Stories
The community garden at Shepherd of the Hills that was funded by the AER Community Service grant is almost complete as far as the construction goes. A gate is the finishing touch and we will be church members lined out to start seedlings in the spring and have a first harvest in 2021 |
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Carolyn Jones July 2020 PresentationPlease enjoy these two videos of Anchorage East Rotary's Carolyn Jones presentation about her experiences with diversity, equity, and inclusion. |
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President's Corner - February 19, 2020February 19th Meeting Our speaker this week is Dan Bigley, author of “Beyond the Bear: How I Learned to Live and Love Again after Being Blinded by a Bear.”
The Bigley Family Dan Bigley grew up in Ohio, California, and Malaysia, where he took up with an acrobatic hip-hop dance troupe and got a black belt in Taekwondo at 14. While earning a degree in natural history and a minor in environmental education at Arizona’s Prescott College, he spent several months a year living out of a backpack. Dan has ways felt the most at home in wild, quiet places. He loved sharing the magic of the natural world with the kids he guided on wilderness trips throughout his college years and beyond. He dreamed of starting his own outdoor school someday. Before the bear, with a degree in natural history from Arizona’s Prescott College, Dan landed the most challenging and rewarding job he’d ever had, taking emotionally disturbed children on recreation outings for Alaska Children’s Services. After the bear, Dan obtained a master’s degree in social work from UAA. Dan is now director of therapeutic foster care for Denali Family Services, the largest therapeutic foster-care provider in the state. In 2008, the Governor’s Committee on Employment and Rehabilitation for People with Disabilities presented Dan with its Alaskan of the Year Award. Prescott College honored him with a Distinguished Alumni Award that same year, and in 2010, a Desert Star Award, which recognizes alumni carrying forward the Prescott mission. Dan, his wife Amber and their two children live in Anchorage, Alaska.
Alaska World Affairs Council’s third annual Speed Mentoring – International Edition Anchorage East Rotary members have been invited to participate as mentors at the Alaska World Affairs Council's third annual Speed Mentoring - International Edition event on Thursday, February 20 at the Hilton Hotel. Many of our members participated in the past two events. Three hundred high school students from across the Anchorage and Mat-Su School District will be invited and encouraged to participate in this event designed to jump start their post-secondary planning. Students will be bused from their high schools to the Hilton. Students will rotate in small groups through mentors aligned with their interest areas. Each student group will spend 8 minutes with a mentor and will have time to meet with 10 mentors by the end of the rotations. To close the event, there will be a Keynote presentation during lunch. Message from Lise Falskow, President & CEO of Alaska World Affairs Council: The time commitment for mentors is 8:45 am to 12:00pm at the Hilton Downtown on Thursday, February 20. If you are interested in participating and able to commit to this time frame, I would ask you to complete our Mentor Information Sheet here to provide information we will need for an event pamphlet we will be distributing to students as well as for use in matching mentors with students. Please contact Lise Falskow, with any questions at: (907) 440-5473 or lise.falskow@alaskaworldaffairs.org
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Literacy Community Service OpportunityCommunity Service Opportunity Improving literacy has been a goal of Rotary for many years. Gateway Rotary established a reading program at Muldoon Elementary on Wednesdays at 4:30 pm and, since we are their sponsoring club, they would like to partner with us. It’s a great hands-on community service activity and is a fun way to interact with the students. Please participate during the month of January, January 8th, 15th, 22nd or 29th. Contact Rich Dyson at rkdyson@gci.net or 830-4858 for more details. |
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AER Charter Night BanquetFor those with an interest in history, this is a ticket to the banquet celebrating Anchorage East Rotary's charter on June 17, 1970. |
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President's Corner (November 6)October 30th Program Our speaker last week was Ryan Swartwood, UAA Senior Associate Director of Athletics, who talked to us about the UAA athletics program and the ESPN eighth annual Armed Forces Classic which will be staged at the Alaska Airlines Center on Friday, Nov. 8 in a partnership with the Joint Base Elemdorf-Richardson military facility. The men's college basketball doubleheader will be a part of ESPN's Veterans Week initiative and will pit Baylor against Washington and Alaska Anchorage against Coast Guard Academy. Both games will air on ESPN. Previous Armed Forces Classic games have been played from Ramstein, Germany in 2012 (Connecticut vs. Michigan State), Pyongtaek, South Korea in 2013 (Georgetown vs. Oregon), Aguadilla, Puerto Rico in 2014 (Louisville vs. Minnesota), Honolulu, Hawaii in 2016 (Arizona vs. Michigan State & Indiana vs. Kansas), Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany in 2017 (Texas A&M vs. West Virginia) and Fort Bliss, Texas in 2018 (Texas vs. Arkansas). The games will be televised on ESPN as part of the network's America's Heroes: A Salute to Our Veterans initiative honoring the men and women who are serving and who have served in the United States military, both at home and abroad. Ryan recently joined the UAA athletic staff after serving as the Associate Athletic Director for Administration at Cal State Northridge. During his time at Northridge, Ryan managed and supervised the areas of contract administration and the operation of the athletics facilities. He handled oversight of the sports medicine and sports performance areas and was a sport program administrator for multiple programs. Prior to his time at Northridge, Ryan worked in the compliance office at the University of Oklahoma for three years and was a legal intern with the Oakland Raiders. Ryan earned a bachelor’s degree in history from San Diego State University, a master’s degree in adult and higher education from the University of Oklahoma and a juris doctorate from Arizona State University. November 6th Program This week we are honored to have District Governor Andre’ Layral visiting our club. As part of his club visits, DG Andre’ has been sharing his Rotary story, the Rotary vision of RI and goals established by 2019-2020 President Mark Maloney. He is also sharing details of several D5010 initiatives and projects for our district that are intended to strengthen clubs so they can be more effective in achieving their goals. District Governor Layral and Club President Charolotte Tharp at President-Elect Training The following is an excerpt from DG Andre’s October message to members: In 2017 Rotary adopted the term “DROP TO ZERO”. Check this out: https://www.rotary.org/en/why-zero-matters-polio-eradication . No place on earth is safe from Polio until the disease is eradicated everywhere. With war and conflict in the world, and many displaced people, this will continue to be a challenge. Recently a case of the Wild Polio Virus was identified in the Philippines, a region that was declared polio-free the past 19 years. Rotary and its partners are so close to eradicating Polio. Rotary has been key to the successful effort to eradicate Polio since 1986. $1.5 billion is needed to finish the job. Your donation will help Rotary reach its fundraising goal in 2019-2020 so that the Gates Foundation can again match what is raised by Rotary. D5010 was well represented at the Zone Conference in Niagra Falls, Ontario, Canada. Attending were Sheri and DG Andre’ Layral, Terese and DGE Joe Kashi, DGN Cheryl and Marty Metiva, Tonya and PDG Brad Gamble, Gloria and PDG Ted Trueblood, Mike Ferris and Lindsay Knight. We also were joined by Emerging Leader Trinitey Letterman, who was awarded a stipend from D5010 and also from Zone 24/32. Trinity has grown up in a Rotary family. I have great hope for the future of Rotary when I see the passion young leaders bring as members. One highlight of the 2019 Zone conference was learning that in 2020 there will be two Zone Conferences, one in Anchorage November 19-21, 2020 and the second one in Bermuda on January 14-16, 2021. Another highlight was meeting and hearing from 2020-21 Rotary International President-Elect Holger Knaack. There were many dynamic speakers that kept everyone inspired. One of the conference emphasis areas was Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, an area that all Rotary Districts are being asked to address with members and clubs. |
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Rotary Exchange Inbound UpdateAnchorage East Rotary Welcomes Gabi Muniz!! Our new exchange student Gabi Muniz arrived in Anchorage August 2nd. If you have not yet introduced yourself to Gabi at one of our Club meetings, please do so! She is looking forward to meeting all of us! Gabi is open for adventures. Her areas of interest include horses, flying, snowboarding (ok, I know this one is a ways out), and movies. Beyond that I repeat my statement that teenagers love to eat, not all activities have to be fancy. Gabi is a funny, intelligent, and enthusiastic young woman. She lives in the West school zone. Gabi in the scavenger hunt at Orientation demonstrating "Be thankful." |
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Farm To Table Pop Up Lunch
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Changing of the Guard Photos!We had a wonderful Changing of the Guard Ceremony on June 26th! Thanks to Mary Rohlfing for these photos of smiling Rotarians! |
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Nepal RefugeesIn 2009 Anchorage East Rotary adopted a refugee family from Nepal that the Refugee Services program of Catholic Social Services resettled in Anchorage. Many Rotarians assisted the family in lots of different ways for their first year in Anchorage. Attached is a picture of the family of Amber Bhattarai at our house their first Christmas in America. Amber's description of their success in America, and the daughter's recent graduation, are described below. He also sent two pictures, one of the whole family and one of Manisha at her graduation. AER played a small part in the great success of this family. Well done, AER. Greetings well-wishers, We are all fine here. Hope all is well there. Manisha was 7 years old when we came to Anchorage, Alaska. We started our new life in a new world after spending 18 years in exile in Nepal as a refugee. With the generous humanitarian support from East Anchorage Rotary, we were able to adjust ourselves in the new system without the feel of loneliness. It's been 10 years being in this beautiful country and now we are the citizens of a great country, the USA. As the time passes, Manisha is 17 and she graduated from Bard Early College with an Associate Degree. The exciting thing is that she is attending Duke University this fall, as she was awarded a full 4-year scholarship by the university in North Carolina. She is going to study Bio-medical Engineering. As a parent, we are so proud of her achievements. Even though English is her second Language, she graduated with very impressive scores. Last but not the least, this achievement was possible only because of the great help from Anchorage East Rotary in the initial period. Thanks. Amber Bhattarai |
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Adam Szabo Send-Off |
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AER Visioning SessionThe photographs below were provided by Michelle Tabler illustrating some of the work that went on during the recent AER visioning session. |
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Supper with AdamOn Saturday a group of us got together to enjoy a meal prepared by our exchange student Adam Szabo. From left to right, yours truly, Duff Pfanner, his partner Kathy Atkinson, Adam Szabo, Chottie & Woody Angst, and Jonah Folds. The dinnerparty took place at the Folds’ home in East Anchorage. Jonah is being sponsored by our club to be an exchange student in the Czech Republic next year. Adam leaves on the West Coast tour about June 7 and will not return to Alaska. |
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Early Bird Registration for 2020 RI ConventionThe last day to get the special Early Bird registration ($55 off the regular online rate for each person) is this coming Wednesday, June 5th. This needs to be publicized so that every Club member who plans to attend next year's RI Convention in Honolulu gets in gear and signs up ASAP. Also, be sure to join the Flying Rotarian (IFFR) fellowship, which is free at the moment, to get in on the really good group rate deal at the Convention hotel. More details to follow. https://www.riconvention.org/en/honolulu |
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Tudor Bingo Night on June 19Remember there is no lunch meeting on Wednesday June 19th. Instead please plan on attending our Tudor Bingo night on Wednesday night. Dinner will start at 6:30pm followed by bingo at 7:30pm. Hope to see you there! Tudor Bingo is located at 1436 E. Tudor Road. |
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Thank You Note from District Governor Diane Fejes |
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East High Interact Ready for 2019/2020The East High Interact Club is already gearing up for the 2019/ 2020 school year. Teacher advisor Kim Liland and students were presented with next year's banner by President Paul this week. The students represent the future for Rotary International. When we have their meeting dates for next year, we'll reach out for support from our supportive AER members. |
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Baxter Elementary Awards AEROn May 8, Craig Bledsoe and Paul Paslay attended a school assembly at Baxter Elementary at which our club received this award for participating in the garden box project and in the reading project at this school. |
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Rotary ActivityPhotographed are the recently elected East High Interact officers for 2019-20. From left is Calvin Lee, Vice President; Levi Samuel, President; Paul Paslay, AER President; Pang Vang, Secretary; Iklas Dubai, Communications; and Kim Liland, Faculty Club Advisor. (Photo and caption by Rich Dyson) President-elect Charlotte Tharpe, President Paul Paslay, and Vice President Bill Ure enjoy lunch at the District Assembly on Thursday May 2 at the Hotel Captain Cook. They learned a lot, and lunch was delicious, Racquel! (Photo and caption by Jay Jackson) |
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West High Interact Changing of the GuardIt was Election Day at Interact West High on Tuesday this week. A fond farewell to the outgoing board of Seniors and a celebration for our 2019/2020 members! Their understanding of Rotary and its mission was impressive. Volunteers are always welcome, so mark your calendars for the fall! |
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Water Filter ProjectMore adventures with water filters in Mexico and Kennewick, WA. Last November, while I was in Puerto Vallarta, my friends at the Puerto Vallarta Sur Rotary Club put me in touch with the Tepic Paraiso Rotary Club in Tepic, Nayarit. I made a trip to Tepic to meet the members of the Tepic Paraiso Rotary Club and learned they were starting a water filter program for indigenous communities in the mountains and would like more filters to distribute. In January, Bruce and I took 30 water filters to Mexico with us and delivered them to the Tepic Paraiso Rotary Club. This Wednesday I will be presenting to our club about the very interesting day we had with this water filter delivery. In addition to our filters, we also helped deliver water filters purchased with funds from a Kennewick, WA, Rotary Club. On our recent trip in Washington and British Columbia, we attended a session of the Columbia Center Rotary Club in Kennewick, WA, and showed them the PowerPoint of the day we spent with Tepic Paraiso Rotary Club delivering ours and their water filters. We also attended the Kennewick club’s International Service Committee meeting and explained about the water filters in more detail than was possible during the Rotary meeting. The pictures below are just a few illustrations of our recent Rotary experiences with water filters. The first two pictures are from our water filter distribution in Nayarit. The ladies in white are members of the Tepic Paraiso Rotary Club waiting to help assemble the water filters. The other two are from my presentation to the Kennewick, WA, Columbia Center Rotary Club. Hopefully you will be able to attend our regular Rotary meeting on Wednesday to see the PowerPoint and hear the stories. More adventures with water filters in international service. |
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East High Interact and AERIERotary Past District Governor Harry Keiling speaks to the 31 students attending the Interact meeting at East High on April 15th. He brought backpacks for the students to fill with needed items for foster care children. He also told the students about “Saturday Morning Projects” to help foster parents provide a better environment to foster children. Past District Governor Harry Kieling distributes backpack to the East High Interact Club to be filled with needed items for homeless students in our community. Anne Adasiak-Andrew completed all the requirements for her blue badge as she attended the Anchorage East Rotary Information & Education (AERIE) meeting on April 15th at The PubHouse in Inlet Towers. The meeting, organized by Past President Lance Wilber, was also attended by “red badgers” Mark Schmeling and Justin Mills along with President Paul Paslay and Rich Dyson. |
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East High Mobile Food Pantry This FridayCalling all Rotarians! Our East Anchorage High School Interact Club is volunteering with the Food Bank of Alaska at their MOBILE FOOD PANTRY THIS FRIDAY (April 19). Join them if you have time. It will be held at the New Hope Baptist Church located at 333 N. Price Street from 4:00pm - 7:00pm. |
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Zoe Johannsen UpdateTam and her husband Hans were joined in northern Italy by AER’s former exchange student, Zoe Johannsen, and her mother, in Sabine. They did a hike in Dolomites National Park together. Also attached is a picture of Zoe and her mother from Zoe’s school “prom.” |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (April 17)At the luncheon meeting on April 10:
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President's Corner (April 17)Hello fellow Rotarians. The Rotary theme for May is Youth Services. Anchorage East Rotary shines in this department:
This is an outstanding record of achievement about which we should take pride. Paul |
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East High Interact ClubPresident Paul listens as Karen Smith presents a video and information about Rotary and Interact to the East High Interact Club on April 8th. The East High Interact Club is growing in numbers! On April 8th, the students heard a presentation on Rotary’s involvement in Hurricane Katrina recovery. |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (April 10)At the luncheon meeting on April 3:
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President's Corner (April 10)Hello fellow Rotarians. In my last remarks I mentioned the Vocational Training Team and the Global Grant related to the fight against Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Here is a recent entry on the District 5010 website from District Governor Diane Fejes which updates this information, and talks about the upcoming District Conference: Rotarians making high-quality health care available to vulnerable mothers and children so they can live longer and grow stronger! Our Fetal Alcohol Vocational Training Team will be returning from Western Australia to speak at the May 3 - 5 District Conference in Anchorage. We are expanding access to quality care so mothers and children everywhere can have the same opportunities for a healthy future. An estimated 5.9 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation, all of which can be prevented. Helping mothers to gain both physical health and economic health lifts the entire family out of poverty and allows them to prosper. We move into May which is Youth Service month on the Rotary calendar. Our Youth Exchange students, RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Academy), Rotaract and Interact members will be showcased at the District Conference. We can’t wait to hear what they say – JOIN US! (and register on our Website). There are so many ways we can help in our own communities and the world. Thank you for all you do for Rotary! N. Diane Fejes, District Governor 2018-19 District 5010, Alaska & Yukon I am reminded of a remark by our member Jay Jackson at the recent presentation she made to our club. She pointed out that improvement in any one of the three areas of health, job creation or education, will tend to break the cycle of poverty. These thoughts echo those of Diane above. Paul |
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President's CornerHello fellow Rotarians. The Rotary theme for April is Maternal and Child Health. February 13 this year there was posted on the District 5010 website two notices about a Vocational Training Team, and a global grant, related to the fight against Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The first notice reads: Our District 5010 and the Anchorage International Rotary Club is sponsoring a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Vocational Training Team to Australia led by Rotarian Michael Jeffery. Our Rotary Foundation contributions are helping to eliminate disease and poverty in real time. The second notice reads: Congratulations! Your global grant application for funding to set up operations for FASD detection and treatment, as well as training on prevention, using expertise from a VTT and with PATCHES Paediatrics, over the course of two years by establishing office space, a vehicle and telehealth infrastructure in Leonora, Western Australia, submitted by the Rotary Club of Osborne Park and the Rotary Club of Anchorage International, has been approved by The Rotary Foundation. The award is in the amount of US$ 102,624. “Look for more detail later this year on how you can become involved in our own District’s FASD grant which will start a program for helping our FASD affected communities and citizens. This Vocational team will bring back ideas to add to their own expertise and put together our own plan next year. To become involved, contact Karl or DG Diane.” Congratulations to us as a District and the persons and clubs involved to continue this important fight. |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (April 3)At the luncheon meeting on March 27:
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Garden Box Project This WeekendOur club has joined with other Rotary clubs to obtain a district grant to build garden boxes at elementary schools in the Anchorage area. This Saturday, April 6, from about 10a to noon or so, we shall construct the remaining boxes so they are ready to place when the snow is gone. We are meeting at the home of Amy Mackey-Hornak, president of Anchorage South Rotary and the leader of this joint club project. Her address is 16400 Saint James Circle, Anchorage. Please bring clothes for the weather, work gloves, safety glasses, ear protection and battery-operated screw guns with a T20 tip. Feel free to bring bagels or donuts to share or even pizza. It'll be fun! |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (Mar. 27)At the luncheon on March 20:
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President's Corner (Mar. 27)Hello fellow Rotarians. We have several club committees which are part of our effort to spend monies to help make the world better. The Community Service Community awards grants up to $3000 for projects within the State. The International Committee seeks district grants to match money it receives from our club’s reserves, for projects outside of Alaska. Our Beer Fest Committee also seeks district grants to match the money it raises from the annual Beer Fest, for projects to combat human trafficking and sex trafficking. There is also the much larger money Global Grants, which are far more involved. At least two countries must be involved. The project location could be in Alaska, however, and I think it might be considered by the International Committee as an international project because it would involve an international partner. Here is an example of a completed district grant which might have been conceived as a Global Grant. The City of Upper Kalskag, Alaska, improved its water system by virtue of a district grant submitted during Jeff Blake’s year as president of our club from ’12 – ‘13. The project was to purchase a 100-gallon trailer-mounted tank and blower pump and install 50 gallon tanks in 9 homes. Gateway Rotary was the lead club, and we and other clubs in the District helped finance the project. Here are some excerpts from the grant application which give more details: Drinking water in Upper Kalskag is obtained from individual wells that serve the homes, school, store, government offices, and the clinic. Nearly all homes have indoor plumbing. Most of the wells in the community were drilled at the same time and tap into the same relatively shallow aquifer. The water from these wells is safe but varies in quality. The majority are highly mineralized, contain lots of iron and are not palatable. The City building and Clinic drinking well has reportedly been drilled significantly deeper to tap into another aquifer which is much more pleasant to drink. During the original Kalskag Water Project, nine (9) elders were identified whose well water is not drinkable due to mineral taste. Many of these elders were unable to haul water from other homes or locations in the community with good quality water. As a result, these elders often went without adequate water to drink. Anchorage Gateway's cost-effective water tank delivery solution makes use of the best quality water sources already available in town and uses time-tested, low-technology techniques which are also low-cost and low-maintenance, hence easily sustainable. The City of Kalskag has developed a regular water delivery service to the homes with Rotary tanks already installed at very low cost to the City and the recipients. With the aid of the District 5010 grant, Anchorage Gateway Rotary plans to procure and install at least four (4) plastic water tanks inside the homes of four families. The uninsulated and unheated tanks will be placed on a stand against an outside wall. They will be plumbed with an exterior gravity fill line penetrating the outside wall and an interior spigot. A small, ATV-trailer-mounted, 100-gallon water tank with a small pressurizing blower pump will be utilized. The 100-gallon tank will be filled on a weekly or bi-weekly basis at one of the better water sources in town by a City employee, volunteer, or family member. The tank is then hooked up to the ATV and used to top-off the individual water tanks in the homes. Cost estimate per home: $965.00. After we start the ’19 – ’20 Rotary year on July 1, the International Committee and the Community Service Committee, and later the Beer Fest Committee will be gearing up to consider projects. Please think about what need(s) you have seen that we might address and be prepared to participate on these committees. Paul |
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West High Interact Backpack ProjectPresident Paul Paslay and Past-President Jeff Blake attended the West High Interact Club meeting on Tuesday this week where they worked with Interactors to prepare backpacks for homeless students. The backpacks will be distributed by West High School. All told, 16 backpacks were put together. |
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Anchorage Opera Thanks AERBelow is a letter from the General Director of the Anchorage Opera and AER member Reed Smith to our Community Service Committee (CSC) thanking the CSC and AER for the recent donation to the Anchorage Opera as described in Reed's letter. On behalf of Anchorage Opera, I wish to thank Anchorage East Rotary and the Community Service Committee for granting us $3,000 through the Small Grants Program. The grant funds were used to defray the costs of renting and setting up Elvera Voth Hall in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. The hall was rented February 14 through 17, 2019. We used the hall for pre and post-performance activities associated with our performances of the opera An American Dream by Jack Perla. This opera deals with the internment of Japanese Americans and the mistreatment of Jews at the hands of the Nazis. We invited many local organizations to participate in shedding light on the many forms of discrimination both past and present that plague our society. We were very pleased that the Japanese American Citizens League, Japan Alaska Association, Alaska Jewish Museum, Congregation Beth Sholom, Bridge Builders of Anchorage, National Park Service, Identity and ACLU joined us in Elvera Voth Hall. Here is a link to a Dropbox that contains photos and videos of what took place in the hall as well a compilation of comments from audience surveys. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tv4tulpzxi1otux/AABqQSJIcu4jCVX_Bfy_Pkfra?dl=0 Through the activities that took place because of this grant, many citizens of Anchorage came together to learn through historical events and hopefully they will look on current events with new insights. You may be interested to note that our ticketing information indicates that among the attendees of the production, 103 households were new to us, and multiple tickets went to many of them. Once again, thank you, Anchorage East Rotary and the Community Service Committee for supporting Anchorage Opera. |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (Mar. 20)At the luncheon meeting on March 13:
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President's Corner (Mar. 20)Hello fellow Rotarians. Although March is Water and Sanitation Month in the Rotary World, I see in the March edition of the Rotarian our RI president is addressing the subject of Rotaract Clubs. These are clubs which Rotary sponsors and whose members are in the age bracket from college to about 30 years old. Our own Katie Johnson will be working on the District 5010 level next year and she plans to try to start up a Rotaract Club in the Anchorage area. One idea I heard was to use the UAA Club Fair this summer to recruit folks, then start a club for this coming school year. Katie herself lead a Rotaract Club in Anchorage at one time. Some of President Barry Rassin comments follow. He highlights the opportunity we have to eventually bring Rotaractors into our Rotary clubs: …But let me tell you, there’s nothing so warm as the welcomes that have been rolled out for me by Rotaractors. These are young people who are committed to Rotary ideals, who are pouring their hearts into service, and who, in the process, don’t forget to have fun. ... Rotaractors are vaccinating children against polio. They’re donating blood where the supply is dangerously low. They’re providing handwashing facilities to schools where children previously had no way to get clean. In short, they’re all about transformational services: carrying our projects that make a real difference in their communities. …When Rotaractors are ready to leave their Rotaract club, we don’t want them to leave that Rotary family behind. I’m asking all Rotarians to help them make the transition into a Rotary club or to start a new one: I’m happy to charter as many new clubs as we need to give everyone a place where they feel at home while making the world a little better. Service should be fun, it should be interesting, and it should be open to all. …Rotary is powerful. Together with Rotaract, it is unstoppable. Working side by side, we have the potential to Be the Inspiration in every part of society, to every person we meet. Paul |
