At the April 14, 2015, meeting of the Bonners Ferry Rotary Club - held on the 150th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln - discussed several interesting projects and a local business, known as "Filtration Plus, Inc."  That company is an air quality firm proudly representing manufacturers in Idaho, Montana, Northern Wyoming and Eastern Washington.

 

On April 25, 2015, from 7-10 a.m., at the Boundary County Fairgrounds, the Bonners Ferry Rotary Club will hold our annual "Community Breakfast."  The official title is:  "Free CommUNITY Breakfast."  The breakfast will be held at the Valley Event Center at the Boundary County Fairgrounds. Though the breakfast is free, it is hoped that people will donate.  It is vital to remember that through various fund-raising events and efforts, the local Rotary club donates heavily to local kids attending college.  In 2014, $14,000 was so donated and $13,000 the year before.  President Jim Paulus told the members present that in 2015, we are going to again donate $14,000 to the local kids wanting to attend college. With the high cost of college, it all helps and it reflects the fact that Rotarians invest heavily in their communities and the future.  The youth wanting to attend college are much of our future, and we generously contribute to helping them pay for that necessary education.

 

Of course, an event like the "Free CommUNITY Breakfast" cannot exist without help, so Rotarians are urged to show up at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2015, to help set up for the breakfast.  At 10:00 a.m., after the event, help will be needed to do the take down.  Remembering the Rotary motto "Service Above Self," we hope that members will rally to help put on this event.

 

April Douglas, wife of local Rotarian Jack Douglas, attended the meeting today.  Patrick Carson and Brad Holifield, both in the process of rejoining the local Rotary, attended the meeting as well.

 

President Jim Paulus announced again that the District 5080 (our district) "District Meeting" will be held May 8-10, 2015 in Nelson, B.C., Canada. It is an opportunity to learn more about Rotary, network with other Rotarians and visit the lovely city of Nelson, set on the Kootenai River. Local Rotarians are urged to attend.

 

President Paulus also announced that on May 14, 2015, at 6:00 p.m., the Rotary will host a "Scholarship Ice Cream Social" event. 

 

President Paulus also announced that the Bonners Ferry Rotary Club board voted:

 

1)  $250.00 to Ian Quiznel.

 

2)  $100.00 to the Rod Benders, to help them stage their car show in Bonners Ferry the first week in June.

 

3)  $450.00 was donated to pay for the insurance for the lacrosse team.

 

4)  $500.00 was given to the Bonners Ferry High School robotics team, who took first place in regional competition recently in Calgary, Canada. That team is going to St. Louis, Missouri to compete in the international competiton, making us all proud. The cost of the trip is substantial, so donations to the robotics club at the high school would be appreciated ... once again, investing in our youth.  Service above self.

 

Lillian Lonborg announced that she will operate a tasting room at the Bonnerport Mall in Bonners Ferry ... Hard Rock Wineries.  It will showcase northwest wines, which she believes are under-appeciated currently.  She said that we sit at the same latitude as the wine growing regions of France, a nation well known for its excellent wines. This business will open in May. Watch for the grand opening event.

 

Maggie McCoy, one of the nine contestants to be the 2015 Bonners Ferry winner of the Distinguished Young Womans pageant.  Maggie is the daughter of Sean McCoy, a well-known local man and former businessman.

 

But the main speakers were Trey and Lynn Haworth, who moved here from Arizona with their business, called "Filtration Plus, Inc. That business began in 2007 in Arizona.  But, they saw Boundary County and fell in love with our place, so they moved the business here. It is called "Filtration Plus, Inc."  Their business represents HVAC manufacturers that provide air treatment solutions, such as air control devices and fighting air pollution. On their ranch, they also raise horses. The business involves  a lot of travel. 

 

The next meeting of the Rotary is Tuesday, April 21, 2015,. at Mugsy's.  The speaker will be Jim McKiernan, Publisher of the Bonners Ferry Herald and the Bonner County Daily Bee newspapers.     .

 

 

 

 

As a reminder of upcoming events, at the March 24, 2015 meeting, the Bonners Ferry Rotarians were reminded that:

 

1.  The March 31, 2015, meeting (next week) will be held at the local Restorium. Dress is casual, and be early as lunch starts at noon sharp.

 

2.  The first ever annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner will be held at the Boundary County Fairgrounds.  Tickets are $18 a plate and the meal will be catered by Chic 'n Chop Restaurant, who are well known in the community.  Tickets for this dinner, which will be held to honor the men and women who serve as peace officers for our safety and protection, may be purchased by contacting Ron Sukenik or at Bonners Ferry City Hall.

 

3.  The District 5080 Conference will be held at Nelson, B.C. (Canada), starting on May 8, 2015.

 

 

On St. Patrick's Day, 2015, the Bonners Ferry Rotary Club received a double treat when the speakers at the weekly meeting were Ryan and Maureen Mai, owners of local ranch and farm:  "Rymo Cattle Company." In 1999, the Mai family moved back to Boundary County, Idaho and began their operation. They center the farm and ranch around:

 

1.  Crops

 

2.  Livestock

 

3.  Custom hire work.

 

Located throughout Boundary County, Idaho, the ranchers raise close to 200 pure bred cattle and farm and ranch about 2,000 acres. As they explained, there is a real technique and science to it. They use special Simmental and Sim-Angus beef. These are animals that produce great meat, are large cattle, and a good working herd.  They normally run about 180 animals.

