Book Review: Krissy Moehl gave a book report on her book, “Running Your First ULTRA.” The book is a training manual for people wanting to run longer distances – 50k, 50 miles, 100k and 100 miles. She was approached 6 years ago to write the book, signed a contract in December 2014 and wrote the book in two months. The book contains training lessons for three different distances: 50k, 100k and 100 miles; however, the lessons are applicable to any runner. There are also tips to deal with dehydration, chafing issues and other problems runners encounter. She has gotten great feedback from runners who have read the book over the years, and still does.
Opening Welcome
President Gary Goldfogel called to order the club’s 4656th meeting, recognized the Rotary Foundation, founded in 1917 by Arch Klumpf, Rotary International’s sixth president. The Foundation has received a total of $4.4 billion in total contributions over the years.
Thanks to John Harris for his rendition of the National Anthem on the piano.
Tim Fisher Remembrance. Bob Diehl gave a memorial to club member Tim Fisher who recently passed. Bob recalled Tim’s contribution to the Rotary Club as chair of the Environmental Enhancement Committee. In that capacity, Tim led club member work parties making improvements at the Stimpson Trail and Lidia Place. Bob particularly remembered Tim spearheading the installation of restrooms in the parking lot at the Stimpson Trail, as well as replacing the wooden trail bridges with plank flooring. He supervised workers hauling logs and driving in spikes. When workers were finished for the day, Tim always served a terrific buffet out of the trunk of his car. He was a great club member and will be missed. Tim's family has requested donations be made to the Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation in Tim's name. You can send donations to 2200 Vining St., Bellingham, Wa. 98229 (Click here for Obituary)
Minister of Fun. Rich Bowers was the MF honored Tim Fisher for his dedicated service to the Environmental Committee. His theme related to the removal of the dam on the middle fork of the Nooksack River. The dam was built in 1961 for $3.8 million ($32 million in today’s dollars). The dam removal today costs $20 million. There are 1300 dams in Washington; their average age is 56 years. Over 30 dams have been removed in Washington, and over 1300 nationwide. There are still around 80,000 dams in the country. It took three years to remove the Lower Elwha dam, beginning in 2011. The club members’ failure to be up on these numbers resulted in a successful week for the club’s treasury.
Club Announcements
New Member Proposal application has been approved by the Membership Committee and the Board of Directors for Captain Ruairi Ward proposed by Paul Grey & Shauna Naf to fill the classification "Community Service - Salvation Army" He will be eligible for membership August 10th unless a written objection mailed to Sandra Lindhout, 2200 Vining St., Bellingham 98229 is received on or before August 8th.
URGENT: We are looking for Website/Tattler sponsors for the next Rotary year starting July 1st. It is a great opportunity to advertise your business and support Rotary. $350.00 for the year. Please check out the current sponsors on our website by going to bellinghamrotary.org on the home page. If you "click" on a sponsor it will take you to their website. It also shows up in the tattler. Contact Sandee if interested. We have 4 spots remaining.
All Rotary meetings will be held Virtually on Zoom until further notice due to Covid-19 social distancing. You can look for an email from Sandee each week prior to the Monday 12:30 meeting(you can start logging in at 12:15 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.
RCOB has now set up a Venmo account for ease in payment of 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 Goggle "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 5532. Give Sandee a call if you need help.
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 my 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 member, Dale Rings joined us again
Jen Moehl introduced her sister Krissy Moehl and her mother.
Sandee Lindhout introducedCaptain Ruairi Ward with the Salvation Army
Paul Grey introduced speaker Dave New with Nourse Tree Farm
Doug Cole introduced Fred Sheppard with Habitat for Humanity
Presentation:
Service Fund Grant Award. Doug Cole presented a $1,000 service grant award to Fred Sheppard of Habitat for Humanity. Fred thanked the club and said the award will go towards the purchase of a laser level, which will be used for the installation of siding on the Telegraph Road townhouse project. Fred said that in August there will be nine dedications, the eight town homes on Telegraph Road, and one house in Sudden Valley. There will be a second phase starting up on Telegraph Road, with four townhomes scheduled for completion in the spring of 2021. He said the Habitat store is open and they are doing pickups.
Program:
Paul Grey introduced Dave New, a Bellingham resident. He owns Nourse Tree Farm, located just east of the freeway exit at Stanwood. He and his family (wife, daughter and son-in-law) manage the tree farm. Nourse is certified by the American Tree Farm Association. Dave received the 2019 Outstanding National Tree Farmer award from the National Tree Farmers Association.
Dave said he purchased the property in 2009 with the goal of starting a tree farm. That took a lot of work. With the help of local agencies such as the Snohomish Conservation District, he put together a forest management plan to create a working tree farm. He put the property back into Open Space forestry, creating substantial tax savings. He harvested 60 acres in the upper portion of the property and planted 29,000 trees, alder and Douglas fir. During the course of his work, he discovered a fish bearing stream, a tributary of Pilchuck Creek. With the help of local agencies and consultants, Dave and his family put together a salmon restoration project on 200 yards of the stream, to reestablish the integrity of the natural process of the stream.
One of the highlights of Dave’s presentation was the great photographs his motion sensor wildlife camera took of deer, a hawk, an owl, coyotes, bears, spawning salmon, and beavers building a dam.
The property has many other uses, with a big garden, a big pumpkin patch, cider pressings of apples from trees on the property, and sap from trees used to make syrup. The property meets the motto of the Tree Growers Association of “Recreation, Wood, Wildlife and Water.”
Dave has invited club members interested in a socially distanced tour of the property to contact him at ddjnew@comcast.net, or by phone at 360-927-6150.
COVID-19 Report –
President Gary gave his weekly COVID report. He said that there was little news to report. The status quo was maintained with the hospital having adequate capacity. There were no COVID cases in the ICU, nor was anyone on a ventilator. He said the average age of persons with positive test results continued to drop. 36% of persons with positive tests were in the 20-39 year age group. There are 37 official COVID-related deaths in Whatcom County. Females outnumber males in positive tests. Hispanics are by far the group most affected by the virus locally. Gary noted that it is unlikely that there will be any advancement as far as reopening the economy unless the governor adjusts the guidelines to make them less stringent.
