Northwind 10/11/07

Posted by Kathy Vander Giessen 
 

Whatcom County North Rotary

Northwind

October 11, 2007

 

 

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Greg Thulin called the meeting to order at 12:37.  Mel Hollinger gave the invocation.

 

VISITING ROTARIANS:            Leah Macaleer announced the visiting Rotarians who included: Jim Vos and Check Snyder both of Bellingham Rotary, Mike Kirkland, Shannon Terrell and Pete Rittmueller all of Bellingham Bay Rotary and what meeting would be complete without a visit from our very own George Tsukamis from the great white north.

 

GUESTS:  There were no guests today.

 

BIRTHDAYS:  Doug Thomas celebrated his birthday on the 9th, Paul Cooley on the 10th, Lex Ludtke on the 15th and George Tsakumis on the 16th. Happy Birthday to you al!

 

RETURNING ROTARIANS:  Leah Macaleer recently returned from spending three weeks in Europe with her husband.  Tim Villhauer was in St. Louis to teach a class.  Doug Thomas was at some resort and something about "homecoming" but not sure if that was back to the resort, which he probably considers his second home or if the homecoming was something to do with his alma mater?

 

ANNOUNCMENTS:                    A few fundraising ideas were discussed at the board meeting this a.m.  They will be circulated amongst all members for feedback. The Foundation dinner is going to be held on Nov 15th.  Ken Richardson was presented with his past president pin.  Brian Finnegan is in charge of the Fellowship dinner on Dec 06.  There will still be a regular lunch that day. He is currently looking for table sponsors.

 

HAPPY BUCKS:  Jack Curnow gave some $ for what he called a "sad day in college football".  Scott Piper was happy for Tom Haledon (former WCNR member) who recently served as gov of district 5080 who dedicated his year of service in memory of Dick Metcalf.  George Tsakumis gave $10 for the 72,000 lb truck that recently did over $20,000 damage to his car during a recent drive along Marine Drive with his visitors from Greece.  Luckily nobody was injured.  Bill Grace gave happy bucks for George being okay.  Winton Smith was happy for being able to be in Friday Harbor this a.m. for a 10:30 meeting and still able to make it to our meeting by 12:15.  Laurie Lloyd was happy to have her button rescued.  Bob Bowman was happy for Winton's YWCA contract and that Marlene gets to take care of his dog soon.  Tim Vilhauer was happy to get his glasses back that were left at the board meeting.  He gave sad dollars for a friend in Minneapolis who recently passed of cancer.  Doug Thomas gave $20 for his recent lack of attendance (past and future meetings), his wife's upcoming birthday on the 18th and for the Navy/Pitt game.  Pete Rittmueller of Bellingham Bay Rotary gave happy bucks to be selling tickets for something (unfortunately I missed what they were for).  Leah Macaleer gave happy bucks for her recent European vacation and is happy to announce that they have recently discovered they will be having a baby girl.  Dick Donahue is happy for an upcoming trip to Phoenix where he is going to start inquiring with the inn keepers if they know who Doug Thomas is.  Jim Bliss was happy for the Navy game.  Marlene Sexton is happy for an upcoming Maui trip where if she has a great enough time, she may not make it back in time for her upcoming dog sitting duties.

 

FINEMASTER:  Randy Carr was the Finemaster and expressed how pained he was to fine his fellow Rotarians.  However, he managed to get over this great pain, and proceed with the fines.  He started by fining himself for having to be a "scooter" this afternoon.  Scott Wallace was fined $5 per the "Wallace Rule" but was reduced by $1 for tipping him off that Mike Kirkland took an extra cookie.  Mike Kirkland was fined $1 for the before mentioned cookie. Everyone was fined $1 for going to warm places. Doug Thomas was fined 'for making it sound like he was happy not to be here. Mel Hollinger was fined for dancing with Gary Tomsic's wife and Gary was fined $2, $1 for being a snitch and the other dollar for letting it happen.  Maureen McCarthy was fined for filling her car up so close to the WTA when she should have taken the bus.  Jack Curnow was fined for Reggie Bush's parents only taking $280,000.  Winton Smith was fined for not giving any happy bucks for his recent YWCA contract.  Bob Bowman was fined for being a snitch on Winton.  Winton was fined for calling Randy "Gary" and lastly Brian Finnegan was fined for not being able to find anyone else for the fellowship chair.

 

Banners: The theme of the banners was Columbus Day.

 

PROGRAM:  Brian Finnegan announced the Honorable Superior Court Judge Chuck Schneider as our speaker. Apparently he is the only person who Brian has allowed to put a sign on his yard. I am not sure if that was part of the agreement for a recent sentencing he received??  Judge Schneider was one of the original organizers of the local teen court which has been running for ten years now.  Over 160 students from 12 high schools participate each year along with over 30 adult volunteers.  All major roles of the judiciary process are filled by students. Second time offenders are eligible to go through the program however, they cannot involve felonies and 90% successfully complete their sentences.  After 6 mos the statistics show 80% of the offenders have been in no additional trouble.

 

DRAWING:  Doug Thomas drew the Queen of Clubs.

 

Editor this week:  Kathy VanderGiessen