Al covers Caribbean Cruise

Three years ago the Woodinville Rotary Club established a scholarship to honor our very first President, Marv Workman. The scholarship has been awarded three times to date to Woodinville High School seniors, to be used for business education at the collegiate level. It has been the goal of the Club to make this scholarship self-sustaining. The amount required to achieve that goal was $25,000. To that end, the Club today donated a final check of $5000, which went to Steve Dolan, treasurer of the Northshore Scholarship Foundation, and the $25,000 goal is a fait accompli.

Heidi, Marv, Joe and Steve do the honors

Part of this money ($7500) was raised through the very successful “Cruisin’ with Marv” event sponsored by the Club last summer, and arranged through the courtesy of Heidi and Joe Workman and their travel agency, R & D Cruises.

Cruise the Caribbean in 2010

Joe and Heidi have teamed up to tantalize us once again with a suggested holiday cruise.

This time it is on Holland America’s ms Westerdam. The suggested dates are Jan 24-31, 2010. The cruise leaves Fort Lauderdale and sails to various Caribbean ports, including Halfmoon Kay (or Cay, depending upon your orientation), Aruba (I can already see a song coming), and Curacao. There will be two days at sea and five days in port. The Westerdam has 11 decks, can carry 1916 passengers, with lots of things to do.

Why? I hear you ask. Joe and Heidi make an impressive argument: Rotary cruises can be fun! And, just as importantly, they can raise significant bucks for Club programs! Example, last year’s cruise to Alaska was reportedly a hoot (ask Jorge Gonzalez) and raised $7275! The way this works is, if enough passengers book the trip, the cruise line will reimburse dollars to the club (the Princess Line forked over $250 per head for the Marvelous Marv shindig. In addition, Heidi forwent (is that a word?) her commission for that program.)

Depending upon the accommodations chosen, the cost will range from $1049 to $1800 per person. This does not include airfare to Ft. Lauderdale (a package offering for flight will be forthcoming). Another nice feature: book that cruise in the next week (deadline, January 21) and you can hold a reservation for only $100 per person, instead of the usual $350 per head, and also receive a booklet worth $350 in onboard coupons, and this deposit will be refundable. Such a deal….

Booking form Cruise info

Firesides

The first of the Club’s Firesides is to be held this evening at 5:30 pm. Sign up for one of the scheduled evenings (see newsletter), if you haven’t yet, or risk being singled out….All meetings will be held at Brittany Park, courtesy of Becky Clark. Pizza, beer, and vino will be provided. The purpose of these informal meetings is to review Club activities and to sound out the membership on future projects.

SOCK HOP! – mark your calendar for 6-9 p.m. on Jan 27. The big shindig will take place at the Fitzpatrick digs at Everett’s Paine Field. Dancing (including lessons!), contests, a disc jockey – this get-together will have it all! By the way, Don is asking for help with decorations.

Don Fitzpatrick describes acceptable socks.

Joe Truglio reports that the project to distribute dictionaries to district schools is just about set.

Also, the Club effort at Food Lifeline scheduled for Feb 21 is fully scheduled for the morning session, but still needs volunteers for the afternoon, from 1-3:30.

The Sarge was masterful as always, extracting payment from Dunbar (falling down stairs) Fitz (illegal use of knives), Ch. Russell (failure to read newsletter) In an effort to recoup self-esteem, Fitz offered up a happy buck to announce that he has donated a half case of Woodinville’s best, complete in hardwood case. He hopes that it is the first item delivered for this year’s upcoming auction. (Ed. Note: Tana claims the honor of putting together the first "basket" for Wine'n Shine Oh Nine. A Christmas gift and decoration theme). President Crimson Chris blew a happy buck in an effort to appease the gambling gods in Vegas? Reno? Wherever? tomorrow.

Note plateholders fancy nails!

And it’s a good thing he’s headin’ outatown, cause…some shenanigans involving the white marble were uncovered when the marbles were counted and the Big White was (gasp!) GONE! In an attempt to cover up this fox paw, the Pres. substituted a –what else – crimson – marble. Which was promptly pulled in turn by (gasp!) none other than Mr. Husky himself, Gary Whitsell, who oughta be heading to Vegas himself, now that he’s $590 richer.

Your reporter

Alan “Doc” Marsh

Next Reporter:
Larry Leonardson
January 20