Northwind 9/11/08

Posted by Nancy Tieman 
 

Whatcom North Rotary

Northwind

September 11, 2008

 

 

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Tim Villhauer called the meeting to order at 12:30 and led us in the pledge of allegiance followed by Winton Smith who provided the invocation.

 

VISITING ROTARIANS:   Elisabeth Bernard announced our visiting Rotarians:  Jeanne McGee from Mexico, George Tsakumis from Vancouver, Ron Jepson from the Bellingham Club and Lynne Masland from the Sunrise Club.

 

GUESTS:  Bruce Brabec, guest of Sharon Robinson, Leah Macaleer's daughter Willa and Scott Piper's wife Tone.

 

BIRTHDAYS:   Dave Engels on 9/7, Jerry Landcastle on 9/8, Max Legg on 9/9 and both Maureen McCarthy and Marlene Sexton on 9/10.

 

RETURNING ROTARIANS:   Doug Thomas returned from San Diego

 

ACCOUNCEMENTS:

  • Tim Villhauer reminded us about the next Club assembly on 9/25
  • Tim Carpenter announced the Foundation Committee meeting immediately after the rotary meeting
  • Josh Wilund invited us to the Ceremonial Ground Breaking for the new Boys and Girls Club at PioneerPark on 9/23 at 4 p.m.

 

HAPPY BUCKS: 

Tim Villhauer was happy about a productive Steering Committee meeting, Bill Grace was happy that one of the youngest guests (Willa Macaleer) sat next to him and also that Kris is on the mend.  Bill is willing to make special badges for anyone, just let him know. And finally, Bill was very happy about his 41st anniversary on 9/9. Ken Richardson honored the 7th Anniversary of 9-11 and was grateful for those people who continue to put themselves in harm's way.  Jerry Landcastle was celebrating 48 wonderful years with his wife Sharon.  George Tsakumis had 11 happy bucks for 11 days with his daughter.  Bruce Brabec was happy to be back with everyone after working with the sea turtles in Bonaire.  Rome Sarwas scooped us on Sarah Palin with info from his friend, her former teacher, who lives in Wasilla.  Dick Nolan was happy he's been riding in his roadster in the sunshine and was sad that the Huskies lost. Paul Cooley was grateful for the weather and happy that he's taking an accounting class at WCC so he can talk with the club accountants in their language.  Jim Bliss was happy that he can save money by watching TV instead of buying comics.  Doug Thomas was happy to be back and glad that the Cougars have a good basketball team. Scott Wallace was happy for something that I missed, sorry. And Elizabeth Bernard was happy she went to her second summer concert, a great performance by Santana.

 

FINEMASTER: 

Our Finemaster, Ken Richardson, in his first appearance, noted the front cover of this month's Rotarian featured mentors and immediately fined all previous Finemaster (mentors).  Tim Villhauer paid for having lunch with Ken's wife and mother. To further fairness, Ken then fined all non-Finemaster.  Dick Nolan was the last one in.  Huskies and Cougar fans were fined for 11 seconds: Huskies lost in the last 11 seconds and the Cougs were not even in after the first 11 seconds.  Although visiting Rotarians are not normally fined, Ken did it to them.  All guests and guest speakers were fined but the people who invited them paid.  Any guests who lived in countries starting with B and not wearing socks (Bruce Brabec) paid and finally in an innovative fine twist, Ken fined Susie and Erick for being in the building (Ken paid).

 

BANNERS:

Many tries but no correct answers.  The two banners this week featured surface bound animals and birds.

 

PROGRAM:  

Scott Piper introduced his long time friends, musicians Kurt and Lydia Shear. They used live music, a slide show and stories to tell us about a giving project that they sponsor in Myanmar (formerly Burma).  Lydia has been involved in music since the age of five.  She taught piano lessons for many years evolving into her current professional music career.  Kurt, Lydia and their children have traveled extensively and while visiting Thailand and Laos someone suggested they go to Myanmar three years ago.  They decided to do just that and fell in love with the people and culture.  Lydia showed a beautiful video collage of Myanmar with photographs of the people, communities and countryside and the various markets they visited all set to a background of Lydia's lovely piano music.  Lydia explained their Red Parasol Project named after a Monk's umbrella, which is their version of a Micro financing program (highly illegal in Myanmar).  There is no banking system or mail service in Myanmar, so Lydia and Kurt smuggle money into the country by hiding it on their persons and using the black market exchange once they arrive.  They are currently supporting a local orphanage and 3 women with small businesses (one makes and sells hats for 5 cents each).  Lydia concluded by performing two original music pieces.  Lydia and Kurt have a scheduled concert upcoming at WCC on October 4 in which all proceeds will go to their Myanmar project.  They also have a new album coming out soon. 

 

DRAWING:  Dan Baker drew the 3 of Spades. Only 5 cards left!

 

Editor this week:  Nancy Tieman