Visual Arts - BHS Louisa Malnoto Options HS Serenity Connell Book Review - Mike Diehl
Wreath Making Social 11/14/21
Club Sponsors - Thank you for your support!!
November 15, 2021
Football Grid:Seahawks vs Arizona 11/21/2021 (Click Here)11/13/2021 Winners were Paul Grey, second and third quarters John Harris and Steve Gray.
Opening Welcome:
With a windy blast of wet weather, President Peter Thiessen welcomed us all to the 4,715th (and 18th in-person / 72nd virtual pandemic) meeting. This was a meeting that nearly didn’t happen, because of the weather-related power outages. As a result, up until moments prior to the meeting start, Zoom was dead in the water (pun intended). But the magic fingers and mind of Mark Knittel patched it all together, I think through his phone, and, presto, there was the interweb!!!
Book Review: Mike Diehl "Blind Descent" by Brian Dickinson
Former Navy air rescue swimmer Brian Dickinson, Navy buddy of Mike Diehl, was roughly 1,000 feet from the summit of Mount Everest, known as the death zone, when his Sherpa became ill and had to turn back, leaving Brian with a difficult decision: Should he continue to push for the summit or head back down the mountain? After weighing his options, Brian decided to continue toward the summit- alone. Four hours later, Brian solo summited the highest peak in the world. But the celebration was short lived because, suddenly, his vision became blurry, his eyes started to burn and, within seconds, he was rendered almost completely blind. All alone at 29,035 feet, low on oxygen, and stricken with snow blindness, Brian was forced to inch his way back down the mountain, relying only on his Navy survival training, instincts and faith. This is a spell-binding, true adventure story.
Club and Committee Announcements
1. Salvation Army Bellringing
Will take place December 11,9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Sign-Up emails have been distributed, or you can go to the website at bellinghamrotary.org or contact Dick Tucker atrtu2271093@aol.com or Sandee at rcob@comcast.net.
2. Doug Coleannouncement:
The RCOB is supporting the Whatcom Refugee Resettlement Project by sorting and assembling welcome kits this Saturday, Nov 20, 9am-12pm. Thank you to the Rotarians who have signed up!!
BUT WE ARE NOT DONE!! PLEASE DONATE:
The Whatcom Refugee Project could also use donations, either cash or gift cards. An individual has offered to match the total value of what is received from the RCOB, up to $2,000. Be certain to include “ROTARY” on your donation for your gift to double in size. This website will provide information on the organization and how to donate:
1. The 2021-2022 Major Project Selection will be announced shortly to the membership, Stay Tuned!!
2. Resignations from Scott Hume and Chris Lyddan were accepted with great regret.
3.The December 20th holiday meeting program was discussed and will also be announced shortly.
4. Nominating Committee selections for the 2022-2023 Rotary Year:
Committee members are Immediate Past President and Chairman, Gary Goldfogel, Current President Peter Theisen and President-Elect Paul Grey, and two members in good standing, Shauna Naf and Steve Gray.
Gary reported the following selections and an election will not be necessary:
You will still receive an email from Sandee each week prior to the Monday 12:30 meeting if you are unable to attend in person (you can start logging in at 12:00 for short socializing) with the link for that privacy protected meeting. If you have not done so, please download the Zoom app on your computer (you need a camera and microphone on it), iPad or phone. There is no cost to you. If you do not have either, you can also call in. On the invitation, there are US phone numbers you can call and enter the meeting ID number also indicated on the invitation. HERE ARE ZOOM INSTRUCTIONS.
Four Points is not requiring a Contract thru 2021 and need only 72 hours to cancel an event. We will continue to evaluate other locations for a permanent location. Lunch will be $22 for a sit down meal. We must notify them by Wednesday at 4:00 pm each week prior to the Monday meeting as to the number of members attending. We are sending out meeting “Invite's” weekly and members are asked to sign-up ASAP. You can also sign-up by going to the event section of our website at bellinghamrotary.org. If you sign up for a meal at the meeting, you will need to pay the $22 even if you don't wind up attending the meeting after numbers are turned in. If you plan to attend but not eat, PLEASE indicate that on your sign-up so we don't overorder meals and still make sure there is enough seating.
Four Points also will not collect the payment weekly, so the Club will collect payments prior to the meeting or at the door.
We urge members of the RCOB has set up a Venmo account for ease in payment of Meeting lunches, Happy Bucks, Minister of Fun, Dues or donations to the club. Our account is @RCOB-Bellingham. If you do not have a Venmo account you can set up an account with your computer then download the app. on your phone (just Google "Venmo" and you will find all the information you need) You then attach it to a debit or credit card (a fee on your end) or attach to your checking account at no cost. Payment will be sent directly to the RCOB checking account. When you use it for the first time it may ask you the last 4 digits of the RCOB phone number which is 0282. Give Sandee a call if you need help. 360-734-5532
Other payment options are to bring a check in the correct amount to the meeting made out to RCOB or cash in the exact amount to speed up the payment process. There is also the PayPal option as usual and we are set to take payments at the meeting. We have a QR Code that you can simply click on to pay thru paypal also.
