October 4, 2004

Fanaticism consists in redoubling your efforts when you have forgotten your aim. -         George Santayana 

Ripon Rotary hosts the annual International Students’ Dinner at Immanuel United Methodist Church, President Jean Busker presiding.  

Eighty plus people enjoy the International Student dinner. Attendees include Rotarians --- some with spouses and guests, foreign exchange students, host families (including a Rotarian from Princeton), group of students on a two week plus visit from Darmstadt, Germany, instructors and group leaders from the Darmstadt group, and Moraine Park Technical College personnel assisting with the Darmstadt group. Dinner catered by Kristina’s --- excellent.  

Introductions were marred by three Kiwanians being present. Reverend Busker delivered the prayer, but after first uttering some gibberish about Kiwanians needing to pray for Rotarians. Tom Giambetti asked the German students (in pretty good German actually) how to say Rotary “auf Deutsch.” And Laurie introduced Peter, as not German, but 100% Polish.  

Sgt. at Arms, yours truly, conducted a quiz on countries of the visiting students (heavy on Germany) with prizes given (turkey dinner at Our Saviour’s Church Saturday October 30^th) to the students at the table with the highest score. German student Sebastian I (there were two) clarified that President John F. Kennedy actually said “I am a Berliner” and not “I am a jelly donut” as some translators have inferred. Unfortunately the Sgt. was unaware that many of the students are returning to Germany next Tuesday, accordingly adjustments had to be made in distributing free dinner tickets.  

Students provided information on their home countries. We learned much more about Germany and Belgium, a country with over 500 brands of beer. Belgium sounds like a country worthy of a visit. Juan Pablo Penaloza played his guitar and sang. He will be asked to perform again at some noon meeting. Four of the German students filled us in on the background of the Mary Shelley classic, Frankenstein.

Door prizes were drawn. Yours truly won nothing, not even a globe. 

Special thanks to Eric Thiem who coordinated the event, and to all Rotarians who helped. A great time was had by all. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Sgt. at Arms (Performing Herculean Duties)

Lee Prellwitz 

PS:      A reminder to those who signed up for adopt-a-highway clean-up. Meet at 8:00 AM Saturday morning October 9^th at Royal Ridges.
Board of Directors meeting Monday October 11^th, 11:00 at Royal Ridges.