Soundings (4/28/09)

Joke of the week (weak): presented by our President, Tim McEvoy (only 9 more weeks to handle these Irish stories (aka Jokes) and then he is out in favor of Tonja!), and this one was about a couple who had been married for some 44 years, when the husband looks over at his wife and suggested that when they met they had a broken down house, an old sofa, a fourteen year old car and a 'reefer' that didn't always work (that would be known as an 'ice box' way back when); and after that short dissertation, he mentioned that now his wife was 65 years' of age, they had a 1.5 million dollar house, a valet, a big Rolls Royce, and many other amenities that he mentioned. Then, he said he was going to leave her, find a 'hot' 25 year old and start all over again. She said he would soon find that he had a 25 year old 'hot' dame (as was the case 44 years in the past), a pull down sofa bed, a shack and a 'reefer' that was not reliable! Sitting way in the back of the room as I was, filling in for G. Dennis Archer as secretary, taking pictures of many of the members, glad handing (in spite of the swine flu) most everyone who came into the meeting (with the exception of Joe Hoppis who snuck in as I was looking the other way), doing the Soundings while Stowe lounges around one of the Portland golf courses, I missed the punch line of this very funny story that was presented by Tim (Irish) McEvoy. If you need clarification on the 'punch line', please call Tim for that explanation after office hours, of course.

Sergeant at Arms: Our SAA was missing, and our President asked if there were any willing souls who would like to take over. Jumping up faster than a 'fast pitch' vote in Olympia, Senator Dale Brandland ran to the podium, and commenced hitting a few of the unsuspecting who had fallen out of favor with the Republican Senator. Those include Tonja for visiting Olympia entirely too many times; Dannon Traxler for being a lawyer; Phil X Hageman for not mentioning the "X" factor; Matt Groenig for moving over to Idaho where he will be taking over the Financial woes of a Medical Clinic; and a few more that had to place a Silver Buck on the table for some sort of infraction. Senator Brandland then assumed his former position, finished his lunch, and then nodded off during the meeting (just kidding, Senator!).

Announcements:
Kathy C. said that next week would be the last time to bring items for the Mother's Day Baskets that were being made by our Interact Club for Mothers who may not receive anything at all for Mother's Day---so scour around and bring in some of those old hotel amenities that you have ripped off during your last vacation. Eddie (the Fun Guy)

Hansen said that the meeting of 12 May would be held at the Golf Club, and he promises that the rain will not be there as it was last year. That is where our Meeting will convene, so sign up, have lunch or play some golf---we will have a great time.

Jim McCallum, Membership Chair, stated that there would be a Membership Meeting right after our meeting today, and at that séance, he would be bringing up three new candidates for membership.

And finally, a guest (Mr. Bret Bonner) had an announcement regarding a petition that he was hoping to have signed regarding putting restriction on our City Fathers (and Mother's, of course!) before they could arbitrarily up the property taxes by more than 1 per cent---a vote by the citizens would be required if the effort to raise them by more than 1% was tossed into the hopper.

Student of the Month: Harold 'Scotty' Scott introduced a young lady who was this month's honoree, and that was Miss Delbecq of Squalicum High School (a Senior). Mom and dad were in the audience, and they were beaming when their daughter gave some of the information of all of the activities she does as a Senior. Our congratulations to Miss Delbecq, her parents, Scotty and the program that is working very well this year (as it has in past years when George was the 'Big Guy'!).

Bucks in the Bay:

• Matt Groenig put some dollars in the can, and said that it was a sad day in his life to leave our Club---he has taken a position with a Medical Group in McCall, Idaho as CFO. He said that he had received a lot of great calls from Club Members. Come visit us, Matt.
• Ron Hardesty will be visiting some of those unknown spots in Texas under an assumed name, and while there, he will be plucking away on his guitar as he does so well.
• John Templeton donated a $100 Obama C Note, and said it was in recognition of Matt Groenig, and what a great member he had been. Also, John said that he was a Chaperone at one of the local Senior Proms, and a lot of us wondered how do we apply for that position next year! Hey, come on, I may be over 80 but I still like to be included in these extravaganzas!
• Lynn Templeton, (just another one of the Templeton's from Bellingham) said that he just celebrated some 35 years of wedding bliss, and he gave many accolades to our Senator Brandland for all of the work he did in Olympia in gaining the approval for the State allocation of $752,841.87 that will assist in the major fund raising campaign for the Ferndale Boys & Girls Club's new facility. We say thanks, Senator (you can wake up now!).
• Tim Krell had to put in an 'audio' demonstration for his son's comments regarding some sort of hockey game---and if you missed it, you will be able to hear the same thing during the next play-off game - check with Tim for times, dates and what teams are playing; and what his ten year old son said!
• Stephanie Sadler and Matt Rose placed a few dollars into the pot to recognize the great time they had at the Talbot's home for the most recent Rotario Dinner. Also there was Stowe, wife Nina, Son Remy and twin daughters (ten months as of April 11), Victoria and Isabella as well as the Dyers and the Cartens.
• Cy Lindberg stepped up to the podium, placed a few bucks in the can, and said that was for a few meetings he had missed (of course, he has been in Mexico since November-and did not bring any Swine Stuff back with him; so we are told!).
• Curt Smith managed to sell off five books at Haggens during the last week, so he would like to do the Brothels of Bellingham every year so he can get rid of those 145 books he has stored in the garage.
• Bill Gorman stood at attention and said that his son was also at that Prom, and was thankful that Templeton was there to watch over his Offspring.
• Christine Palmerton then recited one of the most interesting stories I have ever encountered when she related the ins and outs of her family members as they have taken up residence in the home of the Palmertons. First there was a few kids, then mom and dad (who have been divorced for thirty years), then a few cousins and a niece or two then a sister and another nephew and now, her sister is moving out from Michigan, bringing her four kids, and it goes on and on. I am telling you, I would be in the booby hatch if just 35% of that happened to me---and Christine pleaded with all of us that if they knew of a job her sister could get, she would be able to move out from the Palmerton's residence with her four kids, then there would be just 9 in the house. Please see Christine about the details.
• Donna Edquist thanked Lynn Templeton for the great job he has continued to do with the Boys & Girls Club---we all agree with that one, Donna.
• Bryant Engerbretson said that he had spoken to former member Ed Zech who abandoned the State of Washington for the East Coast, and we learned that Ed was doing well with his work, with the East Coast, his family and medicine.

Program: Paul Shissler, Executive Director of the Kulshan Community Land Trust was our program for the day, and we heard a lot of information regarding this most interesting venture that is identified simply as KCLT. Their mission is to strengthen the community by holding land in trust for permanently affordable homeownership and other community needs, and by offering financial and educational services to people of limited means. Paul stated that there are four aspects of the Trust: with Urban vitality, they contribute by adding affordable housing to neighborhoods already served with jobs and transportation. Partnering with others to create affordable homeownership that blends gracefully into neighborhoods. Preserving affordable homeownership for people working and living in our community and for our children and grandchildren. And finally, putting good ideas into action. More homes every year. Making a difference together. And so it was---we all learned a lot for this 30 minute program.

Miscellaneous. Please think about the great District Conference that will be held in Canada this year, and the dates for that are 28-31 May. The Club will pay for Registration, and that is a chunk. Let President (our one true Irishman) know about the fact that you will be going, and start making the arrangements.

Here' one for you!: There is a 9 letter word in the English Language that is unique. If you eliminate one of the letters in the word, the 8 letters remaining form another word; then if you eliminate another letter, the remaining 7 letters is an English word. And so on and so forth until all of the letters have been eliminated and the last letter is a word. You cannot take the letters out of context! That means that this one nine letter word will give you a total of nine words. Can you come up with that nine letter word. Let me know if you can, and the first one who can give me the answer via E-Mail, will receive aprize. My new E-Mail address is YZZY505@comcast .net. Carrie and I will be in Pasadena, California until Saturday, 9 May, so you will have to wait until then to see what it is and who wins! Not exactly Rotary, but what the hey!

Respectfully submitted,

Stan Dyer