DOWNEY — Rotary Club of Downey celebrated the end of their current year with a Demotion Dinner, and then a picnic in Furman Park.

At the dinner, Amelia Sanchez stepped down as president after a successful year, 12 new members being been inducted into the club. Mel said that her goal as president this year was to re-energize and re-engage the club, coming back from COVID and absentee attendance by Zoom.

“My goal was to keep it simple,” said Mel. Simple, but not easy.

Barbara Lamberth will take over as president, with Emilio Martinez as president-elect. Ray Brown will be the treasurer.

The traditional picnic in the park included all the generations, children and grandchildren. Raul Lopez’s son Alex came with wife Jenette, both members too, and their twin sons and Teddy. Newly graduated computer engineer Mark Montero was there with parents Jorge and Maru. The Saylors had grandparents Brian and Elise, and sons and grandkids. Mike Pohlen contributed four chilled jugs of orange juice from his trees here in Downey, freshly squeezed. Downey Rotary is more than service above self, and the fellowship. It’s family, too.