Northwind 9/4/08

Whatcom CountyNorth Rotary

Northwind

September 4, 2008

Meeting to Order:   President Tim called the meeting to order at 12:30 and led us in the flag salute.  Jim McKellar gave the invocation.

Visiting Rotarians:   Dewey Dessler joined us from the Bellingham Club.  From Mt.Baker we welcomed Eric Vanerstrom and Randy Bode.  Mike Kirkland joined us from BellinghamBay and all the way from Carson CityNevada, we welcomed Bill Kirby.

Guests:   None

Birthdays:   Happy birthday to Sharon Robinson (Aug 28) and Nancy Tieman (Sept. 1).  Both were absent, so we can only assume they were out celebrating.  Happy Birthday to both!

Returning Rotarians:   None

Announcements:   President Tim announced a Club Assembly scheduled for Sept. 25, 2008.  He encouraged all members to come and as it is a club meeting, it would be best not to bring guests.  He is hoping for 100% attendance at this important meeting.  Tim also announced that the board approved an Honorary Membership for Brad Peterson until he regains his health.  We wish Brad the best.  The Boys and Girls club will be having a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 23^rd at 4:00 in PioneerPark.  They are hoping for a strong turnout as this is the ground-breaking ceremony for the new building.  Tim Carpenter announced that there will be a club Foundation Committee meeting next Thursday (Sept. 11^th) after the lunch meeting.  If you are not sure if you are on this committee, look in the new Roster.  President Tim also announced that Tyler Cook and George Myiow have been appointed to committees.  (George is on Sgt. @ Arms, Northwind, and Projects.  Tyleris on Y.S.A., Career Day, and something else, that I did not hear.)  Tim Villhauer also passed around a very nice Thank You note from Janet, (Miss Washington.)

Happy Bucks:  Tim Villhauer started things off with sad $ that his Navy friend could not come to the meeting today, but happy bucks that there will be a reunion of his Navy buddies.  Phil Bratt was happy for the Republican convention speeches and notes he is happy with Sarah Palin as the V.P. pick.  George Scott was glad to be home from Saskatchewan.  Larry Pollett was happy that he and Dick Donahue got to see a Cougar's game and is looking forward to the Ferndale v B'ham game.  Jake Smith was $25 happy that his son predicted long ago that a "gal from Alaska" would be the V.P. pick and he was happy it was Sarah.  Gary Tomsic spoke on behalf of the Dems. and said they were happy she was picked, too.  Paul Cooley was happy and informed the rest of us that Sarah hails from the pot growing area of Alaska. (Editor's note:  that explains some things.)  Dick Donahue had $ from Mel Hollinger for Bob Bowman. Seems Mel is happy to have a V.P. pick that went to the University of Idaho.  Tim had apology $ for not announcing Bill Kirby as a visiting Rotarian.  Jim Bliss had $5 for "the most refreshing thing to happen in WashingtonD.C. since he was there."  George Myiow was happy to be a member and that he was not blackballed.  Leah Macaleer had happy bucks for a visit from family.  Dan Parsons had $20 for his son Zane (5yrs) who had his Kindergarten assessment and was put in 1^st grade.  Dan says Zane takes after his father. (No word yet on who Zane's father is.)  Brian Finnegan had $10 for last week's Miss Washington program, which he single handedly arranged.  He was also happy about this Presidential election as it is high-time we elected either a woman or a minority.  And, if that is not enough, he announced the end of his friendship with Dan and Randy as they bought into an R.V. together to tailgate at Huskies' (Cougar?) games.  (Editor's note:  He should probably remain friends at least with Dan because of the inevitable legal issues that will develop.)  Tim Villhauer had more apology bucks for not recognizing Tony Cubellis 6 years of 100% attendance. Ken Richardson had $ just to continue the Bill Grace "happy buck streak" in Bill's absence.  He was also happy to see the V.P. pick sitting on a Harley.  Jerry Landcastle announced a Seabee convention from Sept. 17-20 and he has concert tickets to Al Kitchener, (Jewel's father) at the Best Western Lakeway on Sept. 18^th.  I didn't get why Bob Bowman had worried/sad $, but it probably had something to do with Sarah P., (but I could just be making that up).

Finemaster:   Scott Piper was today's Finemaster and he began by telling us that Roger Lehnert was to be Finemaster, but Roger had some sort of knee issue which prevented this.  Anybody who ever had a knee injury or surgery had to pay up.  Scott also had a 40^th Anniversary, so fined (?) himself $40.00.  With the theme of "forty", Winton was fined for his 40^th High School reunion.  Anyone who watched the whole Cougar game was fined $1 and anyone who watched the whole Huskies' game was fined $2.  Scott again fined himself for watching the Mariners and skipping football entirely.  (Pricey being the Finemaster.)  Everyone who watched the Republican convention and was moved by Palin's young daughter spitting on her hand and smoothing the baby's hair was fined $1.  (Paul Cooley informed me that that move is typical of Alaskans and it is referred to as "Alaskan Hairspray.")  Scott fined "the old boy's table" for taking John Aubert's. chair.  (I do believe there is more than one "old boy's table", but that is not for me to decide.)  Tim Villhauer then became the Finemaster and had issue with Scott taking the program speakers (Vic Randall and Jamie Plenkovich) away from the head table.

Banners:    The "gifted" head table, led by Bill Kirby, figured the banners as "Back to School."  Thanks, Stan for another good display.

Program:   Today's program was presented by Vic Randall and Jamie Plenkovich.  (Vic is the Athletic Director at Ferndale High and Jamie is the head football coach.)  This was an encore performance and they spoke of the general things happening in athletics and the work, technology, and dedication to building a good athletic program and winning teams.  Jamie discussed the changes seen over the years in H.S. football and the community support needed for a successful program.  Their first game will be tomorrow night (Sept. 5^th) and we wish them luck and a successful season.

Drawing:   Not sure why it took 3 drawings to have a winner, but Greg Iwasaki drew the Jack of Clubs.  The pot continues to grow and the odds increase for a big winner.

Editor:   Marlene Sexton