Northwind February 9, 2017

Posted by Marlene Sexton on Feb 11, 2017
 
 
Call to Order:  President Dale opened the meeting and lead us in the flag salute.  
Invocation:  Tim began what became an interactive prayer with all members and guests adding their own gratitude list.
Visiting Rotarians:   Bob Moles from B’ham Bay.
Guests:   Julie’s driver, Bob and Stan’s son, Donald.  Welcome!
Returning Rotarians:  It appears nobody can go anywhere because of the weather.
Anniversaries and Birthdays: As mentioned before, but cannot be stated enough, Marlene celebrates 11 years as a WCNR member.

Announcements:   We need to make progress with getting Sponsors for the Duck Derby.  The fundraising committee had the “Best Meeting Ever” regarding this.  Tim states there were high-level discussions and great strategies and plans were formed.  Sadly, Tim was the only one at this breakfast meeting and an argument broke out, due to ridiculous ideas, things were said, and the meeting ended early.  He will try again next Monday morning at The Little Cheerful Café.  Dale will continue discussions with the folks at Specified Fittings regarding pipes, curves, etc. for the race itself.  The Career Fair (March 30th), still needs presenters.  Dale will be sending an email regarding this.  We have about 32 different careers to represent. Upcoming events:  The President of WWU will speak next week.  This coming Wed., Rollo and Dale will attend the Ferndale Chamber Luncheon.  The Luck of the Irish will be March 4th at the Burlington Rotary Club.  (Greg Iwasaki has tickets.)  Las Vegas Night will be this Sat.  11th at MBT.  Dale auctioned off 2 tickets for this event and Jake outbid himself and will pay $105.00 for an evening of fun and excitement.  (Julie and Bob will also attend this event.)  March 16th, Sharon and perhaps, Deb will attend the Ferndale Chamber Luncheon and March 30th is the Career Fair.  
 
Happy Bucks:  Tim started with $5 Happy Bucks for his friendship with Jim Blaney, who had the good sense to stay home in this weather.  Pati was happy for our speaker, Bob Winters as well as a prediction of no snow for a few days.   Jim Sands had $ for his trip to San Diego again, where he will enjoy more rain.  Ken had $5 and is truly happy he no longer works for Public Works.  Marlene was happy that Mark has a 4WD truck and can come and get her out of the snowed in parking lot.  Sharon was happy she didn’t care about the Super Bowl.  Bob Moles was sad about slipping in the ice and now has his shoulder in a sling.  Julie was happy that he didn’t do serious damage which would interfere with his fishing trip in a few weeks.  She was also happy to have him as her driver.  Stan was $5 happy that he and Margaret can enjoy the snowy view and have Donald and his wife and Jakie take such good care of them.  He was sad that the electricity had gone out this morning, though. Dale was happy his truck is 4WD and also that his father-in-law has been driving his daughter to school, saving her from these treacherous conditions.  Money was also given in Bill’s name, (since he was absent) and this money was to celebrate Bill’s perceived happiness at being retired from PSE at this time of year. 

Finemaster:  Greg performed the duties today and went with a Valentine’s theme.  If you had not yet purchased your Valentine’s gift, you were fined.  (Dale is the only romantic, it appears.)  Not knowing when and where Valentine’s Day originated cost you.  (496 A.D./Italy) Not knowing the Pope who declared Feb. 14th cost $1.00 Tim was fined extra for his guess, which was not a Pope, but a fish. If you did not know, “Who is St. Valentine?” you paid.  (Some priest in Rome.)  Jake paid Ken’s fine for wearing shorts!  You were fined $1 if you did not root for the Patriots (which I suspect, increased the coffers!)  And you were fined if you did not watch the WHOLE Super Bowl, right up to the bitter end!  Julie got the Jake Smith Award and anyone not wearing a pin was fined.   

Banners:  Tim cracked the code… SNOW!  (With one “snow bird” from AZ.  Thank you Stan!

Program:  Our program today was provided by Bob Winters of Whatcom Community College.  Bob did a great and nostalgic presentation about WCC and its evolution in the past 50 years.  He began with a sincere thank you to WCNR for the three $1,000 scholarships we have given since 2011.  (At the end of his presentation he sent thanks from a recipient of this scholarship.)  WCC was born of humble beginnings, holding classes in an abandoned supermarket to the now, 72-acre campus with 12 buildings.  In the beginning, 1967, one paid $6 per unit.  (Annual tuition and fees now are approximately, $5, 376.00, (based on 45 credits.)  Bob states the “pioneers” of WCC were “free radicals” and this included our own, Stan Brunner, who was quoted as saying, “Between the liquor store and the gas company and the 20 loads of bat crap we hauled out of a building, we created a college.”  (That was the administrative office.)  The first class rooms were in an abandoned Thriftway market, between a tavern and a toxic industrial site, (cement plant).  Other classes were held in Blaine, Lynden, and downtown B’ham, where in 1987, Sharon took her first CAD classes, (after earning a Master’s in Architecture.) Sharon later went on to design some WCC buildings.  This was a most interesting program and confirmed WCC mission statement:  WCC contributes to the vitality of its communities by providing quality education in academic transfer, professional-technical, and lifelong learning, preparing students for active citizenship in a global society.  WCC core themes are creating opportunities, building community and achieving success. 

Drawing: Greg won the door prize of ten different teas.  (He donated this prize, so hope he likes it.)  Bob Moles drew his own ticket, but did not draw the Ace, so the pot grows!