Soundings (3/4/08)
Posted by Stowe Talbot
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Flag Salute and Invocation: RW Emerson citation by Matt Rose
Visiting Rotarians: Bob Morse and Gary Sneider
Guests: Steve Beringer, Bernie Bovenkamp
Announcements:
Matt Rose: Membership Committee meeting next week.
John Templeton is proposing that our club become 100% Paul Harris Fellows. Very few clubs have achieved that distinction, and we are close to having that ability right now. He would like to organize a Fireside meeting two weeks from next Thursday night (March 13th) at his house to discuss this topic. Directions: From intersection of Northshore and Britton go three blocks to Haywood Drive and turn left, then take another left onto Haywood Court to 3rd House. 3011 Haywood Court.
Also there will be a Fireside meeting for NEW MEMBERS Tuesday March 11 at Barry Kramer's house.
Visiting Rotarians: Bob Morse and Gary Sneider
Guests: Steve Beringer, Bernie Bovenkamp
Announcements:
Matt Rose: Membership Committee meeting next week.
John Templeton is proposing that our club become 100% Paul Harris Fellows. Very few clubs have achieved that distinction, and we are close to having that ability right now. He would like to organize a Fireside meeting two weeks from next Thursday night (March 13th) at his house to discuss this topic. Directions: From intersection of Northshore and Britton go three blocks to Haywood Drive and turn left, then take another left onto Haywood Court to 3rd House. 3011 Haywood Court.
Also there will be a Fireside meeting for NEW MEMBERS Tuesday March 11 at Barry Kramer's house.
Bucks in the Bay
Orphalee saw the high school production of Les Miserables, also go see the Food Bank progress!
Eddie and family went to Hawaii for a week;
Mimi wants us to know the facts about Brooks Manufacturing and the odor problem;
Dan Sleeth has a check for the Foundation, going through the five stages of grief about a recent birthday;
Patti Imhof, sad bucks that Imhof Construction was not selected for the second phase of the Guide Meridian widening project, but they did win the $28M Anacortes HWY 20 bid;
Scotty was very impressed by the high school production of Les Mis;
Phil X says Pearson is getting confused by building both Food Bank and Food Coop at same time;
Matt Rose for family weekend, Les Mis, and kids' ski racing at Mount Baker;
Bob Moles for cruise to Desolation Sound;
Pete Rittmueller lots of skiing and 35 years of marriage;
Bob Tull great trip to Desolation Sound, and will be turning 60 next week.
Tonja Myers said this is the final week of Bellingham Theater Guild's One-Act Theatre Festival (BOAT Fest), and also she and Rob celebrated four wonderful days at Harrison Hot Springs;
John Templeton got together with former high school buddy last weekend, and also reported that daughter Jamie signed a contract for a TLC / Style Network show that will go into production soon.
Stan Dyer got everyone to sing Happy Birthday to Cindy Franklin.
New member induction!
Christine Palmerton introduced Steve Beringer, manager of Anthony's Homeport. Barry Kramer performed the induction. Welcome to the club, Steve!
Sergeant at Arms by Robin Schmidt
Dennis, Steve and Pete, Bob Becker, Dan Sleeth, Eddie Hanson, Rotary Magazine trivia (Dolly Parton related), incoming Rotary International President is from South Korea.
Program
Stew Ellison introduced Bernie Bovenkamp of Westside Building Supply in Lynden.
In 1992 Fred took a trip to Haiti for first time with Childcare International, and was appaled at the poverty and desparation. It was a very sobering experience. Upon his return he wondered: Is there any way to make a difference in such a country? It was about that time that he and his wife read about Starfish Ministries. He began to give to Starfish Ministries, and subsequently made several trips. Ten years ago, Fred and his wife were asked to take over the orphanage there. 48 kids. They moved to orphanage out to countryside where environment was much better. In 2000, Starfish Ministries took over the operation of several schools, 900+ kids.
