MAXWELL, CA (MPG) – Laughter brought members of the Willows and Colusa Rotary clubs together Oct. 15 at the Maxwell Inn, where an evening of comedy and fellowship also welcomed guests from both cities’ chambers of commerce.
About 25 people attended the joint social, hosted by Willows Rotary President David Vodden. Colusa Rotary President Matt Beauchamp joined members and guests for an opportunity to renew old friendships and make new ones across county lines.
“It’s wonderful to see two clubs joining together for fun,” Vodden said. “In this case, pure fun and excitement.”
The social was organized by Susan Meeker, who served as Willows Rotary president in 2008-09 and Colusa Rotary president in 2024-25. She returned to the Willows club July 1, bringing friendships from both organizations into the planning.
The idea for the comedy night began with Meeker and Colusa Rotarian Ralph Newlin, who died in late July before he could enjoy the event he helped shape. Although Newlin was missing from the gathering, his sense of humor was not. Colusa Rotarian Doug McGeoghegan shared one of Newlin’s favorite jokes in his memory.
Four Rotarians provided entertainment. Glenn County District Attorney Dwayne Stewart, Meeker, and Harold Koehler of the Willows club joined Colusa member Lloyd Green Jr. in proving that Rotary talent extends beyond community service.
Green poked fun at turning 40, aching knees and the peculiar experience of growing up as a millennial. Stewart gave Shakespeare the Rotary treatment with a comedic reenactment that might have left the Bard demanding a rewrite. Meeker drew laughs with tales of childhood misadventures, while Koehler shared stories about dating, including flying his own airplane to meet his future wife, Peggi, for a blind date.
Rotary District 5160 Assistant Governor Peggi Koehler, a member of Durham Rotary Club, a retired educator and former Disneyland cast member was the evening’s special guest. She spoke about the connections Rotarians build through their involvement in different clubs and communities.
“Along that way you do make friends,” Koehler said.
A $100 drawing provided the night’s final surprise. Winner Susan Gibbs, a member of the Colusa Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and mother of Glenn County Sheriff Justin Gibbs, donated her prize toward a Disneyland trip for a student of Stardust Dance, a Maxwell-based dance studio.
With both clubs enjoying the evening, members are considering making the comedy night an annual event at the Maxwell Inn, a convenient and inviting gathering place between Willows and Colusa.