Whatcom County North Rotary
Northwind
May 31, 2007
MEETING TO ORDER: President Ken called the meeting to order at 12:30 and Winton Smith gave the invocation.
VISITING ROTARIANS: Nancy Tieman announced the Guests and Visiting Rotarians with her now well practiced "Command Voice." Out of Town Guest was the one and only George Tsakumis. From Bellingham we welcomed John Sleeth and Stephanie Sadler. And from Mt. Baker we welcomed Ron Kelley.
GUESTS OF ROTARIANS: Winton Smith introduced his guest, Dr. Wagner De Avila from Sao Paulo Brazil. (More about Dr. De Avila below.)
BIRTHDAYS: Greg Thulin is having a birthday, but he was not here today. Wish him a happy day next time you see him.
RETURNING ROTARIANS: Mel Hollinger returned from Houston, Texas where he visited with his daughter and 2 grandchildren and their families. In Texas he collected his 96th banner for the club. He was also impressed that they paid for his meal which was not nearly as nice as the ones we have, but nothing to get upset about because it was free. Dr. Wagner De Avila was also a returning Rotarian as he was a Rotary Exchange Student in l978. Dr. De Avila graduated from Sehome H.S. and later became a urologist and teacher. He returned to the U.S. to visit with friends he had made during his exchange.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Rome Sarwas announced that the Roy Orbison concert is on for June 23rd and tickets are on sale at Mt. Baker Theater or MBT online. Roy Orbison died in the 80s, but some members of this band are his original musicians. Rome stated that this band is so good and so much like the original that every year when the Orbison family does their family reunion, they have the band perform. Also, as incentive, should you still need it, attending the concert counts as a make-up for any missed meetings. President Ken announced the Installation dinner for the 28th and Dick Donahue has tickets for the Baltimore/Seattle game on Tuesday with all proceeds going to the Dick Metcalf fund. Don't forget, he will replace any tickets if you go to a game and the Mariners lose. And it was announced that our very own Suzy is passing out her pledge sheets for The Walk For Life. Be sure to support her in this.
HAPPY BUCKS: Winton Smith had happy Bucks because he is VP of the Scottish Rite Scholarship Foundation of Washington and they gave out $269,500 to WA state college students and $34,000 went to students attending WWU. Rome Sarwas had $ to thank Rick Staeb for stepping up and making the Roy Orbison concert happen and for all the promos and advertisements concerning the concert. Bill Grace had $ for his car show at the Ski to Sea last weekend. They had 165 cars at the show AND he had happy $ because he and Kris got to their weekend place with dread as they knew their lawn had become unmanageable after his lawn mower broke down. He was delighted that his nephew had come along and mowed his lawn for him. Jerry Landcastle was happy that he and Sharon had enjoyed the long weekend in Sacramento at the Jazz Festival. Brian Finnegan apparently grew tired of praise for Rick Staeb and could take it no longer. Evidently, Rick does the announcing for the Ski to Sea and did not even begin announcing Brian's canoe extravaganza until way after the team had finished somewhere behind the 25th place "winners". Athletes can be so temperamental! Dick Donahue had happy bucks for the way Jerry Landcastle does things. (See any number of this week's local newspapers.) Scott Wallace had happy $ for an "uneventful" shake-down cruise to Lopez Island. Rose Abbaspour had apology $ for having to leave early. Bob Bowman had happy $ because Jerry Landcastle can still fascinate the press even though he was in Sacramento. Max Legg had $33 for 33 years of marriage and a couple of bucks because Dr. De Avila reminded him of a great trip he took with his wife to Brazil where he got to go to the shopping district. Doug Thomas had a few hundred happy bucks to finish off his pledge to the Metcalf fund and some very unhappy $ for the loss of his father-in-law. Paul Cooley had some happy bucks because Ken Richardson finally called on him, (Ken's defense was that without the mustache, Paul looked like a kid). But the point is that Paul had happy bucks for a shoplifting trial that he had been subpoenaed for. The "accused" had delivered death threats at the time of the crime and it turns out Paul had photos of the guy committing this crime and linking him to another one. The "accused" wasn't counting on photo evidence, so he ended up pleading guilty and Paul will not have been under oath. Paul also had happy $ for the sunny weather because he never tires of seeing middle age men in shorts and black dress socks. Ken Richardson had happy $ for the Memorial Day ceremonies at Hovander park honoring Vets. George Tsukamis had $1,000 for the Dick Metcalf Teen Center.
FINEMASTER: Ken Richardson was fine master as Deb Wiggs was absent. Ken kept it short and simple by having everyone stand whose name or organization had been in the newspaper this week. They had the choice of paying their own $5 fine or fining someone else who was sitting down. Brian Finnegan immediately fined Randy Carr. Pete Kremen (always politically correct and socially responsible), paid his own fine. Jerry Landcastle (another politician!) also paid his own fine stating he was happy to do so. Doug Thomas also jumped at the chance to fine Randy Carr. (Ed. Note: Randy put in 2 IOUs and oddly they had Brian and Doug's names on them. I am privy to this information because I also had to be Sgt @ Arms today, but I'm not complaining, just thought you should know.) Josh Wilund, in a fit of fairness, fined Brian Finnegan. And Tim Carpenter was not allowed to fine anyone, because he had not followed Ken's instructions re: NEWSPAPERS not Radios.
PROGRAM: Tim Carpenter was the Program Guy today and discussed the fine points of the Rummage Sale which will be held on July 21st @ Central Elementary School in Ferndale. The two things Tim wanted us to take from this presentation were: 1. Start collecting donations NOW and 2. We ALL need to promote this fundraiser. (Rick Staeb readily volunteered to head up the advertising committee.) Donations can be dropped off at Lex's trailers at Hannigan and Bakerview. You can call Lex to let him know when you will be dropping them off and he can meet you there if it is not already being stationed by member(s). July 19th there will be a meeting to look over the facility and do some final organization, (Lunch may be offered). Larry Pollett will be in charge of pick-ups and will be working with Lex. Tim asked everyone who has an organization, office, club newsletter to put in a blurb about the sale to alert more customers. We will not be taking mattresses or hazardous substances. Large appliance will be considered IF they are clean, working, electric, and in good shape. We will exercise care when deciding to take computers and we welcome clothes, antiques, collectables and house wares. Tim is looking for lots of volunteers and handed out lists, etc. to get ideas and comments. Basically, anything that worked for the sale last year, we will do again and anything that didn't work we will not do again. Lastly, Tim wanted to dispel any rumors that to be involved you had to be a member in the club for a long time. We really want to get the new members involved because it is a great way to meet other club members and your support is needed.
DRAWING: Jim McKellar won the drawing but it meant nothing as he drew the 8 of diamonds. The pot grows.
Editor: Marlene Sexton