Home Page | Rotary Club of Anchorage East

Do Good, Have Fun, Make Friends

We meet Wednesdays at 12:00 PM
Hilton Hotel

500 W. 3rd Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501
United States

District Site

Bulletins

Venue Map

Holly Tedor, Howling Peaks Dog Training

Dec 12, 2018 12:00 PM

Dogs and People Understanding One Another

Christmas Party

Dec 19, 2018 12:00 PM

Merriment and Celebration

No meeting today- Happy Holidays!

Dec 26, 2018 12:00 PM

Barbara Swenson and Justin Zagorski of YWCA

Jan 23, 2019 12:00 PM

Colorblindness

Don Rogers, M.D. Forensic Pathologist

Jan 30, 2019 12:00 PM

Human Factors in Commercial Aircraft Crashes

Rick Benjamin, Hope Community Resources

Feb 06, 2019 12:00 PM

View entire list...

Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Dec. 12)

Posted by Paul Paslay

At our meeting December 5:

Members reported on their earthquake experience:
- Heather Flynn has mixed feelings about the loss of much heirloom crystal over which there can be no dispute who inherits. Also, a large bottle of olive oil broke and went everywhere.
- Our speaker Jeff Jesse gave a shout out to the facilities people at his area of UAA for doing a fast and thorough job to clean up the mess which included broken water pipes.
- Anne Adasiak - Andrew reported our exchange student Adam Szabo thought the earthquake was great.
- Raquel Edelen was thankful that the “hotel down the street” suffered little or no damage. Particularly, at Fletcher’s there was no loss at all of the alcohol on the shelves!
- Sylvia Condy suffered loss of a combination of balsamic vinegar and fine scotch.
- Karla Jutzi was on the sixth floor when the earthquake happened, but she reported that the Food Bank of Alaska didn’t have any food fall off the shelf and the FBOA was able to do a Mobile Food Pantry or two over the weekend.
- Sgt Rich reported that his son and our member Jon Dyson is missing the meeting because he is at his job at the Alaska Airlines Center helping clean up a big mess of glass, toppled awards and statues.
Elliott Delgado and Don Rogers visited from Russian Jack Rotary to sell tickets for the auction of a gun kit.
I informed the membership that Jay Jackson just texted me that she will miss the meeting because she is at the Municipal shelter with two very sick kittens.
Katie Johnson returned for good from her work assignment on the Kenai. She mentioned that we need future host families for Adam. She offered him to the first people to fill out the paperwork!
Anne Adasiak – Andrew was in Texas at a conference when the earthquake hit, and recalled she and other Alaskans at the conference may have been much more concerned than people in Southcentral Alaska because they were not in Southcentral to know what was happening. She reported that all went very well with her family, and in particular Adam and her son were able to check in on other family members. Anne echoed that Adam is a good person, a fine exchange student and will be a good host son. Adam is out winter camping this week due to the school closure.
Sally Archer was happy that about 10 people showed up that the memorial service for Marjorie Poggas’s husband. Marjorie expressed thanks for the support and kindness she has received from us during this period of time.
Sandra Wicks and Bruce Phelps are back from Mexico for the month. They reported making new Rotary contacts, buying 30 or more water filters and supplying 34 scholarships in pursuit of their unflagging commitment to make life better for people in the area.
Rich noticed broccoli on someone’s plate and this reminded him of recently deceased former President H.W. Bush. I googled this matter and saw that President Bush refused all invitations to sit down and eat this vegetable.
Dave Kester, who is the Polio Plus Chair for our District 5010, told me we have smashed the annual goal I set of $3500; the year is not one half over and we have donated about $4100!
We took another collection for Adam and now have about $240 for a gift for him and for other expenses he might incur. I asked folks to consider that next week we shall collect money for our Hilton servers. We shall give the money to Rodney our main contact who will disburse among the numerous servers who have helped us this year.
Rich Dyson was unable to interest anyone in using the No Fine Button at any price. I think we need to bring some fresh thinking to the NFB idea. Any thoughts?
I arranged with Janine to have flowers delivered to Dick Dworsky’s Celebration of Life on Saturday. Bill Miernyk gave me Dick’s Rotary badge to offer to Sally Dworsky.
Karla Jutzi reminded us of an upcoming volunteer gift program.
Robin Dublin was happy to announce she is now employed with the State as a program director related to subsistence matters (I think I got that right).
Jeff Jesse was our speaker. After a long tenure at the Alaska Mental Health Trust, for the past 18 months he has been a provost at the UAA School of Health. He plans to grow the programs under his jurisdiction to meet the growing demands for health care providers in the State. He focuses on consolidating and streamlining operations across the campuses, and has a goal to supply the employment needs from Alaskans, and not “travelers’ from Outside. A specific example of this is in Bethel where in order to get people from Outside to travel there, they are offered seven-day, 12 hours per day shifts after which they can travel home. This schedule is hard on local residents who might supply these services but also have families and regular routines. I was interested to hear that the use of mannequins to simulate medical problems is very useful to people learning the ropes.
Bobi Rinehart introduced her guest Craig Miller who is with the Department of Health.
Bill Ure brought his guest Mark Schmeling again to lunch. I hope to move his application for membership forward soon.
I gave Gloria Castenada a ride to Rotary, and when I announced the chance for fellowship with her to give her a ride home, Lynn Shaver raised her hand. Thanks, Lynn!
Sally Archer was happy that Tom Turner gave her tickets to the Arctic Entry Story Telling event.

