Northwind February 12, 2015
Posted by Rick Staeb
on Feb 12, 2015
President Rocky called the meeting to Order and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Gary presented the Invocation/Word for the Day which was around Happy Birthday. It is Rotary’s 110th Anniversary on February 23rd.
Guests: Scott’s wife Marge, Pete’s wife Lynn, Garland Richmond, Linda Quinn
Visiting Rotarians: Cindy Tracy from La Conner and Bill Kirby from Carson City NV.
Returning Rotarians: Mel Hollinger
Anniversaries: Julie had her 21st anniversary on February 1 and Marlene’s was on February 2nd. Julie also received a Sponsorship Pin from RI for bringing in a new member this year. Way to go JJ.
Announcements: Board Meeting next Wednesday at 4pm at the offices of Metcalf Hodges. All are welcome.
Cindy Tracy from the La Conner club gave us an update on their club’s fund raiser, the La Conner Smelt Run on February 28 which is a daylong event with lots of fun, entertainment and prizes with the chance to win $500 if your smelt comes in first place.
Happy Bucks: Bill had $5 sad buck for the recent passing of two friends. Rocky was happy to see Mel. Mel was happy to be at the meeting and said at his age, he’s happy to be anywhere. Laurie had some disgruntled bucks, apparently the recovery from knee surgery isn’t as easy as they say it is and she’s getting tired of playing nurse maid to her recovering husband. Jim Blaney was happy his wife was back home after recovering from a broken leg. Marlene was happy to see Mel. Pati was happy that Julie got her pin because it was Pati that Julie sponsored. Pete’s wife was happy she got a birthday card from her friendly insurance agent and Pete was happy that now he wouldn’t have to buy her one. Tim was happy about Mel being at the meeting and that Jim had brought him a hat from University of Iowa which he was proudly wearing. Ken was happy that he hadn’t caused any damage to the wall when he fell last week. Stan was happy to see Mel and Julie was $21 happy about her 21st Anniversary.
Fine Master: Timmy V proudly wearing his Iowa Hawkeyes hat immediately rescinded the Wallace rule and raised the ante to $10. If you weren’t wearing any Rotary pins or paraphernalia, you were fined. If you spouse was not a Rotarian, you paid. If you didn’t attempt to bribe the Fine Master you paid a buck. Various members were fined for not knowing the significance of Tim wearing the Iowa hat. #1: Tim was raised in Iowa. Rumor has it that Tim’s best friend in school was Radar O'rielly. #2: Paul Harris graduated from the University of Iowa. Various members were fined for not knowing the significance of upcoming events in Blaine. #1: On Friday the 13th they were recognizing the signing of the Ghent Treaty which ended the War of 1812; it was ratified by the US Senate on February 18th, 1815. Those who didn’t know that the Peace Arch was dedicated on September 26, 1921 had to pay a dollar. If your local school bond was passed and you didn’t have a happy buck, you paid. If you live in Ferndale and didn’t have a happy buck about the City joining Fire District 7, you paid. If you have a rental property in Bellingham and weren’t happy about the new Rental Registration law, you were fined.
The Banners: Pretty simple, Valentine’s Day
The Program: Garland Richmond, the President of the Board of Directors of the Whatcom Chorale presented today’s program on the Chorale and the Arts of Whatcom County. They are made up of over 100 voices from Whatcom, Skagit and King Counties. He played us a recent performance of the Chorale as they performed Handle’s Messiah, which apparently people naturally stand when the piece is presented. They are in their 42 season. Their upcoming performances include March 15th and May 31 at the First Congregational Church in Bellingham. The Chorale is conducted by Deborah Brown who is in her 6th year as Artistic Director and Conductor. An interesting note from Garland was that Whatcom County is second only to Santa Fein the nation in per capita spending on the Arts in our community. The economic impact on Whatcom County that the Arts have is upwards of 18 million dollars each year. Please support the Arts. For more information on Whatcom Chorale, you can go to their website: http://www.whatcomchorale.org/
Drawing: Stan won the door prize and Bill drew the four of hearts. As they say around the state: “the pot continues to grow”.