Once again we had a hybrid meeting with approximately 25 people in person (masked unless eating) and about ten Zooming in.
 
Julie Lambert brought two visiting Rotarian (very active members of the Carmichael club) friends and fellow Oregon State Beavers—Vicky and Jay Boatwright. They are here camping at Sunset Beach and from all appearances they are none the worse for wear even though they have been ‘roughing it’.  
 
Excellent news!  Lowry Fenton has filled out an application to join our club.  More to follow…
 
Bill Witmer is our Foundation chair. He will be spending the next few months asking club members for their Rotary International Foundation contribution.  It is time to make your RI contribution so let’s make it easy for Bill.  Make your checks out to Rotary Foundation and mail or give to Bill.  John Fisher (RIP) always encouraged double sustainer amount of $200 but do what you can.  
 
Julie Lambert was our detective and asked questions related to college in honor of the Boatwright’s attendance. A little known fact: only 41% of the student population actually graduate in 4 years!  The average student debt after 4 years of college is a whooping $29,900.00 
 
No welcome song but we did sing a delightful Happy Birthday to our future club President, Laura Grinder. 
Dagmar Leguillon announced the September 18th Coastal Clean-up Day. Anyone can volunteer. Just go to the beach and clean. There will be NO club clean-up on that day.
 
Win Fernald announced he is starting the grants process by having all applications in by the end of September. The grants application will be on Capitola Aptos Rotary.org for downloading. Our grants program will be November 11th.
 
Dr. Art is cautioning everyone regarding the rapid spread of the Delta variant. The next day the county announced required masking while indoors. The long and the short of it is that we are going back to Zoom meetings for the foreseeable future. It was so nice seeing everyone in person but we need to stay safe. Use N95 or KN95 masks as they provide the best protection.
 
Thought for the day by Dr. Art: “Don’t ask what you can do for your country, ask what’s for lunch”.
 
Our speaker was Larry Mabrey, who once was a circus ringmaster but is now Managing Director of the Santa Cruz Shakespeare Festival which is running now and until August 29th. (Photo). Larry has been a theatre professional for over 35 years in cities across the US. Previously he was Executive Director of Circus Flora in St. Louis, MO, Executive Director of West Virginia Public Theatre and was the co-founder and producing artistic director of Avalon Theatre Company. A California native, Larry returned to the state last year when he joined Santa Cruz Shakespeare as managing director one month before the pandemic.

 
Larry summarized the plays they produced this season which included an adaption of King Richard and Agitator, a play about Susan B Anthony and Frederick Douglas.  He explained the covid precautions taken for live performances. These performances take place at the outdoors Audrey Stanley Grove near DeLaveaga Golf Course.  They ran with half capacity (200 instead of 425 seats) and had sold out crowds. Masks are encouraged. 
 
Larry described all the many wonderful services they are providing on-line and to children. I encourage you to go on their website to get all the glorious details. wwwsantacruzshakespeare.com. Consider becoming a member!

 
Pam Goodman
Club Hub Cub