At other times:

On Wednesday there was no East High Interact Club meeting because of the ASD closure.
On Thursday there was no reading project at Baxter Elementary because ASD was closed.
On Thursday I gave Jennifer Hile’s PH+1 pin to her mother JoEllen Weatherholt at Wells Fargo. I included a note wishing her well and asking her to consider rejoining our Rotary family.
On Saturday three events took place:
The Mobile Food Pantry took place. Bill Faulkner, Bob Hume, Christian Deykes, Craig Bledsoe, Barbara Swenson, Gideon Garcia, Bill Ure, Ventis Plume, Reed Smith, Shirley Nelson, Frank Cahill, Sandra Wicks, Lynn Shaver, Heather Flynn, Dave Kester, Duff Pfanner, Bob Cox and Jennifer Sierra showed up.
- I made a brief appearance at the MFP, then went to the Celebration of Life for Dick Dworsky. Sandra Wicks, Carolyn Jones, Paul McGuire, Sean Bradley, Rich Dyson and Sue Sampson attended.
- There was an extended period of time when people came to the front and spoke about Dick’s life and their connections to him. Afterwards I gave Sally Dworksy Dick’s Rotary pin (which was Bill Meirnyk’s idea).
- Saturday night was a great Xmas party hosted by Raquel Edelen at her home. There were about 40 people who participated in the gift exchange, so there were probably 50 – 60 people present. Everyone was in high spirits, and the theme of the exchange seemed to be adult spirits.
On Tuesday, December 4, West High Interact Club had its weekly meeting. Jeff Blake and I attended. There were about 15 students present. They discussed the film Not My Life, which is a very powerful expose of the cruel realities of human and sex trafficking in various parts of the world. This film and a panel discussion took place at the World Affairs Council. The club also focused on the upcoming food distribution they will complete, and their participation in Dressember (see www.Dressember.org for more details).

President's Corner (Dec. 12)

Posted by Paul Paslay

Hello fellow Anchorage East Rotarians. This week I copy these words from a website for a club in District 5910:

December is Rotary Family Month, a time when Rotarians are asked to not only spend more time with their own families, but to celebrate the family of Rotary and extend a special hand to those in need. Our clubs will be ringing bells, delivering meals, hosting parties and events for everyone from children in need to the wonderful seniors in our community. We will have a wonderful time recapping these activities throughout the month.

Anchorage East used to regularly participate in bell ringing and I know there are one or more clubs in the Anchorage area that are doing so this month. Maybe one of our members could take the lead next year to re-establish this tradition?
The West High Interact club, which our club sponsors, is taking over and being in charge of an annual project to put together boxes of food to deliver later this month to families in need.
Raquel Edelen hosted a great Christmas party last Saturday which attracted about 40+ members by my count. We enjoyed good food, fellowship and a spirited gift exchange.
We shall not have regular Wednesday lunch meetings on December 26 or January 2, which allows us to spend more time with our families and loved ones.
A good number of members got together last Saturday for our Mobile Food Pantry, despite the bad weather.
Our Community Service committee gets together today (Tuesday Dec 11) to consider a number of grant proposals that will benefit people in need in our community.
This Sunday afternoon there will be a Solstice of Trees on the Mize Loop at Kincaid Park. Our club is a sponsor and will send members as volunteers to serve hot beverages. Come to enjoy the fellowship! Contact Barbara Kagerer for more details.
A number of us also attended the Celebration of Life for Dick Dworsky, and a memorial service for Marjorie Poggas’s husband. I learned things about Dick at his Celebration of Life that I did not know. It makes me think we should hear more from our members, maybe in the form of “Vocational Minutes” or other brief addresses at club meetings.

What would you like to see our club do to increase our sense of community as we do good in the world?

Mark Schmeling Biography

Posted by Mark Schmeling

Mark Schmeling grew up in Dallas, Texas and moved with his family to Wisconsin during high school. An opportunity to work on the oil spill cleanup crews in the summer of 89’ introduced Mark to his future home of Alaska and he returned for good after obtaining his accounting degree from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1991. After many years in the hospitality industry, Mark took his passion for helping others to New York Life where he enjoys working with his clients on their protection and retirement needs as a Financial Services Professional. Mark currently serves on the Board of Directors for Lutheran Social Services Alaska and as an elder at his church, is incredibly mediocre at golf, and loves spending as much time as possible with his wife Katherine and their two daughters, Amanda and Madeline.

Solstice Tree Tour

Posted by Barbara Kagerer

Greetings!

Our club recently approved a grant in support of our community’s wonderful trail system, and the trail maintenance done year-round by the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage. Yay, Anchorage East Rotary! With our donation, we have the opportunity to participate in the NSAA’s 3rd annual “Solstice Tree Tour” on Sunday, December 16, Kincaid Park. If you are not familiar with this wonderful all-ages outdoor solstice celebration, please see https://www.anchoragenordicski.com/solstice-tree-tour/

This event truly is beneficial to all concerned: money is raised to support trails and community health, companies and organizations like Rotary get to promote themselves to thousands of event-goers, and the public gets a fun, free winter celebration! Two ways you can get in on the action:

We need a minimum of 4 volunteers to help serve coffee and hot cocoa to the public at our Anchorage East Rotary coffee/cocoa table that will be along the tour route on the Mize trail in Kincaid Park. Two shifts available, Sunday, Dec. 16, 3:45-5:30pm and 5:30-7pm. We need at least two volunteers per shift, but more are welcome!
Come to this free event with your family! Walk (or ski, if there’s snow) the 2.5km Mize Loop at Kincaid anytime between 4 and 7pm on Sunday, Dec 16. Be amazed at all the beautifully lit and decorated trees. S’mores, warm drinks, friendly people. It’s magical and beautiful out there!