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President's Corner (Mar. 13)Hello Anchorage East Rotarians. Continuing with the Rotary theme for March, Water and Sanitation, I want to revisit one of our club’s District Grants for this year. Generally speaking, a District Grant is a “shovel ready” type of projects which must be completed in one Rotary year, and the club’s contribution is matched by money from RI International. This year under the primary leadership of Anne Garrett, we joined in a District Grant in the Philippines. Our input is primarily financial, but we also tried to arrange for members to have the opportunity to travel to the site. Unfortunately travel plans did not materialize. Here is a text of a letter from the program administrator Excel Pabalinas which explains the background and more specifically what is being done. I appreciate it is somewhat lengthy (and lightly edited by me), but it gives me greater appreciation of why Rotary has chosen its theme for this month, for the benefit is dramatic for the resources applied. I looked on the internet and saw that one US dollar exchanges for 52.75 Philippine pesos. Project: Proposed Domestic Wastewater Treatment Facility (2nd , 3rd and 4th phases) Location: Barangay Old Sagay, Sagay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines (Data given by Arch. Ubaldo Ramos, Board of Trustees, iHome WV) Historical Background The Philippine government, like many other governments worldwide, recognizes the adverse effects of environmental degradation and the health risks that are directly attributable to pollution. The Philippine government however is perennially saddled with budgetary constraints, and important infrastructure to mitigate pollution-related problems is often side-lined in order to meet what it believes are the more pressing needs of the people. This is particularly true with many housing projects for Typhoon Yolanda victims, and for those who must be relocated from the hazard zones. Proper site development work in the proposed site is put aside to prioritize the construction of houses. IHome Western Visayas, Inc., wants to include in its housing projects an inexpensive on-site wastewater treatment system so effluent from 6 to 10 households can be treated before it is discharged to the environment. More than 800 houses will soon be built in the proposed pilot site and a water pollution disaster is likely to occur in the immediate neighborhood if nothing is done. In the proposed relocation site is a water pumping station for the domestic water supply of the whole Barangay. The IHome-WV Wastewater Treatment System The first phase wastewater treatment facility, which has been constructed and is now serving 8 households, is generally based on schematic diagrams by the Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association (BORDA), an NGO based in Germany and disseminated by its partners in the Basic Needs Services (BNS) Network. Attached is a page from their brochure extolling the benefits of their Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Solution (DEWATS). Our system is designed to gain the same benefits. Our proposed 2nd , 3rd and 4th phases construct a wastewater treatment system that would benefit another 10 - 40 households. It is estimated to cost One Hundred Fifty Thousand to Two Hundred Thousand pesos (Php150,000-200,000) for each phase, inclusive of labor, materials and overhead for construction supervision. It will use locally available materials and can be easily duplicated. It is based on the technical approach principal advocated by BORDA. Also attached is a schematic diagram of our system. The main septic tank will be connected to a main pipeline, to serve as ground irrigation to supply water to the vegetable garden of the village. The garden is proposed to be provided by our partner in mission the Red Horse Company from Netherlands. This team is also partnered with the Rotary Club of Zevenbergen, Netherlands. Thank you and with our prayers for the success of this partnership. Excel Pabalinas, Program Administrator, IHome Western Visayas, Inc. |
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Baxter Elementary Thank-YouAs a thank-you to the many Anchorage East Rotarians who have volunteered at Baxter Elementary School in support of their ongoing reading project, the students gave to us this very thoughtful and unique thank-you note. Thank you to President Paul for providing the note. |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (Mar. 13)At our luncheon meeting on March 6:
At other times these things happened:
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (Mar. 6)At the luncheon meeting on February 27, which was held at the Captain Cook:
At other times during the week these things happened:
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President's Corner (Mar. 6)Hello Anchorage East Rotarians. March is Water and Sanitation Month on the Rotary calendar. Clean water, sanitation and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life. When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and parents spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families. Through water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs, Rotary’s people of action mobilize resources, form partnerships and invest in infrastructure and training that yield long term change. For example:
What ideas can you think of to promote progress in these areas? -President Paul (with complete appreciation and use of the language on the RI website!) |
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Rotary PhotosPhotographed (left) is Tam Agosti-Gisler at Cabo de Rica, Portugal, the most western point in Europe. She found a Rotary monument here, which is the same place our Shirley Nelson found in 2013 (and photographed in 2013 on the right). Rotarians Tryg and Kim Erickson hosted their annual Iditarod Restart party at their house on the snowy shores of the Long Lake in Willow. Photographed are, left to right, Past District Governor (“PDG”) Carolyn Jones, PDG Jane Little, present District Governor Diane Fejes and PDG (in New York) Terri Hall. |
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Rondy Rotary Beer Fest SummaryHello fellow Rotarians of Anchorage East! Beer Czar here with a recap of the 2019 Rondy Rotary Beer Festival! On Saturday, 2/16/19 Anchorage East officially launched the 2019 Fur Rendezvous Winter Festival with a celebration of Alaska’s culture and history. Approximately 50 volunteers from Anchorage East, South, Hillside, and other organizations showed up to put on the Rondy Rotary Beer Festival to raise funds for organizations in Alaska that fight human trafficking. With 22 breweries participating, 6 restaurants donating pizza, and 4 additional restaurants donating unique food pairings specific to this event, the 2019 Rondy Rotary Beer Festival was a fully supported event for the community. Ticket sales were flat this year, but we were able to raise more funds than last year due to the support and generosity of our corporate sponsors. Thank you to everyone who supported the event financially, as a volunteer, as a core team member who spent the past year working to make this event happen, and who have offered your moral support and encouragement. As a result of everyone coming together, we are able to support the efforts of organizations that quite literally save the lives of victims who are trapped in slavery. As the creator and leader of this event, it means the world to me to see so much support from our club, other clubs, and the community as a whole. From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of those not yet fortunate enough to be able to express gratitude, THANK YOU! |
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***AER Luncheon at Captain Cook***Please remember that the February 27 luncheon meeting will be held at the Quarter Deck of the Hotel Captain Cook. |
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President's Corner (Feb. 27)Hello my fellow Rotarians. March is Water and Sanitation Month on the Rotary calendar. In our club we have a proud history of support of these types of projects, which create the foundation for every human to live a fulfilling life. Our members Bruce Phelps and Sandra Wicks have long promoted good works in the area around Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. Over the years they have distributed personal mobility devices (a type of cart that a person, who cannot easily walk, or walk at all, is able to operate themselves). They have also distributed scholarships; it is amazing how much difference can be made in a person’s life by what seems like a very modest sum to us. For the purposes of this month’s theme, Sandra and Bruce have also been using the benefits of current technology to supply water filters to poor communities who cannot rely on the purity of their water supply. For very little money, a simple but effective system can be set up to guarantee pure water. Frankly, I’d like to see this good work supported by a global grant, which might raise about $200.000, but as Sandra has pointed out, a global grant is a large-scale project which takes time to develop, and in the meantime there is the ongoing need for potable water. This year our club obtained a district grant to help counter the effects of Typhoon Yolanda which hit the Philippines in 2013. This project expands to 22 homes the current wastewater treatment system for Bacolod City being built by iHomes. The current system only supports eight homes. Together with Rotary clubs from Australia and the Philippines, we are working to financially support local efforts to expand the current wastewater system. Now is the time of the Rotary year when we consider district grants to be administered during Charlotte Tharp’s year as president starting July 1, 2019. For the funds to be available on July 1, the deadline to submit district grant proposals is in April 2019, in order to allow the district to make decisions among competing grant proposals. Can you think of a water or sanitation project, perhaps here in Alaska, that we might propose? |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (Feb. 27)At the luncheon meeting on February 20:
At other times during the week these things happened:
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President's Corner (Feb. 20)Hello fellow Rotarians. Here’s some words from the website of the Rotary Club of Georgetown – Sunrise, Texas, about the Rotary theme for February: One of the six areas of focus of Rotary we don’t seem to talk about very much is peace and conflict resolution and prevention, which happens to be the theme for the month of February. It is often, however, the conflicts that occur throughout the world that are the root causes of poverty, despair, economic hardship and poor health. Take for instance the major deterrent to polio eradication: the difficulty in vaccinating children in war torn countries. We also see these conflicts occurring in some form within our own communities with the same results. Rotary International as an organization understands this relationship and therefore is deeply invested in supporting individuals and programs that will develop leaders who are committed to seeking ways toward peace. The path toward peace begins with understanding and respect for the differences that make us unique. These are the same types of values that are studied in the peace centers supported by Rotary International in association with several major universities across the globe. The mission of these centers is to “empower, educate, and increase the capacity of peace builders through rigorous academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities. Through this experience, Rotary Peace Fellows build the skills needed to act as leaders and catalysts for peace and conflict resolution both in their communities and around the globe. These Fellows develop the skills needed to act as “leaders and catalysts for peace and conflict resolution both in their communities and around the globe.” As Rotarians we should all be similarly committed to understanding the conflicts that exist in our own society, to speak out when necessary, and to seek solutions that reflect the values of Rotary. Woody Angst of our club, Anchorage East, sent out an email to a few of us this week making reference to further materials about the Rotary Peace Fellowship program, and the application materials. It looks like May 31 is the deadline for applications for the 2020 -2021 program. Woody suggested, and I heartily agree, that each of us think of someone who we might nominate for this program. Who do you think might be a good candidate? |
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Speed Mentoring Mentors NeededThe World Affairs Council is seeking mentors for the upcoming 2nd annual Speed Mentoring – International Edition. They are looking for 20 more mentors, and about 15 volunteers to assist on March 20th at the Hilton hotel (same day as our lunch meeting, but they will be downstairs.) The time commitment would be from 8:45am to 12:10pm. If you want to mentor, please fill out the mentor application below using the link. They need 56 mentors total. If you have questions, please contact Rachel Williams with the World Affairs Council (907-276-8038; Rachel.williams@alaskaworldaffairs.org). Below is additional information from Rachel Williams explaining the event: Around 300 high school students from across the Anchorage and Mat-Su School District will be invited & encouraged to participate in this event designed to jump start their postsecondary planning. Students will be bused from their high schools to the Hilton. Students will rotate in small groups through mentors aligned with their interest areas. Each student group will spend 8 minutes with a mentor and will have time to meet with 10 mentors by the end of the rotations. To close the event, we will have a Keynote Panel presentation on Volunteer Opportunities Abroad along with a free-form networking period for students and mentors to connect. |
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Interact Club ActivitiesOur newly inducted East High Interact board has taken on a project within its first week. They are crocheting wool blankets for the Pioneer Home in downtown Anchorage. The board has members joining at lunch and after school to finish the blankets and hoping to deliver them in the coming month. You will see a familiar face, our Exchange Student Adam, as the Communications Director. The group is led by teacher advisor, Kim Liland and it's obvious they have a lot of fun! The West High Interact Club has decided to support homeless students at West and other places. We thought of the idea of asking Harry Kieling, our past District Governor, to donate some backpacks from the Rotary Cares For Kids program he started while he was DG. During our Feb. 19 meeting, he brought 16 backpacks to the club meeting. Each backpack had some items in them like a blanket and some toiletries. The club members are talking to Target to get gift cards and talking with the school Parent Teacher Student Association for help to supply each backpack with a water bottle and a West High t-shirt. |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (Feb. 20)From our February 13 luncheon:
Further announcements:
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East High Students Attending RYLAJuneau bound! Levi and Pang, both Interact East High School students, are AER's scholarship recipients for RYLA, being held in Juneau, March 7, 2019 through March 10, 2019. They completed their applications, answered questions and were interviewed by Justin Mills and Karen Smith to receive the top honors. Way to go Levi and Pang and we can't wait to hear about your leadership adventures with chaperone Marjorie Poggas. |
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Short-Term Exchange Program (STEP)The Short-term Exchange Program (STEP) through District 5010 application process closes February 28th! Rotary Short Term Exchange presents opportunities for students to advance their knowledge and world understanding by allowing them to live abroad for a brief time over the summer. Students live with one host family in the destination country for one month in the summer, under the sponsorship of their local Rotary Club. This is a true exchange program because the host brother/sister from abroad will also spend a month with the participating student in his/her home in Alaska during the same summer. Do you have someone in mind? Click here for more information and application process. |
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Rotary PhotosPhotographed is our own Rick Benjamin presenting to our club on Feb. 6 on the topic of how to best relate to people with disabilities. For about the last 10 years, he has been the Director of Spiritual Wellness at Hope Community Resources. Karla Jutzi receives a check presented to her by Christian Deykes during the Feb. 6 luncheon. AER's Reed Smith arranged for Ms. Elizabeth Baldwin to sing for us during our luncheon on Feb 6. Thank you Reed and Ms. Baldwin! |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (Feb. 13)At the luncheon meeting on February 6:
At other times during the week these things happened:
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President's Corner (Feb. 13)Hello fellow Rotarians. Conflict and violence displaced more than 68 million people in the past year, and half of those are children. Rotary refuses to accept conflict as a way of life! Our projects provide training that fosters understanding and provides communities the skills to resolve conflicts. How does Rotary make help happen? Through our service projects, peace fellowships, and scholarships, our members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education and unequal distribution of resources. This weekend our club puts on our second annual Rondy Rotary Beer Fest. Proceeds in part go to Covenant House, which saves youth from abuse, trafficking and homelessness, and to Priceless Alaska, an anti-sex trafficking organization. The distribution to Priceless Alaska will go to purchase computers which have FBI approved enhancements to access the “dark web” to search for victims. I encourage all of us to support this homegrown club activity this Saturday which acts to decrease violence and fight the effects of inequality. Paul |
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Youth Exchange UpdateWinter Orientation was the middle of January. Students had an opportunity to learn more about our Rotary program and how to keep themselves safe while abroad. Our future outbound Jonah found out he's headed to the Czech Republic (aka Czechia). This is the same district as our current inbound Adam comes from (and Prokop from a couple years ago too). So the AER ties are strong to district 2240! We are also once again soliciting for host families in the East school zone. Adam will need to move again in late March or early April. It sounds like he'll be headed home in June, but it could be as late as early July. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ask your friends, family and neighbors. Don't let your inability to host be the end of the conversation! Contact Katie Johnson ak.ktjohnson@gmail.com with any leads. Thank you for supporting Youth Exchange! The photo above is of Folds Family and host student Adam at Winter orientation. Left to right are Patrick, Adam, Jonah (outbound), and Bethany. In front is Charlie. Not pictured is Rowan (Rebound 2018/19). |
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Take Me Out To The Ball Game!It’s a little early to think about baseball but it’s never too early to think about improving Rotary’s public image in our communities. District 5010 and the Rotary Clubs of Anchorage East, Hillside, International and Russian Jack have combined to enhance Rotary’s image with the local baseball fans. [Rotarians Greg Solomon, Mike Bridges and Carolyn Jones also tossed a little money into the pot and Greg donated his graphic design skills to make this work.] This Rotary partnership cut a great deal with the Anchorage Glacier Pilots summer league college baseball team. When Mulcahy Stadium opens in May and throughout the summer of 2019, every baseball fan who comes to the park for a high school game, an American Legion game or an Alaska Baseball League game, or any other event, will see an 8’ x 16’ outfield billboard promoting Rotary in the Anchorage community. The contract with the Glacier Pilots also gets us a full-page color ad on the outside back cover of the Pilots baseball program, the Rotary wheel and logo on the reverse side of admission tickets; 54 radio PSAs and promo spots at all the Pilots home games. We will tell the Rotary story from End Polio Now to highlighting local projects of the participating clubs. And that’s not all! The district and participating clubs will share 300 general admission tickets, 10 season’s passes to all regular Alaska Baseball League games and 4 season box seat tickets. Each participating club may use its share of these tickets as the club chooses: sell/auction them off as a fundraiser, give them away to local students or whatever. And, finally, the district and participating clubs will have the opportunity to host a Rotary Night at the ball park, share in the Split The Pot proceeds, and offer discount ticket/food packages to its members. This is an amazing partnership with the Anchorage Glacier Pilots. Rotary will be supporting a local nonprofit that showcases future MLB talent; helps develop local baseball talent and provides healthy summer entertainment to the baseball fan and Anchorage community. Not only will Rotary’s public image be enhanced by this partnership, but there are so many ways that the participating clubs can promote fellowship amongst their members and the other participating clubs. It is a win-win for everyone! Play ball! |
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West High Interact NewsDistrict Governor Diane Fejes visited our Interact Club at West High School on January 29th along with committee members to discuss the club's next service project. Their focus is homeless youth and invited guests from the community to discuss their non-profits and needs from the community. These kids are future leaders. Governor Fejes was so impressed once again and will be visiting in the near future to provide support. |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (Feb. 6)At the luncheon meeting on January 30:
At other times during the week these things happened:
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President's Corner (Feb. 6)Hello fellow Rotarians. On February 23, 1905, the very first Rotary meeting was organized by Paul Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram Shorey, who gathered at Loehr’s office in Room 711 of the Unity Building in downtown Chicago. Paul Harris, an attorney, wanted to create a professional group with the same friendly spirit he felt in the small towns of his youth. They decided to call the new club “Rotary” after the practice of rotating meeting locations. The name Rotary International was adopted in 1922. The February 23 anniversary is now known as “Rotary World Peace and Understanding Day.” One way our club can promote this goal is to become involved in Peace Fellowships. Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the fellows into experienced and effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses. In just over a decade, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,200 fellows. Many of them now serve as leaders at international organizations or have started their own foundations. Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and 50 for certificate studies at premier universities:
I believe that our club has already been involved with other clubs to send one such person to South Africa. |
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East High Interact News
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President's Corner (Jan. 30)Hello Club members. January has been vocational month in the Rotary calendar. I was impressed to hear last week that our new member Mark Schmeling has enjoyed a rich and varied work history, and it reminds me that each of us have unique work histories. As for myself, early in my life I decided, if that is the word, to follow in my father’s footsteps as an engineer. This did not work out, and in 1972 I decided to get a degree in political science and become a lawyer. I started lawyering in 1978 and stayed on this course until I retired last year. I heard that one of our members has just made a complete change of course after 20 years in one industry (I won’t be a spoiler because I am sure he will let us know his news). I like it when our vocational chair Mike Zahare dons his “roving reporter” hat and interviews our members about what they do in their work lives, and other matters. We get to know each other better when we know more details about how each of us spends a goodly portion of our lives. Our members bring to Rotary different perspectives of the world that we develop in the world of work. It enriches our lives to hear these perspectives from others. Rotary in its constitution and other documents prescribes that a variety of professions and vocations be represented in each club. Perhaps in that way it helps us Be The Inspiration to other Rotarians to show them the different choices there are in the world. |
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Welcome Mark Schmeling to Anchorage East RotaryPlease take a moment to welcome Mark Schmeling as our newest member to Anchorage East Rotary. Welcome Mark! |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (Jan. 30)At the luncheon meeting on January 23:
At other times during the week these things happened:
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Volunteers Needed for Beer FestivalThe Anchorage East Rotary beer festival is fast approaching on February 16. This is an important fundraiser for our club and we are asking for your help. An estimated 30+ volunteers will be needed again this year. The event is at the PAC, with doors opening for volunteers at 8:00am. Last pour is at 6:45pm. If you would like to volunteer, please reply to SFLORIO50@GMAIL.COM with your name, phone number and email address. Please also state any time restrictions you might have. And in preparation for the upcoming AER beer festival, President Paul Paslay submitted this photo showing the “pretentious judge’s award”. |
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President's Corner (Jan. 23)Hello clubmembers. I just received the February issue of the Rotarian magazine. RI President Barry Rassin again has good words about the work Rotary does to transform their communities: …I’d like to challenge every Rotary club to come up with at least one high-impact service project. Each club already has the potential, the resource, to make it happen. It has the power to change people’s lives – completely… One of the most transformational projects I’ve been a part of involved providing a Jeep to a group of midwives in Haiti. We had asked the midwives what we could do for them, and they told us they needed a way to reach expectant mothers in a remote part of the country. We supplied a Jeep, painted it pink, and put the Rotary logo on it. Three years later, we went back to see how they were doing. They were excited by the outcomes: They told us that the mortality rate for mothers and infants in that region had dropped by 50 percent… What makes a project transformational? It doesn’t have to involve a lot of money, but it has to reach people and have a major impact in the community. That is the key, and that is where careful planning and thorough research come in. So do your research. Leverage your resources. Seek partnerships that can increase your impact. And then take action! |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (Jan. 23)At the luncheon meeting on January 16:
At other times during the week these things happened:
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2019 Foundation Auction |
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President's Corner (Jan. 16)Hello clubmembers. I just received my issue of the Rotarian magazine. This is a benefit of your membership in Rotary so be sure to let me know if you are not getting it. RI President Barry Rassin has good words about vocational service which is the January monthly theme: Vocational service can be hard to define, but it is easy to describe. It is simply the point where our Rotary lives and our professional lives intersect. When we put our Rotary ideals to works through our work, that is vocational service… Rotary emphasizes the dignity of every vocation and the worth of every calling. Remember that the four founding members included no doctors or peacemakers – just an attorney, a mining engineer, a coal dealer and a printer. From the beginning, the diversity of those vocations gave Rotary a special strength. And that diversity is reflected in our classification system, which aims to ensure that each club represents the full range of businesses and professions that serve each community. Paul Harris put it this way: “Each Rotarian is the connecting link between the idealism of Rotary and her trade or profession.” It was true when he said it and should be equally true now. We only spend an hour or two a week at our Rotary meetings, but most of us spend most of our waking time at work. Through Rotary, those hours are also an opportunity for service: a chance to Be the Inspiration to those we work with, those who work for us and the communities we serve. |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (Jan. 16)At the luncheon meeting on January 9:
At other times during the week:
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President's Corner (Jan. 9)Happy New Year. The Rotary theme for January is vocational service. Our club participates in vocational service in several ways:
By the way, I just visited the West University Rotary Club in Houston. A past president told me about their principal fundraiser, a flag project. Four times a year they erect about 1600 flags around Houston. Each recipient pays $75 per year, and each flag is about 2 feet by 3 feet, or larger. The flag is attached to a post which has Rotary information on the post. Since most folks renew their donation, a permanent metal post holder is placed in the ground so the post can be easily inserted and removed. I think this is a similar project to one conducted by a club in Homer. Do you think this might be a good one for our club? This might be associated with the active duty military members and veterans in our club, to honor their vocational service. This project might also acknowledge the economic benefit to our community to have a strong working military community. |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (Jan. 9)
Adam said they are looking to hire a string quartet to play background music for the connoisseur session which runs from 2-3pm on Beer Fest day, February 16th. He asked me to look into this. Today I happened to be at the Horn Doctor, which is owned by our own member Barb Kagerer and her husband, and I brought this up to Barb. She immediately thought of someone and called them to determine if they are available. Also on Beer Fest news, I attended the Jan 8 meeting of the West High Interact Club. I brought up the opportunity for them to help at the Beer Fest in the cloak room. There is a need for about 6 – 8 people, and the club is interested.
