Larry Leonardson's Rotary Report

We were honored by the Woodinville Fire Explorer Post national awarding winning Honor Guard which presented colors to start off our meeting. The Honor Guard was made up of Jamie Lindstrom, Victoria Conover, and Andrew Morford. Each of these individuals was part of the national winning 5 person Honor Guard from Woodinville Fire. In fact Woodinville Explorer Post has won the distinction of being the number one explorer post in the nation out of 600 posts. The Woodinville Explorers range from 14 to 21 although most are in high school. Each of the explorers maintains a 3.0 GPA in each subject taken. The Explorers receive regular fire training in CPR, search and rescue, first aid, and fire suppression. In addition they do service projects much as Rotarians do. They regularly help out at Little Bit, Northwest Academy for Exceptional Children (Aspergers syndrome, autism, etc), and the Bassett Bash.

All this information was provided by Gerry Vucci who proudly introduced the Explorers.

Chief Johnson was a proud poppa.

Cheri Tinker led us in a moving invocation which included the news that Wayne Parris had successful back surgery on Saturday morning and is doing well and spirits are better. Stop in and see ole Wayne at Evergreen or send him a greeting.

Doc Marsh led us in America the Beautiful to pay respect to our guests today.

Francia and "Reckonyard Gold" Wine Boy Gary Whitsell

Francia
with
Turkey Boy
after
Britney Spears
Concert

Francia shared some great, recent photos of her activities and we all got to finally see Turkey Boy. Francia seems more interested in Britney Spears whom Francia got to see from the fourth row at the Tacoma Dome. Personally, I like Turkey Boy better although Britney does have her own attributes. Francia is staying with Rorry and his family now. If appears to be a harem.

At this point the meeting started and Gerry Vucci told us about his wonderful Explorer Post. Crimson Chris presented a $1,000 check to Gerry to help support the efforts of the Explorers.

Principal Kosal Chea and headmaster Carol Hummel were present to tell us how Kokanee Camp is coming along. Kids from pre-K to grade 4 are enrolled in a summer reading program to take books from the Camp library all summer and then attend an intensive two weeks of reading and writing in August at Kokanee Elementary. Teachers use the time to help kids with their studies but they also to determine if little kids are ready for school, if bigger kids are ready to pay attention in school, and to help determine which kids might be discipline problems and how that might be changed. Perhaps most important is the connection made with parents, many of whom look to the school to help them with their own children. Parents have to provide transportation for the kids to get to school and provide time for them to read so it is a family effort which leads to success at Kokanee. Many of these parents continue to volunteer and help out at school as result of the connection made with the first Camp attended by their child. In response to questions Carol said that they were not able to track the kids to tell qualitatively what difference the Camp makes but Kosal said there is plenty of anecdotal evidence of kids doing better academically and with fewer behavior problems. Kids served by the Camp often are not at Kokanee long enough to track progress or they transfer to or from Kokanee and do not get the full impact of the program.

Chris also presented a check to Kosal and Carol for $5,000 to help with Kokanee Camp this year.

Councilman Jeff Glickman noted that Woodinville is completing its economic development program but is still looking for input regarding needs in the community. Contact Jeff at 425-908- 7601 if you have some input.

Rorry reported the receipt of procurement forms promising $17,000 of items already, a record for this time of year. Keep them coming. There are also blue forms turned in promising $25,000 of added items but not yet turned into procured items. Eric says the Sergeant will be looking for more blue forms next week. Be warned. GET AFTER PROCUREMENT!

The Great Appreciator reminds those who signed up for the Earth Day dinner at Monte Villa on April 22 to get there and enjoy a great dinner and lots of good wine. If you are using these minutes as a reminder, you probably missed the event.

Terry and John introduced the 2007 DeSoto Gardens Block, Grace Town Vineyards vintage of homegrown pinot noir and provided bottles to those who pre-purchased. Each bottle came in a special wine bag made by Susan Webster. Well worth the $130 price tag on this year’s vintage. –the bags. Those donating included Whitsell, Greenwood, Boland, Clark, Visse, Baumler, Dunbar and McAllister. Terry emphasized that these are “sharing bottle” to be opened and shared with at least four people. I guess that is to make sure that you don’t say you opened and drank the bottle without actually doing so. There need to be witnesses. All proceeds go to our WSU and Walla Walla CC viticulture and enology scholarships. Very worthy purpose. If you want a bottle of the 2007 varietal, ask Terry or John there are five bottles unclaimed so far.

Reckonyard Gold -- 2007 -- Released

Standing "O's" for Chamber honorees

Sergeant Eric had much business; Happy dollars from Erv (appreciates the fact that he is the Great Appreciator); Chief Johnson (for his Explorer Post members and mentors); Linda (for a successful breakfast fund raiser at Cascadia --$49,000 for scholarships); Steve (a standing O for the Woodinville Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year- our very own John Hughes) and a second standing O by Linda for the Woodinville Chamber Business of the Year-Brittany Park, led by our very own Becky!! And finally Cheri T (for living through a 50mile freeway ride in a car driven by her grandson who just got his permit to drive.

Roger Stark did not draw the properly colored marble but Evan and Marv took home statues presented by Woodinville Fire and Alex and Bob Rosso took home very nice coffee cups.

A fine spring day all in all.

Respectfully Submitted,

Larry Leonardson, Rotary Reporter

Next Reporter:
Erv DeSmet