Northwind December 9, 2010

NORTHWIND

December 9, 2010

PROGRAM:

          Yes, the meeting today started with the Program. Brian Finnegan introduced the Ferndale High School Jazz and Swing Choir. This is one of the club's favorite times of year when we are entertained, while eating our lunch, by the choir. We enjoyed some lively music and songs. I think I also saw Finnegan singing to himself.

MEETING TO ORDER:

          President Marlene called the meeting to order at 12:55pm and led us in the pledge of allegiance. Dr. Snyder provided the invocation.

VISITING ROTARIANS:

          George Tsukamis from Vancouver, BC joined our meeting (remind me why he is a guest/visiting Rotarian? George attends more of our meetings than most members). Jeanne from Melaqu, Mexico also was in attendance. Shannon Terrell and Ron Jepson from the Bellingham Bay Club also attended our meeting.

GUESTS:

Tim Siemens was the guest of Tim Villhauer.

BIRTHDAYS:

          No birthdays were recognized.

RETURNING ROTARIANS:

          No member took off on an adventure and lived to tell about it.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

President Marlene announced that the Club received a 'thank you' from the Blaine Boys & Girls Club for the donation towards a new sign. There will be a Rotary Leadership seminar on January 15, 2011, in Langley, BC. If interested, talk to Marlene.

Next meeting (12/16) will have a no-host bar. So come get your drink on.

Still need more volunteers to tend the bell ringing. Check the sign-up sheet and volunteer where possible.

Tim V. reminded members that you should've received an email from him (unless by now you have 'blocked' his email address or directed his emails to your junk folder) regarding your pledge to the Club. Please review the email and make your pledge. Also, need to get your raffle tickets sold and the stubs plus money to Rocky.

Maureen announced (again) that on January 10, 2011, the Club will have a bowling night at Park Bowl. Put it on your calendars and plan on attending. This is the same day as the BCS Championship football game; there will be televisions at the bowling alley, so you can watch and bowl.

There is a fund-raising committee meeting Tuesday evening at Archer's Ale House (12/14) starting at 5:30pm. There is another at 7:00am on Wednesday morning, 12/15.

HAPPY BUCKS

          Laurie L. - started out happy about the Ducks making the BCS Championship game. Julie J. - welcomed the new members, Melanie and Dale. Julie was also happy about the pledges coming in from members. Scott W. - had a successful goose hunt; was also happy the Cougs put up a good fight at the Apple Cup. Sharon R. - was late to the meeting today because she was atop of the Peace Arch for a job her firm is working on. Rome S. - happy for the Husky's victory in the Apple Cup. Jake S. - son has tickets to the Holiday Bowl and asked Jake to go with him; what goes around eventually comes around. Brian F. - happy about the Apple Cup win pulled off by the Huskys and also happy he has tickets to the Holiday Bowl. Tim V. - happy about additional pledges and Christmas donations received. Max L. - happy about Naval Academy beating Notre Dame. President Marlene - welcomed new members Melanie and Dale.

FINES:

 There seemed to be some confusion as to who the finemaster should be today; both Ken and Tyler went to the podium when it came time to make members part with money. Tyler ended up starting off the fines with Randy Carr - Randy asked Kim Thulin to meet him to 'go over her charts' at Scotty Browns, but then never showed up (what kind of dental office work is being done at a bar?). Randy was also fined for his bad jokes. Paul C. - fined for sending a 'high maintenance' customer to Tyler's store.

Ken Richardson then took over additional finemaster duty. He required Sharon to pay her IOU. All guys with white beards were fined $1. Anyone who didn't have a Christmas tree was fined $1. Anyone with their Christmas shopping completed - $2. Anyone who had their Christmas lights up, $1 (man, for once it pays to be lazy). Anyone who put a Husky on their facebook page was required to bark up a dollar. Dr. Snyder - don't think you can ask divine intervention during invocation for Holiday Bowl victory by Huskys. If you haven't sold all your raffle tickets - $1. If you handed in your raffle tickets, but not the money - $1. If you have acquired one item for the auction - $1; if more than one item - $2, you are making the rest of us look bad. Welcome new members, Melanie and Dale, now here is your first fine - $1.

RAT OUT A ROTARIAN:

          In a brand new segment brought to you by President Marlene, members can now pay $2 and "rat out" a fellow Rotarian. Of course President Marlene took advantage of this new program, paid $2 and ratted out Paul Cooley. Apparently while Marlene was selling our Club raffle tickets at Haggen, Paul announced that Haggen was giving away a free trip to Hawaii as well, as part of its own raffle, at no charge.

          I am excited how this new segment may play out in future meetings.

RAFFLE:

          Today's raffle prizes: Christmas wreath, spiral cut ham and a turkey. Ken R. won and picked the wreath. Rome S. won and picked the ham. Pete K. also won and picked the turkey.  

DRAWING:

Tim Villhauer's guest, Tim Siemen, had his ticket called but he didn't draw the ace of spades. The pot grows in size.

This Week's Editor: Greg Thulin