October brought service, celebration, and fellowship together—from our club’s 70th anniversary and inspiring programs to hands-on service and award-winning community spirit. We honored Peter Marra with the Dusty Rhodes Award, packed holiday gifts for military personnel, and celebrated a scarecrow win. Spook-Toberfest at Marsi’s capped the month’s highlights with a frightfully good dose of fellowship!
We also welcomed Howard Loomis as our newest member. Welcome to the Rotary Club of Saratoga, Howard!
November Fun Fact: A Little Lamb and a Big Thanksgiving Connection
Did you know that Sarah Josepha Hale, the writer behind Mary Had a Little Lamb, also spent years campaigning for a nationwide Thanksgiving celebration? Her persistent letters and editorials helped establish the tradition of a shared November day of thanks. That’s a surprising connection between a childhood reading favorite and our Thanksgiving table!
October Speaker and Program Recap
October’s programs brought together club goals, creative technology, community music, and service to those who serve. From our Annual Club Assembly to stories preserved from World War II veterans, the month offered opportunities to learn, connect, and put Service Above Self into action.
On October 2, our Annual Club Assembly focused on the year ahead, with board members sharing their goals and introducing opportunities for members to get involved. The program also included a celebration of our club’s 70th anniversary.
At the October 2 Club Assembly, we also presented the Dusty Rhodes Award to Peter Marra.
Songwriter Henry Evans and country artist Nick Tayler showed how technology can expand musical collaboration and human creativity in the October 16 program, “The Intersection of Robotics, AI & Country Music.” Collaborating from opposite coasts, they combined Henry’s songwriting with Nick’s country sound and vocals.
Also on October 16, Xiao Liu and Qian Sun shared an update on YAM’s community concerts, supported by the Saratoga Rotary Charitable Foundation. Their presentation highlighted another connection between our foundation’s giving and the arts in our community.
October 23’s program centered on Operation Care & Comfort and a hands-on holiday care-package project for active-duty military personnel. Personal notecards added a message of appreciation to the holiday gifts, bringing a practical expression of Rotary service to our meeting.
On October 30, Dr. Gary Laine’s program featured the American War Survivors Project, which he created to preserve veterans’ firsthand accounts through personal video interviews. His presentation focused on stories from World War II veterans and the importance of preserving their experiences for future generations.
Also on October 30, Jennifer Weeks, County Librarian for the Santa Clara County Library District, shared an update on Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as the program celebrated its first year in the county. The program now reaches twenty-five percent of eligible children from birth to age five, providing each with an age-appropriate book every month. Help spread the word so more families can participate!
Another Award for the Rotary Club of Saratoga!
The Rotary Club of Saratoga won another award—Best Scarecrow in downtown Saratoga’s community scarecrow display! Thank you to Cathie and Sheeba for spotlighting our literacy service at Latimer School through the display. That service celebrates Dr. Seuss’s birthday and Read Across America: our members read a Dr. Seuss book to every classroom from kindergarten through fifth grade. What a creative way to showcase the joy of reading and Rotary service!
Fellowship Highlights
Spook-Toberfest at Marsi’s
Why choose between Halloween and Oktoberfest when you can celebrate both? Spook-Toberfest at Marsi’s house brought the two together for a frightfully good time—full of boos and “Prost!” No tricks—just a wonderful time with great company. Prost means “Cheers!”—a fitting toast to our fellowship!
Our club continues its partnership with West Valley Community Services through the Park-It Market — their mobile food pantry that brings fresh groceries and support services directly to seniors at Fellowship Plaza. This month, six volunteers, including 2 first timers, covered three shifts and contributed nine hours of handson service.
We are pleased to report that the Saratoga Rotary Charitable Foundation Board of Directors approved four grants in August totaling $36,500 to fund the following worthy projects:
Foundation funds support programs across seven areas of focus: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, saving mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies, and protecting the environment. Through project grants and the ongoing fight to eradicate polio, TRF-supported humanitarian projects are active in more than 12 countries around the globe.
Service, Fellowship, and Rotary Impact
Service Above Self
Saratoga, CA 95070
United States