Soundings (3/9/10)

Bucks in the Bay

• Steve Spitzer had fun celebrating his granddaughter's first birthday!
• Scot Swanson for missed meetings in Whistler then Hawaii;
• Lynn Templeton advertisement for several of his vehicles for sale;
• Bob Tull for missed meetings while on the annual Desolation Sound boat trip;
• Stephanie Sadler said St. Paul's Academy started construction today on the new upper school building!
• Bill Geyer is on the board of Aluminum Chambered Boats, which recently received a reseach contract from the military, if it works out it could potentially turn into a 400-boat contract!
• Lesa Boxx took trip to Las Vegas on business and pleasure - it's her birthday today!
• Eddie looking to hire two new employees;
• Orphalee Smith went to Olympics for a day, was visited by a bat in her house, and really enjoyed the recent PETS conference;
• Visiting Rotarian Scott Dudley teased our new member Glen Groenig for leaving Oak Harbor!

Sergeant at Arms by Frank Chmelik
Fines for those who watched the Oscars, for those who signed up but didn't show up for the recent WWU basketball fellowship event last week (SHAME!), more fines for fishermen, Jim Wells, Kathy Cheldelin who won too much money at Vegas, and Orphalee of course!

New Member Talks

Glen Groenig - is the son of an apple farmer in Eastern WA.  Glen worked on the family farm, and loved sports in school and college. After college, he decided he wanted to teach so he accepted a job in Sitka AK.  Matt was born there.  Glen loved aviation and did some flying there until it became apparent that was way too dangerous a hobby.  Glen eventually became a banker which required they move around AK a lot.  He and his wife decided they wanted to move back to the lower 48, so they moved to Yakima to work with Glen's brother on a residential development there called Lake Aspen.  When that development was complete he bought a Dairy Queen franchise there, and then another one in Oak Harbor in 2000.  In parallel he worked as an agent at Windemere.  Last year he bought the UPS franchise on Meridian and moved here to Bellingham.  Great to be a member of your club!

Catherine Reis-El Bara - Born in '69 in Tacoma.  Went to college at Pacific Lutheran, majored in music and special education.  Discovered she didn't really enjoy working with children.  A friend suggested she try working in a nursing home instead.  She did, and found she really liked working withs seniors.  She is now the head administrator with Highland Care Center for seniors on Samish Way.  Her husband, Mark, works in the Sheriff's Department in work release.  They have two kids; a 14-year old son, and an 11 year old daughter.  Catherine is very excited to be a part of our club, and looking forward to the opportunity to give back to the community!

Leena Kirschman - has worked 22 years as a real estate loan officer, currently with Neighborhood Mortgage.  She was born in Seattle to very young parents.  Her father was in the service.  In school, Leena was a gymnast and cheer leader.  She attended UW in math and art history.  Married husband Pat in 1987, then they moved to Bellingham a year later.  They have one son named Garrett who is a senior at Squalicum - he is 6'4, 315lbs and plays football and track (javelin shot put and discuss).  Leena served on the board of the Chamber of Commerce, also the B&G Club, and has worked some with Hospice (her father went through Hospice a few years ago).  She enjoys being a member of our club! 

Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot