TONKAWA San Diego Elders Club

October 11, 2009 TONKAWA minutes:

Early arrivals this Sunday October 11, 2009 are TONKAWA Vice President Jerry Starnes and Rita. Followed closely by Manuel and Celia Flores. Also in attendance are TONKAWA Treasurer Jean Vigenault, Nellie Ruiz and El Bissara. More members kept dropping in to gather this sunny Sunday. In spite of the leaky ceiling, there is warm fellowship, years and years of living and wisdom close at hand. Lively conversation bubbles across the tables. So many topics about grandchildren, friends that have passed on, events in the recent past and future. It feels so good to be alive and in the company of our respected American Indian TONKAWA Elders.

The meeting is called to order by TONKAWA President Violet Tunohun at 11:55am. We had a respectable number of members and guests in attendance this Sunday. Ruth Wapahominie provided the luncheon blessing at noon.

This is good company and great fall comfort fare. Our terrific TONKAWA members continue to keep happy smiles and real good eats in this monthly potluck meal: Enchilada pie, ham hocks and lima bean soup, chili-Mac, tender boiled white corn, mac-n-cheeze, French bread and butter. There are Jell-O cups and a Birthday chocolate cake and songs for three TONKAWA birthday special people. Iced tea and plenty of hot TONKAWA coffee to drink.

Indian Voices publisher Rose Davis, TONKAWA member, brought in the latest copy of the newspaper hot off the press! Good stories and great pictures of recent events.

Tonkawa discussion items:

1. Violet received a request for the TONKAWA Club to contribute to the IHRC/SE Veterans honoring on Nov. 10, 09. Questions of: what is it, for whom and details of the program were asked. El Bisarra will attend the SE parents meeting and ask these questions.

2. Thanksgiving and Holiday dinners update questions: where, When and what will the TONKAWA participation be at these Indian community functions. Additionally, the membership was supportive of having the next TONKAWA meeting have a Thanksgiving theme. Vice-president Jerry Starnes will organize the details and he will see we have a good sit down meal.

3. Jean Vigenault and Jerry Starnes proposed the following craft activity ideas for the membership to enjoy: Greeting cards, kiln baked copper tiles, glass beads for any project, table center pieces for community dinners or gifts.

4. We realize the impact of canceling meeting therefore we will continue to have the TONKAWA meetings on the regular schedule, the second Sunday of the month. Next meeting: 11:30 November 8, 2009 will have a Thanksgiving theme.

We cleaned up, packed up and while some TONKAWA members were still ducking the drips, drinking coffee, talking and laughing, others went out the door by 1:10 pm.

We are all looking to the open doorway. Maybe we will see you and a friend (We are always recruiting Elders to be TONKWA members!). It is always nice to see new members and guests drop in and are encouraged to return. This is a very nice down home meeting to attend. We are also very pleased to enjoy the regular attendance of TONKAWA along with community guests and family members.

Remember to 24/7 look to the TONKAWA-American Indian Source site for the calendar of upcoming events. Click on the link below now.

http://www.americanindiansource.com/kcalendar.html

Maybe we will see you and a friend (We are always recruiting Elders to be TONKWA members!). It is always nice to see new members and guests drop in and are encouraged to return. This is a very nice down home meeting to attend. We are also very pleased to enjoy the regular attendance of TONKAWA along with community guests and family members.

Respectfully submitted:
Roy Cook, TONKAWA secretary