Rotary President Lindsay bid farewell with tall boots and sincere hoots
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: July 07, 2010
Starting out with a “Long-climb gift” that Past President Scott Dunbar told outgoing Rotary Club President Pam Lindsay would bring the diminutive leader “eye-to-eye” with Rotarians led off Monday’s salute when she was presented with a pair of tall stiletto heeled boots.
But Lindsay never had to reach to provide sky-high guidance to the club that bid the president term’s goodbye with a program that was full of hoots.
Noting Lindsay’s “Deep love of jewelry” Dunbar said “after an exhaustive search” an Indonesian good luck pendant was located although he warned “It you wear it too much it might give you a rash!”
And past presidents also “Searched the world over” for an Aztec calendar that “Represents the many days” of Lindsay’s Rotary devotion.
Dunbar said he was sure that Lindsay would wear her gifts “proudly” at various Rotary conferences and functions.
Lindsay is “Short in stature but long and tall on talent,” although her next gift was a pair of purple headboppers to further the illusion of height.
Clappers and horns had been distributed to add to the fun and Past President Mike Mobley urged they be used liberally during the meeting.
Past President Mitch Stone noted that after her recent trip to Montreal for the Rotary International convention the club would honor Lindsay with a specially crafted version of “God Save the Queen, although not the Sex Pistols version” unsuitable for Rotary ears.
Barbecue Team Chairman Guy Cole presented Lindsay with a $2,500 check, a club donated garnered from good cooking throughout the year.
Past President Nils Rueckert who noted her time spent leading the club – to the minute! - also lauded Lindsay, who was silly-stringed throughout the meeting.
After a good-natured Rotary magazine quiz Rueckert thanked Lindsay “For your huge commitment serving as our 90th president. No good deed goes unpunished… you’re fired!”
Stone presented a hilarious “This Is Your Rotary Life” PowerPoint of vintage and recent snapshots showing Lindsay from babyhood to those “The Doobie Brothers” days to her commitment to family and Rotary… indeed, she sports a Rotary Wheel tattoo on a well-turned ankle.
“You helped guide us through many programs” and met the goals of each, an accomplishment Mobley said helped preserve the club and the community it benefits “Through the challenging times… and your great Rotary experience with Jan,” Lindsay’s husband, a Past District Governor, before she was selected president, “put you in a class of Rotary experience,” that cannot be topped.
Lindsay was presented with a fine bottle of wine, her Past President’s Pin and Plaque.
The Past President’s Pin again reflected Lindsay’s love of jewelry: Jan Lindsay – “A perfect Rotary spouse!” - had the pin custom set with a diamond and made suitable for wearing on the lapel or as a pendant.
“These boots,” said Past President Lindsay, “are not made for walking,” but she took the club for a walking tour of the past year and the club’s accomplishments.
Members, she noted, have proven the Rotary credo, “When you ask someone to do a job, say yes…”
The year was a “Whirlwind” and she gave special thanks to Past President Ginger Gherardi, her advisor.
Lindsay thanked a rafter of Rotarians for their individual efforts on fundraisers, programs and activities from the Pumpkin Patch & Harvest Festival to the Christmas Basket and Stocking giveaways to the Scholarship Awards and Polio Plus.
A special nod was given to 90-plus-year-old Irv Wilde, the recipient of the Selective Hearing Award and who suggested a successful international program.
“This year we stepped up to the Rotary plate and hit home runs… you amazed me over and over again,” and Lindsay said the club’s accomplishments did not go unnoticed before she named a myriad of regional and international honors given to the group, deemed one of the top 15 in District 5240.
“You guys,” Lindsay noted, “are unbelievable and I thank each and every one of you,” for their dedication to the club, community and Rotary ideals and she thanked her family – including daughter Michelle Mulchay, who attended the celebration - for their support during her presidential term.
President Paul Skeels will now lead the Santa Paula Rotary Club.
