Northwind January 12, 2012

Posted by Rick Staeb 
on Jan 12, 2012
 
CALL TO ORDER:  President Gary Tomsic called the meeting to order at 12:30, leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Marlene Sexton gave the invocation.  We all recited the 4-way test led by Josh Wilund.
 
GUESTS:  Dale Holt
 
VISITING ROTARIANS:   Dale Vandergiessen from Mt. Baker Rotary
  
RETURNING ROTARIANS:
 
BIRTHDAYS:
No anniversaries this week for Club Membership.
 
ACCOUNCEMENTS:
  • A Board Meeting will be held next Tuesday at 4pm at the offices of Metcalf Hodges.  All welcome. 
  • If you didn't get enough bobbles and shinney stuff for Christmas, see Julie and Marlene about their Jewelry Show on January 30th at the Metcalf Hodges offices.  Promises of fun for all with munchies along with beer and wine. 
  • Tim Villhauer thanked everyone who made the Wine Tasting Fund Raiser on Wednesday and reminded us that it's still not too late to order you favorite wine. See Tim if you would like to place an order.
  • In-coming President Laurie Lloyd told us about next week's election of officers.  If you have board member nominations, please submit those to the current board members.
  • The Alzheimer Society of Washington is presenting a Valentine's Celebration Dance on Friday February 10 at 7pm in the Leopold's Crystal Ballroom.  Go to ALZSOCIETY.ORG for more details.
  • Norm Vigre gave an update on a Rotary Friendship Exchange this summer with a German Team.  See Norm for more details.
  • Sad announcement from President Gary that Randy Carr has resigned from our club due to time constraints and family obligations. 

HAPPY BUCKS: 

  • Laurie $2 for a great wine tasting event which was echoed by Derek, Rollo and President Gary
  • Bill Grace was happy to be sitting between the two M & M ladies and his recent blood donation.
  • Brian Finnigan had a sad dollar about Randy but a happy buck about the wine tasting.
  • Ken Richardson was hapy to see Brian actually had cash on him.
  • Marlene had some sad bucks that she missed the club's wine tasting, but for Marlene, everyday is a wine tasting day.
  • Maureen was said to hear Randy was leaving the club
  • Norm had $10 Suggestion Bucks that perhaps Brian could help Randy out with his patient load.
  • Timmy V was happy to donate some old dentistry tools he has in his garage.
  • Stan had some happy bucks to tell a delightful store about a little black lamb that he bought years ago for his sweetheart, Margaret.

 FINEMASTER:

Maureen McCarthy, was her usual witty and creative self with plenty of great fines.  Starting with the Banners, Jake was dinged a buck after spending some serious time evaluating the possible banner riddle.  Stan took us around the world in banners from each of them from  various time zones that make up the 24 hours of a day.
If you were delinquent in having the appropriate colors on your plate, you paid a dollar (vegetables are always a good bet for adding color).  If you missed the wine tasting you had to pay a buck.  If you hadn't brought a guest to a rotary meeting in the last 6 months, you had to pay.  If you couldn't speak a foreign language (canadian didn't count) you paid.  If you had volunteer in some capacity in the last year, you got fined. 
If you hadn't noted a recent beautiful sunrise, sunset or full moon, you had to pay.  If you still had your Christmas Tree up or had chuck it out into the street you paid dearly. 
Your editor was fined for participating in a one year old's birthday party that the Fine master had to miss.  Tim V was fined for confusing math with 14 Hands Wine costing $8 which doesn't divide easily.  Josh Wilund was fined $2 for being away for so long.    If you hadn't heard about the lady driving the wrong way on I-5 for 17 miles before troopers stopped her, you had to pay.  Rollo was fined for some story involving ropes. 
And finally since there seems to be some type of issue in our club about Names, Maureen decided that if you had the name of Gary, Greg, Tim or Jim, you were fined for being one of a least two members with the same name.  Good thing we only have one Rick, Nick and Dick.
 
BANNERS:  Around the World
   
PROGRAM: 
A great program presented by Dr. John Plakos of South Whidbey Island Rotary about a wonderful humanitarian, Sergio Carlos Martinez of San Cristobal, Mexico.  Sergio is an Agronomist and a Veterinarian who, for the past 50 years has treated over 6,000 native Mayan villagers a year.  May of them were severely burned and or had infected skin diseases that the local government and the hospitals would not proved th needed care.  He has never charged his patients because they do not have any money and because he believes that no one should benefit from the pain of others.  He has no personal incomes and is able to provide help to the native Mayans because his mothers-in-law permits him and her daughter to live with her,   Many people consider him a saint for all he does to help people.
 
Last October, Dr. Plakos and his wife attended a fund raiser for Sergio in the city of San Miguel De Allende, Mexico.  The purpose was to raise funds for medical supplies that he desperately needs to continue the treatment of his patients. The is a documentary about Sergio call "El Andalon"  The Walker which he is known as since that is normally how he gets to his patients.  To view the film go to www.veremosproductions.com and select "El Andalon".  The film has received several awards with showings at numerous film festivals around the world.   A very inspirational individual, Sergio Carlos Martinez
 
DRAWING: Jake Smith drew the 4 of Diamonds and as they say on Lummi Island, "the pot grows"!
 
Rick Staeb Editor