Meeting Minutes for May 19, 2018

Central Coast Chapter Minutes for May 19, 2018

Meeting to Order:  1:05 PM

Pledges of Allegiance & SAR

Attendance: 11 including 8 members

Sunshine Report: Gary Cooper was welcomed back.

Guest Speaker: John Siler introduced Rachel Ross from Morro Bay. Rachel described her early career as one of a wordsmith but in fact is more eclectic than that. Rachel was born in San Francisco but grew up in LA. She possesses a degree in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz. Rachel is the mother of two. Rachel has been a radio host, a KQED documentarian who worked with Bill Moyers, an improvisational comic and a story-slammer.

At present, Rachel performs reboots (stories reaffirming Jewish traditions), story slams to SRO crowds at Top Dog Café in Morro Bay and does similarly at Linnea's Café in SLO for open mike night.

Rachel decided to share the story of her parents and the Jewish experience in the 20^th century. Rachel’s father typed his autobiography late in life and in just 4 days. Leonard Ross was born in NYC to Polish Jewish immigrants but orphaned at age 13. Rachel’s mother, Estelle was born in 1915 in Winnipeg, Canada to Russian Jewish immigrants. During the Depression, Leonard obtained a GED, a BA and a Law degree. During the same period, Estelle moved to San Francisco and made clothing. In WWII, Leonard stationed in England, served as a logistics officer in preparation for DDay. After the war, Leonard visited Dachau concentration camp and he recounted that surreal experience. Rachel read excerpts from Leonard’s manuscript.

Back at home, Leonard was invited to come to CA and be an Electric Vacuum Cleaner salesman. In 1947, Leonard and Estelle met on a double date, married and went into the clothing business. They were successful.

Rachel next shared an anecdote from when she was a student a San Francisco City College and as a part of a class on Russian Civilization, she traveled to the USSR. Her hotel was spartan and faced Red Square. The constant military presence and an insect bite sent her home prematurely and much to her relief.

Rachel’s presentation was warmly received and she was presented a certificate and cannon.

Guests: Ray Duquette from the Kern Co. chapter and Dan Friend a potential new member.

Secretary’s Report: None

Treasurer’s Report: Current balance is $3583.34.

Old Business: Secretary Scrimiger made a short report on the CASSAR Spring Meeting in Concord, CA.

New Business: Props to Dr. Miller for helping with the traveling Viet Nam Wall installation.

Closing Ritual

Adjournment

Respectfully Submitted,

Chris Scrimiger

Chapter Secretary