Lake Report (Jul 18, 2023)

Posted by James Monroe on Jul 17, 2023

This week's meeting will be chock full of excitement and surprises. You definitely don't want to miss it. And, next week is Aquafest. We will be meeting at The Buzz Inn that day.

Members! You were sent a separate email about signing up for various tasks for Aquafest Weekend. Please look for that message and sign up for helping out with the Corn Booth and/or the Parades! You can also sign up friends and family to help out. Make sure you look at the end of this bulletin for all of your Club Commitments.

Don't forget the Board Meeting is Tuesday evening at the Brian Rewis Insurance Agency Office. All Members are encouraged to attend.

Have you reviewed the Photo Album of this year's Installation banquet? What do you think? Click the link to view!

The link to our YouTube Channel is now available on our website and our weekly bulletins. You can view recent online meetings. If you watch any of them, you can count it as a makeup. Just let our Secretary, Gary O'Rielly know.

A New Leader for the New Rotary Year

Posted by Gary O'Rielly on Jul 10, 2023

A new year and a new beginning as Don Iverson is our Club's President for 2023-2024. A new Board Retreat is scheduled for Tuesday, July 11th at Don's house. We have a lot on our plate for the coming year and are excited to begin another incredible Rotary year as our Club prepares for AquaFest and our major fundraiser, Corks and Kegs on September 30th as well as numerous community events and projects.

ShelterBox USA-Bill Tobin

Posted by Gary O'Rielly on Jul 10, 2023

Our guest speaker on Friday, July 7th via Zoom was Bill Tobin, who is ShelterBox USA volunteer ambassador. ShelterBox was founded 20 years ago by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard in England. ShelterBox USA became a Rotary International project in 2012, a role that it retains today.

ShelterBox USA goal is "No family without shelter after a disaster." ShelterBox USA is an Office Project Partners in Disaster Relief. Currently, more than 114 million people around the world have lost their homes to disaster and conflict.

ShelterBox is working to change this by delivering customized emergency shelter, tools, and household supplies to displaced families enabling them to rebuild their homes and live on the long road to recovery.

Bill commented that it took 15 years to meet one million people and five more years to meet the second million and continue working on the third million people. Their Strategic Goal: Increase their impact. Expand their reach. Disaster timeline rapid response is being prepared. When a crisis occurs, they need funding up to six months in advance. This year, our Club became a partner with ShelterBox USA.

Five things you might not know about ShelterBox USA. Twice nominated for the Peace Prize.

1. Regional procurement. (Tents and tarps).

2. Appropriate Shelter-several different tents available to include on concrete pad

3. Pre-positioned aid.

4. It might not come in a box. The use of plastic bags is expanding.

5. SBOP ShelterBox Philippines. Referred to the Burkina Faso PDM results.

Thanks, Bill, for an awesome program.

Lake Stevens Arts & Parks Foundation Appeal

Posted on Jul 10, 2023

Our esteemed Past President Reshal Ploeger and member of the Lake Stevens Arts & Parks spoke about creating a Legacy Fish at North Cove Park which will add personalized fish made of metal along the water feature wall in North Cove Park and is asking residents to donate to the project. The brochure above lists way to donate.

Lopez Ride

Posted by Don Iverson on Jul 07, 2023

Save the date(s) for fun in the San Juans

Saturday, September 9^th, 2023 (with the 10^th as a backup date) has been selected for the Lake Stevens Rotary “Island Getaway” event. Don Iverson had suggested we get a group together go to Lopez Island where we have the option to travel on-island by bicycle or by vehicle. Lopez is special due to its fine roads, very limited traffic, and incredible sights.

We will have at least one vehicle (sag wagon) on the island with tools and the ability to transport bikes or bikers with issues. This vehicle will also transport food, water and equipment for our lunch.

Don suggests the following schedule (need to confirm ferry times in September)

8:40am: Be at the ferry dock at Anacortes, which is about 1.5 hours from Lake Stevens. Ferry departs at 9:40 and vehicle reservations require arriving an hour early. Those not taking a vehicle should still be early to make sure you get parked, unloaded and ticketed on time.
10:30am: Arrive at Lopez Ferry Landing at the north end of the island.
First stop: Lopez Village. Drivers will have more time to explore this lovely island community than bikers.
Second stop: Shark Reef Park, about a 1-mile easy walk round-trip from parking area. Fascinating place to watch seals (if the sharks did not get them all), tidal rapids and boat traffic.
Third stop: Agate Beach County Park at south end of the island. Here we will have a BBQ lunch around 1:30 provided by the Club. After lunch you can remain at the park (lovely beach) or go on a beautiful 2-mile easy walk around Iceberg Point. Incredible views!
Fourth stop: Watmough Bay. This is where the first European explorers landed in the San Juans. An amazing place to just sit on the beach and contemplate. Otters, seals, boats at anchor, an amazing cliff, Mt. Baker in the distance, and sometimes eerie silence. This stop may not make sense for bikers unless you ride fast and can handle a few extra miles.
Last stop: Be back at the Lopez ferry dock by 6:00pm to catch the 6:20 ferry. A little earlier is not a bad idea if you want to make sure you catch that ferry. There is another ferry at 7:35pm as a backup. The ferry system has been having some issues lately with mechanical and staffing problems causing delays and canceled sailings.

For bikers, it is best to park at the Anacortes terminal and walk your bike on the ferry (no reservations required.) The round-trip bike ride on the island will be approximately 30 miles with very limited hills.

For drivers, you should get an online ferry reservation to get to the island (not needed for return.) Get the reservation on July 9^th as they become available two months before the travel date and can book up quickly. Another batch of reservations will become available two weeks before the travel date. Go to the following site: https://secureapps.wsdot.wa.gov/Ferries/Reservations/Vehicle/default.aspx

Mark Your Calendars!

Posted on Jul 28, 2023

Aquafest

28 - 30 July 2023