Erv Reporter for April 22 meeting

Not since the buildup to the Ali-Frasier Heavyweight Bout in the Philippines, the “Thrilla in Manila”, has there been such excitement as there was for the events that occurred on and after the Rotary Club meeting of today’s date, Earth Day 2008!

The meeting was called to order by President Pisani. Immediately thereafter, John “The Man with the Megaphone” Hughes announced thru his massive powerhorn megaphone that the colors were to be presented. Erv DeSmet and Terry Jarvis brought forth the American flag and the Grace Town flag, respectively.

After the flag salute, Bob Russell led the organization in the important “Three-Way Test.”

Invocation was given by past First Citizen of Grace John Ive. Our song “Amazing Grace - Grace Town Edition” was led by Vicki Puckett and Al Marsh.

Then it was time to present the magnificent 3 Litre bottle of 2006 Reckonyard Gold pinot noir. This beautiful bottle was presented to Jorge Gonzales which will become an auction item for this year’s charity event.

The good times continued to roll when the lucky holders of the 2006 Reckonyard Gold vintage were presented with their bottles wrapped in beautiful bottle garments prepared by Susan Webster.

Although there was plenty of material for a lengthy introduction of the Grand Exalted Appreciator of the Greater Grace Wine Appreciation Society, John Hughes chose to go with a brief introduction of the Grand Exalted Appreciator.

Erv DeSmet then presented various charter member certificates to dignitaries in attendance at this important meeting of this important Rotary Club. The recipients of these certificates included the following:

Jens Molbak, photo below.

Scholarship recipient, WSU grad student in viticulture, Catherine Hinken Jones (right).

Jim Bichler, sign engraver par excellance.

Those not in attendance to receive their certificates were:

Mark Bradbury, Molbak's Plant Farm manager and vineyard overseer.

Chris Peterson, consulting winemaker of Reckonyard Gold and grad of Walla Walla Institute of Viticulture and Enology.

Other dignitaries were introduced including Geoff Ethelston, Officiant at Planting Ceremonies in 2001 and in today’s planting ceremony. Egon Molbak was introduced. The club members were reminded of his achievement in being declared the winner of the Northern Lights Golden Garden Award in 1995. This award was established by Grace’s co-ed Garden Club.

Bill Grift was also introduced. He has been a member of several, and perhaps more, Rotary Clubs in the area over a significant period of time.

The next important event was a Power Point presentation of the official history of the Grace Town Vineyards. This included evidence of the initial planting of the vines in the Desoto Gardens. Numerous pictures were displayed showing the progress from this initial planting (the Desoto automobiles had to be removed from the site before the vines were planted).

After this marvelous presentation, there was a short instruction session about the upcoming planting of the 2008 vines at the Grace Town Vineyards located to the south at the site of the Molbak’s Plant Farm. About this time Jens Molbak arrived to great fanfare and applause.

President Pisani then gave various announcements regarding various important upcoming dates. These dates can be obtained from President Pisani at the next meeting of this Rotary Club.

Then it was time for birthdays. Vicki Puckett was honored as was Tom Quigley.

The raffle was next. Egon Molbak was the lucky ticket holder of the first chosen ticket. He tried for the white marble which would have resulted in a kitty of $343.50 being made available to him. Sadly he did not select the white marble. Various other items were selected by individuals whose tickets were chosen.

The meeting was then adjourned. Numerous individuals made the trip to the southern location of the Grace Town Vineyards where vines were planted in this historic location.

The vines were blessed by Geoff Ethelston. There was also a ceremony blessing the earth itself and wishing these vines a significant future.

It should also be memorialized that there was a wine tasting and chocolate consumption phase of this planting ceremony which was enjoyed by all in attendance.

Expert advice on planting vines was provided by Max Zellweger and Catherine Hinken Jones.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED this 22^nd day of April, 2008.

Ervin A. DeSmet, Rotary Reporter
Photos by Steve Dolan, Apprentice Snappy

Sorry
Egon!

You only
get to pick
once.