 

As a part of their operation, the Mai family also grows lots of  crops, which they rotate every several years, for better production and the good of the land. Those crops include:  winter and spring wheat, malt barley, feed barley and food barley, alfalfa and hay, canola, peas, and garbanzo beans.

 

It was an interesting presentation.

 

At the meeting, it was again announced that the District Conference is being held in Nelson, B.C. this year May 8-10. 2015.  Nelson is a city renowned for its beauty, being on the Kootenai (Kootenay) River, fine skiing, and close proximity to Ainsworth Hot Springs.  Local Rotarians were encouraged to register and attend. It was also again announced that on Saturday, March 21, 2015, the Rotarians will have the spring assembly in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho.  All were urged to attend.

 

 

The fifth annual "Penguin Plunge" is fast approaching.  This year, the popular event will be held at the at the boat dock area of the Search and Rescue at the Waterways Building. The date of the plunge will be noon on Saturday, March 21,  2015. Registration starts at 11:00 a.m.

 

David Kramer and Sue Wilson, both longtime supporters of Special Olympics and the "Penguin Plunge," spoke to Rotary about the event, which is designed to raise money to support Special Olympics.  Rotarians learned that about $6,000 is raised per pear by this event, money which goes to helping fund Special Olympics in Boundary County, Idaho. As part of the presentation, Sue and Dave showed an interesting slide show of past Penguin Plunges.

 

In past years, it has been the custom that participants will often wear an interesting costume and really get into the festive spirit of the event. The water is often in the 30's and thus quite cold.  Participants can either quickly dunk in all the way, or wade in slowly.  There is a place to warm up after the event.  Even those who may not be wanting to participate can always come to watch or can make a donation to Special Olympics at the event or through any of the many people who are participating and who are asking people to sponsor them.

 

Their slogan:  "Freezin' for a Reason."

 

 

It was brought up that this Friday, 13 February 2015, there will be a cancer benefit charity basketball game held at the Valley View Elementary School gymnasium, with the game tipping off at 7:00 p.m.  The game is between the "U.S. Border Officials" and the "Canadian Border Officials." Entry is by donation and the proceeds will benefit Reed Greenwood, who has cancer. Helpers are needed for the event and people are encouraged to attend if they cannot help.

 

The Rotary Board has voted at their meeting to donate $500 to the Missoula Children's Theater.

 

Happy Bucks and Fines were received and handed out, all for the cause of raising funds for the scholarship fund.

 

The District Governor, for District 5080, is from Nelson. B.C., Canada.  HIs name is Norman McCarvell. He attended the meeting, and discussed upcoming events.  He travels the district attending various Rotary clubs.

 

Tim Harlan gave a talk about his internet-based local business called "Answering Specialists, Inc."  It used to be based in Seattle, Washington, but a few years back he moved it to here.  It answer calls all over the country, using the internet.  He said the work force here is more loyal and stable and that his business is growing at about 20% a year.

 

Becca Harlan then spoke about "Harlan Mountain Farms." which at present sells goat milk.  The business is going to expand into other products such as goat cheese. She spoke on the health benefits of goat products.

 

The Rotary then had its 50/50, and the winning ticket was David Kramer's, but he failed to draw the winning card.  With that, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

 

 

Pam Moe from Boundary Abstract asked for volunteers to help with the "Fill The Bus" food bank project she heads.  This will be on MLK Day, which is January 19, 2015. Some are needed  to sit in a store and hand out food bank suggestions and others will be needed at 3:15 at the food bank office to help unload the bus.  Anyone who can help, should contact her at Boundary Abstract.

 

 

 

 

No one won the 50-50 draw.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On November 18, 2014, the Bonners Ferry Rotary Club held its weekly meeting.  President Jim Paulus called the meeting to order and reported on the board meeting held last week. Among other things reported:

 

1)  A report on micro business credit.

 

2)  The request from Valley View school.

 

3)  Proposals for raising money for the local hospital at the 2014 Festival of Trees.

 

4)  Early planning to try to have a circus here next summer.

 

The local Rotarians were urged to have their calendars all sold by Christmas. 

 

A report was made on the board decision to have a banquet to honor the local officers of the year. We would provide a plaque for each department and dinner for the officer and immediate family. No-host bar.

 

Talks were given by Jack Douglas, Marciavee Cossette and Greg Johnson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Bucks, Fines and the fifty/fifty draw all raised valuable money for scholarships.

 

City Administrator Boorman discussed how the city works, explaining the governmental and proprietary functions. The annual budget of the City of Bonners Ferry is $1.8 million.  He also pointed out that the Moyie River Dam operated by Bonners Ferry provides roughly 30% of the local electrical needs, depending on the rate of flow of the river in the spring and summer.

 

City Administrator Boorman also discussed two subjects near and dear to the hearts of many: the city swimming pool and the gold course. Built in the 1930's as a WPA Project, the pool needs to be replaced soon. Every year cracks must be repaired as it is.  The golf course, built in the 1970s, needs either a new clubhouse or serious renovations to the existing building.  The clubhouse is near the end of its life.  And although the city needs a new swimming pool, Boorman said he doesn't see a path to build a new one. It also appears from existing studies that there currently is not enough population to support a new swimming pool. Boorman said it costs about $50,000 to $60,000 to operate the swimming pool.  He noted that only about 11,000 people live in the county at present.  He also discussed the existing city sewer system and the water system.