Northwind 9/7/06

Whatcom County North Rotary

Northwind

September 7, 2006

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Ken called the meeting to order at 12:28 and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Gary Tomsic gave the invocation.

VISITING ROTARIANS:  Paul Cooley enthusiastically introduced our visitors: From the Bellingham Club we had Dewey Desler and Fred Sexton.  From Mt.Baker, Dale Vander Giessen.  From Vancouver, B.C., George Tsakumis and all the way from England, Ken McKellar (Jim's cousin).

GUESTS:  Dewey Desler introduced his guest Linda Harduar and Tim Villhauer introduced Dick Nolan.

BIRTHDAYS:  Dave Engels and Max Legg both celebrating today, September 7th.  Jerry Landcastle looking forward to tomorrow (September 8th).  Maureen McCarthy and Marlene Sexton both on September 10th and Deb Wiggs on September 13th.  Happy Birthday to all!

RETURNING ROTARIANS:  Jerry Landcastle returned from a cruise and European tour.  He gained inspiration from the Town Square in Brussels, so be prepared for some changes in "downtown" Ferndale.   George Tsakumis returned from his daughter's wedding in Greece and after a bad accident, he was grateful he was able to go.  He reports all is well and he is glad to be back as he really enjoys Whatcom County North.  Randy Carr returned (miraculously) from what sounded like a "lost weekend".  Apparently his trip involved some sort of sporting event, a boat, incompetence, libations, and Dan Parsons and Brian Finnegan as sidekicks (not necessarily in that order).  Deb Wiggs just got back from a business trip to Florida and recommends the "SpaceMountain" ride at Disneyland over the same ride at Disneyworld for all those parents and grandparents taking note.  Business trip?

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  President Ken announced that on October 19th, the District Governor, Rod Thomson will be visiting our club, so please put this on your calendars.  Jim McKellar encouraged us to continue seeking funds for the Dick Metcalf Memorial Project.  Jim also reminded us that Doug Thomas (Bellingham Cold Storage) has more pledge cards and brochures should you need them.  Once Tim Carpenter finished chewing, he reminded us of the Tee shirts he still has.  If you worked at the Garage Sale/Auction you can purchase one for $10 and if you weren't there but want one anyway, it will be $12.  He also found a hammer, so if it's yours, see him.  Bill Grace announced the rosters are done and we should help ourselves to 2 each, one for the office, and one for the home.  Julie Johansen reminded us of the dinner hosted by Lori Pobuta and Sharon Robinson on September 30th.  Deb Wiggs described the Lodge as "very cool" and Randy Carr agreed with that assessment.  Deb also volunteered her services as a designated driver.  See Julie (or sign-up sheet) to reserve your place.

