Northwind November 5, 2009

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Chuck called the meeting to order at 12:30.

INVOCATION:  Mel Hollinger gave the invocation.  His theme was based on three well known district governors and their annual slogans:  Service above Self, Real happiness is Helping Others, and Mel's own motto:  Have Fun! Get it Done!

VISITING ROTARIANS:  From Bellingham Bay: Chris White, Stowe Talbot and Shannon Terrell.  Jeanne McGee from Melaque, Ruth Richardson from Sedro Woolley.

FOUNDATION MINUTE :  Sharon Robinson presented thoughts about Disaster Recovery.

GUESTS: Randy's guest, Norm Viggery.

BIRTHDAYS :  None noted.

RETURNING ROTARIANS : None confessing.

ANNOUNCMENTS:

1.  Visioning for the club, December 3, 5:00 p.m. meeting.  

2.  Committee Meetings next week at noon, no regular noon meeting.

3.  Foundation Dinner next week at 5:30.  Let Ken Richardson know if you are attending, please dress well, wear your Regalia and make this a special event.

4.  12/19 bell ringing - contact President Chuck.

5.  Program committee responsibilities (from Dan Baker): November - Ray, December - Julie, January - Dick Nolan, February - Dan Parsons.  March - Scott Piper (where IS Scott??), April - Pete Reuse, May - Greg Thulin, June Nancy Tieman, July - Julie again.

6.  Tony announced that we can raise funds by donating old cell phones, and he will send them in.  If anyone has any to donate, please give them to Tony.

HAPPY BUCKS:  Doug: Sad about Whatcom Middle School, happy for Ray's sense of humor about last weeks' interesting program combination (Humane Society and Big Game Hunting?!?).  Dan Parsons: some of his law school and frat buddies were elected in Seattle.  Scot Wallace: San Antonio trip, and the Cougars beating the spread (barely).  Tim C. happy for Norm being asked to join the club - and appointing him as President Elect.  Bill Grace - still glad to be retired from PSE.   Marlene - happy to see Pete Kremen's friendly face on election night.  Mel was feeling happy, but he was not sure why.  Jack happy his grandson is not going to USC (Huh?) but sad about the fire.  Jim Bliss - happy there are no more political ads.  Laurie happy for the (Oregon) Ducks.  F

FINEMASTER: Lex Ludke: Lex started off saying he would make it "short and sweet."  Sadly, no pun was intended.    He fined whole groups of folks:  Anyone who had leaves in their yard, anyone who had NOT won the raffle lately, the Bellingham Bay visitors for sitting together.  He also fined Ken because his mail always goes in the spam filter, and Pete for too much "hot air."

BANNERS :  Stan was missing, and missed, as were the banners.

PROGRAM:  Ray George introduced his dad, Lloyd George.  Lloyd had an amazing career working as an Educator for NASA in the 50's and 60's, and was a part of one of the most exciting times ever in space exploration, including the Mercury and Gemini programs.   He entertained and informed us with stories about early space explorations, and the development of communications and satellite technology.  We also had the opportunity to pass around real rocks from the moon, which Lloyd had collected and identified.   Who know we had such knowledgeable people in our midst?