Jason Griffith- Stillaguamish Tribe Environmental Program manager presents on projects that are positively impacting our local area.
Another well attended and fun evening meeting was held this week at the beautiful Gleneagle Country Club! Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in this fun evening while we got to know each other a little bit more!
Dr. Chrys Sweeting shares the “State of the District”
Superintendent Dr. Chrys Sweeting with Arlington Public Schools recently provided an update on the district’s finances, enrollment, staffing, facilities, and upcoming priorities.
This September 10th meeting was kicked off with the annual apple pie served by the Cougs! It is tradition that the losing team from the Apple Cup rivalry serves apple pie to everyone at the meeting following the game!
Dale Duskin and honorary member Carol serve the apple pie with pride and smiles!
Mission Aviation Training Academy Brings Faith and Aviation Together
The Rotary Club of Arlington recently learned about the inspiring work of Tim Finneron and Mission Aviation Training Academy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located at the Arlington Municipal Airport.
Former exchange student Madyke De'Groot shares her “Bucketlist” with Sophie Lutjen our current exchange student
The Rotary Club of Arlington welcomed Washington State Representative Dave Paul of the 10th Legislative District for an informative discussion about issues affecting our communities.
Jamie and Megan from the Stanwood Camano YMCA with current Club President Dave Kraski
Rotarians and their families came out for a beautiful day at Haller Park! It was a lovely day for fun, fellowship and food! This annual event always brings so much fun as we get to enjoy the park that our hard work and Great Stilly Duck Dash funds helped to build. Enjoying the fruits of our labors, our commitment to the community of Arlington and our wonderful partnerships truly shows what happens when we all work together to make the world a better place. What an amazing way to spend the afternoon!
Thank you to everyone who came out and brought their children and even grandkids to play! Haller Park has truly become a place that welcomes the entire community to have fun and has created a safe place for children and families to gather and play!
Rotarians and their families gather under the picnic shelter to enjoy some fresh BBQ burgers and enjoy some great fellowship on a beautiful day!
Youth Engaged is Service (Y.E.S.)
Phoebe Fuentes
At our August 7 meeting, Phoebe Fuentes, a 17-year-old student from Arlington High School and Skagit Valley Community College, presented on her experience with the Snohomish County YES Team. She was introduced by Past District Governor Bev Harrington. PDG Bev picked up the idea from one of her Rotary visits and brought it back to her club in Burlington.
The YES is now a Rotary District 5050 program, with teams in Skagit and Snohomish Counties. The program is for high school juniors and requires monthly meetings, 80 hours of community service, and an annual international service trip to Guatemala for the Snohomish County team. The Skagit team goes to Honduras.
Rotarians came out in force to support this multiple year projects completion!
Why it matters
The Jensen Pump Track is a place for skill-building, healthy activity, and community connection. It’s the product of long-term volunteerism, cooperation across sectors, and a shared vision for more outdoor spaces for youth.
What’s next
Look for community programming, continued maintenance, and partnership-driven events to keep the track lively and accessible. Thanks to everyone — volunteers, tribal leaders, Rotary members, county and city staff, corporate partners, and the families who showed up — for turning a shared vision into a dynamic community asset. Come ride, cheer, and celebrate Arlington’s newest place to play!
Look for community programming, continued maintenance, and partnership-driven events to keep the track lively and accessible. Thanks to everyone — volunteers, tribal leaders, Rotary members, county and city staff, corporate partners, and the families who showed up — for turning a shared vision into a dynamic community asset. Come ride, cheer, and celebrate Arlington’s newest place to play!
Celebrating a Record Year!
Under the leadership of President-Elect Jennifer Holocker, we set a new record for gross revenue from the Great Stilly Duck Dash of $274,400, with $117,900 in ticket sales and $156, 500 in sponsorships.
Jennifer Holocker
The Golden Duck Award
District Installation Event
Our own Kathleen Olson was installed as the District 5050 Governor for 2026-2027. Doing the installing was RI Zone Director Marty Helman.
CONGRATULATIONS KATHLEEN!
THERE IS A PHOTO ALBUM COVERING THE EVENT--JUST CLICK HERE
Rotary Club of Arlington Celebrates Record-Breaking Sponsorship Year
Sponsorship Chair Jola
On Thursday, July 23, 2026, the Rotary Club of Arlington hosted its annual Sponsorship Recognition Event at the Bonus Room in Smokey Point. This year's celebration marked an exciting first as the event transitioned from its traditional luncheon to an evening happy hour. The new format was a tremendous success, with an outstanding turnout of both sponsors and Rotarians coming together to celebrate another incredible Great Stilly Duck Dash season.
Longtime Sponsorship Chair Jola Barnett led the evening, recognizing the many businesses and organizations whose generosity continues to make the Great Stilly Duck Dash one of Arlington's most impactful community events.
