Woodland Rotary - The Rotary Club of Woodland Website

Help us make this the 'go to place' for all your Rotary information. Text, email or call Kris Kristensen at 530 304-5641 with comments and suggestions.

Rotary Theme 2025-26

100 Acts of Service

Campaign

We’re on a mission! For our Centennial Year the Rotary Club of Woodland is taking on the challenge of completing 100 Acts of Service!

What qualifies as an Act of Service? Simply ask yourself: Does it pass the Rotary Four-Way Test? We’re tracking every project, big or small, and celebrating as we go. Follow along as we work toward 100 and beyond!

Got questions, an idea or want to join in? Click here for more information or email Angela Lynn at angela@lynn-capital.com.

Woodland Holiday Parade

President Aniek offers more Holiday Acts of Service options:

Contact President Aniek Pflager to respond.

December 2nd Meeting

President Aniek Pflager returned to lead our meeting, and 'ring the bell', on her 56th birthday (Fresno) today! The good sized crowd on hand serenaded her with 'Happy Birthday'. President Aniek reminded us it is time for us to remember the service our lunch team of Judy Whisker and Jordi Richter has provided us this year. Be generous as you approach the tip jar at the back table.

Ann Taylor introduced her guest, son Lux; Tabb Randolph fessed up to his Nov 17, 1957 birthday (Woodland). Woodland Sunrise Rotarian Byron MacConnell joined us again today. With the pot at $144 and 26 cards in the deck, Gregg Kowes found a free lunch.

Speaking on behalf of the Club's Nominating Committee, Kris Kristensen presented the following members for nomination to Club officer positions effective July 1, 2026. The Club will hold elections of Club officers at its next meeting, December 9, 2025.

(One-year terms, the President-elect will also serve as Club President July 1, 2027-June 30, 2028)

President-elect - GENA BRAVO

Treasurer - TOM SCHWARZGRUBER

Secretary - ANGELA LYNN

(Two-year terms - July 1, 2026-June 30, 2028)

Board of Directors - PRESTON SCHAUB, GREGG KOWES, DON HUFF

and

ROB BEGGS

(Rob will serve a one year term July 1, 2027-June 30, 2028, completing Angela Lynn's term)

All three Woodland Rotary Clubs assisted in this year's Turkey Trot fundraiser for the Yolo Food Bank. Our Club was represented by President Aniek, Lori McGrath, Christian Sherrill, and Angela Lynn. Angela is also organizing the Gift Card Drive to benefit CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates); bring a gift card (minimum $25 value please) from any of the noted businesses to the Club's December 16th Holiday Party at Morgan's Mill. Click here for a better view of the flyer & list of businesses.

Peter Holmes was in the Century Spotlight today. Peter said he joined in 1990 for the networking opportunities of being a Rotarian.

Mark Ullrich took charge of today's Recognition. Roger Kohlmeier was happy with the recent success of the SF 49ers; Mark thanked Lori McGrath for her support of the Club and her work with ALMS; Jayne Williams was very happy to have all her grandchildren home with her at Thanksgiving; Christian Sherrill was happy about his son's running success at the Turkey Trot; Angela Lynn and her husband Mike returned from a great trip to Sri Lanka and the Maldives; and David Pinto is a fan of Chelsea football and the SF 49ers.

Our own Ann Taylor was our program speaker today, giving us an extended look at her inspiring personal story of working with horses, 'Achieving A Dream'. Born and raised in San Francisco, Ann became an award winning rider, owner and, later in retirement, the owner/breeder/manager of a 200 acre Stallion Station outside of Woodland.

November 18th Meeting

With President Aniek Pflager away, President-elect Nick Roncoroni stepped in to lead today's session, his first occasion to do so. We enjoyed a good turnout today, our last one prior to Thanksgiving. We will be dark next Tuesday for the holiday.

Blair Voelz introduced his wife Jan as his guest today. Woodland Sunrise Rotarian Byron MacConnell was also with us. With some help from Tom Schwarzgruber and against some long odds, Mike Chandler found the joker among 25 cards, and won a modest 50/50 raffle pot of $113 today.

Gary Wegener was in today's Century Spotlight. He joined the Club in 1995 with Gary Wirth as his sponsor. Gary was drawn to the Club's community Involvement and as he became more familiar with the scope of Rotary International, came to appreciate all the good Rotary does in the world. We also learned the 'Splinter' nickname of our weekly newsletter was selected in 1960 inspired by the City of Woodland's 'City of Trees' motto.

Dan Stroski led today's Recognition with a variety of trivia questions about Thanksgiving. Blair Voelz was happy he completed his olive harvest before the rains could make it difficult. Linda Walsh 'rang the bell' in happiness over selling a few of her paintings when she openned her home to the Stroll Thru History in September. Tom Schwarzgruber enjoyed a great vacation to Rome with wife Gail to hobnob with Pope Leo. Jim Nolan announced there would be a Thanksgiving Service held at the Woodland Mosque on November 23.

Our guest speaker today was Gabriel 'Jack' Chin, a Distinguished Professor of Law at UC Davis School of Law, who provided us a look at the long history of Woodland's Chicago Cafe (located at 411 Main Street) which, until its closer earlier this year, was considered the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the United States. Jack also outlined the history of anti-Chinese sentiment and immigration policies that prevailed locally and nationally during many decades of its operation. Owners Nancy and Paul Fong made the difficult decision to close the facility this year when no family members were willing to take over as they retired. Thanks to Club Program Coordinator Jim Nolan who arranged for and introduced our speaker today. For more about this story visit: https://www.ucdavis.edu/curiosity/news/chicago-cafe-is-oldest-chinese-restaurant-in-california

Senior BBQ 2025

A pleasant, warm Fall day greeted an estimated 250 local seniors who came to Rotary Park at the Yolo Fairgrounds on Tuesday, September 23, for a BBQ chicken lunch with potato salad, watermelon, roll and ice cream for dessert provided by the Rotary Club of Woodland, and served by its members under the leadership of President Aniek Pflager. Thanks to Cracciolos for the food they provided. Leftovers went to first responders at local fire stations, and to the Fourth and Hope shelter. View story in Daily Democrat. View a full array of photos from this event in the Photo Gallery.

News From Club Polio Warrior Mark Ullrich:

Polio Update (August 5, 2025)

Paralytic polio cases continue to occur in Pakistan and Afganistan, sadly 20 children have been diagnosed with wild polio virus in 2025. In addition, 100 variant-caused polio cases have been reported this year.

Funds raised by Rotary helps fight this terrible virus. Here is a link to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative Update.

And you can find many resources about Rotary's fight against polio at www.endpolio.org

Thank you for doing your part to stop polio forever! Together, we are making history.

Sincerely,

Karin Lightfood, RN, PhD

District 5160 PolioPlus Chair 2025-26

More information about Rotary's End Polio Now can be found at its website: https://www.endpolio.org/

Here you can make a donation and sign up to receive the End Polio Now newsletter.

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