COMMUNITY & CLUBS:

Newport Beach resident Roger McGonegal was installed as governor for Rotary District 5320 at a dinner Tuesday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Orange.

McGonegal replaces Corona del Mar resident and Newport-Irvine Rotarian John Brainerd in leading the 49-club, 2,600-member Rotary District for 2008-09.

McGonegal is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, and has worked in the hotel industry and mall management, and is married to Sheila McGonegal.

He was a member of Rotary Clubs in Tyler, Texas; New York; Boston; Long Island, N.Y.; and Westminster-Midway City before joining the Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa in 1994, when he opened a kiosk at Fashion Island and sold beach chairs and hammocks for seven years.

It was during this time that he became active in various events and committees, including the Reading by 9 program.

He served as club president in 2002-03, after being recognized for his community service work in two separate years, and twice as Rotarian of the Year.

He was also the recipient of the Four Avenues of Service Citation from Rotary International.

From 2001-004, Roger chaired the Reading by 9 program at the district level.

He served as an assistant governor in 2003-04, assistant to the governor in 2004-05, and as executive assistant to the governor in 2005-06.

In addition, he has served as fleet commodore of the Newport Harbor Fleet of the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians.

INTERFAITH TO HEAR DODERO

Daily Pilot editor Tony Dodero will present “How to Get Published” on the Pilot website and in the paper at the June 11 luncheon meeting of the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, 2850 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa.

The meeting is open to clergy and lay members from all congregations as well as non-members, according to council President Dennis Short.

Lunch will be served at noon. Reservations are necessary and can be made by calling (714) 921-8665 or by e-mailing [email protected].

The cost of the meeting with a reservation is $10, or $12 for walk-ups.

LIONS WALKED WITH PRIDE

The Harbor Mesa Lions participated recently in the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ “VisionWalk” in Irvine.

This is the second year club members have participated in the event. The Lions team raised more than $1,100 to donate to the organization, which funds research for prevention and treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.

Lions District 4L4 Governor-Elect Elizabeth Warren joined the team to do the 5K walk. Harbor Mesa member Joan Parks chaired this year’s team, which consisted of 13 walkers and workers. The team’s T-shirt, designed by member Carol Van Holt, won the T-shirt design contest.

WORTH REPEATING

Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council: “Don’t make decisions because they are the easiest, the cheapest, or the most popular. Make your decision because it’s right.” — Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC.

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

How are you giving back to your community? Help your community and the world through a service club!

For many, service club membership is an extension of our religious beliefs and congregation affiliation.

You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week to learn more about opportunity for service. Most clubs will buy your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.

TODAY

7:30 a.m.: The 10-member Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club meets at Denny’s Restaurant at the corner of Red Hill Avenue and Bristol Street.

Noon: The 20-member Exchange Club of Orange Coast meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a Youth of the Year presentation.

6 p.m.: The 60-member Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa meets at the Tee Room at the Newport Beach Golf Course to hear Newport Beach City Manager Homer Bludau. Visit www.newportbalboa.org for more information.

  THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Café, 1835 Newport Blvd No. F.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club meets at the Holiday Inn, Costa Mesa. Visit www.kiwanis.org/club/costamesa. The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach/Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. Visit www.newportbeachkiwanis.org. The 85-member Newport-Irvine Rotary Club meets at the University Club at UCI. Visit www.nirotary.org. The 95-member Newport Harbor Exchange Club meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a business meeting. Visit members.cox.net/nhexchangeclub /index.htm.

SATURDAY

The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club has a “Day at Hollywood Park” including lunch at the Turf Club and watching the Belmont Race, the third leg of the Triple Crown.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 47-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns. Visit www.newportbeachsunriserotary. org.

Noon: The 20-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Costa Mesa Marriott Suites.

6 p.m.: The Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club meets at the Costa Mesa Country Club for a business meeting.

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Sundays in the Daily Pilot. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to jdeboom@ aol.com.