HAPPY BUCKS:  President Ken started things off with happy bucks for George Tsakumis' return.  Ken also had a happy buck for attending his neighborhood block party and hearing the blue grass sounds by none other than Max Legg.  Rome Sarwas was happy that, for once, Jake Smith sat patiently by while he (Rome) was busy catching a bigger fish than Jake ever has.  Maureen McCarthy was happy about the hard work that went into the garage sale and Bill Grace had $39 happy bucks for his 39th wedding anniversary.  He also had a couple more bucks for the Time-share vacation he and Kris enjoyed after the Garage Sale and another buck for "Whatcom in Bloom" and the award Kris won.  Congratulations, Kris!  Scott Piper felt privileged to work on the Garage Sale and had the $$ to prove it.  Scott also gave $38 to the Dick Metcalf Memorial Project in honor of his 38th wedding anniversary.  Jim McKellar was happy to have Ken and his wife visiting from England.  Roger Lehnert had sentimental bucks as his 4 year old granddaughter went off to pre-school.  She goes to an upscale school (it was determined it was NOT in Ferndale) and was able to call him from class, eliciting all sorts of fond feelings.  Brian Finnegan was happy to have George Tsakumis back and to explain how he and his "crew" ended up stranded on Randy Carr's boat.  Seems the "mysterious mechanical" problems involved a kill switch.  Bob Bowman was happy to have George and Jerry back.  Jerry Landcastle had $46 for his 46th anniversary and a good cruise.  Mel Hollinger was "double" happy to see George back.  Lex Ludtke was happy that his wife, Leah, is establishing her skin care clinic in the Bellingham National Bank building on the 4th floor, (I have no idea how to spell the other word!).  He was also happy about the Garage Sale and threw in an announcement that he found a dolly with a "Do Not Sell" sign on it.  See him to claim it.  Max Legg was happy for a visit with his wife Loren's family and liked the look of panic Ken Richardson had when he realized Max would be the entertainment at the neighborhood party.  Tim Villhauer had $5 for missing the garage sale and matched that with another $5 for the good time he had at a family reunion.  Jake Smith did not have a rebuttal to Rome's fish story, but gave $43 for his 43rd anniversary that "he thinks he forgot, (Editor's note: It really is a wonder that married men live longer).  Lynn Seelye was impressed by Lex's generosity for lending the trucks for the Garage Sale and Greg Thulin was happy he spent a week in Sun River and for the surgery he had "to yank" a kidney stone.  Rick Staeb was happy that he thinks he found his new sports announcer (Paul Cooley) and George Tsakumis was happy to be back after an 83 day absence and wished "Good Luck" to President Ken.  He was also glad God gave him an "extension" and he was able to go to the wedding.  Adam Finfer was happy for a trip to California and the wine country (Napa) where he enjoyed wine tasting and Cuban Cigars.  He was also happy for his son who will spend a year abroad in Florence.  Stan Brunner was happy about his new teapot which came with an interesting story: It seems he told Jim McKellar that he was in need of a teapot and Jim remarked that he had donated one to the garage sale.  Jim bought back the teapot and gave it to Stan and it turned out the teapot had once belonged to Stan's mother, (That's what I heard and I'm sticking with it!).  Bill Grace was happy and in agreement that Paul Cooley does make a good sports announcer and that he also knows his product placement in the store, (Nice to have something to fall back on if the announcing thing doesn't work out).  Deb Wiggs donated $100.00 in honor of her parent's 56th anniversary.

FINEMASTER:  Phil Bratt was the finemaster today and saw fit to fine the following: Roger Lehnert for allowing his little granddaughter to attend school outside of the FerndaleSchool District.  Tim Villhauer for ducking out of the golf game and not collecting his glove.  Lynn Seelye for his returned stolen vehicles.  Gary Tomsic escaped a fine for knowing that Katie Couric would be the main anchor on CBS news but he was fined for not knowing that Rush Limbaugh was going to be tonight's guest.  Mel Hollinger volunteered $ to NOT watch Rush.  Nancy Harrison was fined for something to do with St. Joseph's new plan and Jim Bliss was fined for not knowing the latest significant detail about the Sports world, (No, it has nothing to do with Randy and his crew).  Rick Staeb knew that this has been the longest period of a no-hitter and other sports stuff.  Brian Finnegan (who prefers to be called "First Mate") was fined for being a "development tycoon" and upsetting the locals with a new project having to do with big-box stores.  Brian also had to pay for embarrassing Randy, but Randy was fined for not finishing his lunch (due to his "swollen liver").  Jerry Landcastle was fined for his remarks about Lynden, which Jerry claimed, were meant as a compliment.  And for some reason, Maureen McCarthy was fined because her birthday is on Sunday.

BANNERS:  Dan Parsons guessed the banners were (and here he uses his hands) "from here, then across, then over, and back to here around the U.S.".  Yes, Dan, that's right.  Stan called it "a short jaunt around the country".

PROGRAM:  It has been said that jails are the foundation of a community and Dewey Desler, County Deputy Administrator, made a presentation on the jail system of Whatcom county.  This interesting program started with a description of the first jail, which was housed, in the 1st brick building in WashingtonTerritory (1863) and concluded with the plans for a main jail to be completed in 2014-2015.  He explained that 6,000 people a year enter jail and most have some significant health issue, be it physical or mental.  This indicates increased costs and a need for alternative programs such as home detention and work release.  He also pointed out the need for more staff as well as "triage" to get people the right kind of help.  For the first time, voters have passed revenue measures to build an interim jail, which will later be sold to pay for the main jail.  This all proving that a good jail system is not only complicated and expensive, but also necessary.

DRAWING:  I missed who drew the winning number but since there was no loud rejoicing the Ace must not have been drawn.

Editor this week: Marlene Sexton