High Gear February 8 2017

Posted by Rosalie McCloud on Feb 08, 2017
 

 

A rather small but exceedingly handsome and intelligent group assembled for our meeting. Only the most brave managed to attend, battling the 57 sprinkles of rain with which it was required to deal. Congratulations, all. We were richly rewarded with CHOCOLATE!!! You snooze, no chocolate for you. 
 
PLEDGE AND INVOCATION Jerry Kuehn lead the pledge and Father Mike was volunteered to deliver the invocation. Always prepared, Father Mike was thankful for the rain which brings joy to our State and continues to bless us all!
 

Anouncement

President Stan called the meeting to order as the Chinese feast was displayed. Gong Xi Fai Cai!!! Year of the Rooster! It was suggested that Membership Committee might be a bit of a challenge for someone who already works in her own business 50 hours a week. That would be Jennifer Pence. Let Jennifer know if you might have some time to help. President Stan is sending us the Rotary Bylaws. Why, we wondered? Turns out the bylaws discuss in detail the mission and function of each of our committees. Certainly there is a committee wherein your participation would be of value. Communicate your willingness to participate to President Stan. Our mission is to make the world a better place nationally and in each community. 
 
This is all Sheryl Young’s fault. Sheryl was asked to take minutes of a sub rosa meeting that was held by Stan’s Kitchen Cabinet. President Stan wrote Sheryl the obligatory thank-you note and the mighty giant was awakened. Pages of suggestions for club participation in committees and events were returned. Sheryl knows how to get things done, too, so get ready!! Read your bylaws and see where you might fit, or think up something new and innovative and fun.
 
Stan mentioned a few of the programs coming up: 
February 8 - Marc Friedman, February 22  - Lisa Goldman, City Manager, Quality of life and services in Burlingame. In March Mike Heffernan is taking us to the Candy Store to dream and enjoy a Copenhagen lunch March Joint Meeting with San Mateo on THURSDAY, March16, day before St. Patrick’s Day Carol, Rodoni, Real Estate Outlook. Firm dates next week and, perhaps, synopses. Mike Horwitz asked for volunteers to help with the October 2 Golf Event and Annual Barbecue. No, it’s not too soon to start thinking about it.

Program

It was our pleasure to welcome the man who creates wafts of delicious, fresh chocolate yumminess across Burlingame every day. Guittard Chocolate was founded in San Francisco in 1868, by Etienne Guittard who came to America in search of gold. Gary is fourth generation, the son of Horace Guittard.
Gary grew up in and around the San Francisco factory on Sansome Street, then Main and Folsom, learning the business.At that time many San Francisco institutions were there, including MJB, Folger’s, Ghirardelli and Guittard. The weather was good, the port was easily accessible for supplies. West Coast suppliers were delivered different commodities than the East Coast, where the commodities were from the Far East, the Caribbean, and Africa. The product tastes different east to west as a result.
 
Gary graduated the University of Denver and worked with a food broker, then in the bakery supply industry before joining his father and brother, Jay, in the family business. Tragically, he lost both his father and brother in 1989, the year of the Loma Prieta Earthquake. Gary took the reins, assisted by long-term employees, some of whom still work alongside him today.
 

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He built a company of young people who have grown the company. Guittard sought a new location after the earthquake and came upon a large property in Millsdale Farms with a tunnel for cows to reach pastureland, now 10 Guittard Road at Rollins Road. They were offered purchase of the swamp land due east but declined due to the exhorbitant price of $100/acre. It was not known as Hotel Row then, obviously. 
There was also the time they bought land in Paso Robles for a vineyard. Some gunky black stuff kept seeping up. Didn’t need that, sold! Thanks so much, Gary, for your visit and the afternoon aroma. The chocolate bars are much appreciated. Come back and see us. Extra milk chocolate for Lage. Gary Guittard was clear: chocolate is a vegetable and should be consumed regularly!
 
 
 
 
BIRTHDAYS
February 14 Happy Valentine's Day to all
February 14 Happy Birthday Cheryl Fama
February 15 Marc Friedman @ Poplar Creek