The 2006/07 Directory is a truly fascinating document and well worth the cost. It is divided into sections starting with 'F', followed by 'C' and then 'O'. Section L at the end is especially interesting with its lists of currently licensed Rotary goodies. Banners and badges are obvious items but now, with dual gender clubs, one can buy badged 'Lipstick holders', (hopefully dispensing blue and yellow?) 'Perfume dispensers'.....and 'Sewing kits'. 'Pocket secretaries' sound fun; ours is 6 foot 2. Does Illinois, the home of Rotary, reflect the status of Rotarians by offering 'Diamonds' and are these Rotary badged? More realistically, as we aim to get our average age down, Singapore offers 'Rotary Teddy Bears' . Sporting Australia naturally has a company licensed to sell 'Rugby tops' while Canada can offer 'Leather mini golf desk caddies', and for our more senior members, 'Rotary badged vitamin boxes'.

We have to look to Japan, however, for some of the odder items such as a 'Rotary badged hygrometer' and a 'pedometer'. If one tires of testing the latter, at least one can rest on Linlithgow's Public Bench or sitting in a 'Rocking Chair' from Maine, probably kept warm with Connecticut's Polar fleece, and munching Rotary emblem chocolates from Mississippi. By the way, what are the Japanese Rotary badged 'Cake Pick Cases'? Or New Jersey's 'Fanny packs'?

However, the main section 'C' lists districts, governors and clubs. What sort of people become District Governors? There are the customary lawyers, bankers and doctors but there are others. One might expect to find a rancher in Texas (5870) but what does a 'Writer'...outdoor' (5610) do? One hopes that DG 5030 hasn't been chosen to do district work in his profession of 'Disaster recovery'. At least DG 7390 is realistic in his job as 'Not for profit....foundation'.

The list of clubs repays careful study too. A knowledge of geography and in some cases Latin is useful in identifying the location of clubs. Where would one place 'The Channel' Rotary Club, ..or Clausentium and Lindum? Luckily the latter two also include clues by adding the names Southampton and Lincoln, while the Paragon Club may be just that. Presumably climbing Rotarians are welcome at the Mount Everest Club in Nepal.

One of the fairly recent developments in club meetings has been the increase in breakfast gatherings. This has led to considerable and fascinating originality in names. Many have settled for a name that is 'normal' as well as explicit. The most common ones appear to be 'Sunrise' (Oakhurst and many others) and 'Breakfast' (Fort Collins et al). Surprisingly, 'Morning' (Los Gatos) is rarer as is 'Sunup' (Palm Springs).

But, some clubs have tried to be different, with the obvious but rare 'Daybreak' (Camrose) typical. Several British clubs have had recourse to a classical upbringing with 'Matins' (Reading) and 'Aurora' (Shepperton) among them. A.M. Eastbourne) is brief but self explanatory, but Owatonee's 'Early Edition' is definitely a one-off as is Maidstone's 'Dawn Patrol'. And how about Big Bear Lake Dawn Busters? If you know more odd names, do let us know. www.historycomment.org