W.W.T.C. – Road Tripping

Wednesday Weekly Theme Challenge

(Aug 10 – 16): Road Trippin’

• Do you know how many miles you have driven to 20-30 events?
• What is a fun memory you have?
• When carpooling, what was the mode of transportation? Car, van, bus, RV, plane, train, ….?

Yesterday, I was at a meeting and we were talking about all the upcoming 20-30 events happening. And how much fun it is to go and support each other clubs’ events. Either by attending, volunteering, or going to meetings to promote our own club events.

The other bonus of going, is the road trip to get there. It is a great bonding experience to carpool with your own club members. I was asked how many miles I must have put on my car just attending 20-30 events. That stumped me, because other than to answer “A LOT,” I did not know. It did make me remember some great memories connected to those road trips.

(Pictured) This might not be my car, but it was the first part of a trip to the 2012 International Convention in Costa Rica. We decided to head out of Sacramento to San Francisco airport in style. Which was also my first Convention outside the United States.

Play along. Comment below or tag this page in your post for any stories or photos you would like to share.

Member Monday: In Memory of

At each Annual General Meeting, we start with a moment of silence for those members that had passed away since last June. Those in this photo album were found via obituary alerts or if someone contacted the National Office.

We wish to recognize and honor their time in 20-30 International, Active International, or Active 20-30 International.

If we are missing anyone, please send us the information so we can add them to our “in memory” section.

Gary Willard Johnson (1932 – 2021)
Denver #390
https://www.estesparknews.com/local_obituaries/article_496a14ca-f6c0-11eb-a62a-8b6f9c966911.html

Patricia ‘Patty’ Joan Johnson (1943 – 2021)
Napa #57
https://www.tulocaycemetery.org/obituary/PatriciaPatty-Johnson

Copeland Trent Jones (1938 – 2021)
Bakersfield #27
https://www.greenlawnmortuaryandcemetery.com/memorials/trent–jones/4662489/obit.php?&printable=true

Helen Louise Griffith (1939 – 2021)
Auburn #19 (Helped with)
https://goldcountrymedia.com/news/201645/helen-louise-doub-griffith-10301939-8122021/

Craig Russell Johnston (1942 – 2021)
Santa Rosa #50
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pressdemocrat/name/craig-johnston-obituary?id=17778744

Kenneth James ‘Kenny’ Gautereaux (1926 – 2021)
Coronado #187
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sandiegouniontribune/name/kenneth-gautereaux-obituary?id=31357900

Michael Robert Gingras (1986 – 2021)
Tucson #82
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/tucson/name/michael-gingras-obituary?id=33283534

Dr. Robert S. Tuttle, DDS (1923 – 2021)
Santa Rosa #50
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pressdemocrat/name/robert-dds-obituary?id=31707859

James “Jim” Donald Willems (1942 – 2021)
Wenatchee #932
https://www.leavenworthecho.com/obituaries/james-%E2%80%9Cjim%E2%80%9D-donald-willems

Paul A Jones (1945 – 2021)
Sacramento #1
http://www.egcitizen.com/lifestyle/in-memory-of-paul-a-jones/article_b975ae70-59e2-11ec-94e9-2346a57eb465.html

Gary Edgar Tatro (1938 – 2022)
Aberdeen #901
https://www.thedailyworld.com/obituaries/gary-edgar-tatro/

Duane Barker (1931 – 2022)
Clovis #404
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/fresnobee/name/duane-barker-obituary?id=32562895

John H. Duser (1932 – 2022)
Napa #57
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/napavalleyregister/name/john-duser-obituary?id=33327728

Merrill D. “Ronnie” Round Jr. (1924 – 2022)
Harlingen #204
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/themonitor/name/merrill-round-obituary?id=34174698

Edmond Junior Bruggman (1931 – 2022_
Wenatchee #932
https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/tributes/in_memoriam/edmond-junior-bruggman/article_e16e8473-b728-5584-a038-75ba0f10e9a1.html

Fred Gerald Vellutini (1926 – 2022)
President, Santa Cruz
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/santacruzsentinel/name/fred-vellutini-obituary?id=34728852

Peter Gordon Campbell (1937 – 2022)
Seguin #453
https://seguingazette.com/announcements/obituaries/article_c46ff760-d97e-11ec-a7fc-33ada36faf24.html

Clarence Vincent (Porky) Lithgow, Jr. (1938 – 2022)
Santa Fe
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/santafenewmexican/name/clarence-lithgow-obituary?id=34917284

Terrel Ray Tinkler (1947 – 2022)
Santa Rosa #50
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pressdemocrat/name/terrel-tinkler-obituary?id=35666980

St. Helena 20-30 Club Builds Bus Stops 1965

I’ve seen photos and articles of several clubs building shelters. Clubs like Napa, Santa Rosa, Coronado, and here is one from St Helena in 1965. Have you participated in building shelters, or know if your club did this type of project in the past?

