is a famous neighborhood for tango called “Caminito.”
Futbol (called soccer here) is a passion. “People get really intense about it,” she laughed. “People go out to eat and then watch futbol on Sundays.”
Her “favorite part” to talk about is the country’s food specialties. She described things like empanadas (“turnovers filled with meat, cheese or veggies”), pan dulce (“sweets usually served around Christmas and New Year’s,”)” and barbecue known as “asado.” When asked about her favorite American food, she smiled and said, “PB&J!”
Clara shared photos of her family and friends, and said she loves to go sailing in the summer and skiing in the winter. She was on the ski team at home and in Newberg. She has visited San Francisco, which she calls, “my favorite city in the U.S.”
In response to a question about the differences in schooling between Newberg and Bariloche, Clara said, “We don’t change classrooms like here. We stay in one classroom, and have a chance to get really close with other students. The school sizes are smaller. Also, we don’t have sports in the school. You go to a club for that. The hours are different, too. We go from 7:50am to 1:4opm with no lunch.”
When she returns to Argentina, Clara plans to finish high school and go to college.
She said she has had a great experience so far. “I’ve had a lot of fun with my host family.”
LATE BREAKING NEWS: You have probably heard about the devastating volcano eruption in Guatemala that killed dozens of people today. Auggie Gonzales, coordinator for the club’s annual Guatemala dental mission, has been in touch with contacts there and says that folks who live the towns served by the mission are okay. However, the Antigua Rotary Club, which coordinates the mission there, is asking for help for the affected towns. More information on ways to help will be available at Wednesday’s meeting.
PAUL HARRIS AWARDS
PDG Mike Caruso made 3 Paul Harris awards at last week’s meeting, recognizing those who give at least $1000 annually to the Rotary International Foundation. Mike said our club is the #2 Paul Harris Society club in District 5100 in terms of donations. Congratulations to LeRoy Benham (above left, with Mike) on his standing as a “Paul Harris +7,” which means he has given in excess of $8000. Dr. Eric Bergquam (below right) received a pin for being a “Paul Harris +5,” meaning he has donated in excess of $6000. 
And Geoff Gilmore (below) was recognized for being a “Paul Harris +4,” giving in excess of $5000.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers are needed June 8 and 9 to address envelopes for thank-you notes to our auction sponsors, and to enjoy some time with other Rotarians while doing so. You will be rewarded with either dinner on the 8th or brunch on the 9th, and are guaranteed to be well-fed! That’s because Auction chair and gourmet cook Denise Bacon is providing dinner on the 8th (6 to 8pm) and brunch on the 9th (10am to noon) at her house. To sign up, please see the recent email or contact Denise.
Shannon Buckmaster is looking for 6 good volunteers for a Saturday in September to help with a home build for Habitat for Humanity. Minimum age of 14 to be at the site. Training, equipment and lunch will be provided. For more info and to volunteer, please contact Shannon.
GUESTS
Michelle Bechtold from the Early Birds Club introduced our speaker.
Visiting last week from the Early Birds Club were International Exchange Student Program co-chairs Michelle Bechtold and Elizabeth Still. Michelle introduced our speaker and thanked our club for supporting the exchange program.
Exchange students Danielle Bosse, who went to Argentina, and Nevres Eryigit, here from Turkey, attended to support our speaker.
JUNE 14 INSTALLATION DINNER
Time to buy your tickets for this fun annual event (with great wine!) coming right up at Methven Family Vineyards. Come bid Todd Engle farewell as our president and welcome Om Sukheenai as our new leader. Social hour starts at 5:30pm; dinner at 6:30pm. Bon Appetit will be catering–so you know the food will be delicious!
HERE AND THERE
Walter Want, left, and Club President Todd Engle, make cleaning up Memorial Park a week or so ago look like fun. (No, it’s not an American Gothic redo!)
Past President Jim McMaster shared that the much-anticipated Grand Opening of the community’s new Aquatic Center will be this Thursday, June 7 at 3pm. Let’s hope Jim gets his life back after this event! Jim also shared that his son Spencer is earning money for college by working at a camp for special needs kids in the mountains of Santa Cruz, CA this summer.
A pat on the back to Dan Keuler , who recently received “Rookie of the Year” honors from the City of Newberg. And Dan’s wife was recently appointed to the school board. How’s that for a civic-minded family? And –their baby son Jackson can now sit up and clap his hands.
Rick Kaufmann has returned from a three-week visit with his son in Vermont. He attended meetings at some Rotary clubs while there, and brought us club flags from the St. Johnsbury, VT club and the Littleton, New Hampshire club. Thanks, Rick.
Dr. Stan Kearns announced that he had recently celebrated his 62nd wedding anniversary. In commemoration, he made a generous donation to the Duck. Thank you and congrats, Dr. Stan.
Just when you think you know somebody……Auggie Gonzales revealed he had received the “best tango dancer” award when he attended the Rotary International convention in Buenos Aires as incoming president of our club a number of years ago. Who knew?