More recently he heard about the village of Rabine (?) where there was no school. So, they bought land and built a school. In October of 2001 he went there and decided he also needed to start feeding the kids in school ($500/month). Now schools are in 29 communities in Haiti. Four years ago in a village called Bethel(?), Starfish Ministries built a school and the school teaches 250 kids.
There are big environmental problems in Haiti - deforestation, erosion, degradation of marine habitat. Starfish is partnering with environmental organizations to reforest the landscape, and also drill wells for water.
Bernie is 62 years old and says he still has the energy and drive to continue with Starfish Ministry and all their activities in Haiti. Bernie takes about six trips a year. Haitian government has been cooperative. Gangs in Haiti? Yes they exist, and you need to cautious. Bernie has had a few frightening experiences. There is 80% unemployment. Goal is not to just give handouts but instead to precipitate real change and sustainable employment.
See the Website at: www.starfishministries.org
Orphalee saw the high school production of Les Miserables, also go see the Food Bank progress!
Eddie and family went to Hawaii for a week;
Mimi wants us to know the facts about Brooks Manufacturing and the odor problem;
Dan Sleeth has a check for the Foundation, going through the five stages of grief about a recent birthday;
Patti Imhof, sad bucks that Imhof Construction was not selected for the second phase of the Guide Meridian widening project, but they did win the $28M Anacortes HWY 20 bid;
Scotty was very impressed by the high school production of Les Mis;
Phil X says Pearson is getting confused by building both Food Bank and Food Coop at same time;
Matt Rose for family weekend, Les Mis, and kids' ski racing at Mount Baker;
Bob Moles for cruise to Desolation Sound;
Pete Rittmueller lots of skiing and 35 years of marriage;
Bob Tull great trip to Desolation Sound, and will be turning 60 next week.
Tonja Myers said this is the final week of Bellingham Theater Guild's One-Act Theatre Festival (BOAT Fest), and also she and Rob celebrated four wonderful days at Harrison Hot Springs;
John Templeton got together with former high school buddy last weekend, and also reported that daughter Jamie signed a contract for a TLC / Style Network show that will go into production soon.
Stan Dyer got everyone to sing Happy Birthday to Cindy Franklin.
New member induction!
Christine Palmerton introduced Steve Beringer, manager of Anthony's Homeport. Barry Kramer performed the induction. Welcome to the club, Steve!
Sergeant at Arms by Robin Schmidt
Dennis, Steve and Pete, Bob Becker, Dan Sleeth, Eddie Hanson, Rotary Magazine trivia (Dolly Parton related), incoming Rotary International President is from South Korea.
Program
Stew Ellison introduced Bernie Bovenkamp of Westside Building Supply in Lynden.
In 1992 Fred took a trip to Haiti for first time with Childcare International, and was appaled at the poverty and desparation. It was a very sobering experience. Upon his return he wondered: Is there any way to make a difference in such a country? It was about that time that he and his wife read about Starfish Ministries. He began to give to Starfish Ministries, and subsequently made several trips. Ten years ago, Fred and his wife were asked to take over the orphanage there. 48 kids. They moved to orphanage out to countryside where environment was much better. In 2000, Starfish Ministries took over the operation of several schools, 900+ kids.
More recently he heard about the village of Rabine (?) where there was no school. So, they bought land and built a school. In October of 2001 he went there and decided he also needed to start feeding the kids in school ($500/month). Now schools are in 29 communities in Haiti. Four years ago in a village called Bethel(?), Starfish Ministries built a school and the school teaches 250 kids.
There are big environmental problems in Haiti - deforestation, erosion, degradation of marine habitat. Starfish is partnering with environmental organizations to reforest the landscape, and also drill wells for water.
Bernie is 62 years old and says he still has the energy and drive to continue with Starfish Ministry and all their activities in Haiti. Bernie takes about six trips a year. Haitian government has been cooperative. Gangs in Haiti? Yes they exist, and you need to cautious. Bernie has had a few frightening experiences. There is 80% unemployment. Goal is not to just give handouts but instead to precipitate real change and sustainable employment.
See the Website at: www.starfishministries.org
Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot