The San Diego Kiwanis Club celebrated yet another FIRST as it hosted a VIRTUAL Online Cheese Tasting for the first meeting of the month.  Club members and guests who signed up before the event were able to secure a specially made cheese plate from Vennissimo Cheese. The self-titled San Diego “Home of Cheese” put together 35 cheese plates for Club members who picked them up ahead of the Tuesday meeting!

President Judy Leitner welcomed the group with the ringing of the bell and led the pledge of allegiance. The Club moved through the invocation and songs with obvious enthusiasm and anticipation of the upcoming presentation. There were numerous guests including Brittany Beisner, June Frost, Joyce Gattas, Emily Krause, Sue Varga, Laura Schumache and Theo Shreve-Russell who dialed in from Orange County!

The Club once again shared their ups and down during “Bill’s Bucks” and raised over $200 for the Club. We have 5 birthdays in June:

6/7 - David Jay

6/11 - Jennifer Lim

6/12 - Eldon Thompson

6/13 - Ryan Callan

6/18 - Justin Frisco

Club Member Monica Ball gave an update on her organization UPLIFT and how they were faring during COVID-19 and everyone was happy to hear about the positives as the organization serves a very vulnerable population of San Diego.

Finally, the big moment had arrived and President Leitner welcomed Rob Graff, also known as “RobbyG Professor McCheese” to walk the group through the selections that had been prepared. The plate featured four cheeses with various accoutrements including fruit, crackers, nuts, and herbs.  The professor circled the plate and highlighted all the tastings and pairings available that day and gave a detailed explanation, history, and best practices for tasting.

It was heaven! Although the Club was reticent to quit all things must come to and end and the meeting adjourned at 1:30. We are looking forward to welcoming Bill Toone from ECOLIFE Conservation on June 16^th!