Dressember did not go so well because the November 30 earthquake messed things up. School was closed for a week, so there was little time before the end of the semester to pull everything together. The 10 – 15 students present discussed projects they might want to do during the rest of the school semester. I suggested that they might want to participate in the Shelterbox challenge, which is to raise money and sleep in one of these tents in the middle of winter. One of the students expressed little enthusiasm and thought she would have to raise more than $200 to make it worth it. |
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Anchorage East Rotary Highlights (Dec. 26)At our meeting December 19:
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President's Corner (Dec. 26)Happy holidays. I just noticed that although December is Rotary Family Month, the emphasis is on disease prevention and treatment. Our club is doing well to have raised over $4100 this year for PolioPlus, which helps us get ever closer to the worldwide elimination of this terrible disease. I am visiting my parents now for a couple of weeks. They live in Houston, Texas, and I spend time with them each year. At lunch I was speaking with a woman who is an honorary member of the West University Place Rotary Club. Her deceased husband was a member, but she has not attended the club for a long time. The fact the club meets at 7:15a is a factor. I challenged her to go with me to the meeting. I have not attended this particular club in Houston before, and I look forward to extending my Rotary family when I visit. I hope all of us are getting to reconnect with loved ones and friends, and make new acquaintances for the new year! President Paul |
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Tam in SwitzerlandI met several Rotarians in Fribourg, Switzerland during the town's annual St. Nicholas Day celebrations (the patron saint of that town). They were selling glühwein/vin chaud or mulled wine as a fundraiser from their street booth so I helped them out by buying some! They were surprised to meet an Alaskan Rotarian! They support water projects in Africa and shelters on a local level. I learned they have 4 clubs in their town and I saw the booth of another club too! They send greetings to AER! |
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Solstice Tree TourBig thanks to fellow Rotarians and their family members who participated in our club’s first year serving at the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage’s “Solstice Tree Tour.” President Paul Paslay, Lynn Shaver, Bob Cox, and Karen Smith’s husband Terry and their two teenage daughters (Ashley and Katelyn) served coffee and cocoa with a friendly smile to thousands of event-goers this past Sunday at Kincaid Park. The walking/skiing tour of beautifully decorated trees in the park celebrates the return of longer daylight hours and our community’s fabulous trail system. Money raised helps the NSAA maintain those trails year-round. Anchorage East Rotary provided not only helping hands but also a $1,000 community service grant. Gloria Kron, Christian Dykes, Sandra Wicks, Bruce Phelps and their families were also seen along the trail. Gloria even had on a Rotary vest! Thanks for participating, Rotarians! |
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Anchorage East High Interact ClubBelow are photos from the holiday party at the newly formed East Anchorage High School Interact Club, lead by teacher Kim Liland. |
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AER Photo(s) of the WeekShown below is President Paul displaying some of his holiday spirit. |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Dec. 19)At our meeting December 12:
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President's Corner (Dec. 19)Hello fellow Rotarians. I have been trying to attend as many East Rotary club functions as I can this year. Being retired gives me more time! Some reflections follow from my travels, as they might relate to the Rotary Family month theme for December. There seems to be an overriding theme of the natural connectedness among all people which creates a large and blessed family in our part of the world:
Thanks to all of you for giving me a chance to see these encouraging developments, and to realize what a wonderful foundation is being built for the future. See you next year! |
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Anchorage East Rotary PhotosPhotographed below are Paul Paslay and Scott McCurren following last week's AER luncheon. |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Dec. 12)At our meeting December 5:
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President's Corner (Dec. 12)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.
What would you like to see our club do to increase our sense of community as we do good in the world? |
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Mark Schmeling BiographyMark 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. |
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Solstice Tree TourGreetings! 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:
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! |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Dec. 5)At our meeting November 28:
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President's Corner (Dec. 5)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. |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Nov. 27)
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President's Corner (Nov. 27)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. |
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Thanksgiving with the TroopsAnchorage 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.
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West High Interact Club Food DriveOur West High Interact Club starts a Christmas time food drive by dedicating space at school to collect food for about 50 hungry families. |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Nov. 14)At our meeting November 7:
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President's Corner (Nov. 14)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. |
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East High Interact ClubIf 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. |
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Bidding for the No Fine ButtonThe 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. |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Oct. 31)At our meeting October 31:
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President's Corner (Nov. 7)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. |
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World Interact WeekThis 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:
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A Tasty Dinner SocialOn 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. |
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Diane Fejes Visits Anchorage East RotaryDistrict 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). |
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Anchorage East Rotary ContributionsRecently, 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. |
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President's Corner (Oct. 31)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? |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Oct. 24)At our meeting October 24:
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Anchorage East Rotary Community ServiceAER 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. |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Oct. 17)At our meeting October 17:
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President's Corner (Oct. 24)As we leave October, which is Vocational month on the Rotary calendar, let’s recall other ways our club supports the vocations in our community. Under the lead of our member Shirly Nelson, we support the work of elementary school teachers in ASD by reading to kindergarten, first and second grade students. Emphasis may be on students who are at risk of falling behind in the critical skill of reading and understanding. We need more members to participate, so please check in with Shirley. Our vocational committee over the years has reviewed scholarship applications of numerous seniors at East High and Bartlett High, and has chosen to award scholarships to some of these folks to further their education. Last year we disbursed $24,000 to 8 students. Jeff Blake has the idea that later we could invite these recipients to visit our club so we can check in on their lives (and remind them that Rotary can also be a part of their lives if they pursue membership). These recipients are exceptional students and many have overcome significant hardship. I bet the vocations they choose will be enriched by their participation! Mike Zahare heads up our vocational committee, so talk to him about ideas you might have related to vocational matters. Perhaps you’d like to give a “vocational minute” to our club during a meeting about your vocation? Our community service committee has a lot of money to distribute. Applications for grant money could propose to support vocational training. Please think of some worthy local cause that could use grant money and talk to Christian Deykes or Rebecca Sentner. This year the community service committee has already given one grant to assist YWCA Alaska in covering the staff time necessary to implement Diversity & Inclusion Dialogues which fosters inclusion among our diverse community. Our larger Rotary structure provides matching funds for projects. One such District Grant our club secured this year supports the work of people who fight human trafficking by giving them the tools to be more effective. See Adam Sikorski for more information on this matter. It seems to me our imagination is the limit to what we can do to support the vocations that people enter. |
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Rotary Reading Mentorship – The Gift of Time
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President's Corner (Oct. 17)As you know, our club sponsors the Interact Club at West High and the Interact Club at East High. Each club has a teacher adviser who spends his lunch hour hosting and adding direction to the club. These advisors are not paid to do this work; they are committed to the students. Woody Angst, Karen Smith and I showed up this morning at the West High meeting. The club talked about projects for the coming year. After the meeting Woody, Karen and I talked about Woody’s idea to consider a global grant to combat human trafficking, using the fundraising efforts of this club and other sources. This grant could be in the form of a scholarship for a person to study in this area. This would train a person to better work toward the goal of eliminating this terrible activity. At our Board meeting last week, our Board voted to contribute money to the operation of these two Interact clubs. Last Saturday our club participated in the Mobile Food Pantry (MFP) at the Fairview Recreation Center. We assist the Food Bank of Alaska (FBOA) to distribute mostly perishable food to people in need. The folks who work at the FBOA exhibit service above self to help provide basic necessities to folks in our community. Our club has participated in the MFP for years. Our members, their family and friends show up rain, snow or shine to make this distribution work. Our club now asks our weekly speaker to choose from one of three charities, and we give $50 to the chosen charity in the speaker’s name. Each of these charities employs people who are passionate about their work to serve their target populations. Most recently our speaker chose the Alaska Literacy Project. Our commitment of money to these charities helps them accomplish their missions. These examples show the variety of fine vocations which our club supports though our funding and through showing up to do work. Can you think of other vocations our club might support? |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Oct. 10)At our meeting October 10:
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October Teacher/Student AwardHeather Roach is an extraordinary teacher with approximately 24 years of experience. She teaches Chemistry, AP Chemistry, and Anatomy and Physiology. In addition, she runs the Robotics Club. Ms. Roach is a tremendous asset for East High school. Matias Miller is from Anchorage and is a Senior at East High. He is looking forward to graduating but is undecided about the college he will attend. Matias is currently exploring options. His hobby/interest is hockey. Congratulation! |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Oct. 3)At our meeting October 3:
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President's Corner (Oct. 10)Vocational training teams (“VTTs”) are groups of professionals who travel abroad either to teach local professionals about a particular field or to learn more about their own. Teams can be funded by district grants and global grants. VTTs reflect the Rotary Foundation’s long-standing commitment to vocational training. Activities vary from one team to the next but examples may include training medical professionals on cardiac surgery and care, sharing best practices on early childhood education, or explaining new irrigation techniques to farmers. A successful VTT increases the capacity of the host community to solve problems and improve the quality of life. If a VTT is funded by a district grant, the activities should support the Foundation’s mission to promote goodwill and peace, improve health, support education, and alleviate poverty. If funded by a global grant, the activities must:
Can you think of how you might use your professional background to create a vocational training team from our club or from our District 5010? |
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Tudor Elementary School Garden BoxesPictured below are photos from our recent garden box build at Tudor Elementary School on October 2. Photos are courtesy of Robin Dublin. |
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Adam's ActivitiesPosted are some photos of Adam learning the art of grilling (courtesy of instruction provided by Anne's husband), Adam sporting his new East High sports jacket, and a few others. |
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Rotary Youth Exchange RecruitingApplications for Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) are coming due very soon. If you know of anyone from East High School who would make a good candidate for RYE, then please make note of the following details: 1. Information nights are as follows:
2. Applications are due on October 15 (District set). 3. Interviews will be arranged shortly after the the application period ends. 4. Students can apply at http://www.rye5010.org Please contact Katie Johnson at ak.ktjohnson@gmail.com or at 907-342-5203 if you have any questions. |
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Botanical Garden Wreath MakingThe wreath making at Alaska Botanical Gardens was very successful and lots of fun! We had no idea how talented we were. Thanks go out to William Criner, Garden and Facilities, Alaska Botanical Garden for hosting our monthly social event, and to Mary Rohlfing for coordinating members and payments. Artists were Kathleen Madden, Terry Allard, Anne Adasiak-Andrew, Adam Szabo, and Mary Rohlfing. |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Sept. 26)At our meeting September 26:
At other times:
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President's Corner (Oct. 3)Hello Anchorage East Rotarians. The Rotary theme for October is Vocational Service. Rotary was first started as a club based on vocations. This continues today. This month is a great time to celebrate, explore, understand the vocations of your fellow club members, and to explore the possibilities of membership from other vocational groups in your community. Mike Zahare is the chair of our vocational service committee. Why not offer to him to give an oral “Vocational Minute” during a club meeting to let our club know of your vocation? What other vocations might we invite into our club? This month on October 24 we celebrate World Polio Day. Thirty years ago, 1,000 children were paralyzed by polio every single day. Since then, we’ve marked our progress, year by year, week by week. We’ve celebrated as country after country, region after region has been declared polio-free. This year Anchorage East Rotary will mark this day with an event which our member Dave Kester, who leads End Polio matters for our District, is now highlighting at our meetings. This is a tremendous opportunity in our Anchorage community for our club to highlight Rotary, and our historic work to eradicate polio. It is also a great way to take advantage of the challenge from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: For every dollar that Rotary raises for polio eradication, the Gates Foundation will give two more. Join me, and Rotarians everywhere – and Be the Inspiration for a polio-free world! |
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Rotary ExchangeEast exchange student, Adam Szabo, and rebound student, Rowan Folds, enjoy dinner at the Varsity Grill with Kristen and Rich Dyson prior to the UAA volleyball game on September 27th. |
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2019 Mission Trip to the PhilippinesAnchorage East Rotary International Service committee invites you to join us to learn about the January 2019 mission trip to the Philippines and how you can help both here and on the ground in the Philippines. To set the tone, we're meeting at Bahay Kubo, a Filipino restaurant 3020 Minnesota Drive for authentic Filipino food, friends, and (if you stay long enough and are brave enough) karaoke. The first Rotarian who actually SINGS Karaoke (that night) will get a home-made (from scratch) pineapple upside down cake made by the AER International Committee co-chair Anne Garrett (guaranteed edible). Join us to get a "taste" of the generous and welcoming spirit of the Philippines. This is a no-host event and partners/spouses and friends are welcome! ABOUT THE PROJECT Why the Philippines? Typhoon Yolanda (2013) decimated many communities in the Philippines. This specific mission project is providing an expansion to a current wastewater treatment system for a village being built by iHomes (Bacolod) for 22 homes. They currently have a system for eight homes but with plans to expand. Together with Rotary clubs from Australia, Wales and the Philippines, we will work to financially support local efforts to expand the current system and travel to provide onsite assistance in January 2019. What we will learn, discuss and finalize! Proposed Itinerary: January 16 – 26, 2019 Travel Costs What you will need (Passport, visa, shots – ouch!) What can we do here? What we will be doing on-the-ground? Who else is planning to go! ALL INTERESTED ROTARIANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. Contact Anne Garrett anneelizabethgarrett@hotmail.com or 907-223-4882 for more information or if you are unable to attend. In addition, you can also use the evite link. http://evite.me/zCg72zvaUf |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Sept. 19)At our meeting September 19:
Later in the week:
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President's Corner (Sept. 26)Hello Anchorage East members, For this issue of my President’s Column I copied from a couple of Rotary website sources for the following: Did you know that more than 750 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate? And, that number will increase when the 250 million children who do not possess basic reading skills become adults. Illiteracy traps people in the cycle of poverty and costs the global economy an estimated $1.2 trillion each year in lost earnings and productivity. This is where Rotarians step in. Each year, district and global grants from The Rotary Foundation provide teacher training, integration of technology into classroom curriculum, and adult literacy programs to communities. Gifts to the Annual Fund make these grants possible, meaning that learners of all ages have access to quality education and a bright future. These words came from a Rotarian who lives in Africa: Literacy can be defined as the state of being literate especially the ability to read and write. It also lies in the ability of an individual’s capacity to put those skills to work in shaping the course of his or her life. Genuine literacy involves ‘reading the word and the world’. Literacy is both a right in itself and an instrument for achieving other rights. The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the right to education. In modern societies, literacy skills are fundamental to informed decision-making, personal empowerment, and active and passive participation in local and global social community. Basic education refers to the whole range of educational activities taking place in various settings (formal, non-formal and informal) that aim to meet basic learning needs. It comprises Primary education and lower Secondary education. In developing countries like those in Africa, basic education often includes adult literacy programs. No matter how much we hate waking up early for school or studying all night for those tests and exams, we all know that education is very important. I am not saying that an uneducated man has no chance of being successful or that an educated man will surely do well in life. Exceptions are always there. However, an educated person gets better opportunities in life. Countries with high literacy rates are extremely prosperous and the citizens have a high per capita income. On the other hand, in African countries where the literacy rate is not as high, a number of people are still living below the poverty line. Education provides us with knowledge about the world. It paves the way for a good career. It helps build character. It leads to enlightenment. Education makes a person complete. Benjamin Franklin wrote “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest” while Victor Hugo wrote that: “He who opens a School door, closes a prison.” |
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Business Card BonanzaFor a mere $25, you can place your business card in the Eastwind for a whole month. This is a great, and cheap, way to get your business noticed by fellow Rotarians. It’s always better to do business with people you know and trust, so this is a good way to let our membership know what goods and services you can offer. Just hand your card to Chris Wolpert or Rich Dyson and watch your business grow. |
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Rotary Fun |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Sept. 12)At our meeting September 12:
Later in the week:
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President's Corner (Sept. 19)Hello Anchorage East members, The Rotary theme for September is actually Basic Education and Literacy. In our club Shirley Nelson is spearheading a project, under the Community Services Committee, to read to elementary school students. We will do this at Baxter Elementary. Our contact is Shannon Ferris who teaches 2nd grade there and is a member of South Rotary. At present we are looking for 6 club members to go into the school for about an hour on Thursday mornings at 9:30a. More about this soon. On the front page of the District 5010 website our District Governor Diane speaks: “Students returning to school remind us how important learning is to ALL of us. Not only should we continue learning about new things, new places and people, we should continue learning about ourselves. I encourage you to be both a mentor and mentee to others – the World and your community needs YOU! And Rotary needs you as well to Be The Inspiration.” Our support of Interact clubs continues at West High and East High. The clubs are putting together their plans for the year. Today West club finished a small food drive started last week, and delivered the foodstuffs to a classroom where the teacher keeps a crock pot of food going for hungry students. Our East Club is considering spending some funds to provide a banner, a bell and gavel, Interact Club pins and some other things to these Clubs so that they become more aware of the connection they have to Rotary as they learn how to be of service to others. This is also turning out to be a good time to meet up with other Rotarians who can rearrange their schedule to be there Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:15. |
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Upcoming Fine-Cheese SocialCheck out our upcoming AER social on November 8 at Georgia Blue Gallery and Fromagio's Artisan Cheese. Come sample fine cheese, freshly made colonial drinks (made from Alaskan plants) and learn about techniques used for displaying art. A thank-you goes out to Helen Howarth, owner of Fromagio's Artisan Cheese, for putting on this private event for us. She is amazing! I have been to her cheese presentations in Ketchikan too. Here are the details:
Contact Gretchen Klein if you have any questions. Janine Becka will collect all payments during our lunch meetings. Some fun information about Helen - Growing up in Alaska in the 1960s, cheese was a box of Velveeta and the best fruit came out of a can. Years later when tasting "real" cheese for the first time (an imported French Roquefort), she had one of those heavenly moments of awakening. The experience was akin to the first time she tasted a piece of perfectly ripe fruit plucked from a tree. It was decadent, mouthwatering, and extraordinarily sublime. From that moment on, whenever she traveled she made it a point to visit cheese shops. That was the problem - she had to travel to get great cheese. Driven by indulgent self-interest and the hope that other Alaskans like artisan cheese too, Fromagio's Artisan Cheese was born. |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Sept. 5)Highlights for Anchorage East Rotary from September 5 – September 11, 2018. At our meeting September 5:
Later in the week:
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President's Corner (Sept. 12) |
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Barbara Swenson AwardThe next time you see Barbara, be sure to extend to her a big congratulations! Pictured is Barbara receiving her Major Donor Award during last week's AER lunch meeting. Congratulations Barbara! |
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The Little Radio Station that CouldFellow Rotarian Rick Goodfellow is giving a presentation called “The Little Radio Station That Could” at the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF). Rick and his wife Jan are celebrating the 30th anniversary of KLEF, one of the few, and the very best all classical stations in the country. Join Rick at 9 am on September 16th. Rick will regale us with tales of early Anchorage and how he (mostly) stayed out of trouble. AUUF is located at 2824 East 18th Ave. Coffee and refreshments are included. |
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Highlights from Anchorage East Rotary (Aug 29)At our meeting August 29:
Later in the week:
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President's Corner (Sept 5)Hello fellow Anchorage East members. The Rotary theme for September is New Generations Month. This is the month when Rotarians all around the world focus efforts on supporting youth and Youth Programs. What can we do? Listen to their ideas about how Rotary can assist them to make a better world? Take the time to discuss the great Rotary programs for youth, in particular the youth exchange program? There are opportunities for us to make a real difference to the lives of many young people. We have at least five opportunities in our club. Anchorage East sponsors the Interact Clubs at West High and East High. I have attended both meetings at West, which occur on Tuesdays and last about one-half hour starting at 10:20a. There were 20+ students there each time. One of the ideas that came up at the first meeting was a way to get some of these students to one of our meetings. East High starts its Interact Club on September 5 at 10:26a in Travis Cooper’s classroom 206. It makes a difference to have a Rotary presence there, to remind the students of the bigger picture of which they are now a part. If you can make it you are welcome. Our exchange student Adam Szabo has just arrived for the year. He has gone golfing at least twice, and he was on the Segway Tour social event last month. He will be at the Mobile Food Pantry this month. He may participate in the Shelter Box project this year. At lunch last week a member who had hosted him pointed out his English is excellent. Please consider inviting him to do things. Later this year we award scholarships to a number of outstanding high school students from Bartlett High and East High. We also honor a student periodically from these schools, together with their teacher. Talk to Mike Zahare, chair of the Vocational Committee, to be involved in these opportunities! Paul |
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Greg's GroanersHere are some puns from various professions:
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Golfing with Adam Szabo (Round 2)AER's Dave Kester, Paul McGuire, and Bob Cox had the opportunity to go for another round of golf with Adam Szabo. Here are some photos from their event: |
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Highlights from AER Meeting (Aug 22)At our meeting August 22:
Later in the week:
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President's Corner (Aug 29)Hello East Rotarians, We have opportunities for members outside of our weekly meetings: This year four local clubs including Anchorage East are using a District Grant to build garden boxes at elementary schools in the Anchorage area. The next planned activity is Wednesday, September 5, 4:30p, at Baxter Elementary where we shall construct eight boxes. Our club has for years gathered to distribute food at the Fairview Recreation Center. The next distribution of the Mobile Food Pantry will be 1:30 – 3p on September 8. Today Woody Angst, Karen Smith and I attended the first meeting of the Interact Club at West High. About 30 students and their faculty adviser John Ruhlin showed up. The next meeting is Tuesday, September 4, 10:20a, Room 10, West High School. It helps to have as many Rotarians as possible there to support these future leaders. Our club also supports Interact at East High and they will soon be starting up their year. Last night was a meeting of the Foundation Committee at Sullivan’s Steakhouse private dining room. Bob Cox, Lynn Allingham, Lynn Shaver, Rayli Wilson, Bill Ure, Michelle Engelke and yours truly showed up and had a good work meeting combined with fellowship. The next meeting will probably be September 24, 5:30p, also at Sullivan’s Coming up is a meeting of the Community Service committee (5p August 30 at La Cabana). I think the opportunity, to be more “hands on” and being involved in activities which make the world a little better, is as rewarding as our weekly meetings. Not everyone can make a meeting, and fortunately there are a lot of options at other times. Choose one of these opportunities and get involved! Paul |
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Art Gallery Social EventAER Members, here are the details for our next social event:
Food and refreshments will be provided by 2 Friends Gallery per the owner's request instead of members bringing their own dishes. (This is a change from the notice posted on the social flyer). If you plan on signing up for this private Rotary social party, please RSVP and make payment by September 5th. ***Make checks payable to East Rotary Social Event by September 5th so we can give the final count to 2 Friends and make payment for food and refreshments. |
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Highlights from AER Meeting (Aug 15)Here are the highlights from the Anchorage East Rotary meeting held on August 15, 2018:
Later in the week:
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President's Corner (Aug 22)Hello East Rotarians, Following is more from RI President Barry Rassin in his President’s Message in the August issue of The Rotarian: “Our membership has hovered around the same 1.2 million mark for 20 years. We aren’t growing, and our membership is getting older. We have too many clubs that don’t have the knowledge or motivation to have an impact: clubs that don’t know what we’re doing on a global level, clubs that don’t know about our programs or our Foundation, that don’t even know how to get involved. And with a membership that is still mostly male, we clearly aren’t doing enough to become the organization of choice for women who are seeking to serve.” August is Rotary’s membership month. I urge everyone to think of who they might invite to check out Rotary. It would be nice if it is a prospective member for Anchorage East, but there are about 7 clubs in the Anchorage area which meet at different times, and each of which has its own distinctive atmosphere. I spoke with one of the presenters at our last meeting, encouraging her to consider Rotary. She said she is on the road about 8 months of the year and it would be hard to attend a “brick & mortar” meeting. I told her that the Rotary E-Club might be a good fit. Paul |
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Supporting the FoundationThe Rotary Foundation Committee is encouraging all Rotarians to sign up for Rotary Direct. You can do this on line at www.rotary.org/give. First, select what you would like to support. The Featured Causes are the Annual Fund and the Polio Fund. Contributions to either of these Funds are eligible for Paul Harris Fellow recognition (more about this in future articles). Note that a portion of the money you contribute to the Annual Fund comes back to the District over time to support projects we sponsor (these are called District Designated Funds). You may also choose to direct your support to one of the Areas of Focus:
Select the amount you want to contribute (minimum is $10), the frequency and provide your credit card information. As an added incentive, every person who signs up with Rotary Direct before the end of October will be entered into a drawing for 25,000 Alaska Airline miles, donated generously by Rayli Wilson. Drawing will be held during November, which is Rotary Foundation Month. In addition, if this is your first time donating, you will receive 100 Paul Harris points generously donated by one of several “senior” Rotarians to assist you in reaching the Paul Harris recognition level faster. |
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Segway Tour FunA huge thank you to Mary Rohlfing and Buzz, and Susan Metcalf for helping make Anchorage East Rotary’s August social event amazing this past Saturday at Segway Tours of Anchorage!! Check out their specials through the end of summer on different tours and services they offer in marketing, theatre, audio and film. http://www.segwaytoursofanchorage.com. Stay tune for next event social event scheduled for September 10 at 2 Friends Art Gallery. And our fearless leader, Paul Paslay! |
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Abbott Loop Elementary Garden Box Photos |
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President's Corner (Aug 15)Hello fellow Rotarians. Last Wednesday, August 8, a group of members from our club joined Rotarians from other clubs, and other folks (young and older), to construct 7 garden boxes at Abbott Loop Elementary. Bill Ure, Adam Sikorski, Craig Bledsoe, Woody Angst, Berry Kirksey, Bob Cox, Dennis Bookey, Christian Deykes, Emily Rohrabaugh and Frank Cahill helped complete the task in only about an hour and one-half. The next step will be to plant next spring. I spoke with the principal at Baxter Elementary yesterday and she said eight boxes for her school would be phenomenal! Tuesday, August 14, we fill with soil existing concrete planters at Springhill Elementary, and I just did an email blast to remind everyone. This is a good example of Rotary working to make the world a little better in our community. Hope you can all join us at some point in the process. |
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Highlights from Aug 8 AER MeetingHere are the highlights from Anchorage East Rotary meeting on August 8, 2018:
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Highlights from August 1 AER Meeting
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A Letter from the Food Bank of Alaska to AERBelow is a letter presented to us by AER's Karla Jutzi and written by Jim Baldwin, CEO of the Food Bank of Alaska, thanking Anchorage East Rotary for our cub's support: You are helping ensure our kids in Alaska have the summer they have been looking forward to, free from anxiety about where their summer meals are coming from. Thank you! “You can tell the kids need this food,” says Brian, a monitor at one of Food Bank of Alaska’s rural summer meal program sites. “No one is picking on each other when they’re eating.” From Anchorage to Bethel, Kotzebue to Dillingham, your support is helping provide summer meals to kids in over 40 communities. When kids have enough to eat in the summer, they have energy to burn. You truly are putting smiles on their faces. “When they eat here, they leave happier you know," says Brian. If you’d like to speak with us, please call Development Director Karla Jutzi, 907-222-3112, or email kjutzi@foodbankofalaska.org. |
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President's Corner (Aug 8)Hello fellow Rotarians. Last Friday I enjoyed spending some hours at the airport with a group of Rotarians who are passionate about youth exchange. I helped greet about 5 – 10 exchange students from around the world, including our own Adam Szabo from Slovakia. These young people may have little knowledge of Rotary at the beginning of their year abroad, but after one year they should be able to speak well about our program and be an ambassador to others. We have the Interact and Rotaract clubs which they can join, and ultimately they can move into being members of a Rotary club. Thus our youth exchange program can be viewed as a way we bring in new members to our organization. When you talk to people about what Rotary is, consider mentioning the “membership drive” aspect which is our Rotary youth exchange program. Even if a youth exchange student does not pursue Rotary membership, or a person you invite to lunch does not become a member, they go away from the experience with a positive view of what our organization does, and this word can spread to others. |
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Foundation Committee ReportBob Cox gave an update on the Rotary Foundation Committee at the weekly Club luncheon on August 1. The Committee held their first meeting of the new Rotary year on July 30 to set goals and plan activities. A key goal for the year is expanding Club participation in Foundation giving. Bob noted that while Anchorage East Rotary is one of the most generous clubs in the District, only 70% of active members contributed to the Foundation in the last Rotary year. The upside opportunity is to encourage the other 40 or so Rotarians to join the fun. Using Rotary Direct, this can be very easily done. Bob announced a campaign to encourage Rotarians to sign up for Rotary Direct. You can do this on line at www.rotary.org/give or Bob will distribute forms next week if you prefer to sign up the old fashioned way. You can select the amount you want to contribute (minimum is $10), the frequency and the method. You can select which causes you would like to support; the Annual Fund is the usual selection, as a portion of these funds come back to the District over time. However, you may also choose the Polio Fund or one of several other good choices. As an added incentive, every person who signs up in the next three months will be entered into a drawing for 25,000 Alaska Airline miles, donated generously by Rayli Wilson. The drawing will be held during November, which is Rotary Foundation Month. In addition, if this is your first time donating, you will receive 100 Paul Harris points generously donated by one of several “senior” Rotarians to assist you in reaching the Paul Harris recognition level faster. |
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Recent AER DonationsDuring our July 25 lunch meeting, Rebecca Sentner, co-chair of the Community Services Committee, distributed checks from our club to the Government Hill Commons (Stephanie Kesler accepted the check) and to the American Diabetes Association (our own Gretchen Klein accepted the check). |
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Highlights from July 25 AER MeetingHere are the highlights from Anchorage East Rotary meeting on July 25, 2018:
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Inbound Exchange Student is ArrivingAdam Szabo, our inbound exchange student from Slovakia, will be arriving at the oddly decent hour of 7:19 PM on Friday, August 3rd with United Airlines #1291. Please come to the airport to show him a cordial Anchorage East Rotary welcome to his new home for the next year. |
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AER Social Event - Segway Tour of AnchorageThe Segway Tour of Anchorage is coming up on August 18 and there is still time to sign up. Only 8 spots remain, so sign up soon. Contact Mary Rolfing at 907-227-7916 for details. One last reminder - please make checks payable to "Buzz Rolfing, Inc". (Disregard the note immediately below indicating checks are to be made out to "Segway Tours of Anchorage.") |
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Welcome Laurie Hoefer to AERPictured below are Arnie Cohen and President Paul Paslay with AER's newest inductee Laurie Hoefer. When you see Laurie, please take a moment to welcome her to our club. |
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Notice of Upcoming District 5010 Leadership AcademyLast year Dave Kester and I took the District 5010 Leadership Academy, which is an online training on many different aspects of Rotary. It gave me a much more informed picture of how things operate in Rotary. The other day I received an email from Jodi Stuart of the Soldotna Rotary Club who is the Dean for this year’s academy. She informed me there are only 20 slots available for this year’s academy. So, I am informing you of this opportunity. If you are interested, you can speak to Dave or me, or go to the District 5010 website and click on “Leadership” on the menu bar at the top. |
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Highlights From July 18 AER MeetingHere are some of the highlights from our July 18, 2018 Anchorage East Rotary meeting:
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Jeffrey Harris Returns From FinlandLast Wednesday President Paul met up with a group to help greet Jeffrey Harris, who is returning from a year in Finland as a Rotary exchange student. Picture below are Paul and Jeffrey. |
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President's CornerDear fellow Rotarians, The Rotary calendar celebrates Membership & Extension. In the Rotarian magazine, new RI President Barry Rassin stated: “…We are a membership organization first. If we want to achieve the goals we’ve set for ourselves, we need to put membership first. All of us have a responsibility to take membership seriously, not only by inviting prospective members, but also by making sure new members are welcomed into clubs that offer them something of value. If you see someone walk into a meeting and see them hesitate, be sure that person has a place to sit and is part of the conversation…” Shawn Florio and Shelia Lomboy are co-chairs for the membership committee this year. Give them your input about membership. Consider bringing in folks who you think might make a good addition to our club. Our two most recent members are Laurie Hoefer and Justin Mills. Please take the time to welcome them into our club. |
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A Note From Our New Sgt-At-ArmsIt's a new Rotary year and there is a new sheriff (Sgt-at-Arms) in town. The no-fine button will not be auctioned off each month as in the past. Members can sign up to use the privilege on a weekly basis for $50. Contact Rich Dyson who will keep the calendar. Non-profit announcements will still cost $40 and will need to be coordinated in advance through either President Paul or Rich Dyson. |
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Yuga Departing on July 13Our exchange student, Yuga Takahashi, will be returning to his home in Japan on July 13th. So there is still a little bit of time to invite him to participate in a fun activity. You can call him directly if you have his number or contact Rich Dyson to arrange. If you are unable to take Yuga on any further adventures but would still like to see him one last time, you can catch him at the airport on 7/13 at 4:00 AM. (His flight actually departs at 6:00 AM.) He will be traveling on Delta Flight 1979 from the National (main) terminal. If you would like to receive a group text providing updates on his departure, send Katie Johnson your cell phone number. |
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Governor Walker Meets AERThose attending the Rondy/Rotary Beer Festival Planning Meeting were quite surprised to have Governor Bill Walker drop in to say hello. He had been interviewed down the hall at the Channel 2 studios and wanted to come by and offer his support for our fun event for a worthy cause. During his visit, the committee decided to create the "Governor's Choice Award" to be given to the Governor's selection of the best beer at the Festival. In the pictures: Top photo: Adam Sikorski, Chair of the Rotary/Rondy Beer Fest and Governor Bill Walker Bottom photo: John McCleary, Rondy Executive Director and Tony Freije, member AER |
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Greg's GroanersThank you to Greg Solomon for a batch of fresh humor.
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Host Family Needed for New Rotary YearIf you live in the East school zone, we can still set you up with Adam, our next inbound Rotary Exchange student from Slovokia. Please talk to your friends and family. Thank you for supporting Youth Exchange. |
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Help Yuga With His Last DaysYuga heads home on 7/13. Where has the year gone?! He recently returned from his West Coast Tour. Thank you to those who helped make this possible! We need your help filling his last days. He would like to go fishing and/or go to Denali. His current host family would love to loan him to you, especially if you're headed somewhere during the week. We can use your help even if you're doing less exotic things - hiking, going to music in the park, the Saturday market. With school out, he's looking for adventures. Take this opportunity before he's gone! |
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Paul Paslay in TorontoPhotographed are Diane Fejes, District 5010’s incoming District Governor, and our incoming President Paul Paslay. This photo was taken on Saturday, June 23, at the Rotary International Convention in Toronto. |
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Ravn Alaska Presentation (and Rountrip Tickets)AER is pleased to be hosting Mr. David Pflieger, President and CEO of Ravn Alaska. He will be presenting to our club on July 11. In preparation for David’s presentation, he wants our membership to know that Ravn Alaska will be giving away two free roundtrip tickets to anywhere Ravn flies. To be eligible for the drawing, members will need to submit their business cards (only one per member) at the July 11th meeting. So please come prepared with your business card if you would like to participate in the drawing. |
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Melissa “Melly” BurgerMelissa “Melly” Burger recently graduated from East High. She was involved in the Interact Club for most of her four years of high school. Always enthusiastic about the various service projects with which the club members got involved, Melly was usually the first to sign up as a volunteer. She brought many ideas to the meetings for new service projects. Last year, Melissa accumulated enough volunteer hours for both her efforts in Interact, in other school organizations and in the community to win the bronze Presidential Volunteer Service Award. This year she achieved the silver! She is shown here wearing her new medal and proudly displaying her certificate. |
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Changing of the GuardAs a reminder, there will be no Wednesday afternoon lunch meeting this week. In its place is the Changing of the Guard dinner, to be held on Wednesday, June 20th, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Chart Room on the 15th floor of the Hilton Hotel. Weather permitting, after the formalities the party will move to the Top of the World outside deck. The cost for the event is $50 per person and the Hilton is providing a wonderful meal of roasted strip loin steak and seared salmon, side dishes and dessert. Please plan on attending to thank President Lance for his great leadership during the 2017-18 year and to help usher in the new administration under the leadership of President-elect Paul Paslay. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to jbecka.gci.net@clubrunner.email and let her know if you will be bringing a guest. We would like to present the Hilton with as accurate of a count as possible for their planning purposes. Payments for the event will be accepted at the door on Wednesday evening. |
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Greg's Groaners |
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Wednesday's Lunch MenuThis week's lunch menu consists of "chef's choice", to be prepared by the Hilton's new (enthusiastic and talented) chef. We are told that we will be pleasantly surprised. |
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Inspirational ReadingFollowing is the inspirational reading from our AER lunch meeting on June 6, 2018 and submitted by Anne Adasiak-Andrew. It is from Katherine Schafler’s article on Thrive Global (https://www.thriveglobal.com/stories/16020-4-questions-we-unconsciously-ask-near-constantly) Katherine Schafler writes: “Maya Angelou suggests there are four silent questions that we’re all unconsciously asking each other all the time. When the silent answer to each of the four silent questions is a definitive YES, the love (or our basic sense of humanity) in the relationship becomes more palpable and is immediately felt. Here are the 4 critical questions: Do you see me? Do you care that I’m here? Am I enough for you or do you need me to be better in some way? Can I tell that I’m special to you by the way that you look at me? Whether it's your kids, your colleagues, your partner, the store clerk, or really anyone in your community, when someone feels genuinely appreciated by you, it’s because you treat them in such a way that affirmatively answers each question pretty consistently. It's because when you look at them, you actually take the time to see them. We all make the mistake of blazing through “darling” moments every single day. (Ex: the child offering you a dandelion, the man who holds the door, the barista who put a heart in the foam of your coffee) Sometimes we don’t even remember much about our week because we just weren’t fully there. The answer is quite simple: Slow down! Take a second to actually look at another person. Slowing down and taking the one extra second is how you connect. It's this incredibly simple part of the human experience that's getting lost in the modern rush. Taking the one extra second to connect is the secret to the people we find most charming. It's what the best leaders do -- helping people feel seen and valued will totally shift your life. Connection is not based on how much time we spend with someone or what we do with them. Connection is always based on quality of presence. “ Let us celebrate that we come together as Rotarians each week, to truly “see” and value each other, and build connection. Thank you. |
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Fun Things I Did in AlaskaOne of the fun and memorable things I did in Alaska was riding a Segway downtown Anchorage. I've never driven a Segway, but it was not hard to drive. It is very safe. The weather was sunny. The guide told us stories about Anchorage. If you come to Anchorage, you should go sightseeing by Segway. You can go around downtown and feel Alaskan summer! If I have time, I will do it again before I go home to Japan. |
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Wednesday's Lunch MenuThis Wednesday's Hilton lunch menu consists of a soup and sandwich buffet. |
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Greg's GroanersHere is some humor for the week, courtesy of Greg Solomon. -What's the difference between a poorly dressed man on a bicycle and a nicely dressed man on a tricycle? A tire. -Why is a baseball game a good place to go on a hot day? There are lots of fans. -I have a few jokes about unemployed people, but it doesn't matter. None of them work. -My cross-eyed wife and I just got a divorce. We didn't see eye to eye. I also found out she was seeing someone on the side. |
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Scotch Tasting BBQ |
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East Interact Club Year ReviewThe East Interact Club wrapped up its fourth year of service activities. Special thanks to teacher sponsor Laron Thomas, as well as Travis Cooper who assisted him. Thanks to club co-presidents Brianna Edwards and Emma Levy. Here are the projects completed this year: • Wrote thank-you notes to firefighters and first responders. • Volunteered at Halloween party at Tudor Elementary School • Hosted a dinner at Hickel House (residential facility at Providence Hospital) • Volunteered at Tudor Elementary School’s Cyberbullying/Technology Awareness Event • Ran the 2nd annual Random Pies of Kindness campaign • Donated to Operation Gratitude • Assisted at Trick or Treat Street at the Hotel Captain Cook Random Pies of Kindness Interactors delivered 90 surprise pumpkin pies just before Thanksgiving to Bean’s Café, Brother Francis Shelter, Downtown Soup Kitchen, AWAIC shelter, Clare House shelter, Kids’ Kitchen children’s food program, Anchorage Senior Center, the Salvation Army’s Serendipity Adult Day Care Center and the Prestige Care Center. There was much delight and appreciation expressed from the recipients. The $315 profit made from this project were distributed equally to ShelterBox USA (shelter tents and supplies for those suffering from natural disasters), Helping Hands for Nepal (for the Nepalese children’s shoes that grow with them) and Malawi Children’s Village (for education support for HIV/AIDS orphans). Thank you to Interactors who delivered the pies, Melly, Emma, and Steve, as well as AER volunteer drivers Heather Flynn, Katie Johnson, Tam Agosti-Gisler, and East teachers Laron Thomas and Travis Cooper. Kudos to Costco DeBarr for donating 10 pies and Rich Dyson who sponsored the pie for Interact students to enjoy as they wrapped up the campaign at their meeting before Thanksgiving. Operation Gratitude East Interact Club participated in Operation Gratitude, a national program that sends care boxes to active military and wounded warriors. Interactors knitted and crocheted 31 scarves with donated yarn from the community. Far North yarn shop also collected and donated scarves made by the local community. Knitters of the North Guild also advertised for the project. Also, a thank you to East teacher, Heather Roach, for assisting in teaching Interactors how to knit. Awards Interactor Melissa Burger completed sufficient volunteer hours to qualify for the Silver Presidential Service Award. East Interact Club also qualified for the Bronze Group award. Pictured are (Left to Right): Gabrielle Jones, Monroe Sempleton, Brianna Lawrence, Sophia Mira, Lisa Elconin, and Emma Levy |
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Charlotte Tharp HonoredAER membership, please congratulate Charlotte Tharp for her being honored with a "Be Humble, Be Kind" award. |
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Paint PartyPlease pay Rayli directly. The cost does not include food or beverage, and you must be 21 to attend. |
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Mobile Food Pantry this SaturdayKindly be reminded that our AER Mobile Food Pantry Distribution will be held this coming Saturday from 1:30-2:45pm at the Fairview Recreation Center at 1121 East 9th Avenue in Anchorage. Last month we served a record 145+ client households and we anticipate a large turnout again this weekend. We need a minimum of 12 volunteers to meet the Food Bank of Alaska standard. Your support is vital to the success of the MFP program and we thank you in advance for your participation & service above self! The weather forecast is calling for 50 degrees with a mix of clouds & sunshine. So, wear your favorite sunglasses and shorts if you dare! We hope to see you at the MFP distribution! Remember: It counts as a Make-Up and is a family-friendly activity. |
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Work-Based Learning Experiences for StudentsPresented below is a chart that shows five options for providing work-based learning experiences for high school students. The time commitments vary from 2 hours to 144 hours! Please consider the way you and/or your business might be able to provide positive work-based learning experiences for students. Who to Contact: Missy Fraze (High Schools): 907-742-8993 or fraze_missy@asdk12.org Julie Vincek (King Tech): 907-742-8986 or vincek_julie@asdk12.org |
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Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Students
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Work-Based Learning Opportunities for StudentsPresented below is a chart that shows five options for providing work-based learning experiences for high school students. The time commitments vary from 2 hours to 144 hours! Please consider the way you and/or your business might be able to provide positive work-based learning experiences for students. Who to Contact: Missy Fraze (High Schools): 907-742-8993 or fraze_missy@asdk12.org Julie Vincek (King Tech): 907-742-8986 or vincek_julie@asdk12.org
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Paul Harris AwardsShown here are the recent AER Rotarians to receive their Paul Harris awards. Thank you to those who have made this committment! |
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New Delhi OrphanageWhile Kristen and I were in India, we attended the New Delhi Rotary eClub and were invited to participate in one of their club’s projects which is supporting the Auxilium Snehalaya Girls Orphanage. We met with Sister Grace, the Orphanage Administrator, and were able to help distribute games, writing materials, and treats to the girls who range in age from 4 to 17. The Rotary Club donated fruits, vegetables, bags of rice, and other much needed staples which we helped to unload and store. Kristen and I were happy to make a monetary donation as well to support this orphanage with many needs. The girls seemed happy, well nourished, and grateful for the opportunity to go to the nearby school. It is such an honor for me to belong to Rotary knowing the good Rotarians do throughout the world. |
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Rotary English CampMore than a dozen AER members volunteered at our Rotary English Camp this past Saturday at the Anchorage Literacy Project school. We had 19 students from 11 countries. Rotarians and adult English learners interacted in some fun and engaging activities. Lead instructors Tam Agosti-Gisler, Shirley Nelson, Oscar Avallaneda-Cruz and Kathleen Madden organized classes on professional e-mail etiquette & business writing, creating 6 sentence photo memoirs, learning a reggae song and beginning conversation. THANK YOU to all the volunteers who assisted in the classroom, brought food and helped with logistics. This was truly a day of service above self, making friends, doing good and having fun!!! The students really enjoyed the time spent with all of you. |
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Yuga Playing SoccerRich Dyson provided us with a couple of great photos of Yuga playing soccer. Yuga is playing his next match on Thursday, April 26th at Service High School. The match starts at 5 PM. Please come cheer on Yuga! |
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Bartlett Student and Teacher of the MonthAt our April 19th meeting, we had our Student and Teacher of the month from Bartlett High School. Selena Aspen-Neyland is a senior and is very anxious to get "on with it." She is a lifelong Alaskan and attended Wonder Park and Begich Schools. She received $200 to help with her expenses at UAA in the nursing program. She is involved in music and sports. On April 19th, she had 30 minutes between her soccer game and choir concert. "Lots of time" she said. Laura Blackwood is the Director of the above-mentioned concert. She has been at Bartlett for two years and has 5 choir classes with 250 students total. She "loves to see the progress that is happening at Bartlett.” Laura is from Dallas via Liberty University. She received $250 to help with her classroom expenses. East Anchorage Rotary Vocational Committee has been doing this at Bartlett and East for about 40 years. We also give scholarships at both schools. |
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District Conference in SewardAre you going to the District Conference in Seward? Would you care to share a room? I have a reservation at Harbor 360, checking in on Thursday, May 17 and checking out Sunday, May 20. Due to a conflict in Homer, I cannot use the room at all on the 17th. So it is open. Please call or email Heather Flynn at hfree43@yahoo.com or 277-2220. |
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India Polio ImmunizationHere are some photos of our trip to India for the polio N.I.D (National Immunization Day) in India. We first met with Dr. Matthew Varghese who is the leading orthopedic surgeon in India treating polio patients. He gave a presentation to my wife, Kristen, and me at St. Stephen’s Hospital in New Delhi. We were with the Belgian team and were then given a tour of the polio wards where Dr. Varghese explained the different procedures he uses for the varying polio cases. We went the next day to a neighborhood in New Delhi to work our immunization station with Rotary teams from Australia and Japan in addition to local Rotarians. The local newspaper ran an article the next day showing that we had immunized 232 children at our station. In all, there were 2.5 million volunteers working throughout India on the N.I.D. immunizing more than 75 million children under 5 years old. |
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Yuga at PromHere are some pictures of Yuga going to prom on Saturday. I helped him get into his tux and his new host mom, Lena Reep, pinned a rose on him. The young ladies with him are his host “sister” and her friend. |
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Looking for Mustard MagiciansTo my fellow Rotarians who purchased the mustard making class and dinner at the Rotary Foundation Auction, the class is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the home of Lynn Shaver and Jim Stanley. Please confirm via email that you are planning to attend the class, the dinner, or both. Also, please provide me with any allergies you may have and/or strong food preferences so that I may plan a dinner that pleases all palates. Looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday, April 21, 2018! 4:00 pm for mustard making. 6:00-ish for dinner. |
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Wednesday's Lunch MenuThis Wednesday's lunch menu features a really yummy Italian Buffet. |
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East High School Student & Teacher AwardPictured below are East High School's teacher and student of the month - teacher Alfonso Licata and student Abdi Hodan. Mr. Licata is the English Language teacher at East, speaks four languages, and he enjoys traveling and fishing. Ms. Hodan is from Ethiopia and plans to be a nurse. |
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International Committee UpdateFirst - MANY thanks! The club has spoken. After analyzing the results from the International Committee assembly meeting (1/24/18), the online survey, and during last week’s old school survey (paper and arm-twisting), we have a lot to catch you up on! The most important take-away is that over 60 percent of our respondents indicated a strong interest in participating in the international project. Therefore, we are issuing a call for proposals for the 2018-2019 year that include the following: CALL FOR PROPOSALS:
It is my goal for the remainder of this year and through next year working with Adam Sikorski to make the process, timing, and opportunity to participate available to everyone. With that in mind, please join us for a no-host after-work session. I (Anne Garrett) am available to write the grant once the committee has reviewed our options. UPCOMING EVENTS -Wednesday, April 4th, at 5:30 PM at Orso’s - International Committee Meeting – no host work session – all invited. -Thursday, April 12 – International Committee Chair recommendation to the board -Friday, April 20th – International grant project deadline |
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Helping Hand for NepalAER Honorary Rotarian Linda "Jay" Jackson was recently awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Rotary Club of New Road City/Kathmandu "for your effort and coordinating partnership of Helping Hand for Nepal with RC New Road City in doing various projects.” HHN partnered with this Club on earthquake relief projects. Most recently (February 2018) HHN partnered with RC New Road City to provide toilets for a Chepang Village made homeless by last summer's floods. The villagers did the labor, HHN provided materials, and RCNC provided logistics. Left to right: Secretary Ramila Shrestha, President Arjun Shrestha, Jackson, PP Nilkantha Shrestha, and Charter President Harsha Ratna Shakya. Villagers dig a pit and cesspool for each toilet. HHN provides materials for the toilets including the porcelain pan for the squat toilets. Jackson and members of RCNRC meet with members of the Chepang village. Pictured left to right: Jackson, President Arjun Shrestha, Rtn. Kiran Man Chitrakar, and PP Sita Rupakheti. At a recent ceremony in Chitwan, Jackson presents an HHN check to six Chitwan-area Rotary Clubs to help rebuild a Musahar (people who eat rats) village devastated by late summer floods. Helping Hand for Nepal partnered with the Rotary Club of Kathmandu Metro to make this possible. Right: Rotarian Rajib Pokharel, PP RCKM and District 3292 Governor Elect Nominee. Rebuilding Musahar village. This is a long-term project which will build improved homes. It may be a dirt floor, but women keep their home as clean and neat as possible. No electricity, no toilets, no running water. Example: Home in village to be rebuilt and improved. |
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Mobile Food PantryThe Mobile Food Pantry (MFP) is in need of volunteers for upcoming MFP distribution events. A minimum of 12 volunteers are needed for each MFP distribution. Your help at these events is greatly appreciated! Here are the upcoming dates for MFP distributions: -Saturday, April 14 -Saturday, May 12 -Saturday, June 9 -Saturday, July 14
Contact Barbara Swenson for any details related to MFP events. |
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Youth Exchange Frequent Flyer Miles RequestGreetings my jet setting rotarian friends! I've got a request on behalf of our current favorite foreign friend Yuga. He's looking for help getting to and from the West Coast Tour in June. If you've got some spare frequent flyer miles you're willing to donate, please let Katie Johnson know. Flights are TO San Francisco and FROM Las Vegas. So, offers of one way tickets are also workable. He's got an itinerary in mind for the outbound trip, but he has more flexibility on the return trip. If you're willing to help, contact Katie Johnson at 907-342-5203 or at ak.ktjohnson@gmail.com. Thank you for continuing to support Youth Exchange! |
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Operation GratitudeEast High School Interact Club members have been busy knitting scarves for Operation Gratitude, a national program that sends care boxes to active military and wounded warriors. Knitted scarves made by community members in the Knitting Guild were also collected for the project at Far North yarn store. Pictured (from left to right) are: Gabrielle Jones, Monroe Sempleton, Brianna Lawrence, Sophia Mira, Lisa Elconin and Emma Levy. |
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Rotary Dog Wash in CaboAs we were walking around Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, we noticed a poster advertising a Rotary fundraising project in conjunction with the local firefighters - a dog wash. Of course, we had to go see it so we could make a report to AER. At the fire station, the junior firefighters and junior emergency first responders, in their uniforms and under the supervision of Rotarians, groomed, washed and dried the dogs. Other young members of the force got equipment and physical training. It was good to see so many young people engaged in a very productive way. |
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Robin Dublin in South AfricaRobin Dublin and her wife Hilary Morgan (fellow Rotarian at Downtown Rotary) are having an amazing time, currently in South Africa. We stopped into Knysna Rotary and had a wonderful lunch. Great conversations about race relations and Rotary projects. Super nice people. For both Hilary and I, this was our first time going to a Rotary Club outside the U.S. Recommend it to all! See you in April. |
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Visiting Rotary in Oaxaca, MexicoWhen we were in Oaxaca, Mexico, in January, we not only visited some amazing churches and artisan studios, I also visited a small Rotary Club that, in conjunction with a Colorado Rotary Club, had just delivered 53 wheelchairs to people with mobility challenges. At the meeting, a 54th wheelchair was delivered to a man for one of his handicapped relatives. This club has also delivered lots of solar cookers to women in indigenous villages to help them save on firewood. One of this club’s members was a Rotary ambassadorial scholar in the US many years ago and was one of the first women inducted into Rotary. While we were in Oaxaca, we also saw lots of grasshoppers for sale, but we didn’t have any with our cheese omelet. (See the pink picture.) |
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Greg's Groaners-The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine last week is now fully recovered. -He had a photographic memory, but it was never fully developed. -When she saw her first strands of gray hair she thought she'd dye. -Acupuncture is a jab well done. That's the point of it. |
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International Committee UpdateThank you to Adam Sikorski and AER for leading the International Committee Assembly meeting during our regularly scheduled meeting time! I appreciate all the support from Rotary and my International Committee team during the past few months. The results from the assembly were not surprising. However, before sharing the details, I would like to invite everyone to take this quick (3 minute) survey. This will give everyone in the club – whether they were at the meeting or not – an opportunity to say what matters to them and where we, as a club, should be putting our energy. MANY thanks and I will share the results next week! Also, we will have an international Committee meeting next week (the last week of March) date/location TBD to review these surveys and the data from the meeting. |
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Wednesday's Lunch MenuThis Wednesday's lunch menu will feature chicken fajitas. |
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Making Polio History - An UpdatePolio cases continue to decline. 2017 had 22 cases, down from 37 in 2016. For 2018, there have been 3 cases in Afghanistan. Currently, District 5010 leads the way with contributing 20% of our DDF Funding to PolioPlus. Also, with combining the district’s $35,000 check with individual clubs’ contributions so far, we rank 3rd in our zone for per capita giving. Noteworthy is that only 8 clubs have met or exceeded the RI Challenge of $1500 per club. Additionally, 40% of our clubs (that’s 16 clubs) have contributed nothing to PolioPlus this year. It is critical we have all clubs on board if we are going to meet RI’s funding commitment of $50,000,000 each year for 3 years and take advantage of the Gates Foundation 2 for 1 match. Our leading club, from Juneau-Gastineau, contributed $7,260 to PolioPlus so far. In fact, the Juneau clubs are our true polio champions with Juneau-Glacier Valley ranking 3rd with over $6,800. Fairbanks Club is 2nd with $7,150. E-Club is the top club for per capita giving at over $254 per person! And a special shout out to Whitehorse who have contributed almost $1,400 in a club with only 24 members. Please attend the District Conference in Seward where on May 19th, we will celebrate our district’s accomplishments and will honor a long time PolioPlus Champion and fighter of the disease, John Diesher. There will be plenty of food, fun and dancing as we continue the countdown towards making polio history. |
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Iditarod Restart PartyFeatured are some of our AER Rotarians from the Iditarod restart party on Long Lake at the home of Tryg and Kim Erickson, which also happened to be a fundraiser for PolioPlus. Thank you Arnie! |
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Interact Students RecognizedAnchorage School District Superintendent, and AER Member, Dr. Deena Bishop introduced seven students from West High School during the regularly scheduled school board meeting this evening. Students and their respective organizations were recognized for their leadership and the service that they provide to the community. Members of the Interact Club were included in the recognition. The President of the Interact Club said a few words about the club's concern regarding the global issue of human trafficking and its efforts to address the issue through its local efforts at West High School. Last December, the club participated in a global program called "Dressember" during which the girls wore dresses, the boys wore bow ties, and the club raised over $2,000 to address the trafficking issue. |
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Clean Water ProjectOn February 7, 2018, Bruce Phelps and Sandra Wicks delivered the last water filters purchased with AER's district grant to people in two small communities down a long dirt road in the county south of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Fifteen filters were delivered to serve 40 people and to the school in Agua Caliente, and 16 filters were delivered to serve 50 people in Bioto. Many thanks are due to Aide Olivera who lives in El Tuito for driving us to the villages in her truck and acting as our go-between. In all, with our district grant this year, we were able to deliver 116 filters to serve 343 people, 4 schools and a free dental clinic. |
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HELP Your YEO and YE StudentHi guys. It's time for me to beg for hosts once again. Please if you live in the south school zone or know someone who does, we're looking for one last host family for our friend Yuga. He's here until early July, but he will be going on the west coast tour for two weeks in June. I also need someone to step up in the east school zone to host our yet unknown 2018/2019 student. These are both urgent needs. Please help! You can reach me at ak.ktjohnson@gmail.com, or 907-342-5203. |
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Iditarod Re-start PartyPlease join us Sunday, March 4th, 2018 to watch the Iditarod Race. We’re located on the race trail at Long Lake, about 2 ½ miles from the restart. Race begins at 2:00 PM. Arrive early to avoid traffic. Chili, hot dogs, clam chowder, and delicious treats will be served indoors. Coffee, hot chocolate, and apple cider will keep you warm cheering the dogs and mushers outside. BYOB for anything stronger. If you wish to make a contribution, this will be the 8th year supporting Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign with our Iditarod Party. Each year brings us closer to a polio-free word. The address is 11832 N. Maxwell Dr., Willow. Email ericksontj@muni.org (cell 907-242-5590) or kim.erickson@greatlandlaser.com (cell 907-223-8385) or 907-495-6679 (landline) for more information. |
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Greg Solomon's Prize DessertGreg Solomon and Sally Archer with the 1st of 12 (naked) desserts that Greg won the bid for at the Annual Foundation Auction January 31st. |
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Rondy Beer Fest a SuccessRotary kicked off Rondy 2018 with a successful inaugural beer festival on February 17th! With nearly 300 people in attendance, an amazing group of volunteers, and brewers from around the state, the Alaskan community came together to support an important cause. The “Brew Crew” looks forward to doing this again next year and continuing to do good and make an impact in our community. |
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AERIE Meeting This WeekThe next AERIE Meeting will be at 6:00 PM on February 22nd at the Cattle Company. We have invited Past Presidents to come and speak about their year as president (challenges, triumphs, insights gained, etc.). It should be a great meeting. |
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Mobile Food PantryWe are very grateful for the 18 volunteers who braved the brisk temps to serve 95+ clients at the AER Mobile Food Pantry this past Saturday. Thanks to Karla Jutzi & Sandy Mitchell from our Food Bank of Alaska partner for joining us today. Thank you everyone for your service above self! |
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Santiago Foundation WorkFollowing is an update from Heather Flynn on the AER International Grant to the Santiago Foundation: The AER [International] Grant funded programs in carpentry, knitting, art, and jewelry (the earrings are highly prized). Students can sell their wares but more importantly, it helps students graduate, learn English, and get good paying jobs and continuing education. These are kids and adults who have no other opportunities. AER can be justifiably proud of the support they have provided to make life better for a great bunch of the Santiago community. |
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Rondy Rotary Beer Festival Press ReleaseFur Rondy and Anchorage East Rotary Club are teaming up to kick off Rondy 2018 with a beer festival on February 17th from 3pm-7pm at the Anchorage Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Anchorage. The event will feature over 20 breweries from across Alaska, along with food, and live music for Alaskans to enjoy while tasting the best brews that Alaska has to offer. Adam Sikorski, of the Anchorage Rotary East Club, is the leader of this event, and has rallied Fur Rondy and Rotary club members to build this event as a fundraiser to benefit organizations that combat human trafficking within Alaska and beyond. Human trafficking is a growing problem in the state that is often hidden from sight of the public. According to a study by the Modern Slavery Research Project at Loyola University, almost 20% homeless youth interviewed had experiences that fit the definition of human trafficking. When considering the mission of the event, Adam Sikorski stated “Human trafficking is a global issue, and we want to do our part to fight it locally.” The Rondy Rotary Beer Festival is a new event for Fur Rondy 2018, and has been supported favorably by Alaskan breweries as well as local Alaskan restaurants. Admission is $45 on Centertix, and includes a commemorative glass to mark the launch of Anchorage’s newest beer festival. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Adam Sikorski at 907 202-2105 or email at Adam.Sikorski@gmail.com. |
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Wednesday Meeting at Captain Cook – Mayor Berkowitz PresentingPlease don’t forget that the February 7, 2018 lunch meeting will be held at the Captain Cook in the Ballroom. Our presenter will be Mayor Ethan Berkowitz. Please plan on attending tomorrow’s meeting. |
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Yuga UpdateOur Youth Exchange Student Yuga needs transportation support from South Anchorage High School to the Hilton so that he can attend our lunch meetings. Pick-up time would be 11:10AM (can be flexible on exact time), and then he would need to be returned to school or to the Rinehart/Erb house near Goldenview Middle School. Reach out the Katie Johnson if you can help, and she will work with members to arrange a schedule. One-way drivers are also accepted. The first date Yuga will need a ride is 2/7/18. Yuga is also in need of host family #3. His anticipated move-date is mid to late March. Please keep Yuga in mind when you’re talking with friends, relatively, and co-workers in the South school zone. |
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Greg’s Groaners-With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress. -Police were summoned to a daycare center where a three-year-old was resisting a rest. -Did you hear about the fellow whose entire left side was cut off? He's all right now. -A bicycle can't stand alone; it's just two tired. |
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PardiGras Sign-up – Last ChanceWednesday, January 24 is the last day to make a reservation of PartiGras!, AER’s gala/auction. The event will be held at Hotel Captain Cook on Wednesday, January 31 at 6:00 pm. Cost is $60 per person. There will be live jazz and blues, a wonderful New Orleans style buffet featuring prime rib and shrimp, salad fixings, dirty rice, beignets and bread pudding. |
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District Grant Water Filter DistributionOn January 10, four Rotarians, Bruce Phelps and Sandra Wicks from AER, a man from our partner club (Vancouver Sunrise, Vancouver, WA) and Sandra's cousin from the Grants Pass, OR, Rotary Club, drove 2 hours south of Puerto Vallarta to deliver water filters paid for by our District grants in two villages. On the way, we stopped to see a lady who received her filter in our fall distribution just to see if it was working or she had any problems. The filter worked fine, and we reminded her and her grand-daughter how to clean the filter with the big plastic syringe. We delivered 24 filters in one village and then stopped at another village where 7 people had not received filters in a previous distribution. We still have 39 filters to distribute before we return to Anchorage in mid-February. The filter recipients are extremely grateful to have a way to filter their own water and not have to buy or boil water. Bonus: we discovered that the bad tasting water in one village tasted good once we filtered it. |
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Wednesday Lunch MenuThis Wednesday’s lunch features an Asian/Thai buffet. |
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Rondy/Rotary Beer Fest Volunteers NeededThe Rondy/Rotary Beer Fest, a fundraiser to combat human trafficking, is fast approaching and volunteers are still needed. We do have several folks who have signed up to obtain TAPS cards and act as servers at the event, but we need volunteers to help with set up (beginning at 10 am), tear down, and to take ice and water to the vendors or to serve pizza and coffee. The Beer Fest is Saturday, February 17th from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. There are many volunteer opportunities before, during, and after the event. Questions? Contact Adam Sikorski at 907-202-2105 (adam.sikorski@gmail.com) or Shawn Florio at 907-242-2839 (sflorio50@gmail.com). |
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Alaska Zoo Auction ItemOne of the coolest things about the AER is the number of special and unique experiences you can bid on. Be sure to bid in our live auction for this special tour hosted by our own demure Rotarian - Barbara Swenson! It's sure to be a good time for everyone in the family - or bring a group of your adult friends for a great experience: Behind-the-Scenes Tour at The Alaska Zoo with AER Hostess, and Zoo Sponsor, Barbara Swenson. Tour Includes:
Winners will meet Barbara and an Alaska Zoo guide at the zoo entrance on a date TBD in the June-July 2018 timeframe. Winners will be treated to a walking tour of the zoo with special insights regarding animal rescue, diet, enrichment and training. Tour includes a behind-the-scenes experience at the Wolf, Tiger and Moose habitats, lending itself to amazing photo opportunities and close encounters with these magnificent animals. The NEW Moose habitat is scheduled to open in Spring 2018. So this will be one of the first “behind the scenes” tours with Elf and Cinnamon, the two moose at the Alaska Zoo. After the tour, winners can roam the zoo at their own pace until closing. |
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Wednesday Lunch MenuThis week’s menu will feature an Italian buffet. |
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Kristy & Anna Berington Iditarod PresentationThis Wednesday’s presentation will feature the Berington sisters as they give AER a sneak peek into the life of dog mushing and the challenges of racing the Iditarod. Assisting with the presentation will be a couple of their fury friends. Come prepared for an interesting and engaging presentation. |
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PardiGras Auction ItemPardiGras attendees will get the chance to bid on a 4-nights stay at the spectacular all-suite Platinum Hotel in Las Vegas, featuring full-service valet, concierge service, indoor and outdoor pools, a modern fitness center, and Well Spa and Salon. Located a block off The Strip and a block from the monorail, the Platinum has easy access to all the attractions of Las Vegas. And to get you there, you’ll earn 50,000 air miles. Yours only if you bid and win at PardiGras! - Anchorage East Rotary gala and auction! |
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Foundation Gala/Auction Parti-Gras Sign-UpsSign-up and payment for tickets to the AER Foundation Gala/Auction - PartiGras! - will begin on January 3. Please, if at all possible, pay at the time that you sign up to attend. This will save time as you arrive at the auction. You can pay at the front desk with cash, check or credit card. The tickets are $60 per person. |
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The Road to ZeroIn the March 25 issue of Time Magazine on page 60, there is an article "The year that polio gets to zero.” There is this statement: "The road to almost zero has been a long one -- and a lot of the credit has rightly gone to Rotary International, the global service organization that made polio eradication its mission in 1979. |
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Teacher & Student RecognitionsOur Student and Teacher of the month in December from Bartlett High School were at a recent meeting to receive their recognition. The student was Jordan Flowers. He is a Senior from a military family and has lived many places. He plans to attend UAA and study criminal Justice. He is also a basketball player. The teacher was Creed Campbell from the Social Studies Department. He has been at Bartlett for 14 years. He teaches Psychology and Debate. Both received checks for $250. |
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Holiday Concert For The Entire FamilyMatthew and Gunnar Nelson are sons of Ricky Nelson and Grand kids to Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. They sing popular sing-along Christmas songs and they share stories, videos, and pictures of their family Christmases with their family. There will be food and a beer and wine garden available as well. Here is a link to a tease of what the show will be like. Ticketing Site https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3173691 Video of what the concert will be like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSFzepG00e0 Anchorage South Club member, Brad Erickson, would like to make the following offer to Rotarians who purchase tickets: “There is a special spot on the ticketing site where Rotarians can buy tickets. $5 of every $35 dollar ticket that a Rotarian purchases will go to the Polio Plus fund.“ Hope you can take advantage of it. |
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MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM YUGA!Yuga received a letter from Santa and he's on the NICE list this year! Yuga has finals and will miss our incredible AER holiday luncheon. We've collected $100 to purchase a gift for his first Christmas in America. Feel free to reach out during the school break for some adventures. He'd love to ski or sled or see the zoo Lights. His big wish includes a trip to NYE or a VR... (he's a teenager for sure!!) He is still in need of a home in the SAHS district. See Katie with any possible hosts. He is leaving our home January 3rd. We can be creative! |
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A Message From AER Past President Dave KesterThank you my fellow Anchorage East Rotarians for your trust in me and nominating me for the office of District Governor. I am truly honored. As you can see below [see note from Peggy Pollen], I was not selected from the many qualified candidates. However, I appreciate the opportunity that you all granted me. Please join me in welcoming District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND), Joe Kashi. Note from Peggy Pollen: Dear Alaska-Yukon Rotarians, On behalf of DG Harry Kieling, we are very pleased to announce the selection of Joseph Kashi, Soldotna Rotary, as Governor for Rotary District 5010 in 2020-21. Please join us in congratulating Joe on his selection. We look forward to the strong future of the District with his leadership. |
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Wednesday AER Meeting AnnouncementJust a quick note to let you know our meeting this week not only includes a visit from SANTA, but it also includes wonderful music from special guest Kathryn Hoffer, violinist and concertmaster of our Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by Janna Preston on piano! Our very own Rick Benjamin will lead us in a few Christmas carols on piano for a sing-along later in the meeting. If you play a musical instrument and would like to play along, PLEASE BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT and play Christmas carols with us! I plan to bring my flute and would love to have other musical Rotarians joining in. Please note, however, that there may or may not be printed music to read from. So if you're comfortable with the possibility of playing carols by ear, please join in! |
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Mobile Food PantryTerrific AER participation with 24 enthusiastic volunteers for the Mobile Food Pantry distribution held this past Saturday! We served 76 client households with wholesome items provided by the Food Bank of AK. Thank you everyone for your service above self. |
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AER Rotary Christmas PartyA fun time was had by all who attended the Rotary Xmas Party! Laughs, good food, more laughs, stories, and Tam the winner of the Ugly Sweater Contest! |
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Arnie Cohen Foundation RecognitionArnie Cohen received a shoutout in the recent edition of the District 5010 Foundation Focus Newsletter for “being instrumental in facilitating a Global Grant Scholarship.” The next time you see Arnie, please take a moment to congratulate him! |
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AER Rotarians Provide Clean WaterUsing our District 5010 grant funds, on November 4, 2017, in partnership with the Vancouver (WA) Sunrise Rotary Club, we distributed 85 family water filters in El Refugio, Cabo Corrientes, which is located two hours south and west of Puerto Vallarta. Anchorage East Rotarians Bruce Phelps, Sandra Wicks and Duff Pfanner (and his wife Kathy Atkinson) helped with the distribution, along with a couple from the Vancouver club. On January 10 we will distribute another 85 water filters in the same area as not all families attended the November distribution which also included several neighboring communities. |
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Wednesday's Lunch MenuChicken Fajita buffet is on the menu for lunch this Wednesday. |
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East High School Teacher & Student AwardsdPictured below are East High School’s teacher and student of the month - Teacher, Melissa Bledsoe Fischer, AKA " The Jazzmom", and Student, Katelyn McGeary. Ms. Fischer is the Choir Director of the Fine Arts Department at East High School (East), and she enjoys Jazz, travel, gourmet cooking and running. Katelyn is a senior at East and plans to attend UAA to major in Music Education. |
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TAPS Training in Support of Fur Rondy Beer FestAnchorage East Rotary is planning a beer fest on February 17th in conjunction with Fur Rondy as a fundraiser to combat human trafficking. There is a need for assistants who have had Training for Alcohol Professionals (TAPS) and who have been certified. The cost of the class is $45 for non-CHARR members. The AER Board of Directors has authorized reimbursement for up to 10 AER members to take this class. The class is about 4 hours long and there is a test upon completion. If you are willing to help with the beer fest, take the class and exam, you can log onto https://www.alaskacharr.com/class-schedules.html for more information. You do not need to pre-register. However, you should arrive at the class 15 minutes prior to the beginning and bring ID and writing instruments. You will need to pay the $45 and submit a receipt to AER for reimbursement. Questions? Contact Rich Dyson at 830-4858 or rkdyson@gci.net |
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Wednesday's Lunch MenuPlease come and enjoy lunch with your fellow Rotarians this Wednesday, 29 November.
We shall sup on soup and a build-your-own-sandwich buffet.
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World Polio UpdateA message from Dave Kester to District 5010 Presidents: After a highly successful Polio Awareness event with over 150,000 Rotarians viewing the Livestream from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation HQ on World Polio Day on October 24th, below is an update on where we are currently in making Polio history and the countdown to history campaign. Let me encourage you to share with your club members just what we have been able to accomplish so far and motivate them to keep up the momentum as we finish Foundation Month and move on to hopefully a Polio-free world in 2018. On behalf of the 16,000,000 children that you Rotarians have saved from the crippling effects of Polio over the years, YOU ROCK! Did You Know....... -There are more than 450 million children in up to 60 countries who are vaccinated each year! -There are 150,000 Polio-Funded Workers in up to 70 countries. -There are disease surveillance activities (environmental testing) in up to 70 countries. -If Polio is not eradicated within 10 years, there will be as many as 200,000 children paralyzed each year. -We talk about the 15 cases of Wild Polio year to date, but we sometimes forget the estimated 16 million cases that have been prevented since 1988. -I have been asked several times about the cost to Vaccinate a child. We often talk about 60 cents per child, but that is just the cost of the vaccine. To protect a child, which includes all the support services and multiple vaccinations, is about $3 US per child.Keep up the great work! Where does our district 5010 stand in our Zone? See below. Remember with the TRF match (5:1) and the Gates match (2:1) $20,000 in DDF turns into $90,000 of support.
Country Updates: -Since our last report, there have been four new cases of Wild Polio Virus in Afghanistan and none in Pakistan. -In Pakistan, a round of National Immunization Days (NIDs) are scheduled for next week, aiming to reach about 37 million children aged less than five years across the country. -In Afghanistan, there has been one new WPV1 positive environmental sample, collected from Kandahar province. In Pakistan, has been six new WPV1 positive environmental samples.
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2018-2019 Board Announced-UpdatedHello, Paul Paslay here, your president elect. At lunch on November 15, I announced the following slate of officers for the 2018- 2019 year (after the meeting Bill Ure agreed to become Vice President).
Please note, one small update with Shawn Florio agreeing to co-chair the Membership team with Sheila Lomboy.
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New Proposed Member BiographyPlease see the follow biography for newly proposed member Oscar Avellaneda-Cruz. Please see the follow biography for newly proposed member Oscar Avellaneda-Cruz: Life these days feels like a beautiful, ever-evolving work of art. I invest my time between co-parenting my preschool daughter, Ida Luna, and toddler son, Rio Esteban, with my former spouse Laura Norton-Cruz. When I'm not with the kiddos, I'm actively pursuing a lifestyle that aligns my talents with the innate curiosity I was born with. I’m also an avid cyclist and swimmer that is currently learning to roller skate. My bi-cultural background as an immigrant from Colombia and my thirty years as an Anchorage resident have been a blessing. I continue to speak my first language of Spanish and thanks to my exploratory nature, I find myself eager to engage with the culture of others. I think food and a story make for unforgettable experiences, and I consider myself to be a good cook and ok storyteller —on the journey to getting better. As a professional, my first career as a freelance photographer has evolved with the advent of social media to that of a one-person media company. I’ve come to embrace and enjoy expressing my personal brand through the creation of visual, spoken, and written content. As a business owner navigating the opportunities of the attention economy, I’ve developed habits to stay adaptive and resourceful. Today it's my role as father and creative person of color living in the context of a global digital community that I value most. I feel like my journey in life is to delve into how my experiences differ from that of others. That narrative surfaces in my personal work as an artist through the people and places I meet and has become central theme to the work I produce as a publisher of hand-made books. |
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Yuga UpdateYuga is thankful for the members of AER who have been hospitable since his arrival in August. I am afraid to mention all of you by name because I might miss one. Please know he feels blessed! A shout out to Leah and Mariko for welcoming Yuga this Thanksgiving holiday. A need - the Smith gang is leaving town Wednesday and Yuga doesn't want to miss our luncheon and opportunity to meet Aliy Zirkle and her team. Can anyone pick Yuga up from South High School and get him to lunch? We would also need someone to get him back to the Smith house after lunch. He doesn't return to school because it ends at 2pm. Please keep him in mind when reaching out to friends in the South Anchorage area. He needs a 2nd and 3rd host family. He has become a 4th kiddo for us and he'd fit into anyone's family dynamic. Feel free to grab him for some fun and get to know him first! Blessings to all and if you can help on Wednesday, please reach out to Karen. |
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Greg's GroanersI hate when people ask me where I see myself in 3 years. It's not like I have 2020 vision. Age doesn't always bring wisdom. Sometimes it comes alone. Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand. |
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AERIE Meeting on ThursdayDon't forget to attend the next AERIE meeting this Thursday, November 16, 2017. AERIE is a program to provide information to new and veteran members alike, presented by Anchorage East Rotary. This is an opportunity to learn more about Rotary in an informal setting where you can ask questions and make new friends. We will have a continuing discussion of the Rotary Foundation, following up on the presentation scheduled for our meeting tomorrow. NEW LOCATION! We are meeting at the Cattle Company, southwest corner of Tudor and C Street. Meeting begins at 5:15 PM. We hope to see you there. |
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Wednesday Lunch Menu & Venue NotePaul Paslay here, your president elect. This is a reminder that tomorrow we meet at the 49th State Brewing Company, 717 W. 3rd Avenue (corner of G Street). Our menu includes build-your-own slider bar and taco bar, and selections from "49er cookie trays" and fresh fruit trays. See you there! |
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Aliy Zirkle & Scruggs"Scruggs" (shown below) is very excited to join Aliy Zirkle for our annual Military Appreciation Luncheon on November 22nd. We look forward to high attendance for this special presentation to recognize our men & women in uniform. See you next week! |
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Wednesday's Lunch MenuThis week's lunch menu will consist of a pasta bar. |
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AER Scoop ReportIn case you missed last week’s meeting, here are some of its highlights: - Mike Zahere shared some great medical news about his father! - Mike Zahere, Deena Bishop, and Paul McGuire made donations to the Rotary Foundation. - Two new members were inducted into AER: Milena Sevigny (sponsored by Paul McGuire), and Tony Freiji (sponsored by Greg Solomon). |
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World Polio Day reportThe 5th Annual World Polio Day was held on October 24 and co-hosted with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington. The livestreamed Polio Update was viewed by more than 100,000 viewers around the world and thousands have viewed it on the website or on YouTube afterwards. Anchorage hosted a viewing event that evening at the Bear Square Theater (see attached picture) and was one of over 2,000 viewing events around the world. You still have an opportunity to check out the program by visiting www.emdpolio.org or YouTube (type in world polio day 2017 countdown to history) Rotarians are on the verge of making one of the most significant public health achievements of all time. With only 2 countries reporting new Polio cases in 2017, it is imperative we continue our efforts and increase the funding to end this crippling disease. All contributions towards PolioPlus will be matched 2-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, tripling the financial impact. Direct your contributions to PolioPlus and be a part of this countdown to history. With your help, we will soon be able to tell the world, we made Polio History! |
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Yuga UpdateA THANK YOU to all of our wonderful AER members who have taken Yuga to movies, dinners, and most of all for reaching out and sharing your experiences with him these past few months. We had the son of a Rotarian bring him McDonald's last weekend as a surprise. Boy, he felt special! Winter is upon us and this would be a great time to take him sledding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing or an adventure to another city in Alaska. A current debate we are having in our home is whether Santa is real!? The E Street Theatre is hosting a fundraiser for Yuga's West Coast Trip with The Polar Express. I'm quite sure he'll believe after this incredible night! On Wednesday, we'll bring a list of interests he has, but like many, it includes the Northern Lights, Fairbanks (to see the North Pole), skiing, snow machine rides, dog sled rides, ice fishing and the list goes on. Thanks again AER members for welcoming this young man into your homes. Though he may be a boy of few words, he is appreciative! His first snowman and snow angel are shown below! |
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Random Pies of KindnessThe East Anchorage High School Interact Service Club is once again conducting their annual fundraising campaign called Random Pies of Kindness. Large pumpkin pies can be purchased from the club to be given to others as a gesture of kindness during this season of thanksgiving. Those who purchase a pie can decide if they want it to be delivered to a local shelter (AWAIC, Clare House, Brother Francis Shelter), a local food kitchen (Bean’s Café, Downtown Soup Kitchen) or a local senior center (Pioneer Home, Anchorage Senior Center). Large pumpkin pies cost $10 which includes delivery to a shelter, food kitchen or senior center. There will be order forms on the tables at each lunch through November 15th and you may hand your order and payment to the Interact student or Tam Agosti-Gisler. OR, you may write a note with your name, cell phone and where you want the pie delivered, attach it to your check made payable to East Anchorage HS Interact Club and mail it to East Anchorage High School, Attn: Laron Thomas, Room 63, 4025 East Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99508 (Your order and payment must be received in the mail by November 20th.) All monies earned will be donated to an international humanitarian project the students choose. The Interactors are also recruiting volunteer drivers to assist them with the pie deliveries on Tuesday, November 21st from 2 to 5 pm. Please let Tam know if you are interested in being a driver. |
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Greg's GroanersR.I.P boiled water. You will be mist. Q: What do you call the security outside of a Samsung Store? A: Guardians of the Galaxy. I can't believe I got fired from the calendar factory. All I did was take a day off. Did you hear about the guy who got hit in the head with a can of soda? He was lucky it was a soft drink. |
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Wednesday's Lunch MenuThis week's lunch menu features Chicken Fajitas. |
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AER Scoop ReportIn case you missed last week’s meeting, here are some of its highlights: - AER introduced two new members to our club: Gretchen Klein and Johnny Turner. Welcome Gretchen and Johnny! - Interact East is selling Random Pies of Kindness for $10.00. See Tam for details. - Thanks to Barbara Swenson, folks attending the Foundation auction will have a chance to bid on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Alaska Zoo - a rare opportunity. - Jerry LaFevers was awarded (for a small fee) the No Fine Button. |
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Lots of Fun in Finding Out Who Came to DinnerLast week’s Who’s Coming to Dinner event was an evening full of food, fun, and friendship. Karen and her family provided a very warm home and a gourmet spread of fresh halibut and the best chicken you’ve ever tasted. It was a great opportunity to get to know our fellow Rotarians without having to race back to work in time for that 1pm meeting. A big thanks to Rayli Wilson for organizing it and to Karen Smith and her family for being outstanding hosts. |
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Milena Sevigny BiographyPlease take a moment to review the biography for AER's newest application, Mrs. Milena Sevigny. As the Community Relations Coordinator for TOTE Maritime, Milena is responsible for fostering a positive relationship with the local community in Alaska and Washington state. She manages the corporate giving and community involvement platform for the company which includes charitable contributions, sponsorships, in-kind donations and employee volunteer efforts. Milena has a strong ability to build, maintain and leverage diverse networks across multiple industries and has been working in Public Relations for almost eight years. Milena is also an active Board Member of the Food Bank of Alaska. Milena moved to Alaska from Houston, Texas to work as the Social Investment Advisor in the Alaska Venture for Shell Exploration and Production Company. She worked extensively with the communities on the North Slope and Anchorage developing a strong passion for working with Native Alaskans to help preserve their cultural practices and language. When Shell Oil left Alaska in 2015, Milena and her family decided that they did not want to leave the beautiful state of Alaska. Milena was fortunate to find a new role that enabled her to continue to work with the local community. Her spare time is spent volunteering at the Ya Ne Dah Ah Chickaloon Tribal School in Sutton, hiking, fishing, hunting, picking berries or sewing quilts and fur garments by the fire with her family. Milena holds a Bachelor's degree in International Hospitality and Tourism Management from Bournemouth University which she obtained from the campus in Neuchatel, Switzerland. She lived and worked in Switzerland for six years and graduated with students from 26 countries. She loves meeting people from different countries and learning about their traditions and culture. Milena is fluent in French and can also communicate in Spanish, German, Portuguese and Swedish. Milena lives in Wasilla, Alaska with her husband, Daniel, and her son Orion (4). |
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AER Scoop ReportIn case you missed last week’s meeting, here are some of the highlights from the meeting: - Sean Florio reported on his trap shooting adventure with Yuga and then was awarded his Blue Badge. Congratulations Sean! - Paul Paslay and Steve Radar made donations to The Rotary Foundation. Steve was just named GM of the Hilton. Congratulations Steve! - Buzz Rohlfing was our speaker. He gave a very interesting presentation about drones. - Robin Dublin reminded us how great a place it is we live in when she had us all repeat, “Wow! We get to live here!” |
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Wednesday's Lunch MenuThis week's lunch menu consists of a Thai/Asian buffet. |
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Yuga and ReindeerYuga met a reindeer and a baby moose this weekend at the Reindeer Farm Festival. He also learned how to sling frozen potatoes at a target - a skill we’ll leave hiim to figure out how it will apply in life! |
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World Polio Day event at Bear Square TheaterThis is a reminder to join us Tuesday, October 24th for the World Polio Day Event at the Bear Square Theater at 315 E Street at 6:00 pm. We will show the Polio Update from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Please bring a dish and beverage to share. Call Dave Kester at 244-5806 if you have any questions. Looking forward to seeing you there. |
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Mobile Food PantryOn Saturday, October 14, 2017 we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at the AER Mobile Food Pantry with 38 volunteers, and family & friends on hand to serve 85+ client households. Special thanks to Past President Dave Kester for interviewing with KTUU to share the important story about this vital community program. (Here is the link to the KTUU article just in case the imbedded link does not work: http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Mobile-food-bank-brings-fresh-produce-to-those-in-need--450956493.html) Great job by everyone – THANK YOU!! The next Mobile Food Pantry is Saturday, November 11th. Please plan to join us to recognize our Veterans. |
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PardiGras AuctionIn preparation for PardiGras, we will be posting news about interesting items that will be available during the auction. For example: How would you like to experience one of the shrines of the game, or take a road trip with the home team or just get away for a fantastic family sports adventure? This getaway award can be redeemed for an amazing sports vacation for two to your choice of any regular season NFL football, NHL hockey, NBA basketball, MLB baseball, or MLS soccer games or PGA golf tournament. That means you have thousands of games and tournaments a year from which to choose! Your lower level seats assure that you will be part of the excitement. Your trip for two includes: 3 days/2 nights hotel accommodations at your chosen destination 2 reserved tickets to your choice of any regular season game or tournament Daily complimentary breakfast All room-related taxes Free concierge reservation service TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Travel package is non-refundable and subject to availability. Certificates/gift cards cannot be replaced. PGA tournament does not include the Masters, PGA Championship, US Open or Open Championship. A minimum 45-day advance reservation is required. Travel is valid for 12 months from date of issue. |
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Kathleen Madden HonoredKathleen Madden was honored as the 2017 Alaskans for Language Acquisition “Friend of AFLA” award winner for her work in supporting English Language Learners. In addition to organizing the annual AER English camp for many years, Kathleen is a volunteer teacher at the Alaska Literacy Project. She also organizes and teaches at an English camp in Thailand every year through Thai Rotarians. Pictured here with Kathleen are Tam Agosti-Gisler (Anchorage School Board and fellow Anchorage East Rotarian) and Valerie Ekberg-Brown, AFLA member. |
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Wednesday's Lunch MenuThis week's lunch menu will feature an Italian Pasta Bar. |
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"Painted It" PartyCan't draw a straight line? No worries - they are boring! You and your friends will have a fun evening creating a magnificent original art piece of your very own. A special price of $60 gets you appetizers, non-alcoholic beverages (BYOB), dinner, dessert, humorous appraisals and laughs! All materials will be provided. Class size is approximately 10-12 participants, and everyone must be at least 21 years old. The class fills on a first-come first served basis. Email RSVPs to Rhondascottart@icloud.com. Please do not cancel or no-show. The event takes place on November 9 from 6-8:30'ish and is located at the Rhonda Scott Art Studio (3320 North Shore Drive). See Rayli Wilson for details. You can also visit the website at www.akcrazy.com. |
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Aliy Zirkle to Present to AERIditarod Musher Aliy Zirkle is thrilled to join AER on Wednesday, November 22 as our guest speaker for our annual Military Appreciation luncheon. Aliy will break from her racing season training to share in the opportunity to recognize and thank our service men & women for the phenomenal job they do every day to preserve our freedom and keep us safe! In 1998, Aliy raced her first 1,000-mile sled dog race - the Yukon Quest. She went on to win the Yukon Quest in the year 2000. Aliy is the only woman to ever win the Yukon Quest 1,000-mile race! Aliy began racing the Iditarod in 2001 and has started, and finished, every Iditarod since then. Aliy and her husband, Allen Moore, own and operate SP Kennel in Two Rivers, Alaska. Aliy’s goal is to win the Iditarod with the wonderful dogs that she breeds, raises, and trains. She says that she began mushing years ago, because she simply enjoyed being with dogs and she still does. Aliy considers the Iditarod the ultimate statement for the dog-human bond. “Until you go out along the Iditarod trail and find your team in an extreme blizzard or an impossible wilderness situation, you will never truly know how awesome Alaskan Huskies are and their incredible dedication to us as human beings. I am amazed year after year by my dogs.” |
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Tony Freije BiographyTony Freije was born in Chicago, Illinois to Steve and Becky Freije, and he grew up in Fargo, ND. Tony attended the University of North Dakota with a focus on marketing and entrepreneurship. Upon graduating, he found that the mountains were calling him, and he moved to Anchorage in 2009. Tony enjoys working in media and is the General Sales Manager at KTUU channel 2. It is there that Tony works with many businesses, non-profits, and other groups to help their messages be heard across the state of Alaska both on TV and online. Tony is looking forward to joining Rotary to do what he can to make the community a better place and to support those that need it most. |
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Gretchen Klein BiographyGretchen is delighted to be joining Rotary Club of Anchorage East. Gretchen joined Alaska Public Media as Director of Major and Planned Giving in August 2017. Gretchen has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector from developing programming to raising philanthropic dollars for non-profits ranging from Peace Health Medical Foundation, Prince of Wales Health Network, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and Ketchikan Youth Court. Gretchen was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska. Gretchen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Parks and Recreation Management & Tourism Development from Pennsylvania State University. She has been actively involved in Rotary Club 2000 in Ketchikan, Delta Kappa Gamma, Lions Club International, Ketchikan Area Humanities and Arts Council, Prince of Wales Chamber of Commerce (Vice President), and Ketchikan Running Club. Gretchen enjoys travelling, hiking and gardening. |
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Johnny Turner BiographyPlease take a moment to review the biography for our newest proposed member, Mr. Johnny Turner. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Katherine Zerkel or Sheila Lomboy. EARLY LIFE - I grew up in Kentucky, 28 miles out of Louisville, Kentucky in Oldham County. I was one of nine children, and I loved being part of a big family. We always had a big garden, and I also worked on the construction jobs with my dad, grandfather and uncle in masonry contracting during the summer, or on weekends throughout the year. Growing up I was active in Cross-Country Running, Track & Field, and Playing Trombone in our high school Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Marching Band. I graduated from high school May 1979. After high school, I had a track & field scholarship to Bellarmine College, and a Music Scholarship to the University of Louisville for their Marching Band. I accepted the music scholarship, and at Louisville I was involved in the ROTC program. Ultimately, I decided to leave Louisville early to pursue a career in the US Air Force. USAF Career - I served from February 29th, 1980 until retiring March 1st, 2000. I was stationed at Langley AFB, VA (1980-1981), Osan AB Republic of Korea (ROK) (1982-1983), Kirtland AFB NM (1983 – 1984) Suwon AB, ROK (1984-1986), Osan AB, ROK (1986-1988), Pope AFB, NC (1988-1993, and Elmendorf AFB, AK (1993-2000) MARRIAGE & CHILDREN - I met my wife, Kwang Suk Kim in 1982, and we were married April 12th, 1983. We have two sons, Sean born in the 121 Evac Hospital, Yongsan U.S. Army Post, ROK, and Ian born at Womack Army Hospital Ft. Bragg NC. I love my family, and hope to be blessed with grandchildren one day. My wife works as a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) with many elderly patients. COACHING CAREER – (June 1994 – April 2017) I moved to Alaska with the US Air Force in 1993. I fell in love with the State. In the spring of 1994 I got involved with Cook Inlet Soccer Club as a volunteer coach assisting my eldest son’s team. I started coaching competitive soccer in 1996, and year around in 1996. As I was nearing retirement (December 1999) I was asked to work for the Club as a full-time Staff Coach. I served as the Competitive Team’s Coordinator, Recreational Director, and in the latter years as the Club’s Youth Technical Director. I was passionate about coaching, and building the soccer organization. Many of my players had stellar youth soccer careers, and several have gone on to be able to play at the collegiate level. Whether they played collegiately was not as significant if they grew up being active, and healthy, and succeeding in life. I hope my players had FUN playing the game, and that my commitment to them impacted them positively. I hope that I planted a lot of seeds, and that many of my former players will one day themselves become coaches and will work with their own children, and other’s children as well. NEW YORK LIFE (NYL) CAREER – New York Life is a Fortune 100 Company. Realizing I’d never be able to retire as a Coach on my military pension, I started with New York Life last year seizing the opportunity to work for the Company You Keep. I have been a client myself for twenty years, and I saw the opportunity to work as a New York Life Agent as another way of helping families and business owners develop sound financial strategies. |
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Greg's GroanersI can't believe I got fired from the calendar factory. All I did was take a day off. Did you hear about the guy who got hit in the head with a can of soda? He was lucky it was a soft drink. I wasn't originally going to get a brain transplant, but then I changed my mind. |
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Wednesday's Lunch MenuThis week's lunch menu will consist of soup and build-you-own sandwiches. |
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Yuga's AdventuresYuga's "dance card" is filling up quickly thanks to so many generous members! Our members are sure making him feel special! Yuga was on KTUU this week while wrapping presents for Operation Santa Claus! He has become an expert wrapper! He'll be at the Mobile Food Pantry this Saturday to meet even more awesome Rotarians! |
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Countdown to HistoryIt is not every day you have the opportunity to make history. However, Rotarians around the world are on the verge of making history by eradicating polio from the face of the earth. You will be pleased to know, cases in 3 remaining countries that have the polio virus continue to go down substantially each year. As I write this, so far in 2017 RI reports there have been just 6 reported cases in Afghanistan, 4 in Pakistan and 0 in Nigeria. With being this close, it is critical to maintain momentum as we “Countdown to History.” World Polio Day is Tuesday, October 24, 2017. Let me encourage you to join your Foundation Committee to celebrate World Polio Day at the Bear & Raven Theater on 10/24. There will be a showing of the polio update from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation plus food, fun and so much more. Save the date and more details will follow as the Foundation Committee puts them together. I hope you make plans to join us so that you too can be a part of making polio history! |
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Greg's GroanersI told my girlfriend she drew her eyebrows too high. She seemed surprised. I've decided to sell my Hoover... well, it was just collecting dust. I ordered 2000 lbs. of chinese soup. It was Won Ton. |
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The Latest on Yuga's AdventuresYuga is continuing his Alaska Adventure by beating Rich Dyson in miniature golf! Should we fine him for that? He told us he then had "yummy" Japanese food and great conversation. Thanks again to all of you who reach out to this young man. He appreciates the kind gestures. He is sporting shorts for his walk home from school, but pants will soon come as will the snow. Yuga is ready to have fun in the snow! His spunky "sister" set the table last night and appropriately named his spot! As some of you have noticed, his schedule is quite busy with school, clubs, soccer and the "stuff" teens do, but he loves getting invitations! You can reach him via cell at 907.205 7181. |
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Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?Spots are filling up fast for our next social event. As of Monday, 15 people have RSVP'd for dinner, which leaves only 5 spots left. Contact Rayli Wilson for any questions or to RSVP. |
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Wednesday's Lunch MenuThis week's lunch menu presents an Italian buffet: Caesar Salad Spaghetti Meat sauce White Sauce Sliced grilled chicken Vegetable medley Rolls with butter Chef's dessert (varied) Coffee |
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Yuga's Wish ListAlaska Heritage Center City Trolley Tour -- -- ends soon! Segway Tour – we have Mary offering a free tour Bike on the Coastal Trail – he has a bike! Camping – he’d love to sleep in a tent! Fishing – caught one on the Kenai but not on a Charter! Shooting or hunting Exit or Mat-Su Glaciers Portage Glacier Tour Kenai Fjords Tour Sled dog tour Dog sled races Northern lights viewing River rafting or boating Wildlife Conservation Center – we have free passes Girdwood in the fall – beautiful Drive to Cooper Landing for fall colors Flightseeing/helicopter tour
