Northwind 2/28/08

Whatcom CountyNorth Rotary  

Northwind

February 28, 2008

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Greg called the meeting to order at 12:35.       Tony Cubellis gave the invocation.

GUESTS: None present.

VISITING ROTARIANS:    Our only visitor was George Tsakumis.

BIRTHDAYS: Rome Sarwas today, Gary Snyder on March 1, Ray George on March 3, and Merwyn Merk March 4^th.   Happy Birthday guys!

RETURNING ROTARIANS :  Doug Thomas is back from two weeks of hard work in San Diego.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:   (1) Board meeting next Thursday, March 6, 7:30 am at Zervas Group's office.

(2) After Rotary next Thursday, the fundraising committee will be touring the Silver Lake Boy Scout Camp in order to make plans for the Bay to Bay Ride. 

(3) Monday, March 10^th, 5 p.m.  Fundraising meeting regarding the Ride at Dick Donahue's office.

(4) Brian Finnegan: May 9^th, Friday - Auction/Fundraiser - Brian announced that a Professional Auction Person has been retained to help us meet our fundraising goals.  The theme of the event is "When You Were a Teenager."

(5) Our club raised $752.22 for the Salvation Army during the bell-ringing season.

(6) Paul Cooley: Career Fair is coming up quickly - March 28.  We still have only ten presenters, and need 28 - let's get cracking, folks. 

HAPPY BUCKS:  Winton Smith was happy for a roofing convention he attended - "All work, really!" he said.  Phil Bratt was happy for playing golf in the desert. Doug Thomas was happy for his trip to San Diego.  Bill Grace was happy to have learned much about the history of crooked politicians in WashingtonState, particularly one who apparently was an ancestor of Jake Smith's.  Jake was happy to tell some stories about his Great grandfather.  Tony Cubellis was happy for the sun, and the apple cider we were treated to this week.

FINEMASTER: The Honorable Roger Lehnert presiding:

Brian Finnegan fined for a haircut that looks like a skinned cat and Randy Carr for not telling him how bad it looks, or consoling him.  Jack Curnow was fined in retaliation for his last Finemaster stint.  Ray George was fined for telling stories about getting his wife drunk before taking her on a plane flight.  Max Legg was fined for all the people at his firm who are not promoted - what happens to them?  Phil Bratt was fined for having more travel plans, after just getting back.  Doug Thomas was fined for ratting out Phil.  Josh Wilund was fined for texting during the meeting and Randy Carr for allegedly answering him.  Jake Smith was fined for giving a program out of turn.

Banners:   Another collection of weird shapes and odd colors.  The only Rotary banner that has a persons' likeness:  Bob Hope!

PROGRAM:  Paul Cooley introduced a great tag-team program given by John and Dorie Belisle, the owners of Bellewood Apples. They gave us some statistics on agriculture in WhatcomCounty - we should be aware of how many great food products our community produces!  Dorie talked about their farms sustainable agriculture goals, and what it takes to be sustainable - both economically and environmentally.  She has worked hard to protect the full length of Ten Mile Creek, helping to pull many farmers together toward this goal.  Beyond apples, Bellewood produces lots of great food products including peanut butter, apple chips, and the great cider we were able to sample.  They welcome visitors at the farm daily between September and December.  Visit their website at www.bellewoodapples.com.

DRAWING:  Again no winner.