To volunteer, please email me, Barbara Kagerer, barbara@horndoc.com or sign up during this week's AER lunch meeting. Please specify which shift you would like. This is a great one for families, too! I will email you back to confirm. Thank you very much!

Anchorage East Rotary Photos

Posted by Rich Dyson

Eliud Delgado and Don Rogers of Russian Jack Rotary paid a visit to our regular club meeting to sell raffle tickets on their gun collection. The funds will go toward scholarships for local students.

Guest speaker Jeff Jesse, PhD, Dean of the UAA College of Health presented a program on "Meeting the health needs of Alaska's people and communities." Listening attentively at the head table was Bob Hume, President Paul Paslay, and Duff Pfanner.

Anne Adasiak-Andrew and Adam Szabo are photo'd below displaying their holiday spirit.

Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Dec. 5)

Posted by Paul Paslay

At our meeting November 28:

Our speakers today were Bob Cox and Woody Angst from the Foundation Committee. Bob chose to have $50 donated to the Alaska Junior Theatre on the speakers’ behalf.
During the program, Bob held a drawing for Alaska Airlines miles to one of our members who signed up to make a periodic donation to the Foundation. Arnie Cohen won the drawing. There was friendly speculation out loud whether Arnie might use the airmiles to travel and visit us.
Bob also made two Paul Harris presentations. Bill Ure received his PH+4, and Garrett Wong received a major donor award.
Barbara Kagerer bought the No Fine Button which she will use on December 19.
Barbara had a happy dollar because it is snowing. Robin Dublin was excited to see snow, but she was also excited about upcoming activities of the Nordic Ski - Alaska School Activities Association.
Lynn Shaver had a shout out for KLEF which she listens to while she heals, and she also had good things to say about the Wall of Wine.
Raquel announced again the details of her holiday party at her home on December 8.
Craig Bledsoe announced that the memorial service for Marjorie Poggas’ husband will be tomorrow, November 29. Craig also presented Marjorie with two items from an International Conference he attended with her father who was a District Governor for our District.
Lance Wilber liked Black Friday. He also put on the table the list of things for Red Badgers to do to move to a Blue Badge.
Mark Schmeling again was Bill Ure’s guest. Mark has applied to join our club.
Jay Jackson gave a non-profit announcement about the ways to give to help her organization (an approved charity), Helping Hands for Nepal. She noted that next year will mark 20 years of helping Nepal.
I mentioned that we had two sympathy cards to sign on the back table, one for Sally Dworsky and her family, and one for Marjorie Poggas and her family
Karen Jordan said her goodbyes to us until May 15. She and her husband are off to warmer climes, golf and other activities.
Bill Ure related a frightening experience his daughter and her partner suffered in Thailand, which thankfully turned out OK.
Karla Jutzi was thankful that her organization was part of an effort to give food over Thanksgiving to about 8,000 families.
Lynn Allingham apologized for being late, but she was one of the folks who went to the Hilton for our meeting instead of the Cook. She encouraged members to make donations for the live and silent auctions at the upcoming Foundation dinner in January.
Tom Turner gave five happy dollars to be able to sit for lunch with Janine Becka, Kara Blake and Jennifer Snodgrass, our back-table crew.
Raquel stressed that she wants the Wall of Wine to be a success again this year so that in the future we can build on the success. December 15 is a key date to take stock where we are in terms of donations of money and wine. I gave Janine a $100 check made out to “Anchorage East Rotary” to be used to purchase wine.

At other times:

On Wednesday I showed up for the East High Interact Club meeting. Kim Liland is the new teacher adviser. It looks like we shall be taking steps to start up the club under her lead. Kim has great energy and connection with her students.
On Thursday, the reading project continued at Baxter Elementary. Shirley Nelson, Rich Dyson and I showed up. I continued to help 2^nd graders practice their reading.
On Tuesday, December 4, there was no West High Interact Club meeting because ASD schools are closed because of the November 20, 7.0 earthquake.

President's Corner (Dec. 5)

Posted by Paul Paslay

Hello fellow Anchorage East Rotarians.

I was looking for something more to say during this Rotary month, which is Family month. I came across this quote from an eClub in District 5110:

You can see it in their faces. The joy that spills forth as Rotarians take part in service projects, locally or internationally, says volumes about why more than 1.2 million people around the globe belong to Rotary clubs and are committed to making the world a better place.

Recently our long-time member Dick Dworsky passed. This Saturday, December 8, starting at 2p, there will be a Celebration of Life for him at First Congregation Church, 2610 East Northern Lights Blvd (on Northern Lights just east of the intersection at Lake Otis Parkway). I plan to go, and our club is considering what we might add to the event such as an arrangement of flowers.

Our member Marjorie Poggas recently lost her husband. Our member Craig Bledsoe thoughtfully stepped up and announced this to the club at our November 21 luncheon, then at the meeting November 28 he kindly recalled attending an International Convention with Marjorie’s father, who was then District Governor for our District. From that conference Craig drove back with awards that her father received but could not easily transport, and at our meeting gave them to Marjorie. These sorts of events remind us that Rotary is a family of people who share efforts to make the world a little better, and share each other’s lives.

Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Nov. 27)

Posted by Paul Paslay

Highlights for Anchorage East Rotary from November 21 – November 27, 2018.

At our meeting November 21:
- We invited about 40 military service members for our annual military appreciation day. Our program was presented by Jason Schlegal, Adam Schwartz and our member Amy Slinker The topic was “Opt Outside: Must do adventures while stationed in Alaska”. Jason and Adam spoke to their personal outdoors hunting, fishing and other activities. Amy reviewed a trip from Anchorage to Seward, and back, and highlighted all the things to do along the way.
- Each service member stood up and introduced themselves. Sergeant Rich expressed particular enthusiasm when Army members introduced themselves.
- I briefly explained to the service members what Rotary is all about.
- Anne Adasiak-Andrew, aka Triple AAA, announced that at long last Anchorage School District voted to approve a French language immersion program. Our member Tam Agosti-Gisler, who has long been a champion for this program, was able to follow the vote over the internet in Greece where she and Hans are travelling.
- Raquel Edelen told us more information about the military members at her table.
- I mentioned that for our upcoming Foundation auction on January 19, we need to put together the ingredients for a Wall of Wine. We need donations of wine, or money to buy wine. Please be in touch with Raquel Edelen or Rayli Wilson to make donations or for more information.
- Jay Jackson and Bill Ure identified two service members present who are soon to be parents. We raised $400 to split between them.
- Shirley Nelson mentioned there is no reading project tomorrow, on Thanksgiving, but our program will resume at Baxter Elementary on November 29.
- Past President Sue Sampson introduced her guest, who is Stephen Spinell her husband and an Internet Rotarian.
- Mark Schmeling was Bill Ure’s guest again. Mark has applied to join our club.
- Carolyn Jones reported we are well on the way to raise the funds to sponsor an ad on the outfield fence of Mulcahy stadium during the baseball season.
- I drove Gloria Castenada to lunch and Jeff Blake drove her home.
- Charities chosen by our three speakers include AWAIC, Anchorage Community YMCA and Make a Wish Alaska.
- I mentioned that we have a sympathy card to sign to send to Sally Dworsky, wife of Dick Dworsky who recently passed.
- Craig Bledsoe and others sat with Marjorie Poggas at a table. Craig mentioned that Marjorie’s husband recently passed.
- I mentioned that next week’s meeting is at the Captain Cook
- Craig Bledsoe also mentioned his wife is healing from foot surgery required when she was injured training in Oklahoma City to slide out of a passenger jet.
- Rick Allen’s son has been accepted as a Rotary exchange student. Rick was an exchange student himself.
At other times:
- On Wednesday Karen Smith, Adm Szabo and I showed up for the East High Interact Club meeting. We met in the classroom of Kim Liland, who is a teacher who leads several clubs at East. We are exploring that she might add the Interact Club into her mix of clubs.
- On Monday Bob Cox held a meeting of the Foundation Committee. Present included Bob, Woody Angst, Lynn Shaver, Michelle Engelke, Lynn Allingham and yours truly. The preparations for the January 19 Foundation dinner are in full swing.
- On Tuesday Jeff Blake and I attended the West High Interact Club meeting. They are fully engaged, under the guidance of teacher John Ruhlin, collecting food to build food boxes to distribute during Christmas. Jeff had the idea if any member of our club drops off one or more cans of food at the West High office, this donation will be added to what is being collected by the students.

West High Interact Club Food Drive

Posted by Paul Paslay

Our West High Interact Club starts a Christmas time food drive by dedicating space at school to collect food for about 50 hungry families.

President's Corner (Nov. 27)

Posted by Paul Paslay

Hello fellow Anchorage East Rotarians,

December is Rotary Family month. This is a good opportunity to become better informed on the vast range of activities that all go to make up the organization of Rotary International. But just as important as all the service projects and fellowship opportunities and informational events we create, is the continued growth of our family.

Our Rotary family might include people who have been involved with Rotary, such as Interact Club members, Rotaract Club members, high school scholarship recipients, teacher/student awardees and speakers who address our club. Let’s consider asking these people to become future Rotary Club members.

Anchorage East sponsors Interact Clubs at West High and East High, and there used to be a Rotaract Club in the Anchorage area. Last year our club gave 8 scholarships to seniors at Bartlett High and East. Periodically we recognize an outstanding teacher and student from Bartlett and East. Just about every week we have a speaker who usually is not a Rotarian. All of these people represent opportunities to expand our Rotary family. Also, like most clubs, we lose members, and one thing I’d like to see is follow up with these folks to see why they left. Perhaps there are things we can do to get them back or at least spread the word to others about the Rotary.

Our District 5010 has a website which directs interested people to a person who can in turn direct them to be in touch with one or more of the clubs in our area. Our club has a Facebook page which also spreads the word about what we do.

Our District Governor Diane Fejes addressed our club and urged us to think of ways for people, members and prospective members alike, to experience Rotary outside of the traditional “brick and mortar” setting such as our weekly Hilton Hotel sit down luncheon. I talked with a club member who perceives people become used to routines, and the routines of the millennial generation may be more inclined to focus on participation in different activities and less on participation in a weekly formal lunch setting. There may be many people out there who would be interested in Rotary on these terms. This will make our Rotary family “look“ different in some ways, but the fellowship and the good works won’t change, and our organization can stay a vibrant and powerful force to make the world a better place.

Thanksgiving with the Troops

Posted by Amy Slinker

Anchorage East Rotary hosted members of the armed forces who are posted locally during the annual military appreciation lunch held on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The event is a thank you for service members who cannot be with family during the holiday.