Easy stuff Hikes Sledding Movies at Bear Tooth or normal theater Mini-golf UAA sporting events Watching a soccer game at your house or restaurant H2Oasis Get Air/ Shockwave Saturday Market Any fast food restaurant or Japanese restaurant |
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Take Yuga on an Adventure!We're almost at the two-month mark with our awesome 2017/2018 inbound student Yuga. Don't let his quiet demeanor fool you; he's ready to rock and roll on adventures. Every year I hear club members complain in April, "I tried to get ahold of the student, but they were too busy." Here's the hint: Yuga is making friends right now and you can be one of them. His schedule is wide open! He plays soccer Monday and Wednesday, but otherwise give him a call or text and take him on your favorite adventure. One of Yuga's goals is to improve his English. You can help him out by simply inviting him over for dinner. In that vein, he likes language games. His wish list is below, but if you have something you love, don't hesitate to give him a call. Interactions with Rotarians will help him gain confidence in his English and will keep homesickness away. Thank you for your support of youth exchange. Call Yuga at 907-205-8181! |
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Wednesday's Lunch MenuWednesday’s lunch menu will include the following: Spaghetti Meat sauce White sauce Sliced grilled chicken Vegetable medley Rolls with butter Chef’s dessert (varied) Coffee |
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Greg's GroanersAbout a month before he died, my uncle had his back covered in lard. After that, he went down hill fast. "Doctor, there's a patient on line 1 that says he's invisible." "Well, tell him I can't see him right now.” The future, the present, and the past walked into a bar. Things got a little tense. I just found out I'm colorblind. The diagnosis came completely out of the purple. |
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Foundation Committee MeetingThe Foundation Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 4 at 5:30 pm at La Cabana Restaurant at the corner of Cordova and 4th. All AER members are invited to participate. |
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Yuga's WeekYuga had another big week in Alaska!! His adventure began in Willow this weekend for the Exchange Students Orientation. His clean, beige jacket is now covered with pins. He would love an Alaskan license plate to wear on the back of his jacket. If you have one for him, reach out and we'll "pin" him on Wednesday. His American Teenager dream continues...so we dropped him at SAHS at 6am to decorate a locker for a friend's birthday. He also has a Playstation 4 and is in heaven. He earns his playtime and is teaching his sisters a few soccer moves with the game. He had yummy pizza with Marika's family and is thrilled how our members go out of their way to meet him with kindness. He's a bright boy and his English skills improve each week. Text him directly @ 907 205 7181. |
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Rotarians Helping RotariansOn Tuesday 9/12, Bruce and I drove to Seward to give the Water Filters for Lake Chapala Villages presentation to the Seward Rotary Club. Attending the meeting was the Seward club's new exchange student, Fatima from Bolivia. We overheard the members talking about Fatima's need to be at Anchorage airport by 10:30 a.m. on Friday 9/15. We offered to host Fatima overnight Thursday night so she and the club would not have to worry about getting her to Anchorage early Friday morning. The Seward Rotarians were happy to have that option. Fatima and her YEO came to Anchorage on the train Thursday night and Fatima stayed overnight with us. Friday morning, Super Host Mom Karen Smith came with our exchange student Yuga to pick up Fatima and take her to the airport to meet the other exchange students to go to the fall Youth Exchange orientation, so Yuga and Fatima already knew one other exchange student before arriving at the airport to meet all of the other exchange students. While we were in Seward, a former Anchorage East Rotarian (now a member of the Seward Rotary Club) gave us a lot of frozen vacuum-packed salmon filets from his freezer. When we tried to pay him, at least for the processing, he told us to apply it to the water filter project at Lake Chapala. Thanks, Harold. And thanks, Karen. With Rotary, one thing leads to another, which leads to another, and you never know where the connections will take you. |
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This Wednesday's Lunch MenuThis week's lunch menu includes a soup and sandwich buffet. There will be two soups from which to choose, build-your-own sandwiches, chips, cookies and coffee. |
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A Fun Bingo NightWe had 7 members and a total of 10 people that came and played Bingo. Super fun! We definitely laughed and joked around a lot. Heather, the manager of Tudor Bingo, made an announcement and thanked Anchorage East Rotary for their continued support. I am looking forward to going back again. |
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Anne Garrett Selected for AwardOur fellow AER rotarian Anne Garrett was recently selected as one of 2017's Good Housekeeping (USA) 50 women over 50 for her work co-founding the Preeclampsia Foundation. Please take a moment to congratulate Anne for the work she has done to earn this recognition. |
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Yuga's AdventureYuga went to Seward in style with Katie on the Alaska Railroad, enjoyed a "behind the scenes" tour at the Sealife Center and for the first time included a Facebook message about it! It must have been a great day! He experienced "Trick or Treat in the Heat" the next day and is ready to celebrate Halloween for the first time in October. Thanks for the offers to spend time with this young man. He's bright, full of energy and wants to experience all Alaska has to offer. 907.205.7181..... did I mention his number?.... 907.205.7181... In case you missed it... 907.205.7181. |
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Water Filters for Lake Chapala (Mexico) VillagesIn case you missed it last week, Sandra Wicks reported on the beginnings of an effort to help villages on the shores of Lake Chapala (Mexico's largest lake) have safe water to drink using the water filters our club has been distributing around Puerto Vallarta. The villages have geothermal water carrying heavy metals coming through their pipes and, as a result, at least partially, the villages have extremely high rates of kidney failure. By making contacts through the local Rotary Clubs, Sandra was able to work with a local nonprofit to deliver filters to "mothers-in-charge" who received one Sawyer bucket-style water filter to share with 5, 6 or 7 related families. The filters are for use with the local lake water or water delivered to large tanks in some of the villages, not with the geothermal water, since the filters will not remove heavy metals. In all, 20 filters are serving over 500 people. A report from the nonprofit showed that in the first month of use, thousands of liters of water were filtered by the families. Below are two of the group photos after filters were assembled on buckets brought to the distribution point by the "mothers-in-charge". If you did not see the presentation and would like to, contact Sandra (sjwanch@aol.com) to learn more about the project. |
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This Wednesday's Lunch MenuNote that lunch this Wednesday will feature a Chicken Fajita buffet. |
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International Committee Meeting 9/12/17As a reminder, the International Committee meetings on 9/12 at 5:30 PM at the PAC's Patron Lounge. Anyone having questions about the meeting should call Anne Garrett at 907-223-4882. |
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A Visit with ProkopMichelle and Tam (and another girlfriend, Pam) had great fun visiting with Prokop Svabik (our club’s 15-16 exchange student) in Prague. He traveled from his town in the south of the Czech Republic to the capital to spend the day being their guide through the Progue Castle complex as well as the Jewish Quarter. They enjoyed typical Czech desserts and coffees at the Café Oriental too. He sends warm greetings to everyone in our club and remains convinced he was extremely lucky to be sent to be our club’s inbound student. |
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Rotary Youth Exchange Contact InformationOur 2017/18 Rotary Youth Exchange student Yuga is on the ground and ready for fun. We'll be requesting a "wish list" from him and will broadcast it soon. In the mean time, if you're doing fun things, don't hesitate to contact him and invite him along. It doesn't have to be a grand adventure. Our students love sharing meals with you, going to the Beartooth for a movie, age appropriate concerts, bicycle rides, hikes, cross country sking, etc. Help make this a great year for our Inbound. Yuga Takahashi 907-205-7181 |
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Rotary Social - Bingo Night is Sept. 14Mark you calendars for Thursday Sept. 14, 7:30PM at Tudor Bingo for a night of fun and commraderie with your fellow Rotarians, not to mention you might win a few bucks! Tudor Bingo is located at 1436 East Tudor Road. Noteworthy is that AER has been a beneficiary of Tudor Bingo's gaming proceeds for decades, with those proceeds funding things such as scholarships and various community grants. So not only will you be having a good time, but you will also be helping social causes as well. |
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The Fight Against Human TraffickingBy now, most everyone has endured one of my happy-dollar announcements about outdoor adventures or my referencing a committee that gathers around beer. Today I’m highlighting the latter. When I joined AER, I met a pool of people passionate about making a difference. During my Rotary-introduction coffee talk with President Dave, we spoke about where Rotary was going organizationally and how our local club operated. Human trafficking was discussed and I brought up child trafficking, a cause I am passionate about fighting. I quickly met several people interested in supporting others who were dedicated to fighting it. I also saw a need within AER for financing as well as for some more AER events that didn’t create donor fatigue. I determined that beer was a great way to achieve both! For the past year, with AER support, I have been bringing together a team of people to host a beer festival to create a fun event for Anchorage that seeks to fight human trafficking on international and local levels. We have set the date for 2/17/18 and have partnered with Fur Rendezvous to help market the event under their brand. We have gained the support of other Rotary clubs, local vendors, and breweries across the state. I am really excited to bring this event to fruition and for the positive impact it will make. There is a lot more I will share in the future. Thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me thus far! Until next time… |
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Youth Services MeetingLooking to join a fun committee? Want to encourage young people? Youth Services is for you! We're having our first committee meeting 8/28 5:30, 2393 E 47th Ct. Contact 342-5203, ak.ktjohnson@gamil.com, for directions. Topics of discussion will include: Interact, Youth Exchange, RYLA, other topics as dictated by members. I hope to see you there. |
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Mobile Food Pantry ADN articleIf you haven't read the recent ADN article featuring the Mobile Food Pantry, then here is a link to it. It is worth the few minutes to read it. It describes the great service that the Mobile Food Pantry provides, and it also highlights a couple of our Rotarians at work at a recent Saturday event. |
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Weekly Meeting Location Change (August 30)For our club meeting on August 30, we will meet at the Captain Cook Fore Deck which is located on the main floor of the hotel. Also note that lunch will be provided at a discounted rate of $20/person. (Thank you Raquel!) Coffee will be $10/person. The lunch menu remains a surprise at this time. |
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International Committee Kickoff - Sept 12The AER International Committee kicks off on Tuesday, September 12th at 5:30 PM at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts Patron Lounge. All interested AER Rotarians are invited to join us to: a. Learn about our two international grants for this year b. Discover ways you can get involved c. Assist with submitting grants for next year d. Be part of the selection committee for next year’s grants Please RSVP (so we have enough M&Ms) to Anne Garrett, AER IC Chair agarrett@alaskapac.org or call 907-223-4882. |
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Seeking interesting and fun Rotary Stories!Amongst all of the committees, projects, and social events, there are bound to be countless interesting stories to share with your Anchorage East Rotary family. Your membership wants to hear those interesting stories. Don't be shy - just send them to Chris Wolpert at christopherwolpert@hotmail.com and he will gladly make sure your stories (and photos!) are made available to our membership. As a reminder, material needs to be about you or you family or another club member. And one last note - keep your stories to no more than 250 words and a maximum of 4 photos. Thank you! Looking forward to seeing some great material. |
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Yuga Takahashi is Here!Our new foreign friend Yuga arrived this past Sunday! If you missed him at the airport, there are two more opportunities to greet him:
I’m happy to report your board voted to continue participation with the program. You can help ensure this by helping me recruit host families. We need one more for Yuga and three for our mystery guest 2018/2019. It’s never too early to put your thinking caps on. |
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Rotary Foundation UpdateThe Foundation Committee is off and running and planning for a great year devoted to supporting the work of the Rotary Foundation, Rotary International, District 5010 and Anchorage East Rotary. Your donations to the Rotary Foundation are split 50/50 between Rotary International and District 5010 (there is a three year waiting period before our funds with interest return to our district). This year the fundraising goal for Anchorage East Rotary is $42,000. We can accomplish this goal through the generosity of club members donating directly to the Annual Fund and through a successful gala/auction on January 31. Last year approximately 60% of our goal came from the results of the auction and the rest was from your direct contributions. To contribute directly you can pick up a form from Janine when you come to a meeting or you can go directly to your My Rotary account, sign in and choose “Give” on the upper right of the page. By signing in to My Rotary, you will find that your information is populated in the form and you can be sure that your donation is credited to you and to Anchorage East Rotary. This year our gala/auction will once again be held on January 31 at the Hotel Captain Cook with a Mardi Gras/New Orleans theme. So get your beads and your masks ready! Raquel assures me that the Captain Cook is ready to cook up a good time for all! “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” |
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Yuga Takahashi to arrive soonInbound Yuga Takahashi got some Facebook exposure when his district was celebrating their exchange students. He is shown here with his mother Tomoka. Help us greet this smiling (and/or jet lagged) face on 8/13/17 on flight DL2855 from Seattle arriving at 2:30pm. His most awesome host family, the Smiths, are throwing a Meet and Greet on 8/18/17 at 5pm at 12800 Cumberland Circle. Please RSVP to Karen at 230-8307. He will be attending South Anchorage High School. If you have students in that age group, they are invited too! Side dishes and beverages are appreciated. A wish list of activities will follow shortly once he has arrived. Thank you again for supporting Youth Exchange. |
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Greg's Groaner of the weekGreg Solomon has volunteered to continue his contributions to Greg’s Groaners Corner. So expect a steady diet of fresh “punnage” in future Eastwind publications, including one today. Thank you Greg! “The pianist led an upright life, but it wasn’t grand. No matter how I tried to spinet, I couldn’t console him.” - Bob Spellman |
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Water Filter Grant to Rotary Clubs in MexicoSandra Wicks was recently at her house in Ajijic, Mexico (south of Guadalajara on Lake Chapala) and had the opportunity to address the Ajijic Rotary Club and the Chapala Sunrise Club. She showed and explained the Sawyer water filters our club has delivered to communities on the Pacific coast of Mexico, using Puerto Vallarta as a base. Then she showed the PowerPoint slide show about our club's most recent deliveries of filters, after which several people commented that it was the best presentation on water solutions they had seen at their club. The Chapala Sunrise Club is now ready to partner on future water filter projects in their area and several people have ordered water filters for distribution. The pictures below are from the presentations to those two Rotary Clubs. In addition to sharing about our Rotary work, we were invited to participate in some social events with the local Rotarians. It's always nice to combine service with Rotary companionship. |
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Zoe's West Coast TourZoe had a wonderful time on her west coast tour. She and Katie Johnson enjoyed their time at the Grand Canyon. Zoe thanks all of the Rotarians who supported her this year. |
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Zoe and her mother, Sabine JohansenYou’ll have a chance to meet Zoe’s mother, Sabine, say farewell to Zoe at the July 5th lunch. |
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Message from President PaulThe calendar never lies. It shows that my year as President of Anchorage East Rotary is rapidly coming to a close. This may in fact be my last communication in the Eastwind as President. As I look back on the year, I once again realize that Anchorage East Rotary is such a special Rotary club. And what makes it so special? It is our membership, in fact, that makes it such a wonderful place to be. Arch Klumpf once said “No one knows for sure what Rotary will be tomorrow. But what Rotary will be tomorrow, depends on what we do as Rotarians today”. Trust me, the Rotarians in our club are doing a lot! There are many opportunities to provide service in our club. I hope everyone finds a committee, or passion that they can serve. If you’re stuck for ideas, or just not sure, ask someone. We have many “veteran” members that are happy to share information and fill in gaps. There is a lot involved in Rotary. So, maybe not at this point in your life, as you have lots of other demands on your time. But at sometime, those demands change and frees up more of your time. This is when you jump in. This unselfish “Service Above Self” is what makes Rotary so special. I hope we have had some fun this year, I know I have. One nice thing about Rotary is the leadership changes very year. We get a fresh, different approach every twelve months. Congratulations to President Elect Lance. We promise to support you and make your year as President terrific! In closing, allow me to say I am happy to have served as your President this year. I know in a perfect world, Rene Haag would be typing this and ending her exciting year as President. Our world is not perfect, but we all continue to strive to make a difference. Never lose sight of that. Yours in Rotary Service, Paul McGuire |
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Photos from Rotary International conference in AtlantaPhotos from Rotary International conference in Atlanta. We've heard inspirational talks from Bill Gates, Ashton Kutcher, Andrew Young and Jack Nicklaus and others. Celebrating 100 years of the Rotary Foundation! |
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Photos from the Mobile Food PantrySpecial thanks to our 16 AER volunteers who generously served 100+ client households at the Mobile Food Pantry distribution today. We welcomed more than 25 new client households during the event and were happy to see many return clients. :) And, from Rich Dyson: "Baggin' Potatoes with Mr Spuds...Er, no, I mean baggin' potatoes with my buds!" |
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Update from Youth ServicesOutbound class of 2017/2018 was trained and fitted for jackets this weekend Your Anchorage East Outbound Jeffrey and YEO. |
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Card from Donna RossHere is a sweet card I received from Donna Ross, the kind lady who makes the fabulous chocolate cakes for the birthday table. She was responding to the card our club mailed to her after the death of her husband. Barbara Kagerer |
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Mystery Rotarian
No one has yet identified the mystery Rotarian! So, here are the clues again:
First person to answer correctly by email will win a fabulous prize! Sponsor: Al Bramstedt Date Inducted: 2000 Birthplace: Anchorage Graduated From High School: 1974 Personal Interests: Reading, golf, music What I like about Rotary: Being good people from different backgrounds Someone that influenced you strongly: my father One thing that people would probably never guess about me is: I can juggle. Wednesday at midnight is the deadline for 2:1 matching points to your foundation account. $100.00 minimum. You donate to the Foundation and I will double your contribution in points. Don't miss out! Until Next Time President Paul |
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Thank you from Hope Community ResourcesA big thanks to Anchorage East Rotarians from Hope Community Resources. You were out bright and early, checked in many many many runners, walkers and strollers and helped us raise more than $59,000. Thanks for your help and generosity. |
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Friends of Santiago FoundationSantiago Foundation awarded grant from Rotary Foundation. The Santiago Foundation operates community centers in two small villages outside Manzanillo, Mexico. In addition to elementary and secondary education for orphaned and abandoned children, technical skill development is provided for adults to improve employability. Here are some recent graduates. The annual graduation ceremony on February 23 was held at the Francisco Villa Center. Santiago Foundation Board members and friends were treated to impressive displays of carpentry, jewelry, pinatas, music, clothing, beauty (hair, nails), balloon art and cooking. Behind the tempting array of desserts, stood the cooking class sporting new aprons proudly displaying our logo. We also were guided to the various displays by members of the English class who explained what we were seeing and answered questions. We were very impressed and they enjoyed showing off their English skills. |
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Zoe's Graduation Photo |
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Community Service Grant to Government Hill Community CouncilThe Community Service Committee, on behalf of AER presented the Government Hill Community Council Board of Directors with a grant check for $1,400.00 for the Government Hill Gardens and Commons project today. This grant supports a community orchard as part of a neighborhood park and multi-phase project that includes the local school and organizations with far reaching programs to knit the community more closely together. Special thanks to Dr. Sylvia Condy for joining me on behalf of the AER CSC and Stephanie Kessler & Steve Gerlek with the Government Hill Community Council Board. |
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The Good News and the Bad News from GuatemalaLet's get the bad news out of the way first so we can focus on the good. Our district grant for PETs (the three-wheeled mobility carts) for Guatemala provided the funds for 43 PETs. They were produced by the PET workshop in Kansas and shipped to our distribution partner. Our distribution partner packs PETs in containers with a lot of other materials for its work in Guatemala. Unfortunately, the container that got through customs in time had only 7 of our PETs in it. The other container is stuck in Guatemalan customs. So, the rest of our PETs were not here for distribution during my trip to Guatemala as the representative (at my own expense) of our club. The rest of the PETs are supposed to be available for distribution in June. Now, the good news. When you have 7 PETs to distribute in two days at the remote distribution site, you have lots of time to talk to the families of recipients and, where possible, the recipients themselves. When I am back in Alaska, I hope to give a presentation to our club so our members can get to know the PET recipients a little and see how a distribution unfolds. We have wonderful partners to work with and coming to Guatemala on a distribution trip is an eye-opening and possibly live-changing experience for anyone. Here are a couple of the PET recipients and a sketch of their stories. This is Miguel (age 52). He worked in agriculture until 9 years ago when a truck taking him to the fields collided with another truck and he was thrown out, resulting in the amputation of his left leg. Since then he hasn't been able to work. He left very happy with his new PET to drive it 1.5 hours home. Perhaps the most dramatic (at least to me) of the PET distributions was to Joel, a dwarf-sized person with multiple unknown handicaps. Below is Joel (in the red shirt) with the family members who came with him. Joel is 25. From lack of experience, I at first thought there might not be much going on in this man's mind. Then, because a huge downpour started as he was receiving his PET and the family couldn't leave, I watched him working at learning to drive his PET in a circle in the small undercover space where the PET was fitted to him. I was amazed to observe how he was processing the obstacles and how to overcome them. It was a good lesson to me not to underestimate anyone's abilities. The family left in the pickup truck they had paid to bring them 1.5 hours from their community to the distribution site. I have no idea how they paid for the trip, since none of the family members have work. (to be continued) |
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2016/2017 Review of Interact2016-17 Interact Report The West and East Interact Clubs are wrapping up another successful year of service activities. Special thanks to teacher sponsors John Ruhlin at West and Kevin Ratliff at East as well as all of the Rotarians who attended a club meeting to give advice, support a project, make a presentation, or teach a skill. Thank to club presidents Evie Sorrell at West and Alex Stein and Celia Sheppard at East. Thank you also to Katie Johnson who will be taking over the leadership of the AER sponsored Interact Clubs in the new Rotary year. West projects • Held a Newcomer Center fundraiser to aid the integration of immigrant and refugee students and donated $200 • Made an Interact presentation to AER • Ran a book drive and installed a Neighborhood Lending Library • Prepared a video for newly arrived refugee students on how to open a locker • Prepared care packages for troops overseas for the holidays • Held a clothing drive for the CSS Refugee Assistance & Immigration Services (RAIS) • Sponsored Hot Chocolate and Skating at Westchester Lagoon featuring free hot chocolate and a donation jar • Developed a new officer position: Historian whose task is taking pictures of all events • Picked-up trash at Westchester Lagoon • 1 Interactor earned a President Volunteer Service Award - gold medal (over 250 hours of service) East projects • Project Peanut Butter campaign - Made peanut butter sandwiches for Kids’ Kitchen and Clare House • Made a Rotary Polio eradication campaign awareness photo collage /poster to hang in school • Random Pies of Kindness campaign - Delivered 150 surprise pumpkin pies just before Thanksgiving to shelters, food kitchens, seniors and distributed the funds earned for the following international humanitarian projects: $200 towards water filters for distribution in Huichols, Mexico through the Anchorage East Rotary Service Fund; $175 towards a natural disaster emergency box to Shelter Box USA; $200 for adjustable shoes for Nepalese children through Helping Hands for Nepal, Inc.; and $175 for education support for HIV/AIDS orphans to the Malawi Children’s Village Foundation • Operation Gratitude campaign - Wrote holiday cards to wounded warriors at Walter Reed Hospital and soldiers stationed overseas • Ran a book drive, solicited a library box from a carpenter and installed a Little Reading Library in front of the CSS Refugee Assistance and Immigration Center (RAIS) @ St. Anthony's Church • Crocheted baby blankets for Children’s Hospital and scarves for Covenant House with donated yarn from community • Picked up trash around the school with other East HS service clubs Other events that some East Interactors participated in: • Helped at AER Mobile Food Pantry at the Fairview Rec Center parking lot • Assisted at Trick or Treat Street at the Hotel Captain Cook • Attended 1-day Alaska Hopes and Dreams conference - fall and spring • Attended 5-day PYLI (Prudential Youth Leadership Institute) Training - spring break • 2 Interactors earned President Volunteer Service Awards - bronze (100 hours of service) and silver (175 hours of service) |
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Toiletries Needed for AWAIC, Clare House, the McKinnel Shelter, and Covenant HouseAWAIC, Clare House, the McKinnel Shelter, and Covenant House are in need of toiletries for their clients. Member are encouraged to bring shampoo, conditioner, lotion etc. to the weekly meetings and they will be distributed to the above organizations. Often times our fellow Rotarians travel and are able to collect travel size toiletries from hotels but regular size products are needed as well. AWAIC is also in need of luggage or travel bags for their clients to use when they are able to leave that facility. These will need to be transported to AWAIC by the donor. |
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Rotary Foundation Auction Item of the WeekTo whet your appetite for the upcoming Rotary Foundation Auction, here is just one of the exciting auction items that has already been donated, by member Karen Smith. Have an item to donate? Contact Arnie Cohen, Rotary Foundation Chair, at arnoldsidney1@gmail.com or any members of the Foundation Committee.