20-30 Club to Build Bus Stop Shelters

As school begins the members of the Active 20-30 are busily constructing as many bus stop shelters as the club treasury will allow, before the rainy season begins. Due to the overwhelming response of parents requesting shelters, there are many more needed.

The club’s motto is “Youth to serve must be served.” In an effort to serve all the youth of the school district, if possible, the club will give away an R.C.A. Color T.V. Oct. 29 at Carpy Field during the half-time of the St. Helena vs. Willits football game, profits going toward additional shelters. “Help us to help your children,” by obtaining your tickets for the television at any of the home games or from any 20-30 member. Anyone requesting a shelter may write to St. Helena Active 20-30, P.O. Box 65, St. Helena.

“20-30 Club to Build Bus Stop”, The St. Helena Star, 16 September 1965, p 2, Newspapers.com. Accessed 25 August 2021.

Photo Caption: St. Helena Active 20-30 Club is engaged in the project of rebuilding or in some case renovating the old school bus shelters once provided by the earlier club. A color TV will be awarded as a prize this fall. Shown above in Taylor Electric is Marshall Sears buying the first ticket from John Mathis, treasurer of the 20-30 Club with Ralph Turnidge looking on. Proceeds will go to help finance the shelter project.
The other pictures show a shelter which can be salvaged, and one which is simply done for. Working on the project when the pictures were taken were Ray Torres, Ernies Butala, Bob Stemler, Don Martin, Leroy Cox and Ralph Duer. In the bottom picture Ralph Turnidge’s sons help spray the new type shelter the club is building. Since the project started the club has had many requests for shelters, and has to raise money by awarding the color TV set.

Fashion (July 19-25, 2021)

Time to pull out all your 20-30 shirts. Do you have a favorite? Have you collected shirts from the same event each year? How about all the costumes you wore at events? What other club fashion accessories have you collected through the years? There have been vests, hats, bracelets, rings, necklaces, tie clips, belt buckles, cuff links, etc.

“Active 20-30 Dominican Republic wardrobe from the 1960’s displayed during their 2015 National Convention” (thanks for sharing Geoffrey Cheung).

(These weekly themes are inspired by 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

Honorary Member – Robert P. Shimmin

Does your Club have any Honorary Members?

Honorary Membership can be “conferred to any person for meritorious service to the club, community or nation.” This membership is granted according to procedures in Clubs’ bylaws.
So far in rediscovering our past, we’ve come across a few famous people being given honorary membership into different clubs. Aviator Charles Lindbergh was honored by the Chehalis Club in 1927, Frank Sinatra by the Portland Club in 1947, and Pete Wilson (later became Governor of California) by the San Diego club in 1972. More recently, young Billy Warner was given honorary membership to several clubs in 2017.

An very interesting person we’ve come to learn of, is Dad Shimmin. Robert P. Shimmin was given honorary membership by Phoenix #99 soon after his son, Jack Shimmin had passed away. Jack was a founding member when they chartered in April 1932. He unfortunately became sick and died in November of that year. Soon after they asked his dad to “join”, and Dad Shimmin started visiting 20-30 clubs across the nation and attending conventions. He was also given the titles of “Grand Old Man of 20-30” and “International Ambassador of Good Will”.

Dad Shimmin kept going until his death in 1965.

(photo of newspaper article was in the El Paso Herald-Post in 1958)

Transportation (July 12-18, 2021)

Whether it’s planes, trains, or automobiles (or canal boats, or steamships, or… ), think about transportation and how it might connects to Active 20-30.

Did/does your club have a special vehicle used for parades or events? Did your club provide transportation for a group of kids to an event or camp? Or give help when there was need? Was there special transportation for going to conventions (a train or jet reserved only for 20-30 members)?

Here is a photo of Hangtown’s truck. Anyone know what year this was? And how long has it been in parades?

Would love to hear and see any answers to these topics. Comment below or tag this page in your post.

(These weekly themes are inspired by 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

Name’s the Same (#6 – Mar. 22-28, 2021)

Are you / have you been in a club that has re-chartered? Most clubs formed with the name of the town, city, or area, so why not keep the same name when forming a club in the place again? Plus, it brings back a rich history of the club that was there before and having the new club adds to the Active 20-30 legacy.

When Active 20-30 Club of Red Bluff #455 re-chartered in 2017, a past member of the club before came to their charter night with stories and items of the past. It was so wonderful to see and hear this connection of members in their community. When has been the last time you’ve chatted with a past member in your club?

Other clubs that re-chartered in the last 10 years have been Active 20-30 Club of San Jose #15 Active 20-30 Club of Portland #122 Active 20-30 Club of Seattle #215 and Active 20-30 Yuba City/Marysville #154 Where will the next re-charter be?