Picture 1
Airman First Class Valdes Monijo photographs members of the military guests
enjoying the presentation on various activities available to service
personnel in Alaska.

Picture 2
East Rotary members enjoying lunch with military guests.

Picture 3
Sgt First Class Adam Schwartz, President Paul Paslay, and Major Amy Slinker
listen to Staff Sgt Jason Schlegal recount his adventures in Alaska.

Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Nov. 14)

Posted by Paul Paslay

At our meeting November 7:

I asked for a moment of silence for the memory of Dick Dworksy
Rich Dyson reminded us that not too long ago there were about 350,000 cases of polio in the world and this year there are fewer than ten.
Jennifer Snodgrass used the No Fine Button to announce Anchorage StartUpWeekend, a 54-hour event to provide experiential education for creators, executors and innovators.
I announced on behalf of Shirley Nelson that our reading project at Baxter Elementary continues tomorrow, November 8, 9:15a – 10:30a.
Lynne Shaver, Charlotte Tharp, Dave Kester and Raquel Edelen reported on the status of the Foundation Committee, which is in the thick of preparing for the Foundation auction on January 19. The theme will be Carats and Carhartts. Dave Kester will be handling the Wall of Wine in Raquel Edelen’s absence. Members can donate wine or donate money to buy wine. In a couple of weeks folks can drop off auction items for storage at the Hilton.
Christian Deykes announced the monthly Mobile Food Pantry this Saturday, November 10, 1:30 – 3p, at the Fairview Recreational Center.
Rayli Wilson was happy to be back at a lunch meeting after being out for a month.
Raquel Edelen announced her upcoming Christmas party December 8. She assured our speaker Chief of Police Justin Doll that we shall drink responsibly. She also gave a shout out to MJ Thim, Communications Director for the Anchorage Police Department who supported Chief Doll at the meeting.
Anne Adasiak-Andrew made a $40 nonprofit announcement about the startup of a French language immersion program in the Anchorage School District.
Robin Dublin expressed gratitude to have been a poll watcher at the polls yesterday and to have seen people from all walks of life casting their ballots.
Kathleen Madden was happy to be back from a trip to Thailand. She said she reconnected with a woman who was an exchange student to our club about 14 years ago.
I announced the upcoming club Board of Directors meeting tomorrow, November 8, 5:30p at the Captain Cook, and thanked Raquel Edelen and the Captain Cook for providing us with meeting space there.
Our speaker Chief Doll chose the Special Olympics for $50 to be donated to in his name. He told us about the long history the law enforcement across the country has had with Special Olympics.
Chief Doll gave a wide ranging and excellent talk about the current situation in Anchorage. When he discussed the car theft problem in Anchorage, he used the word “criminal ride sharing” to describe the activity of the small group of folks who are responsible for most vehicle thefts. They tend to transfer the vehicles among themselves in consideration for things of small value.
Al Bramstedt was happy to have received a card from the club while he was recovering.
The club raised $300 for the college fund for Sheila Lomboy’s new baby.

At other times:

On Wednesday Karen Smith, Rich Dyson and I showed up for the East High Interact Club. The teacher adviser Travis Cooper was present, but no one else was. We had a frank exchange of information about what to do next to get the club going. After the meeting Karen and I visited the classroom of Kim Liland, who is the teacher adviser for the International Club, B-Boys club and the K-Pop club. Karen will get information to Kim about Interact and we shall discuss how Interact Club might join with one or more of the clubs Ms. Liland supervises.
On Thursday I attended the reading project at Baxter Elementary with Maxine Froemling and Shirley Nelson. I helped by assisting Shannon Ferris, a second-grade teacher, by reading with a couple of her students.
On Saturday our District Governor Diane Fejes joined the club to distribute food at the Mobile Food Pantry.
On Tuesday the West High Interact Club met. Discussion was had of plans for the collection and distribution of food for hungry families at Christmas time, and several opportunities to serve in the community.

President's Corner (Nov. 14)

Posted by Paul Paslay

Hello fellow Rotarians.

Last week I reprinted part of a mass email authored by Barry Rassin, President of Rotary International and Ron D. Burton, Trustee Chair, The Rotary Foundation. This week I reprint the rest of the language:

You can end Foundation Month on a charitable note by participating in Giving Tuesday, 27 November. Rotary will be joining thousands of other organizations worldwide for a global day of giving. Our new online giving platform (the email has a hyperlink to the Donation page on My Rotary) has made it easier than ever to give to the Foundation, and you can easily notify someone of a gift made in their honor via email or by printing and delivering a customized notification yourself. We usually refer to The Rotary Foundation as Our Foundation. Unlike most charities, our Foundation is truly Our Foundation, because it is both supported by the Rotary family, and supports the work we do. This year, our Foundation has already approved 222 district grants, with $31.9 million USD in total funding, and 41 global grants, with $11.9 million in total funding. Our ambitious goals to grow our endowment and our annual giving set the stage for a larger, more effective, more sustainable Rotary—that will Be the Inspiration for generations to come.

Our Foundation committee chair Bob Cox will be presenting our program on November 28. Please try to make this meeting to hear much more information about this important part of our club.

Our committee did challenge people to set up a periodic donation in any amount at My Rotary. The members who have done so are in the running for a drawing for Alaska Air Miles. Setting up a small periodic donation, say monthly, is a way to contribute substantially to Rotary over time.

