Of Thespian Bombast & The Frenchtown Face Project

Missoula Sunrise Rotary Club Minutes 8/27/08

Our fearless leader Chris Warden opened our meeting by sharing comments from the District Governor Mark Frisby who mentioned that a visit to our club was energiziging, and we "truly get things done." 

Curt Belts led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Shawn Rosscup read a moving quote about the power of love from Emmit Fox (1986-1951, New Thought spiritual leader and author of  The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life. ISBN 0-06-062862-6 among other writings, some of which are seminal in twelve-step programs such as AA.)

David  Bardwick introduced visitor Walt Paulsen, a fellow Rotarian from Gig Harbor, Washington.  We also had three guests: Susan Hay Cramer brought Michael Pace and Mary Windecker, and Arnie Didier brought Randi Mysse from the Elk Foundation.

David informed us that we will have to wait to learn why the chicken REALLY crossed the road, instead sharing some gems of quotes from the Olympics (Paul Hahn: "I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father...")

Our President bemoaned the fact that there does not seem to be enough "wheel spinning," to which David replied that we just don't have enough "naughty members." 

Committee Updates:

Brandon Naasz announced that the Silver Park Bench committee meets at 8:30 this AM. 

The Membership Committee meets at the same time; the talent committee of Who's Who meets at 9AM today at the Break.

Carl Prinzing reminds us all that the RotaryPeacePark meeting will be held Sept 19-21 at Many Glaciers Lodge in Glacier.  Glacier was the first Int'lPeacePark (there are now 161!) and it was started by Rotarians.  Anyone interested needs to call for room reservations ASAP as availability will be limited.  Registration forms/payment can be arranged with Al Jensen.

Steve Patrick reported that the Youth Homes Hiawatha Trail bike ride is on for this Saturday, August 30:  meet at Reserve Street side of Lowe's at 8:30 AM.  Carl Prinzing is heading up the caravan.  There will be 11 YH youths and 4 counselors - come join the fun!  Barbeque will be provided and we will return by 5:00 PM.  (You can do it, it's downhill, for gosh sakes!  Taft tunnel, a long, dark and creepy place, is optional.)  This particular announcement was punctuated by the athletic recovery of a piece of pineapple by Steve and an (alleged) concurrent assault on Steve with a spoon by Brenda "Ms. Manners" Thayer, who apparently took offense to his pineapple recovery efforts. Then poor Steve was accused of "thespian bombast" --- whatever that might mean!  (see below)

Greg Johnson reports on the steady progress being made by the Who's Who in Missoula Revue team:  talent has been assembled; ticket sales are ongoing (Carol Gaub wants the dough or the tickets - preferably the former - by next week!) and it's looking as though this will be "another way for Sunrise Rotary to put a footprint on Missoula."  Talent includes: the Mayor, George Dennison, Michael Moore, Geoff Badenoch, Jason Weiner, and Josh the Rapper, among other local luminaries.  Please have checks made out to Missoula Rotary Foundation!  Chris thanked Montana Rep Theater for their contributions to this Herculean Thespian effort.

Greg also shares that Thespus was the first actor to take on a character or role (543 BC).  Research reveals bombast is defined as "Grandiloquent, pompous speech or writing."  Perhaps Steve was maligned?

There was no Rotary Minute (gasp)  and Chris Warden admits that serious arm-twisting will ensue until we have folks signed up for this through December.

Our classification talk was by Charles Norman Williamson III (Norm to us) whose classification is CPA and Certified Financial Planner.  He likes working with clients to meet their needs, and appreciates Rotary for its level of enthusiasm and emphasis on children and youth.  He hails from Georgia and is a "rabid Georgia Bulldogs fan" whose perfect day includes time with family capped off with a Bulldog win "that his family is just as excited about as I am."  Helping someone: He helped an woman who suffered from domestic abuse navigate the disposition of the procceeds from a divorce.  "It wasn't so much the money as the attention she appreciated."  Character trait: empathetic. Norm doesn't think that "anal retentive" is a character trait.   What very few know about him: he backpacked the Appalacian Trail over 6 months.  (Wow!)  Chris Warden did suggest at the close of Norm's talk that Norm would probably do "great Rotary Minutes for December."

Arnie Didier introduced our Speaker: Dave Atkins, Ninemile District Ranger. He has been with the USFS for 32 years, and rides his bike to work daily from the Rattlesnake.   Dave outlined for us the Frenchtown Face Ecosystem Restoration Project.  He is proud of the collaborative efforts that have resulted in Sustainability: the goal being to reach that "sweet spot"  where economics, ecosystem, and social values intersect.  Goals are an open forest with less weeds, less intense (and safer to fight) fires, increased wildlife habitat including big game forage, owl habitat, and the restoration of hydrologic and fish health via reduced sediment and barriers to fish.  He likens forest health to human health, where prevention might include anything from weed spray (analogous to antibiotic use) and prescribed burns, to culvert replacement and road maintenance (analogous to surgery).  Central to this work is the concept of a Stewardship Contract which has been authorized by Congress.  This allows goods to be exchanged for services.  Currently 3600 acres are being harvested, and the proceeds from this are being used in a number of ways to reclaim and revitalize the forest: 10,000-acre prescribed burn, 55 miles of road reconstruction, decommission of 115 miles of road, 4600 acres of weed treatment, and trail improvements.  Montana is unique in that we still have an Integrated Wood Products Industry.  "Everything gets used, even the slash that some states have to pay to have removed".   Smurfitt Stone uses that for combined energy/heat production.  Happily, contracts are selected based upon experience, references, and local job creation, in addition to price.  Currently Tricon has the $650K bid for the Frenchtown Face Stewardship.   Dave points out replication of this type of collaborative effort is possible elsewhere, although some areas are challenged by lack of value in the logs that are present on the site.

Chris Warden told Dave that Missoula Sunrise Rotary will donate a dictionary in his name.

We closed with a recitation of the 4-Way Pledge of All We Think, Say or Do.