“I like Bagels!” 

     I always walk away from a Rotary meeting with one fact that sticks with me.  This morning we heard from Andrea, our Rotary exchange student, about Switzerland, her home country.  In the normal stream of conscious flow of the Q&A period, the question “What American food do you like the best?” came up.

     “I like Bagels!” was the response.

     What else did I learn about Andrea and Switzerland?

·        Andrea has a lot of pride in her homeland.

·        Basel does not like Zurich because of something about football teams fighting with each other.

·        Even though Switzerland makes a lot of cheese and chocolate, international finance is a big part of the economy (despite the best efforts of the IRS).

·        Switzerland does have a navy.

·        Women can serve in the Swiss Army if they want to.  Two women volunteered last year.

·        Switzerland has 7.7 million people which is about 1.8 Washingtons.

·        Switzerland = is 1/227^th the size of the US.

·        Switzerland is at the same latitude as Canada.  Actually I learned this from John Abbot who knows a lot about Switzerland too.  However, this does raise the question “What is the latitude of Canada?”

·        “Edelweiss” (from the Sound of Music) is not the national anthem of Austria, or Switzerland for that matter.  It is a Rogers and Hammerstein invention.  I learned this from Chris Boland who led us in a rousing version of the Julie Andrews favorite.

·        The Swiss speak four language:  Swiss German (which is nothing like German), French, Italian and an ancient language that is a mix of languages spoken by a very small part of the population.  See John Abbot and John Ivie for a discussion of the actual make up of this language.

·        The exchange student presentations are some of the best meetings all year long.  Thanks Andrea!

 

What else did I learn in our meeting?

·        John Creason had a great year including a buying a new home in Woodinville’

·        Todd Banks won the school Board election, enjoyed travel to Amsterdam with his family and Kenmore Air is weathering the recession.

·        John Abbot, International Chair, is looking for international project ideas.  Call/email him by next June with your ideas.

·        Show your colors day is next meeting.

·        December 1 is our holiday party at Monte Villa.  As of Tuesday’s meeting we have about an hour’s worth of wine for the event (so says Gary Whitsell).  Bring wine next week or else we will be drinking water!

·        Operation Warm is December 11-12.  December 11 – 4:30 at NS Junior high for unload/set up.  December 12 at 7:00 to be ready for the crowds.

·        SAS will be holding a fundraiser on December 3, Hollywood School House.  Contact Eric Greenwood for details.

·        Pam has retired.

·        Jorge sells Chevy Yukons (Yukons?) and thinks that not owning a car is a bad idea.

·        Vicki is just back from a trip to Cairo and will bring us her slide show some time in the future.

Who would have thought you could learn so much at one Rotary meeting?  See you all next week!

 

                                                          Art Haines, Rotary Reporter