East High Interact Club

Posted by Rich Dyson

If you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who is a student at East High School, please pass along the information about the Anchorage East Rotary sponsored Interact Club which provides community service and leadership development for students ages 14-18. The club is experiencing a rebuilding phase and more dynamic, motivated students are needed to keep the club active. If you need more information about Interact or would like a Rotarian to speak with and encourage a potential student to become a member, please contact Karen Smith, Rich Dyson, or Paul Paslay.

Bidding for the No Fine Button

Posted by Rich Dyson

The No-Fine button is up for bid for the remainder of this Rotary year. The bidding starts at $250 for each month beginning with December. If you would like to reserve the No-Fine button for any month from now through June 2019, please contact me at rkdyson@gci.net or 830-4858. We will accept all bids, so if $250 is beyond your budget, let me know. You might have the highest offer and win the right to advertise your business once all bids are considered. Keep in mind that you can purchase the No-Fine button and donate it to non-profit agencies for important community service announcements. Also, we are still offering to publish your business card in the Eastwind for $25 per month.

President's Corner (Nov. 7)

Posted by Paul Paslay

Hello fellow Rotarians,

Today I received a mass email authored by Barry Rassin, President of Rotary International and Ron D. Burton, Trustee Chair, The Rotary Foundation. I decided to lift verbatim some of the language because it is so relevant to the end of knowing more about The Rotary Foundation:

Rotary’s work to eradicate polio continues, as does our work to promote literacy, economic development, better health, clean water, and peace throughout the world—all of it supported by our Rotary Foundation. In its 101st year, our Foundation continues to be the engine that drives the Rotary machine, allowing Rotary clubs and districts to aspire to larger, more ambitious projects with transformative, sustainable impact. If your club is thinking about taking on a more ambitious project, remember that Rotary Action Groups (RAGs) are great resources. RAGs are international groups of Rotarians, family members, program participants, and alumni who are experts in a particular field, such as microcredit, peace, family health, disasters, or water. In addition to contributing technical expertise, RAGs can also assist clubs with global grant projects by helping prepare grant applications, conduct community assessments, identify partners, raise funds, and establish monitoring and evaluation plans. Some of the largest RAGs serve as leaders in Rotary’s areas of focus and help clubs take on large-scale global grant projects: RAG for Population and Development, Water and Sanitation RAG, RAG for Family Health and AIDs Prevention, Microfinance and Community Development RAG, and RAG for Peace. Connect directly with a RAG for assistance with a project, district, or global grant, at any stage of planning.

Our member Bob Cox is chair of our Foundation Committee and is leading the committee to put together our Foundation auction January 19. Please plan to attend the auction, and if you have items to donate to the live auction or the silent auction, let Bob know so they can be added. The proceeds of the auction go to The Rotary Foundation.

Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Oct. 31)

Posted by Paul Paslay

At our meeting October 31:

District Governor (DG) Diane Fejes was the program this week. Advice she expressed that resonated with me is to consider a satellite club which meets outside of the Wednesday lunch period. She thinks this might be a good way to attract younger members. She senses change in what Rotary meetings will look like in the future.
DG Diane encouraged us to consider corporate memberships whereby a company can send a designated person to lunch and other Rotary events.
DG Diane expanded her vision of our District’s scope of giving to include the fight against human and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
DG Diane also encouraged us to keep in touch with former members of our club. These folks might rejoin, and they might also be ambassadors for Rotary to attract new members.
I welcomed Sheila Lomboy back to our club after an extended absence. She is co-chair of the membership committee with Shawn Florio.
Sergeant Rich reported he attended a Rotary Club in Belgium which has no women members. He said the club was open to the concept!
Robin Dublin asked for a show of hands who might want to attend the social event on November 8. Based on the small showing, this event will be cancelled.
Robin also asked us to keep in our minds the victims, family and friends of the shooting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Mike Zahare announced certain changes in his practice of law, and donated $100 to his Paul Harris.
Jim Olson repaid his debt to Rich Mystrom.
Shirley Nelson announced again our ongoing reading project at Baxter Elementary, 9:15a – 10:30a on Thursdays.
Lynn Allingham was back from being in the Carolinas.
Rick Mystrom announced that he now has six grandchildren.
Jay Jackson told us that the Rotary District encompassing Nepal invites our District 5010 to their district conference in late February.

At other times:

On Wednesday Adam Szabo our exchange student and I showed up for the East High Interact Club. It looks like the club will re-form from scratch. Another teacher brought in some students from the International Club who talked about how they attract members and the kinds of activities they do. It looks like Random Pies of Kindness might be a project for the Interact Club this year. There was also discussion how to get the word out about the Interact Club, including the use of social media.
I was speaking with Robin Dublin who mentioned that pond hockey might be a good social event. This involves a sort of hockey game at Westchester Lagoon or Cheney Lake where the ice is cleared.
On Thursday I attended the reading project at Baxter Elementary with Maxine Froemling and Shirley Nelson. I helped a first grade teacher with one of her learning centers.
On Thursday the Beer Fest met at Adam Sikorski’s home. Present were yours truly, Lance Wilber, Jess Gutzwiler, Kelly McCormack, Jim Arlington and Rich Dyson. Arrangements appear to be well underway for a successful 2019 Fest.
On Thursday Bob Cox, chair of the Foundation Committee, held a rescheduled meeting at his home. Attending were Charlotte Tharp, Mary Rohlfing, Lynn Shaver and Woody Angst. The focus was on the upcoming Foundation auction.
On Tuesday the West High Interact Club met. This week is Interact Club Week and our Chair of Youth Service Karen Smith celebrated by bringing cupcakes for the students. There was discussion of the order for hoodies, the upcoming food drive and the candlelight vigil in November.

