Northwind February 18, 2016

Call to Order:  President-Elect Dale called the meeting to order and led us in the flag salute.

 

Invocation:  Jim B. provided the invocation.

 

Visiting Rotarians: None today.

 

Guests:  Dale brought Scott Caldwell today and Scott will also be a presenter at the Career Fair.

 

Returning Rotarians:  None today.

 

Birthdays and Anniversaries:  Linda will have her one year Rotary anniversary on the 26th, and Greg I has a birthday on the 19^th.  Happy Birthday, Greg and Congratulations, Linda! 

 

Announcements:  Tim reminded us of the Fellowship meeting at Artifacts Café on the 25^th.  There will be no lunch meeting.  The Artifacts is across from old “Jimbo's” by Michael’s books.  (202 Grand Street.)  You must enter from the street side as it is separate from the museum.  Please bring friends and family!  Dale announced the Career Fair brochures are done and will go to print and the Sponsors are in place.  The Career Fair will be at BTC in Settlemeyer Hall on March 31^st.   Let Dale know if you know of anyone who will present…look for blanks in the brochure.

 

Happy Bucks:  Bill started the ball rolling with giving HB for the new sign, but kind of frustrating $ because it keeps blowing over in the wind.  He also had money for Eric’s “New Member” handouts, making “Old Member,” Bill look bad.  Ken was just happy to be here since he spent over an hour on an insurance plan.  Jim B. was $5 happy to find out that Deb’s father was stationed at the same base and they went on missions together back in the day.  Dale had happy IOUs to have Scott as a guest and for recovering from his Valentine’s weekend cold.  Tim was happy that Pati is keeping him occupied with changing the website to add speakers.  Also a reminder if you think of a good program, contact Pati.  Stan was $5 happy for the 76^th Anniversary of his 1^st date with Margaret.  Pati was $5 happy it is not raining.  Jill had HB as we were a good audience for Mock Trial students.  (Proving we can behave if chocolate is involved!)  Rollo was happy (?) for an emergency root canal, but mostly, he was happy for the drugs he was given.  Julie was happy for her trip to the sunny Olympic peninsula and the beautiful scenery they encountered.  Deb was happy to have her walking buddy, Julie, back and also happy to discover the connection between her Dad and Jim B.  (Small world!)  Jake was happy for an upcoming ski trip and ready to have the women cook for him.  (I tried to help you, Jake, but you stuck with this theme J

 

Finemaster:  The Honorable Timmy V.   Jake was immediately fined for his sexist remark and for having to have it explained to him.  Marlene was fined unfairly for not responding to Tim’s email.  Rollo was then immediately fined for trying to come to Marlene’s defense.  Jill was fined for bringing more chocolates.  Rollo was again fined for not calling Tim regarding his root canal.  Tim has tools for just this sort of thing!  Bill was fined for not knowing where the Artifact Café is.  Ken was fined $1 just because, then raised to $2 dollars on principle.  Jim B. was fined for proving it is indeed a small world and Dale was fined for his “Mad Scientist” haircut.  Anyone not wearing a Rotary Polo shirt was fined $1 and Pati was fined for reasons that best remain private.  Stan was not fined, but congratulated for his Valentine’s date anniversary.  Linda was fined for looking so studious and looking as if she was doing the Northwind.  (Alas, she was not!)  Eric was fined for his organizational skills in doing the New Member talk and having a handout.  Julie was fined for her wonderful time on vacation.  And anyone who did not give Valentines was fined.

 

Banners:  Ken guessed President’s Day as a theme, but, once again, he was wrong.  Bill guessed Valentine’s Day and was right.    

 

Program:  The program today was “New Member/Old Member” talks.  Bill began with “Old Member” and discussed where he was born (Everett, raised in Marysville,) how he met Kris, (their families go back 3 generations), his education (degree in Electronics) which led to his Army career and an assignment to Germany.  (He was smart enough to not tell anyone he liked hunting and fishing, which usually led to the front lines.)  Bill and Kris ended up in Bellingham for a temporary job at Puget Power, which lasted 33 years.  Bill is not only a devoted Rotarian, he is also a very active member in the Elks club.  (Bill chose Rotary as a service club because of the focus on polio, which had affected Kris’ sister in the 50s).   He is also in an Antique car club.

Eric spoke as a “New Member” and brought a brief bio handout.  Eric currently works as a Realtor for Sterling Real Estate.  He chose Sterling because of the similarities it has with his family’s Real Estate business in Southern CA, which started in 1976.  Eric has provided consultation and independent sales of Ultra High End Products throughout the U.S. and he has traveled extensively in his business.  Eric is married to Diane, whom he met initially in the 7^th grade.  They lost contact, but reconnected about 20 years ago.  They had a long distance romance, which was almost terminated because of the Gore/Bush election, but her parents’ 60^th anniversary party brought them back together and the rest is history.  They have 4 adult children between them and are proud of each of their successes.  (Eric offered that it is harder to raise girls than boys.)  Eric has his Contractor License, as well as Pilot and Scuba licenses.  He is also a Volunteer Fire fighter as well as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.  We are fortunate to have both these men in our club.

 

Drawing:  There is $446.50 currently in the pot and the door prize of a candle was won by Marlene.  (Thank you to Stan’s daughter, Jakie for this pretty donation!) Tim did not win the jackpot, but did walk away with a consolation prize of coffee and an address book, also donated by Jakie.  The pot grows!!