Some of our Rotary Rockets—from left to right--Tish Tisherman, Jillian
Alexander, June Doy, Judy Neveau, Rosemary Regalbuto. Oh, yes,
that’s Eric Jorgensborg in the back.
It was a very hot and humid July morning when the Rockets
assembled at Corsair Field, Santa Monica College to set up camp for the next 24
hours. Thanks to Jamie Menzies, we
raised our official tent and canopy for shelter and shade.
The Rotary Banner waived in the breeze announcing to all that Santa
Monica’s premier service club was leading the race for a cure for cancer!
The opening ceremony and survivor’s lap were a sight to see
with our own Nat Trives front and center! As
the 24 hour relay began, the Rockets composed of Captain Tish Tisherman,
Rosemary Regalbuto, Joe Gonzales, Harris Levy, June Doy, Dee Menzies, Bill
Aspinwall, Judy Neveau and Skip Tisherman began our journey.
We circled the track always keeping a Rotarian on the field throughout
the day and night. As the hours moved along, Shirley Dowling and her friend,
Ruthie, joined in the fun. Just as
it was getting dark, Monika White showed up with her arm in a sling.
Her husband, Roger Goodman, brought her straight from the emergency room
where she had her thumb lanced due to an infection from a cut.
Even Rosemary’s husband Joe came by to cover a few laps around the
field and give us some encouragement! There
were plenty of activities going on around the field.
The survivors had a beautiful tent on the North end – and there were
volunteers everywhere helping out with food, drinks, first aid, and cheering the
weary walkers as they rounded the track for the umpteenth time.
New to relay this year was Katherine Pierce who volunteered her massage
services to tired Rotarians and charged anyone else $1.00 per minute for those
magic hands to sooth tired muscles. We
raised an additional $150.00! Others
had auctions, games, face painting, sales and any other activities to raise more
funds.
As the sun began setting, we were joined by President Paul and
his first lady, Marilyn, and Dick and Char Lawrence (thank you Char for your
homemade Oatmeal Cookies!) At 9:00
pm – we all stopped for the beautiful Luminaria ceremony and to walk a lap in
honor of those who have lost the fight. It
is one of the most moving times of the event.
We raised our glow sticks and the candles were lit all around the track
and up into the bleachers. Things
began to quiet down; the music stopped blaring and settled into a calmer more
peaceful set of songs, and somewhere around midnight the movies began.
In the wee hours of the morning, Jillian Alexander came by to
offer relief to our night owls, Dee, Rosemary, June, Judy and Tish who, by then,
were very glad to see her. More
early morning relief came from Erik Jorgensborg who arrived to do a few laps and
help us break camp.
To all Rotary Rockets – a big THANK YOU! We had a great time, became better friends, and raised somewhere in the neighborhood of $4,000 for Cancer Research.
....Tish Tisherman
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More Team members starting left: Joe Gonzales, Harris Levey, Bill Aspinwall , Tish Tisherman, Skip Tisherman (Partially hidden), and Nat Trives. |
| June Doy is relaxing at the hands of professional massage therapist
Katherine Pierce. June told us that the massage was a life saver, relaxing sore
muscles that had to endure a record breaking heat spell. Three points for whomever guesses which member is playing hide and seek in the background. |
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Our President Paul Leoni and his wife Marilyn arrived to relieve members for the late night shift. |
| Harris Levey is shown using good form (notice Harris' wrist
is pointed in an oblique angle) as he passes the
baton to Joe Gonzales. Joe is in an optimal position as he starts to
accelerate for a fast lap around the track. Notice how Joe's knees are
pointed in an outside and inward position with the weight of his body on
the outer edge of his feet. This allows for a quick start and gives Joe
great potential for a stabilized run. This run earned the American Cancer
Society over $100.00! |
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Rosemary is caught cheering on members as they raced around the track. Rosemary was one of those brave souls who made it through the entire 24 hour event. She was voted (by me) as this years most inspirational Team member. Congratulations, Rosemary! |
| Past President Dee Menzies sends in Rosemary and June to relieve Erik and Jillian who were weakening fast in the extreme heat. |
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By the way a big thank you goes out to Tish and her crew for putting on such a great event and making us all proud to be a member of the Rotary Club of Santa Monica.
-----Larry Maher
