Covering May 15 meeting                                    Becky Clark reporting

 After a simple and lovely reading from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, President Gary opened the May 15^th meeting with enthusiasm. …such a beautiful and promising spring day!

Nikita gave a recap of yet another hectic week in the life of a typical high school student, complete with prom pictures and stories.  Nikki stated that the best part of the evening was dinner where the revelers had a chance to chat, relax and enjoy each other’s company.  Nikki was resplendent in her very elegant gown and compliments were extended to fashion maven and consultant, Mrs. Elna Duffield.

Attendees at the breakfast meeting (multitudes of them) were treated to a Special Presentation by our assistant district governor Steve Lingenbrink who spoke of the profound privilege that being involved in Rotary International projects has brought to his life.  Steve and his family have enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Romania, Afghanistan, Russia, Latin America and Guatemala with the purpose of participating in various projects.  He related the story of a village in Guatemala that had a 25% mortality rate among babies due to poor water quality.  With the installation of a clean water system in 2005, the mortality rate has dropped to zero.  While lauding our involvement in local projects, Steve would also encourage all Rotarians to consider involvement in International Projects.

Steve Lingenbrink Roger 'Rotaryville" Martindill with our Prez

 

President Gary moved the meeting along by recognizing our own Roger Martindill as a Rotarian who exemplifies the credo of Rotary in a multitude of ways.  Roger was awarded the first ever commendation for the new Club of Rotaryville.  He, along with partner Karen Hanenberg, was recognized for his organizational skills, his meritorious service in furthering the cause that “partying is serious business”, and for his skills in “banner displaying” (among other things).  Past assistant district governor Martindill is under strict orders from President Gary to “proudly display” the plaque in his marine office.  The unveiling of “Rotary Pals” drew a response of sighs and “ahhs” from the audience, along with great applause.

 

Our Prez with Walla Walla-bound Nicole Bowman of Ballard

 

As the featured speaker, Nicole Bowman was an engaging and lively presenter.  Nicole is a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar and presented the story of her year spent in Australia, where she attended Macquarie University with the purpose of attaining her Master’s of Arts and International Communications.  She found Australia to be fascinating, and is grateful for the generosity and love that was shown to her by the Rotarians of the Epping Club. While at University, Nicole found the most interesting subjects were the Ethics of International Development and Multicultural Education.  While in the field at Vanuatu (those of you who follow “Survivor” will recognize the locale), Nicole was instrumental in establishing relationships with the indigenous peoples of the Outback and found that she was able to apply what she learned in the classroom to her experiences in founding and promoting special projects.

Nicole will soon be headed to Walla Walla where she hopes to work to foster cross-cultural unity and understanding through service and communication.  Her goals are to “serve, educate, impassion and empower” those that she interacts with.  She has applied to Whitman and hopes, someday, to be able to teach communications at the community college level.  She is also going to be a July bride and will, at the same time, undertake the renovation of a barn, hopefully transforming it into her marital home.  Horses, incidentally, currently occupy the barn.  Nicole graciously acknowledged the profound impact that the Rotary Foundation has made on her life.  Were it not for the scholarship that she was awarded she would not have experienced the opportunities that have changed the direction of her life.   

  Nicole has extended an invitation to one and all “winos” to visit her in Walla Walla.

Reminders of upcoming dates: 

May 19^th:       District Assembly at Sammamish High School.
May 22^nd:      Joint Board Meeting (incoming and outgoing Officers). No regular meeting.
May 23^rd:      Scholarship Recognition Breakfast at Northshore Senior Center  ... 
                    (volunteers need to report for duty at 5:45 a.m. and four more are still
                    needed. . . . see Tana Baumler if you are able to volunteer).
June 3^rd:       Volunteers needed for Rotary Park trail completion.  Becky Clark will be
                    calling all Woodinville Rotarians for volunteer status.
June 5^th:       5^th Tuesday dinner party at the Terry Jarvis’.  If your last name is between
                    A-M, please bring a salad.  If your last name is between N-Z, please bring a
                    dessert.  And, of course, please bring the beverage of your choice. 
                    Landau’s will provide the catering for the entrée.

Chris Boland, Sergeant at Harm, admonished Evan and John for leaving cash on the floor between their chairs.  Being that both gentlemen claimed the found money as theirs, Sergeant Boland reminded them to ponder the Rotary credo of “Is it the Truth” and get back to him. 

Jay Soloff was commended for always “opening the blinds and letting the sun shine in” and on that note, we’re glad Jay is done traveling for a while and will once again be attending meetings. 

President Gary gave 5 bucks to honor this day, 34 years ago, which changed his life in a very positive way.  That was the day that he was introduced to his charming wife Donna in the back seat of a Peugeot in Germany . . . . . .

Linda Hendrickson thanked the Rotarians who attended the 2^nd Annual Scholarship breakfast at Cascadia Community College.  To a round of applause, Linda announced that nearly $50,000 was raised for the scholarship fund. 

Evan McAllister is delighted to have his daughter Nora back in school.  The price of admission?  A condo for her to live in.  Well worth the price, Evan. 

And, finally, Jay is pleased to announce that his daughter begins her television internship in New York City with Entertainment Tonight.

Larry Duffield announced that next year’s Rotary Exchange student is a young woman from France and that host families are still needed.  The ideal family will live in the Woodinville High School area and host duties will be for about three months.  If you, or someone you know, are able to accommodate this need, please see Larry Duffield. 

And, in closing, it was most distressing to Snappy to NOT have a winning ticket for the weekly marble drawing . . . especially after he spent last year’s earnings (apparently) on tickets.  With the purchase of only a single ducat, Hugo did have the opportunity to gain fortune but alas, no cigar.  Bob Rosso won the t-shirt from Panama but the size was questionable. 

 

President Gary closed the meeting with a tribute to Irving Berlin and a fitting tribute to the privilege that all of us have by living in this extraordinary country . . . .a reminder that we have much to be grateful for and proud of . . . .the singing (in fine form, I might add) of “God Bless America”. 

                                  Meeting adjourned.

                                                   Respectfully submitted  --- Becky Clark