Reach out to other service clubs in your area, like Rotary, Kiwanis, or Lions and ask if any members were in Active 20-30. Check with your Chamber of Commerce members with the same question.

BONUS: I’m curious to know if any club has had two or more members with the same name? Not just a same first name or same last name, but both, like having two John Smith’s. The members didn’t have to be in the club at the same time.

Would love to hear and see any answers to these topics. Comment below or tag this page in your post.

(These weekly themes are inspired by 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

Multiples (#5 – Mar. 8-14, 2021)

This week’s theme can be highlighted in a variety of different ways.

Do you have multiples of club items, like pins?

Sometimes, clubs had their fundraisers or other events happening on the same day. Were you able to attend these multiple events for a fun filled day?

How many members are following the footsteps of other family relatives that were in Active 20-30? Are you a second, third, or fourth generational member? Have you had siblings, aunts, uncles, or cousins in the organization? (For example, in the photo collage, that is my grandmother, mother, and I. All having been club president.)

Would love to hear and see any answers to these topics. Comment below or tag this page in your post.

(These weekly themes are inspired by 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

Power & Leadership (#4 – Feb. 22-28, 2021)

I’m taking this week’s theme to highlight the growth of leadership in our clubs. Learning the skills needed in leadership positions can help with a person’s career later on. If you take a look at our Wikipedia page, you can find several notable people that got where they are by learning new skills while in Active 20-30.

This is Sherrill “Bud” Halbert of the Porterville #28 Club (California). He became National President of the Association of 20-30 Clubs in 1932.

from Sacramento Bee Newspaper, 1932

From his Wikipedia page: “Sherrill Halbert (October 17, 1901 – May 31, 1991) was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California.”

© 2001 United States District Court for the Eastern District of California Historical Society

Who are some notable past actives from your club? What else do you think of regarding the word “power”? Does that mean physical strength, political power, or electrical power? Did your club help a charity in some “power” related way? Do you have / had a member with the last name of “Power”? Yes. It’s a vague theme on purpose 🙂 It’s whatever the theme sparks in you.

(These weekly themes are inspired by 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

Auburn Club Marks Active 20-30 Week

The following is a transcription of a newspaper article first written in the Auburn Journal in 1969.

Members of the Auburn 20-30 Club are observing Active 20-30 Week with a highlight scheduled tonight at 7:30 in Walker’s Restaurant where a Bosses’ Night will be held.

Tom Kassis, owner-operator of Bonanza Family Billiards in Auburn, will present the program, featuring is gridiron days at Notre Dame and participation in the first annual East-West Shrine Game.

Club President Ron Lipsmeyer said a special guest this evening will be Paul Claiborne, an honorary member of the Auburn Club and founder of 20-30 International. Claiborne joined with a few other individuals to establish the first club in Sacramento in 1926.

Auburn Mayor Don Russell also will speak at the meeting, according to Vice President Bill Brock-Jones, program chairman.

The Auburn 20-30 Club was formed in 1928, with Claiborne and Ray Carlisle among the first members. The late Jim Dobbas served as the first president.

Many of Auburn’s leading businessmen are former members of the local club. An important phase of the service club work is that provided by a wives’ organization which holds regular meetings and assists with the 20-30 projects.

The club, which operates 25 non-profit projects, was voted the outstanding club in this district, at a recent district convention held at Forest Lake. Don Yamasaki was named the outstanding district member and was elected sub-district governor.

Among the club’s fund-raising projects are fireworks sales, concession stands at the Auburn District Fair and 100 Mile in One Day Trail Ride, and the 100 man hour program.

Listed among the club’s projects are an annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsorship of a Little League baseball team, assisting the Auburn Babe Ruth League, sponsorship of the Auburn Robalos swim team, assisting in the Toys for Tots Drive, the Big Brothers organization, sponsoring an Outstanding Boy Scout of the Year Award and a Cub Scout Pack, organizing a Camp Pahatsi work party, Girl Scouts, a helping with the Punt, Pass & Kick football contest, Christmas baskets, Thanksgiving baskets, staging a Fourth of July fireworks display, a traffic safety program, a Captain’s Trophy for the Placer High wrestling team, sponsoring an entry in the Auburn District Fair Pageant, and the installation of a drinking fountain at the fairgrounds.

Club members participate in local sports activities, such as the men’s basketball and lob ball leagues, bowling and a benefit donkey basketball game.

On Saturday evening the club will hold a Valentine party with their wives at Driftwood Village. Other social events include an annual New Year’s dance, a Halloween party, ladies’ night dinner and the annual Past Active Night.

Club dinner meetings are held each Thursday evening with dinner at 7:30. Membership chairman Kurt Carlstedt may be contact at 885-6135 for additional information.

“Auburn Club Marks Active 20-30 Week,” Auburn Journal, Feburary 13, 1969 vol. 96, no. 23, p. A-6.