Readers contribute to Reading by 9

More than $1,100 has been contributed by Daily Pilot readers

toward the $2,500 challenge donated by the Rotary Clubs of

Newport-Balboa, Newport-Irvine and Newport Beach Sunrise to buy

reading books for children attending Pomona, Whittier and Wilson

elementary schools.

The first contribution received was from the Katherine Chew

family, whose late paterfamilias was past president of the Rotary

Club of Costa Mesa. The second contribution came from Doreen

Marshall, whose late husband, Bob, was a longtime member of the

Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa.

Additional contributions have been received, and the names will be

published shortly in the Daily Pilot. Your $10 donation will be

matched by the Rotary clubs to buy 11 reading books. A $25 donation

will be matched to buy 30 books, a $50 donation will be matched to

buy 58 books, and so on. Your tax deductible donation to buy Reading

by 9 books can be made payable and mailed to Rotary District 5320

Foundation, c/o Daily Pilot, 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627.

Make your investment and then watch the dividends grow! Make a

difference in the life of a child who really needs you. Volunteer

today!

GIVING HOLIDAY CHEER: The Harbor Mesa Lions Club has been

gathering gifts, food and clothing for a family in Costa Mesa. On

Sunday, President Marianne Segalla and several members will visit the

family to present them with the items to make their holidays

brighter. The club also joined the community in donating gifts for

the annual Westside Boys and Girls Club “Gift Giveaway.”

SEASON OF LOVE: That was the theme Thursday morning for Pomona

Elementary School’s holiday program. First-, second- and

third-graders sang holiday songs to their parents, families and

friends. Music teacher Diane Prince accompanied the six different

groups of singers.

“Christmas is Coming,” “Blue and White,” “Winter is Coming,” “A

Marshmallow World,” “Over the River and Through the Woods,” “Hanukkah

Time” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” were a few of the songs

sung.

AMIGOS VIEJOS: More than 80 members of Amigos Viejos gathered on

Wednesday at the Newport Beach Country Club for their annual holiday

luncheon. “Best turn out of the year,” said Theodore “Bob” Robins,

Amigos president.

That’s in part because of the bottle of holiday cheer that members

receive at the end of the meeting. But the real reason that members

attend is to visit with longtime friends and leaders in the Costa

Mesa and Newport communities. It’s a collection of the who’s who in

the history of the communities.

Later Robins cracked, “They won’t be celebrating Christmas in

Washington, D.C. They can’t find three wise men and a virgin there.”

Chad Divine closed the meeting with the traditional Christmas

blessing, which his late father, Andy, shared with the Amigos for

decades.

WORTH REPEATING: After an article on Nov. 23 about the death of

Ward Munson , in which I mentioned the “dash” in Ward’s life, I

received two copies of “The Dash,” one from Frank Smith and the other

from Bill Rogers. Both noted that the author of the “The Dash” is

known. Read on and share it with a friend and loved one over the

holidays.

‘THE DASH’

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of his friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

From the beginning ... to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth

And spoke of the second with tears,

But he said that what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

That she spent alive on earth,

And now only those who loved her

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;

The cars, the house, the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard,

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left.

(You could be at “dash mid-range.”)

If we could just slow down enough to consider

What’s true and what’s real,

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And ... be less quick to anger,

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,

And more often wear a smile,

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read

With your life’s action to rehash ...

Would you be pleased with the things they have to say

About how you spent your dash?

Merry Christmas to all!

* COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Saturdays. Send your service

club’s meeting information by fax to (949) 660-8667; e-mail to

jdeboom@aol.com or by mail to 2082 S.E. Bristol, Suite 201, Newport

Beach, CA 92660-1740.