San Diego Winter Vacation Package
-Beachfront Home
-50k AK Airline Miles and
-San Diego Zoo VIP Passes for two
A Luxurious single story beach cottage with 1700 sq. ft. of beachfront living for up to 10 guests.... Two families work great!
Open the front door and your view is the ocean! There is nothing like falling asleep to the sound of the crashing waves. The details make it special including an outdoor shower, surf board racks, warming drawer, printer/copier, Internet, cable TV, Bluetooth Bose speaker.
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International Service OpportunityIn last week's Eastwind, President Paul mentioned that there were opportunities for hands-on international service with AER's District 5010 grants. One of those grants is for $4000 ($2000 from District funds, matched by AER's $2000) and is to provide water filters for families and schools that do not have access to safe water (unless they buy jugs of it) in a rural area of Mexico south of Puerto Vallarta.
The pictures below illustrate what an assembled water filter looks like and what the assembly process is like. AER members Sandra Wicks and Bruce Phelps participated last year in a private water filter distribution done in conjunction with a Vancouver, Washington, Rotary club. This year AER will use its grant funds to provide water filters to 88 families and schools. AER member Duff Pfanner and his wife will join Bruce and Sandra at the first distribution, which is scheduled for November 18. You could participate, too, if you schedule your vacation to Puerto Vallarta at that time. There will also be distributions in January and February. For more information, contact Sandra Wicks.
An assembled water filter.
Showing a water filter recipient how to assemble her water filter.
Showing a recipient how to clean her water filter using a plastic syringe included in the kit.
Duff Pfanner participated in a previous water filter distribution a few years ago and is signed up for another one this year.
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District-Wide Financial Literacy Rotary ProjectI know it's been a while since you've heard from me about the District-Wide Financial Literacy Rotary Project . Our first step is to work with Clark Middle School this semester. We have three training dates available. Please click this link below to select a date that works for your schedule. You'll see the available dates at the bottom of the web page once you click on the link. If no date works for your schedule, please shoot me an email.
http://finept.us12.list- The training session itself is only 30 minutes long. It is super fun and easy. Some people do have a little hesitation in being in front of a group of students. During the training session, you'll have the opportunity to pair up with your fellow Rotarians so that you can do this together. Everyone who has gone through the JA teaching experience has absolutely loved it. I hope you do too! If you know of other Rotarians or non-Rotarians who you think would love to join us, please send them this link to sign up. http://eepurl.com/b-HyMD I look forward to seeing you! Warm Regards Ross Johnston Rotarian 907-444-1923 |
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President Paul with the New Food Pantry Truck |
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Welcome Zoe from Austria!!! |
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Monthly Club Events - 2016-2017Weekly Anchorage East Rotary Club Meeting Mobile Food Pantry AERIE Meetings (Anchorage East Rotary Information & Education) All new and experienced members are welcome to join the monthly AERIE meetings and learn more about Rotary International and our club. For 2016-2017 AERIE will be held on the third Thursday of each month at 5:15 pm and the location is at the Community Room of Kaladi Brothers Coffee, 6921 Brayton Drive . Why AERIE? Red badge members should come to fulfill your core requirements to turn your red badge to a blue one. Blue badge members should come to learn more about Rotary and get to know our members. Contact Dave Kester if any questions: d.kester@alaskausainsurance. AER Board Meetings |
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Survey from your Social Committee ChairHowdy,
I was hoping for a few moments of your time on behalf of the Social Committee. My goal this Rotary Year is to bring us together and have fun outside of our regularly scheduled meetings. I am hoping to put together some fun events for everyone. As an extension of that goal, I’d like everyone in the club to attend at least one event during President Paul’s tenure. I have assembled a very short survey that I hope each one of you will take the time to complete. If you have any questions or comments please email me at conorhlavinka@yahoo.com or call me at 317-2191.
Here is the link:
Thank you very much for your time!
Conor Hlavinka
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10th Anniversary of the Mobile Food PantryIt just seems like yesterday that Anchorage East Rotary was christening the beginning of their newest Signature Community Service Project, the Mobile Food Pantry (MFP). However, believe it or not, that was over a decade ago; proving that time truly does fly when you are having fun!
Please join in on the fun and excitement celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Mobile Food Pantry on Saturday, August 13th at the Food Bank of Alaska Warehouse located at 2121 Spar Avenue from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. You are encouraged to join us first for our regular distribution at the Fairview Rec Center at 1:30 pm and then head on over to the Food Bank for the party and festivities. This event is to celebrate the many years the Mobile Food Pantry has been serving the community and to thank all the volunteers that have helped with the distributions over the years. In addition, since the original MFP truck has entered beer truck heaven, you’ll be able to view the new Rotary Wheel emblazoned food truck that will be taking its place. The event will include live speakers, volunteer recognition, party favors and plenty of food and beverages catered by Qdoba. You will not want to miss out on all the fun and be a part of history as we celebrate a great success for helping those in our community that need food assistance. It is a testament to what being a gift to the world truly means and proof that Rotary Serves Humanity. Please rsvp to smitchell@foodbankofalaska.org
Your Past President and friend,
Dave
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2016/2017 AERIE Meetings (Anchorage East Rotary Information & Education)All new and experienced members are welcome to join the monthly AERIE meetings and learn more about Rotary International and our club. For 2016-2017 AERIE will be held on the third Thursday of each month at 5:15 pm and the location is at the Community Room of Kaladi Brothers Coffee, 6921 Brayton Drive . Why AERIE? Red badge members should come to fulfill your core requirements to turn your red badge to a blue one. Blue badge members should come to learn more about Rotary and get to know our members. Contact Dave Kester if any questions: d.kester@alaskausainsurance.
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Outbound Student Brynn Shewman is off to Brazil!Anchorage East Rotary said goodbye to Brynn Shewman and Zupik (in Brynn's hand) for a year. They will be traveling to Brazillia Brazil for their exchange year. I hope your year is as great as you are. Thanks to Aaron, Julie, Madison and Logan for loaning her to us!
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Mark Your Calendar: Mobile Food Pantry Celebration August 13Mark your calendar to volunteer at the Mobile Food Pantry on Saturday, August 13th at 1:30 PM and then attend a celebration and volunteer appreciation event hosted by the Food Bank of Alaska at the Food Bank of Alaska Warehouse (located at 2121 Spar Avenue). From 3:00pm-5:00pm we will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Mobile Food Pantry and christen a new Rotary-wheel-emblazoned food truck. Program begins at 3:45pm with appetizers generously provided by Qdoba. Please rsvp to smitchell@foodbankofalaska.org
Questions? Talk to Barbara Swenson at a Wednesday meeting or email her at baswen@gci.net
Photo by Clark Mishler
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Prokop's HometownMy son Stephen and I have had a Europe trip planned for almost two years, and it was certainly our good fortune to be able to make a side trip to Kromeriz, Czech Republic, to say hello to Prokop and his parents. He's only been home in the Czech Republic for 5 days, and it was almost surreal to see him here so soon after his departure from Alaska. He sends all of his friends in Alaska warm regards, and his lovely parents send their immense thank-you for every opportunity that Rotary provided for their son during his exchange year.
Our travels also took us to rural Finland, where we visited Stephen's host families from his youth exchange year there in 2013-3014. When we arrived in Helsinki, we stayed for a night at the home of another youth exchange student, Emma Mesia, who was sponsored by ANC International club in 2014-2015. Rotary youth exchange...making the world smaller, one student at a time. Prokop, his mother and father hosted Barbara and Stephen Kagerer for the day in their home town, Kromeriz, Czech Republic on July 17th. |
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Anchorage East Rotarians in IdahoSandra Wicks and Bruce Phelps recently spent a week in Ketchum/Sun Valley, Idaho, and attended the meeting of the Ketchum-Sun Valley Rotary Club, at which they heard a very interesting program about the Sun Valley Summer Symphony that provides all of its concerts to the public without charge. Bruce and Sandra also attended the "installation picnic", the equivalent of our "changing of the guard", which took place at Rotary Park. The Ketchum-Sun Valley Rotary Club has partnered for over 20 years with the Ketchum Parks and Recreation Department to provide various upgrades and maintenance to this beautiful little creekside park.
When they left Ketchum, Bruce and Sandra were lucky enough to have a visit with Denise Lafever, a former Anchorage East Rotarian who now lives in Boise, Idaho. Denise and her son, Josh, met Bruce and Sandra in Idaho City, Idaho, an old gold mining town and drove with them to McCall where they had lunch together at a beautiful lodge on the shore of Lake Payette.
Bruce and the new president of the Ketchum-Sun Valley Rotary club at Rotary Park.
Picnic at Rotary Park with Ketchum-Sun Valley Rotarians
New and old presidents of the Ketchum-Sun Valley Rotary Club.
Former Anchorage East Rotarian, Denise Lafever, with Bruce and Sandra
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Goodbye Prokop!It was a sad day, at 5am we said good bye to our favorite Czech friend, Prokop Švábík. Good luck in all your future endeavors, it been great to get to know you this year!
In attendance from South Anchorage were:
Julie Erikson, Denise Kipke, Amy Mackey-Hornak and their Inbound Pato.
Other YE news:
Our Outbound Brynn Shewman departs July 20 1150 pm American Flight 6842 in route to Brazil. Come to the airport and Katie send her off!
Cable Mason our Rebound from Chili returned safe and sound 6/28.
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Rotary Serving Humanity at the Mobile Food PantryAnother sunny day greeted Anchorage East Rotarians as we gathered for another food distribution with the Mobile Food Pantry. Thanks to all who participated. If you have never been to this event, make plans too attend the next one. Second Saturday of each month, usually held in the parking lot of the Fairview Recreation Center. If you have been before, come back again. Very worthwhile and a lot of fun. Rotary Serving Humanity.
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Rotary Friends in MexicoAER member Sandra Wicks recently visited her house in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico, accompanied by a Rotary friend from the Puerto Vallarta Sur Rotary Club with whom she has worked on scholarship and water filter projects of the Puerto Vallarta club. While in Ajijic, Sandra and her Puerto Vallarta Rotary friend attended the "changing of the guard" of the Ajijic Rotary Club (they call it "passing the gavel"). In May Sandra made a presentation to the Ajijic Rotary Club about AER's previous water filter projects and got to know some of the members. In the picture below are (from left to right) Sandra, Carole Wolf, the in-coming president of the Ajijic Club, Gin Pelzl, the out-going president and new treasurer, and Eleanor Hawthorn from the Puerto Vallarta Sur Rotary Club.
When you are traveling, if you have the time, visit other Rotary Clubs and maybe you will make some new friends. At a minimum, you can get tips about the local area, ideas for projects and fundraisers, and maybe you'll even get an invitation to someone's home. Go to www.rotary.org and click on the "club locator".
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Message from President PaulAs the new Rotary year begins, I am honored to be serving as your President. Time and circumstance have arranged this. It is now up to us to continue in the great tradition that is Anchorage East Rotary.
Our love, thoughts and prayers go to Rene Haag and her family, as they gracefully face their challenges.
Having served before, some presume this will be “Old Hat” for me. Quite the opposite. Rotary, our club, our world have changed so much from when I was President, that this will be a totally new experience for all of us.
However, the constant that does transcend time is my passion for Rotary and all it brings. I am committed to doing my very best to ensure that our Rotary year together is fun, successful and meaningful.
I close today with the words of our Rotary International President John F. Germ:
Today, we look ahead toward a Rotary year that may one day be known as the greatest in our history: the year that sees the world's last case of polio.
Every day that you serve in Rotary, you have the opportunity to change lives. Everything you do matters; every good work makes the world better for us all. In this new Rotary year, we all have a new chance to change the world for the better, through Rotary Serving Humanity.
Thank you,
President Paul
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Report on Academic Decathlon and Thank You to VolunteersIn February I bought the no-fine time and spoke about the Academic Decathlon and asked for volunteers. About 12 East Rotarians signed up to help. The competition was held the end of April and was very successful. Many who had been to other nationals said that it was the best ever. Visitors were very impressed with our facilities-mostly the Egan Center and Hilton Hotel. What was especially impressive were the 250 volunteers (including 12 East Rotarians) who came to the two judged events on Thursday. Comments were that there has never been a more professional group of judges.
About 600 students and 400 coaches, parents, etc. came for the three day event. Visit Alaska was very helpful throughout the entire process. GCI is very supportive of Academic Decathlon including many, many employees and much financial support.
A team from Granada Hills Charter School in California won for the 5th time in the last 6 (one 2nd). The team representing Alaska was the IDEA Team composed of home school students. They won the best new team award and four individual medals (which is very good for a new team) including one in speech.
Most teams took time for an Alaska Adventure while they were here. About 100 students came from China. They are very interested in everything American.
Thanks again for the East Rotarians who volunteered
Bill Miernyk, Vocational Committee
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AER Members Becoming Paul Harris Fellows |
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AER Presence at Clare HouseEvidence of Anchorage East Rotary’s service in the community was seen at Clare House, a shelter for women and children operated by Catholic Social Services.
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Interact Club Plastic MatsAmbika Kafle, an East High Interact Club member, was pleased to see a homeless man carrying one of the plastic mats as he walked down the streets of Anchorage. Making these mats from recycled shopping bags was a year-long service project for the club, assisted by Anchorage East Rotarians. The mats were presented to the Downtown Soup Kitchen for distribution last month. |
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Next Nike Summit Tour - August 27thThose interested in going on the Nike Site Summit Tour can register on line at: http://www.planetreg.com/
Details below.
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International Travel and Host Fellowship (ITHF) for RotariansTam encourages you to join the International Travel and Host Fellowship (ITHF) for Rotarians around the world. (Go on Rotary Int’l webiste for more details.) You get to meet lots of interesting people both here in Anchorage and when you travel. Mary Ellen and Rick Harned from Louisville visited Anchoage recently. They watched the fisherpeople while enjoying refreshments at the Bridge Restaurant over Ship Creek and did birdwatching at Potter’s Marsh.
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Water Filter Presentation to Ajijic (Mexico) Rotary ClubBruce Phelps and Sandra Wicks recently visited their home in Ajijic, Mexico (south of Guadalajara on Lake Chapala) and, while there, attended the Ajijic Rotary Club. As usual, Sandra brought along a sample Sawyer bucket water filter to show the club. This is the water filter AER has helped distribute in the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta in the past.
The Ajijic Rotary Club asked to have a formal presentation about the water filters, since they might want to add water filters to the array of assistance they are already providing to the surrounding community.
Unfortunately, Bruce was sick the day of the presentation, but Sandra explained the assembly and maintenance of the water filter to the club and showed a PowerPoint on the distribution of water filters, in conjunction with the Vancouver (Washington) Sunrise Rotary Club, in January in Nayarit State of Mexico to migrant Huichol indians. The Ajijic club was very appreciative of the opportunity to learn about the very cost-effective way to get clean water to people who otherwise would have to purchase purified water or just drink bad water.
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Council grants clubs greater flexibility in meeting, membershipCouncil member Dominque Dubois holds up a green card to indicate support of a motion while Sandeep Nurang ponders his response during the 2016 Council on Legislation.
Photo Credit: Monika Lozinska.
The 2016 Council on Legislation may well be remembered as one of the most progressive in Rotary history. Not only did this Council grant clubs more freedom in determining their meeting schedule and membership, it also approved an increase in per capita dues of $4 a year for three years. The increase will be used to enhance Rotary’s website, improve online tools, and add programs and services to help clubs increase membership.
The Council is an essential element of Rotary’s governance. Every three years, members from around the world gather in Chicago to consider proposed changes to the policies that govern the organization and its member clubs. Measures that are adopted take effect 1 July.
The tone for this year was set early, when the RI Board put forth two proposals that increase flexibility. The first measure allows clubs to decide to vary their meeting times, whether to meet online or in person, and when to cancel a meeting, as long as they meet at least twice a month. The second allows clubs flexibility in choosing their membership rules and requirements. Both passed.
Representatives also approved removing six membership criteria from the RI Constitution and replacing them with a simple requirement that a member be a person of good character who has a good reputation in their business or community and is willing to serve the community.
The $4 per year dues increase was based on a five-year financial forecast that predicted that if Rotary didn’t either raise dues or make drastic cuts, its reserves would dip below mandated levels by 2020. The yearly per capita dues that clubs pay to RI will be $60 in 2017-18, $64 in 2018-19, and $68 in 2019-20. The next council will establish the rate after that. “We are at a moment in time when we must think beyond the status quo,” said RI Vice President Greg E. Podd. “We must think about our future.”
Podd said the dues increase will allow RI to improve My Rotary, develop resources so clubs can offer a better membership experience, simplify club and district reporting, improve website access for Rotaractors, and update systems to keep Rotary in compliance with changing global regulations.
Also because of this Council’s decisions:
Learn more about the Council on Legislation
By Arnold Grahl
Rotary News
18-Apr-2016
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6th annual Anchorage East Rotary English CampWe are in NEED of more volunteers to make this a success!!
APRIL 23rd from 9:00 to 3:00 at Anchorage Literacy Program (ALP building), 1345 Rudakoff Circle (behind Credit Union 1 on DeBarr across from Costco).
You don't need to be there the whole day....But we really need some more Rotarians to help with lunch (Costco pizza run) and helping teach (we can coach you)
Schedule:
9:00-9:15 – Check-in
9:15-10:00 – Class #1
10:15-11:00 – Class #2
11:15 – 12:00 - Lunch
12- 1:00 – Class #3
1:00-1:45 – Class #4
2:00 -2:45 – Class #5
2:45-3:00 – Closing
Teach ABCs of ASD class/Travel with mileage class:
Tam Agosti-Gisler
Teach Financial Management classes:
Kathleen Madden
Teach Job Skills classes:
Shirley Nelson
Need a teacher to teach 45-minute basic computer skills class. (Teach 4 times)
1)
Need a teacher to teach 45-minute class on how to navigate DMV to get a driver’s license. (Teach 4 times)
1)
Need two teachers to teach 45-minute basic English conversation/pronunciation class. (Teach 3 times)
1) Rich Dyson
2)
Need two teachers to teach 45-minute intermediate English conversation/pronunciation class. (Teach 3 times)
1) Walter Featherly
2)
Need teaching assistants to assist teachers In 5 different classrooms
1) Sheila Lomboy
2) Sylvia Condy
3) Mustafa Iflazoglu
4)
5)
Need food shopper (purchase beverages and lunch food0
1)
Need meal “director”
1)
Need meal prep helpers
1) Michelle Engelke
2)
3)
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Non-Profit Announcements - New RulesWe love Non-Profit announcements and we want to keep them going. Here is a quick run-down on the rules:
Keep them coming! Keep us tuned in to what your passions are and what we can do to help!
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Meeting Make Ups?Miss a meeting? You can get meeting credits by going online for 20 minutes at: http://www.rotaryeclubone.org/ Click on the “makeup Programs” tab. |
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Got Some News? Share it with Rotary!If you have any news you want to share with the club, please let us know! Contact Chris Wolpert at christopherwolpert@hotmail.com Have some interesting news about yourself? Your family? Anchorage East is one big, happy family and wants to hear about our members! But remember, just like in meetings, announcements must be limited to personal/family news, news related to you, your family or another club member. Also, please limit all stories to 250 words or less, and no more than 4 photos to go with each story. Thanks! |