Website and Phone App instructions:
Here is a tutorial on how to login for the first time. (Click here) In order to login you need to know your user name and password in your Clubrunner account. The user name is Yourfirstname.Lastname.264 unless you have changed it. Example: Sandra.Lindhout.264 The password is initially set by Clubrunner at 264 unless you have changed it. Sandee can see your Username from her computer but not the password. She can also change your password for you from her computer at your request if you run into problems.
Once you have originally created your User Name and Password you can download the ClubRunner Mobile app on your phone:
Please contact Sandee at 360-734-5532 or rcob@comcast.net if you run into any trouble.
Guests:
Former Exchange students Rumbi, Carla and Aramis, joined us on Zoom; It was so great to see them!
Student Recognition Program recipients:
Bellingham High School - Host Felicity Dye
Math: Ellen Nichols and her mom Christina
Science: Rikki Skoczen and mom Lisa LaGuardia
Visual Arts: Louisa Malnor and parents Kathleen & Ron
Options High School - Greg Baker
Math: Myra Ostlund
Science: Emma Gleckman
Visual Arts: Serenity Connell
Sehome High School - Tom Grinstad
Math: Baden Kowal
Science: Diane Park
Visual Arts: Noah Weinrich
Squalicum High School - Monty McAllister
Math: Kamden Ignac
Science: Liberty Putney-Burke
Visual Arts: Saar Saari and dad Todd
Dale Rings joined us from Arizona
Other members who were on Zoom: Bob Morse, Greg Baker, Steve Hager, Mike Plenkovich, Jack Mulhern, Catherine Riordan, Corey Chaplin, Dennis Williams, Jennifer Moehl, Rob Olson, Steve Hettick, Ward and Shauna Naf, Tim Farris, Robin Halliday and Monty McAllister
Presentation: Due to the lengthy program this week, there were no presentations.
Program:
James Pyles introduced the High School Student Recognition Program, noting that honoring these students is one of the highlights of the Rotary year. In a change from past formats, the students were presented in the alphabetical sequence of the Bellingham School District high schools they attend rather than by disciplines.
Felicity Dye introduced students from her alma mater, Bellingham High.
For Math, the honored student is Ellen Nichols, who not only is good with numbers, but has an additional passion for art. She noted that Mr. Flynt inspired her to excel in physics as well.
The science student from BHS is Rikki Skoczen. Like other scientists, she has found a great interest in music. I guess the two interests are related. Rikki stated that science helps her to make sense of life. She is a lifeguard at the pool and recently completed her first half-marathon.
The Visual Arts student is Louisa Malnor, who likes several pathways of art, like watercolor, acrylic painting, etc. She also has a musical interest – playing viola. Ms. Malnor would like to stretch in to environmental / planetary science.
The students from Options High were introduced by the boss of the School District, Dr. Greg Baker.
The math student of the month, Mya Ostlund, is interested in how mathematics work.
The science student, Emma Gleckman, was unable to attend the Zoom meeting.
For the Visual Arts, Serenity Connell announced that she attempts to turn all of her assignments into an art project.
SehomeHigh students were feebly introduced by your intrepid reporter.
In math, Baden Kowal of course has a really good GPA. But that is not his claim to fame. He has for 12 years studied taekwondo. The most important aspect of this particular martial art is respect for elders, those younger, and self.
The science student, Diane Park, has studied taekwondo for 13 years and also emphasized respect. (Any one hearing Aretha?) She is particularly taken with teaching the 4-year-olds. She also has a great interest in art, even doing plein air drawings.
Noah Weinrich, the art student of the month, was unable to attend. So, we were denied the opportunity to see any of his work. We can hope that he will develop into the next Degas or whomever he wishes to be.
For Squalicum High, Monty McAllister did the honors.
Kamden Ignac was recognized for her work in math. A member of the school Rotary Club, she would like to study engineering in the future. She volunteers with the radio station KCYX.
Sarah Saari is the student of the month in visual arts from Squalicum. She said she is pushed by four older brothers to excel. She is in Running Start and is perhaps looking at a career in graphic arts. She has adopted a philosophy that “messes are just masterpieces waiting to happen”.
And the science student is Liberty Putney-Burke. Her goal, at this time, is to become a dermatologist. She credits Ms. Carpenter for pushing her in the sciences.
Covid Report:
Gary G. reported 37 patients in hospital, seven at ICU level of care, one intubated. He stated it looks like the pandemic has plateaued locally, but, unfortunately, that is faint accolade.
Final Announcement:
President Peter adjourned the meeting at 1:30 PM with this sage advice: Go forth safely and watch out for the raindrops...