World Interact Week

Posted by Karen Smith

This week is World Interact Week. Interact clubs empower young people ages 12 to 18 to take action in their community, develop leadership skills, and gain a global perspective. Every year we celebrate the accomplishments of an estimated half a million Interact club members during World Interact Week. Please take an active role in supporting our West Interact Club by attending and participating in their meetings, held every Tuesday from 10:20am – 11am. Here are some interesting facts pertaining to Interact clubs:

The first Interact club was chartered on 5 November 1962.
There are over 20,370 Interact clubs in 159 countries.
There are an estimated 468,556 Interactors around the world.
80% of the world’s countries have Interact clubs.

Photo courtesy of https://blog.rotary.org/2018/10/31/3-ways-to-celebrate-world-interact-week/

A Tasty Dinner Social

Posted by Chris Wolpert

On October 27 Carolyn Jones hosted a Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner social at her home in downtown Anchorage, which featured a wide range of delicious Asian food. The evening was full of fun, friends, and outstanding food. Thank you Carolyn for being a great host and making all of us feel at home. Thank you Gloria Castaneda for the photos.

Diane Fejes Visits Anchorage East Rotary

Posted by Paul Paslay and Rich Dyson

District Governor Diane Fejes honored us with her official visit and gave an inspirational speech on the status of Rotary, our club accomplishments, and the future of Rotary both locally and worldwide. She was joined by President Paul and Assistant District Governor Mike Bridges of the Hillside Club. During Diane Fejes’ visit, she awarded Shawn Florio his Paul Harris + 5 pin (photo below).

Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Oct. 24)

Posted by Paul Paslay

At our meeting October 24:

Dave Kester made a final pitch for the World Polio Day event happening tonight at Buzz & Mary’s theatre. He pointed out that several businesses have signed up to display a sympathetic message on their reader signs.
Bob Cox gave out Paul Harris pins to Jay Jackson, Christian Deykes and Minda Thon.
I reminded the members that District Governor Diane Fejes visits our club next week for the annual visit, and I encouraged a good turnout for her.
Our speaker Jeffrey Harris was a rebound student who spent a year in Finland, and he spoke about his year in that country. He chose to have $50 given to the Alzheimer’s Resource Center in his name. He read the following description (the font size was too small for my eyes): The mission of the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska is to support Alaskans affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders to ensure quality of life until a cure is found. Their staff of professional educators and care coordinators provide information, referrals, education, consultations, trainings, support groups and care coordination to Alaska’s vulnerable individuals, not just those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
I announced to the club that the board has awarded Darrel Kester an honorary membership. Darrel was a charter member of our club who now lives in Girdwood and does not often get up to Anchorage. Darrell wondered in good humor that he used to be senior active, now he is honorary. Does this mean he is getting old?
Gloria Castenada used the No Fine Button to talk about the goings-on of the social committee.
Rick Goodfellow gave a shout out to Carolyn Jones for her gracious hosting of the Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner October 20.
Bill Ure and Brenda Hewitt talked about the upcoming visioning session that the club will hold on November 7. By the end of the month a brief survey needs to be filled out by everyone, and then a more focused survey will go out to the 20 – 25 people who will attend the session. There will be Moose’s Tooth pizza and salad!
I thanked the October team which takes care of many different lunch duties including the pledge of allegiance, the moment of inspiration, the introduction of visiting Rotarians and the greeting of people at the door. This month’s team included Bobi Rinehart, Bob Cox, Brandon Spoerhase, Maxine Froemling, David Stringer, Woody Angst and Anne Garrett.
Ron Rasmussen visited our club. He is a former member of our club who is planning to return.
Sandra Wicks leaves for Mexico tomorrow for about 6 weeks. She and Bruce Phelps will be doing Rotary things there. She also gave 1000 of her foundation points to Bill Ure for using his vocation to help her.
Robin Dublin announced that she had just voted early, and reminded us to all vote.
Robin also announced our next social event, which will be November 8, an evening at Georgia Blue Gallery and Framagio’s Artisan Cheese.
Barbara Swenson accepted a $3,000 check from our community service committee on behalf of the YWCA. This is a grant that the committee has given out.
Barbara Swenson also made a nonprofit announcement about the upcoming 29th Annual Women of Achievement awards sponsored by the YWCA.
Bill Ure introduced his guest Mark Schmeling

At other times:

There was no East High Interact Club meeting because there were parent/teacher conferences.
On Thursday Shirley Nelson lead our nascent reading project at Baxter Elementary. It starts about 9:15a and goes for an hour. Several other Rotary clubs in the area have successful programs and I’d like to this to be successful, too.
On Monday, October 29, Bob Cox planned to hold a foundation meeting at his home, but the awful road conditions lead to rescheduling the meeting to November 1.
On Wednesday night was held the World Polio Day event. Many people attended from different Rotary Clubs, and East Rotary was well represented. Thanks so much to Buzz and Mary Rohlfing for again stepping up to offer their theatre for the event. Thanks to Dave Kester for his tireless efforts to promote this important event. There was a movie presented about how the Rotary fight against polio before. I did not know that there were times when it was unclear whether the fight against polio would catch hold, and that it was the persistence of certain key Rotarians that made the difference.
On Tuesday was the West High Interact club. Jeff Blake and I attended from our club. It looks they will get hoodies for the club members with an Interact/Rotary design on it. Also, they will start collection of food to put into boxes to distribute to up to 60 needy families at Christmas time

President's Corner (Oct. 31)

Posted by Paul Paslay

Hello Anchorage East members.

