Northwind 8/14/08

Posted by Marlene Sexton 
 

Whatcom CountyNorth Rotary

Northwind

August 14, 2008

 

Meeting To Order:   President Tim Villhauer called the meeting to order at 12:30 and led us in the flag salute.  Tony Cubellis gave the invocation.

Visiting Rotarians:   Laurie Lloyd announced Kevin George and Sally Beard from the Bellingham Club.  Stephanie Sadler was welcomed from BellinghamBay.  Graham Harris came all the way from New Zealand.  George Tsakumis crossed the border from B.C. and Jeanne McGee joined from Costa Alegre, Mexico.  Welcome all!

Guests: None

Returning Rotarians:  None

Birthdays:   Jim McKellar today! Jim was having a wild party and was unable to join us. Happy Birthday!

Announcements:    President Tim announced that Brad Peterson's leukemia is back and he is looking at bone marrow/stem cell treatments.  Brad wanted us to know how much he enjoys the good times, the work we do, and the fellowship that Rotary provides.  He will join us again when he is feeling better and in the meantime, keep Brad and his family in your thoughts. Tim Carpenter updated us on the Bay2Bay and stressed that we need more riders.  Pledge sheets were passed around and all members are encouraged to find at least one rider for this event. (August 23/24th).  We would really like this to become a "signature event" and we need everyone's cooperation to see it succeed.  There will be a "Volunteer Meeting" Wednesday the 20th at Dick Donahue's office.  The meeting starts at 5:30 and all volunteers are encouraged to attend.  Ray George handed out flyers for the Lynden Jr. Livestock Show and Sale which will be held on August 15th.  He also announced that sponsors and buyers are being sought to offset expenses that the kids have from raising these animals.  He encouraged members to consider buying animals, not only to support the kids, but that it is "good eating" and a tax write-off.  

Bill Grace performed the New Member induction.  Tyler Cook was introduced by Paul Cooley and we learned that Tyler, despite Paul's disapproval of dangerous activities, likes to ride motorcycles, is the manager of the Meridian Haggen's, and has been married to McKenzie for over 10 years.  He has a daughter, Madeline and a son, Riley.  Tyler's claim to fame is that he was once delivering Mylar balloons for a celebration at the WhatcomMuseum and the balloons got away from him, got caught up in the transmitter and shorted out the power for blocks.  He was inconspicuous, however, except for the Haggen's van he was driving.

 George Myiow was introduced by his friend and golf buddy, Tim Carpenter. George is the Past President of Bellingham Golf and Country Club and is married to Cindy.  They have 2 kids and 1 granddaughter.  George is the owner of A-1 Document Shredding, Inc. and he is very active in community affairs.  George is Native American (Iroquois) and is bi-lingual, (French.)   

Bill also awarded Elizabeth Barnard her permanent badge.  Congratulations Elizabeth and Welcome to Tyler and George. 

 

Happy Bucks:   Rick Staeb had happy bucks as he is looking for new adventures and opportunities.  He is leaving Cascade Radio after 20 years and plans to stay in the area.  Bill Grace was happy to welcome Tyler and George and also happy to see the huge Bull, Ben.  Greg Thulin was happy to be going on vacation and happy to have hosted the Lummi Islanders at his BBQ.  Randy Carr had "Scooter Bucks" and a welcome to new members.  He also announced that Brian Finnegan and wife Jodie had their baby girl on Monday.  Congratulations to the Finnegan family. Tim Carpenter had $ to welcome the new members.  Ray George welcomed new members and had happy bucks for the Livestock show.  Paul Cooley had happy bucks for Tyler and George as well as for upcoming parachuting events.  Marlene Sexton had happy bucks for the great BBQ at Greg and Kim's on Saturday.  (Ken and Randy had bad things to say about cats, but the BBQ was quite tasty.)  Graham Harris wanted to know what Paul's definition of dangerous is and Ken Richardson cannot understand jumping out of a plane, but not riding a motorcycle. Ken also welcomed the new members. Scott Wallace had happy bucks as Marge will soon be a grandmother and he is going fishing.  Stan Brunner was happy that his grandson will be getting married.

Finemaster: Jack Curnow was the Finemaster and started off by getting Scott for the "Wallace Rule."  Stan was fined for calling Jack a "Long-tailed rat." Dick Nolan was fined for being the last one in.  After sifting through all Rotarians, Whatcom County, Washington, North & Central American members, Graham was left standing as the furthest traveled and since we don't fine guests,.$2.  Ray George was blackmailed for his remark about "write-offs" for meat purchases.  $2 would keep the IRS off his back, Ray paid $4.  Elizabeth was fined for taking over a year to get her permanent badge.  George Myiow and Tyler were fined $2 to really feel like part of the club.  Tim Carpenter was fined because George had dumped Jack (for Tim) as a golf partner and then Tim was fined for criticizing Jack's shirt.  Randy was fined for being an environmentally unconscious dentist and Ken was fined for his gruesome BBQ comments and Marlene was fined as well, for some made-up offense.  Lex was fined for taking the last cookie.  There were fines if you haven't been to the fair ($1) and if you aren't planning to go ($2). Paul was fined for bringing Tyler into the club to increase profits for the store.  And if you were wearing a Rotary Pin you were fined.

Banners:   The banners all had trees on them.

Program: Gary Tomsic presented today.  As the City Manager of Blaine, and a slightly obese Caucasian male with no distinguishing features, Gary gave an interesting update on what is actually going on in this town with the Dirty Book Store.  He discussed the development of Downtown, ("smile has a few missing teeth").  He told us about Bob McDermott's "Vigil" sculpture being based on real people and that the boy in the "Vigil" could have been modeled by Brian Finnegan.  He filled us in about improvements being planned for the Water Front and Wharf District and a new Peace Arch Border Facility, the Airport Land Sale and Development and the challenges of finding the work force to keep up with the growth in Blaine.  And in closing, he encouraged us to "See Blaine again for the 1st time."

Drawing:  Greg T. drew the 3 of diamonds so the pot grows!

Edited By:  Marlene Sexton