Tuesday, June 27 , 2006

 

Text Box: Calendar of Events Last week 6/20: Dave Erbe – Life As a Jockey This week 6/27: Club Assembly Next week 7/4: No regular meeting. Picnic at the Whetten home Note: All meetings will be at the Millstone Lodge until further notice. Coming up 8/8: Chicken BBQ at the Charlton School Invocation: George Bailey, Garry Morrow, Dan Stec, or Bob Youmans Please give suggestions for future programs to Ron Serapilio  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Report from the Nominating Committee and Elections  


Text Box: Calendar of Events Last Week 4/25: David Stills - “Starfire Systems” This Week 5/2: International Service Committee- Recognizing the Support BHBL Rotary Gives American Field Service- Presents an American Field Service Program including A Thai Dance by our own Thai Rotarian, Mali Naksanga Next Week 5/9: Don Marshall “What’s New at Charlton School” Coming Up 5/5: Chili Supper at the High School 6/3: 9-Hole Golf Tournament at Galway Golf Club Invocation: George Bailey, Garry Morrow, Dan Stec or Bob Youmans Suggestions for future programs may be given to Linda LeTendre                

 

 

                Dan Stec reported that the Nominating Committee (Dan and Bob Youmans) was recommending the following candidates for election as Club Officers for 2006-07:

President:  Linda LeTendre                              President Elect:  Ron Serapilio

President Elect Nominee:  Mark Gasparovic    Secretary: Bill Lonergan 

                Executive Secretary: Gini Whetten                   Treasurer:  Ken Crotty

There being no further nominations from the floor, the nominees were elected by acclamation by the membership present and will assume their offices on June 27.

Text Box: 6/20 Announcements 

 


               

•  Ken Crotty announced that club contributions to The Rotary Foundation had reached a total of $4,605, exceeding the club goal for the second consecutive year.  President Rey expressed his appreciation and congratulated the members on their accomplishment.

•  Rey identified several club affairs topics to be discussed during the 6/27 Club Assembly.  These included criteria for club awards (ie. Citizen of the Year and Rotarian of the Year), a new committee structure being recommended for all clubs by Rotary International, and consideration of options relating to a permanent meeting place.

•  Gini Whetten distributed a Rotateller Satisfaction Survey for members to indicate what they liked or didn’t like about the year’s newsletters and to offer suggestions for change and/or improvement.  Most of those present returned a completed survey to Gini before leaving the meeting.  Gini also announced that Chris Nyhan was joining next year’s Rotateller reporting team and that one or two more volunteers are still sought.

•  President Rey invited all those who could to attend a Tuesday, July 4, picnic at the Whettens (159  Eastside Drive), since there is no regular club meeting that night.  Bring a potluck dish to share at 5 p.m. or come earlier (any time after 3:30 p.m.) if you want to swim, kayak, or canoe in Ballston Lake.

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Derby Winner Offers Insight into a Jockey’s Life  

 

 


                David Erbe, now a Saratoga Springs resident, entertained and informed a rapt Rotary audience on June 20 with anecdotes about his illustrious 22-year jockey career that began when he attended a state fair horse race as a 13-year old and was highlighted by his winning the 1956 Kentucky Derby aboard “Needles”.  Dave observed that one had to be a very determined person to become a jockey.  You first had to locate a horse trainer who would give you a chance to learn.  Then the trainer taught you how to ride and his only obligations to the would-be jockey would be to feed him and give him a place to sleep, usually in the horse barn.  The apprentice jockey got no pay.

 

                When Dave asked his mentor why he was mucking out stalls and walking, not riding, horses, the trainer told him this was necessary because “if you don’t make it as a rider, you’ll make a damn good groom”.   Dave said that good horses make jockeys and trainers successful, and it takes years and luck to find a stable and an agent who can get you good horses.  His first big break occurred when a trainer hired famous jockey Willie Shoemaker to ride his choice of two fillies in a California claiming race, and Dave was given the mount that Willie didn’t want.  Winning that race while Shoemaker finished third started Dave on his way to fame. 

 

                Many audience questions punctuated Mr. Erbe’s presentation.  Along the way his answers contributed greatly to an appreciation of his delightful personality and down to earth attitude about life.  He regaled us with his description of a horse that “got away from him” in a race at Churchill Downs ten days before he was scheduled to ride in the Kentucky Derby.  Dave said he “brushed”  the horse against the rail to try to bring him under control, but the frightened horse jumped over the rail and sent Dave flying off his saddle.  Asked about his favorite horses, Mr. Erbe picked “Needles”, of course, “Swaps”, with whom Dave set a world speed record on a California track as a replacement for Willie Shoemaker, and “Soon’s Son” whose career earnings totaled $975,000 in an era where that was real money.

 

                Responding to other questions Mr. Erbe offered that you should focus on the build and body action of a horse in attempting to select a winner, but added that he very seldom bets.  He also said, “Breeding isn’t everything; I’ve got a no-account brother”.  After Dave had completed his remarks, Linda LeTendre characterized him as a wonderful dinner guest and an outstanding speaker.  He was!

               

As reported by Dick O’Rourke

 

 

Text Box: Serve with us – the world is waiting.