Whatcom County North Rotary Club
Northwind
September 27th, 2007
Meeting to Order: President Greg called the meeting to order at 12:30 pm. Tim Carpenter gave the Invocation taking a passage from AA and mentioning he had now been clean and sober for a period of 26 years. We admire your courage and wish you continued good health.
Visiting Rotarians: George Tsakumis from Vancouver; Dale Vander Giesen from Mt Baker Club and Villas and Todd from Spokane and the Hillyard Rotary Club. Villas spoke of the area being an old railroad terminal. Three members from the Bellingham Club. Pete transferred back to North Whatcom County Rotary, his original club after being a member of the Sedro Wooley Club where he was Treasurer for some seven years. Anyone who can follow the money is always welcomed back.
Birthdays: Brian Finnigan, Rick Staeb and Dick Donahue. Looks like you have survived the past and are now looking forward to another year of fun and frivolity.
Announcements: President Greg reminded us the annual Foundation Dinner is November 15th and there will be no luncheon that day. Please plan on attending if possible. He also reminded us of the necessity of raising another $100,000 for the Metcalf Center; so members need to think and be creative. Jim stated approximately $155,000 has been raised to date but there are still trees to be shook and branches rustled.
Rick Staeb mentioned his efforts to contact prior members in conjunction with "Where Are They Now". He is looking to active members to locate these people.
Happy Bucks: Tim for 25 years of marriage and for an upcoming trip to England. Gary for his return to being able to drive his auto to Whatcom County North luncheons. Rich Jacobson for an upcoming trip to Pasadena. Sharon Robinson for her nomination to become Business Woman of the Year, to be awarded at an upcoming Awards Banquet in November. It's a significant honor and we wish you well. She was also appointed to the Bellingham Planning Commission. We now know whom to direct our complaints to. Move over Pete. Scott gave happy bucks for his enjoyment as a fan of Cougar football, talk about lowering the bar to find happiness. George gave happy bucks. Phil for his enjoyed time having lunch with Brad and Brad's continuing recovery. Gary received a ticket for a seat belt violation and pledges to be a good and responsible driver in the future. Scott and Pete glad to be back. Paul explained about his dog's nightly bathroom habits, his house being surrounded by police, the return of his dog unharmed and the balance of the night spent in peaceful bliss knowing he was protected by Bellingham's finest. John enjoyed his fishing trip with companion Scott. Nancy blessed her daughter's traveling plans; Elizabeth enjoyed the "Sliverhawk" hockey game although not the outcome. Marlene looks forward to her daughter traveling from Colorado to Bellingham to get married. Congratulations all around.
Fine Master: Phil Bratt took on the duties of Fine Master. He fined members who had not reviewed the Art and Articles in the Rotary Magazine (Sir Byron). Rick for his participation in Mountain Climbing Activities (unlike some fellow mountain climbers, he claimed to keep his clothes on while on the mountain). Gary was fined for participating in a Peace Party at the Peace Arch. Paul for duplicating Larry Craig's actions while in the bathroom. If you're going to insist on tapping get a cane. We are not buying your carry over of a childhood affiliation. Sharon and Julie caving into their wild side and joining those at the other rowdy table. Fined Jack and Rich for their expressed modesty at the predicted outcome of the USC vs. Dawgs football contest. With hindsight the 3 point difference (the Dawgs were initially a 20½ points under Dog) did give rise to Trojan fans and coaches feeling lucky to escape the wrath of the Purple Haze. George was questioned about his transportation of personal wealth following the story of a fellow Canadian being stopped and in possession of $280,000 (Cash).
Banners: His (word) and stars (shown on only 2 banners)?
Speaker/Program: Scott Piper introduced Paul Cooley as the program speaker for the very interesting subject of sky diving. Paul was introduced to sky diving while going to school in Montana. After making 100 jumps he became an instructor and while no longer instructing he has made nearly 2000 jumps. These jumps included being a member of tandem jumps and included jumps as a participant in formation of 22 persons. He now confines his sky diving to pleasure jumps. Paul reviewed airplanes used in sky diving from the smallest (Cessna 182) to the largest (DC-3 ex-military and the dual exit Caravan of the type Fed-Ex uses). Paul stated initial sky-jumping equipment came from the military but the best equipment now comes from civilian manufacturing because it is much superior. President Greg put on the equipment and looked ready to take the plunge or as an elected official should I say he looked ready to take a dive. Paul reviewed the equipment operation. Present parachute equipment can cost in the neighborhood of $4,500 when fully completed. Sky diving activities can affect insurance costs or rates and is only available to experienced divers. Paul talked about clothing, safety equipment; back up chutes and the necessity of an altimeter. He also talked of enjoyment in participating in jump formations and those involving celebrities. Nice presentation.
John Aubert drew the winning card but no Ace of Spades.
Editor: Lynn M. Seelye