DG Kathleen Visits Our Club
The Official Visit
Although her official installation was three days later, our member and District 5050 Governor for 2026-2027, Kathleen Olson, made her official visit and presentation to our club on July 16. She was introduced by Mel, who is serving this year as the Governor's Aide.
With Rotary International's Vision behind her, Mel told us about DG Kathleen. Kathleen joined Tacoma #8 Rotary in 1994; Club President 2004-05. Rotary District 5050 Assistant Governor Area J 2023-25. She transferred to the Marysville, WA Club in 2018 and moved to the Arlington, WA Club in 2021. She has been a facilitator at Pacific Northwest PELS and other Rotary learning events. She is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator and Animal Rescue Volunteer. Currently, Kathleen is the community engagement director at the Humane Society of Skagit Valley. Other experiences include fundraising and public relations, as well as a diverse background in advertising, journalism, and airline service.
Recognitions
Delivering Checks to Duck Dash Winners
Maddy Kruger--$5,000 First Prize (Seller Mel Not Present)
Grant Jensen--$4,000 Second Prize--Seller: Dave
Past President Erik Granroth Rejoins the Club
Gives His Third Classification Talk
Our program on July 9 was by Erik Granroth. Erik joined our club in 2008 and served as club president in 2016-2017. This was the third time he has done a classification talk, the first time being when a program didn't show up and he was asked to tell the club about himself.
Erik shared his personal journey, emphasizing the lessons learned from fishing and his entrepreneurial spirit. He recounted his early life, including moving between 11 schools and starting a business at 11. Erik detailed his career in insurance, restaurant management, and his transition to opening battery stores. He highlighted his involvement in Rotary, his role as club president, and the impact of service on his life. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting his business plans, Erik remains committed to continuous growth and to helping others. He expressed gratitude for his experiences and the importance of relationships and service.
New President Dave Presides
Donation to Arlington Community Food Bank
Third Place Duck Dash Winner
THERE IS A PHOTO ALBUM COVERING ALL THINGS DUCK DASH--JUST CLICK HERE.
With last week's meeting being used for duck call assembly and President Dave being in New York, this was his first meeting to preside. Vice President and Duck Dash Chair Jennifer presided last week.
Rotarian Jeff Huleatt, president of the board of the Arlington Community Food Bank, and two Rotarian directors, Casey Miller and Kim Deisher-Allen, accepted a $25,000 check from our Community Funding Director, Bill Kmet, to help fund the “Meals 'til Monday” program. Click HERE to learn more about the program.
All 5 top finishers in this year's Great Stilly Duck Dash have been invited to a meeting to accept their winnings. Pictured here is the 3rd-place finisher, Seth Morris, who won $3,000. He is from Sedro-Woolley, but, as luck would have it, when the farmers market in his community was unavailable, he came to Arlington's Farmers Market and was convinced by Tom Langenhop to buy a ticket.
Duck Dash Week!
Duck Call Assembly & the Dash
In lieu of a program at the July 2 meeting, duck calls were assembled, and plans were announced for the July 4 event. There were lots of other things that needed to get done during the week, including, but not limited to, getting the boom and boat ready, preparing the wagon and the Rotary wheel trailer for the parade, scanning ducks, turning in tickets and accounting, and, of course, selling tickets, including the infamous pub crawl.
Here are some photos:
President Bob's Last Meeting
As our meeting on June 25 was President Bob’s last official meeting as the president of the Rotary Club of Arlington, incoming president Dave Kraski presented Bob with a Paul Harris Recognition, a past president's pin, and a new name badge. At our recent installation event, Bob didn't want it to be about him, so he asked Dave not to present those items to him there.
Classification Talk
Chelsea Saunders
One of our newest members, Chelsea Saunders, shared her background and family as our program on June 25. Chelsea is the current Unit Director of the Arlington Boys and Girls Club. She lives in Lake Stevens.
A Year of Service
Awards Announced
At our June 25 meeting, Service Project Director Chad Hilker announced that the club has completed 24 projects with 46 members contributing 456 hours of service this year. He recognized three Rotarians: Harold McClure, Tom Langenhop, and Marianne Pauley, for their exceptional service this year. Only Harold was at the meeting to accept his award. Marianne is in Guatemala with the Snohomish County YES team, and Tom had a conflict. Their awards will be presented at a future meeting. President Bob thanked Chad and Duane for their leadership in leading the Service Committee.
Daughters and Kids Kloset Auction
You would have thought it was “Bring Your Daughter to Rotary Day” on July 25. On the left is Jennifer and her daughter Jordan. On the right, Mel with her daughter Willow. Not to be outdone, John had his LSU champion weightlifting daughter, Laura, who is currently home and who is organizing the Kids Kloset 4th of July Auction:
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Service Above Self Since 1970
(Hadley Community Room)
Arlington, WA 98223
United States of America