Hog calling at the hoedown

The American Legion Post 291 will host a hoedown fundraiser tonight at the post, 215 15th St. in Newport Beach. The event begins at 5 o’clock with a cash bar and continues with dinner at 6 o’clock and dancing from 7 to 11.

All proceeds go to the welcome-home celebration for the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse Troopers) serving in Iraq.

The Starlight Wranglers will provide music, and there will be dancing, hog-calling and yodeling competitions.

Tickets are $20. For reservations, call (949) 673-5070.

LIONS PRESENT FLAGS AT WHITTIER SCHOOL

Harbor Mesa Lion recently sponsored Flag Day at Whittier School. The ceremonies included recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of the national anthem and a presentation on the meaning of the flag. The event was part of Lions Club International Flag Day, in which local clubs honor the American flag. Harbor Mesa Lions members Lou Bolick-Taylor and Ann Iverson distributed 264 flags to the students.

ROTARY GOVERNORS

Congratulations to Newport Beach resident and Newport-Balboa Rotarian Roger McGonegal for being selected governor of Rotary District 5320 for 2008-09. The announcement was made at the Wednesday evening meeting of the Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa, which was attended by a number of past governors and selection-committee members. District 5320 includes 40 clubs in Orange County and 10 clubs in southern Los Angeles County, with a total membership of 2,400.

McGonegal will follow Corona del Mar resident and Newport-Irvine Rotarian John Brainerd, who will serve as governor in 2007-08. Costa Mesa resident and Anaheim Rotarian Lane Calvert, who just completed Rotary University in San Diego, will serve as district governor beginning July 1, 2006.

INTERFAITH COUNCIL IN CHINA

As you read this week’s column, I will be leading a 22-member delegation from the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council on an eight-day tour of China. We will be visiting the Great Wall outside Beijing and having lunch with a Chinese family in their home.

In Shanghai, we will visit the usual tourist sites but add a visit to a Catholic cathedral built in the early 1900s. This will be my fifth trip to China, and I have three more tours scheduled this year, two for educators in July and one more for the interfaith council in November. You can see photos and the itinerary at www.educatorschinatour.com.