A very Mendocino Christmas
Many may not know that the local Mendocino Rotary Club develops relationships with Rotarians all around the world. In particular, the Mendocino and Fort Bragg Rotary Clubs have a very special relationship with a remarkable couple from Germany — Carsten and Susanne Zehm.
In 2004, on a road trip from Los Angeles to Seattle, the Zehms discovered Mendocino. Like many of us, they fell in love with the seclusion, beauty and warmth of the locals. They are now part-time residents of Mendocino although they still live and work near Munich. Susanne and Carsten are so appreciative of our community, they contribute to local charities; have their names on seats at Timberwolf Stadium and even donated a stay at their home in Starnberg, (near Munich) Germany for the Mendocino Rotary auction fundraiser.
The Zehms also provided infrared thermometers to Dr. John Cottle, a Mendocino Rotarian, for use at Sherwood Oaks Health Center when those items were difficult to obtain here locally. They contributed to the purchase of the ambulance for our hospital through Winesong! and donated to the Mendocino Art Center for COVID-19 relief.
Because of the pandemic situation, the weekly Rotary meetings are held via Zoom, allowing the Zehms to join in even though they are 5,800 miles away and nine hours ahead of California time. At last week’s Zoom meeting, Susanne was resplendent in her holiday outfit, and showed the club pictures of their home beautifully decorated for Christmas.