AN HISTORIC FIRST

Here is the first ever social photo shared via spinnings@rotaryclubofsanmateo.com by our very own Bruce Bean. You, too, can use the time between noon at 12:30 meeting day to share a pic of your plate, your seatmates, your family, your dog or you vacation, just by emailing to spinnings@rotaryclubofsanmateo.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here is the second, courtesy Bob Binn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Binn with wife, Jenn.  Kids left to right; Drew, Elle, Janie, and Blair.

 

 

Vision-impaired Mr. Dana presented a slick slide show and presentation about the U.S.S. Potomac, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidential yacht with more than nine lives. The former U.S. Coast Guard cutter Electra was converted to civilian use following World War II to replace the U.S.S. Sequoia, the former Presidential yacht.

It was a matter of safety both in the conversion from gasoline power to diesel and in the ability of the larger Potomac to quarter a detail of Secret Service men.

One of the least known and most remarkable features of the Potomac was the fake smokestack. It was added to the ship to disguise President Roosevelt’s hand-operated elevator.

Roosevelt, a polio victim, went to great lengths to conceal the fact that his lower body was virtually immobilized because of the disease. Only a scant few photos of him in his wheelchair exist. On the multi-deck Potomac, Roosevelt hoisted himself hand-to-hand up the elevator, his upper body equal to the task of moving himself and a platform several feet to the upper decks.

Chuck Osborn encountered Mr. Dana at San Francisco Giants games, where he worked either at the Marina gate or the stadium elevator. Chuck, being the sociable being he is, elicited Mr. Dana’s story and that of the Potomac via that connection.

Mr. Dana, despite his vision deficiency, has run four marathon races over age 50, bicycles and swims.

Following its presidential service the Potomac fell on hard times and became derelict. At one time or another it was reputedly owned by Danny Thomas, Elvis Presley and a drug lord. It was under the ownership of the drug lord that it sank in 35 feet of water at Treasure Island in 1970.

A $2.5 million grant under the Reagan administration rescued it. It has been ‘recreated,’ not restored, and now is under ownership of a non-profit organization that offers rides, cruises for up to 118 people and day tours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Focus on things to be grateful for, focus on the wonderful and pay it forward. As The Greatest said, see the need and perform service to others.

 

 

 

A century or two ago, the Pope decided all Jews had to leave Rome. Naturally there was a big uproar from the Jewish community.

The Pope made a deal. He would debate a member of the Jewish community. If the Jew won, the Jews could stay. If the Pope won, the Jews would leave.

The Jews realized that they had no choice. They looked around for a champion who could defend their faith, but no one volunteered.

It was too risky. They finally picked their representative, old Moishe, who spent his life sweeping up after people. He agreed, under one condition.

Not being used to saying very muc, he asked that neither side be allowed to talk. The Pope agreed.

The day of the great debate Moishe and the Pope sat opposite each other for a minute before the Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers. Moishe raised one finger.

The Pope waved his fingers in a circle around his head. Moishe pointed to the ground where he sat.

The Pope pulled out a wafer and a glass of wine. Moishe pulled out an apple.

The Pope stood up and said, “I give up. This man is too good. The Jews can stay.”

An hour later, the cardinals asked the Pope what happened. “First,” he said, “I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity. He responded by holding up one finger to remind me that there was still one God common to both our religions.

“I waved my finger around me to show him that God was all around us. He responded by pointing to the ground, showing that God was also right here with us.

“I pulled out the wine and the wafer to show that God absolves us from our sins. He pulled out an apple to remind me of original sin. He had an answer for everything. What could I do?”

Meanwhile, the Jewish community crowded around Moishe, amazed that this old, almost feeble-minded man had done what all their scholars had insisted was impossible! “What happened?” they asked.

“Well,” said Moishe, “First he said to me that the Jews had three days to get out of here. I told him that not one of us was leaving.

“Then he told me that this whole city would be cleared of Jews. I let him know that we were staying right here.”

“And then?” asked a woman. “I don’t know,” said Moishe. “He took out his lunch and I took out mine.”

 

Larry Patterson had a knee replacement and is doing well. Nancie Bennett was under the weather for Thanksgiving but has recovered.

 

Skip Howie presented Robert Schmidt. Jake Nguyen introduced Steve Benner. Chief Susan Manheimer introduced representatives of the Police Activities League, Tracy Unga, Lisa Tartaglia and Jeanine Luna. Dick Bennett presented Rashida Lilani.

 

Dave Skromme introduced Tricia Parker–Maxwell of the Foster City club.

 

The Chief’s guests appealed for the annual gift-giving to benefit disadvantaged families at Christmas, with a goal of $4,000 to benefit Police Activities League kids and families. Donations were accepted in cash but they are also being accepted through about the 20^th of the month via credit card charges at the front table. Give generously, as you have done in the past.

 

This sit-down luncheon event is not to be missed and will feature a performance by the Regazzi Boys Chorus. Cost is $35 per person; signups are required. A $10 donation to the chorus is requested. Menu selections are chicken, salmon and vegetarian pasta. Spouses, significant others, family and guests are welcome.