November is the time to celebrate the wonderful work of The Rotary Foundation (“TRF”). Go to My Rotary and click the link to The Rotary Foundation to explore the activities of the Foundation. Consider how our club can help!

A funding mechanism for TRF are monies contributed by clubs in a given year and are invested for three (3) years, then a portion of the funds are returned to the club. The returned monies can be used for District Grants, which last one year and are usually used for “shovel ready” smaller dollar projects, or for larger, or much larger Global Grants which involve club(s) from different countries and may extend over years. The uses that these monies can be put to, when combined with further monies from a District or club(s), I think is limited only by the imagination.

A transition from District Grant to Global Grant may look like a project which succeeds on a smaller level and then is scaled to a larger project. Our own members Sandra Wicks and Bruce Phelps, for instance, have long had their own organization for raising monies to fund outstanding projects in Mexico, including water filters and scholarships. From time to time these projects have been funded in part by a District Grant. I think that the water filter project in particular may be a great one to scale up to a Global Grant which might reach many more people, while in the meantime Bruce and Sandra’s organization helps with the immediate and ongoing need.

Our honorary member Jay Jackson likewise has her own organization which gives desperately needed assistance to people in Nepal. A Global Grant to assist folks there on a greater scale is something perhaps several clubs in our area can join together to accomplish.

Global Grants can go the “other way” too. That is, Alaska can be the place where the work is done if the sponsoring club is outside the country. There is plenty of need in our own backyard, and the Rotary model gives the flexibility to tackle these issues.

Our Community Service Committee (Christian Deykes and Rebecca Sentner are co-chairs) and our International Committee (Anne Garrett and Adam Sikorski are co-chairs) mostly deal with these grants. Why don’t you approach them with your ideas and attend their next meeting?

Anchorage East Rotary Community Service

Posted by Jay Jackson

AER assists with reading at Baxter Elementary School on Thursday mornings (9:30-10:30am). Pictured are Shirley Nelson (left, leader of this community service), Jay Jackson, and Maxine Froemling. Others who have participated include Paul McGuire and Rich Dyson. It is a vitally important program for our youth and a lot of fun, too! Please see Shirley to sign up for a month.

Anchorage East Rotary Contributions

Posted by Paul Paslay

Recently, Barbara Swenson received a $3,000 check on behalf of YWCA. Photographed below are Barbara, Justin Zagorski form YWCA Alaska, and AER Member Christian Deykes.

Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Oct. 17)

Posted by Paul Paslay

At our meeting October 17:

Immediate past president Lance Wilber was our stand-in Sergeant-At-Arms for Rich Dyson who is travelling with his wife in Northern Europe. Lance auctioned off the No Fine Button for the Halloween meeting for a $100 donation from Heather Flynn to Polio Plus.
I was told by Rodney the Hilton employee who is our primary caregiver at the meetings, that the Hilton chef is thinking about serving a breakfast menu at our lunch. A show of hands showed lukewarm support for this proposition.
Tony Freije was given the chance to make a No Fine Button presentation, and he spoke about his employer KTUU’s upcoming series on emergency preparedness in the Last Frontier. The series is called “Are You Prepared”?
Kathleen Madden is soon off to Thailand. Kathleen sat with two guests of our speaker Polly Smith from the Alaska Literacy Project. Kathleen also introduced our speaker.
Sally Archer reminisced about the vibrant social scene she just saw in Austin, Texas.
Brandon Spoerhase said he and Larry Baker were also just in the Austin, Texas, area. Brandon said he saw performances by Sir Paul McCartney and Metallica.
Duff Pfanner and his wife will soon be travelling to Mexico and plan to be involved in some Rotary activities there.
Charlotte Tharp addressed the club about her role this year as President Elect. She said her goals include supporting me as president (which she is doing well), to put together her Board of Directors for next year and to attend the President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in Seattle.
Bob Cox made a presentation to one of our members for reaching the Paul Harris +1 designation.
David Kester once again pitched the World Polio Day that happens October 24 at Mary and Buzz Rohlfing’s theatre across from the Hilton.

At other times:

On Wednesday just before the meeting, our exchange student Adam Szabo, myself and many others attended the East High Interact Club meeting. The faculty adviser Travis Cooper was present. There was further discussion about how to proceed with the club this year.
On Saturday we had this year’s first Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner social. The veil of secrecy is lifted! Appreciating Carolyn Jones’ fine hospitality were Sue Sampson and her spouse Stefan Spinell, Craig and Ruth Ann Bledsoe, Gloria Castenada; Anne Adasiak-Andrew, together with Adam Szabo our exchange student who Anne and her husband Tim are hosting, Curro Martinez from Spain who is another exchange student and a friend of Adam’s at East High, Rick Goodfellow and Jan Ingram, Chris Wolpert and Kelly Day; Sandra Wicks, David Hoffman, Sylvia Condy and Karen Jordan.
On Tuesday Jeff Blake and I attended the meeting of the East High Interact Club. The club has decided to take over a project that another teacher was leading to put together boxes of food to distribute around Christmas. There may be 60 families who receive this food. Next week the planning will start in earnest. I also confirmed that officers from the club will be making a presentation at our club that they put together about the fight against human trafficking.