Soundings (6/22/10)

Posted by Stowe Talbot 
 
 

Flag Salute & Invocation by Dannon Traxler

Visiting Rotarians: Bud Peth and Dennis Curtis

Guests:  Catherine's guest Taylor Wadkins is working on his Eagle Scout badge, Heather Lewis head of nursing at SJH, and Jason Closter.

Announcements

Tonja said our club has received numerous thank you letters from organizations to whom we have donated this year: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Camp Kirby, Pure Water, teen grads program, and St. Francis among others. 

Next week (June 29th) we will NOT have the normal lunch, but we will be meeting that evening for the New Leadership and Fellowship Dinner at Boxx Berry Farm to induct the new board and officers. Tickets are $30 each (incl. food and beverages) and are available online by credit card here.

Tonja talked about the Club Vision Plan that was developed over the course of the past year.  The purpose is to give us a base from which to build and plan our Club activities and operations for the next few years.  Thanks to all who worked on this project.  Moved for approval by Dennis and seconded by Lance, motion passed!

There will be a volunteer opportunity at the Hospice House on Saturday June 26th from 10am to 2pm.  We will be painting, cleaning and landscaping the admin. building. Go to Taylor and 32nd street and follow the road around.

Steve Brummel talked about Brewers on Sunday July 25, 1-5pm. We will try to raise over $30K, and we have plenty of room to grow. Tickets are $25 each and available at many locations around town (or you can purchase online by credit card here). Each club member is expected to buy at least 10 tickets, but we hope you will buy a lot more.  We have no limit to the number of tickets we can sell.  Remember to explain to your guests that it is a "beer tasting", not a "beer garden".  We are targeting 32 breweries again this year.  We still need lots of volunteers (pre-event set-up, ticket takers, one volunteer at each brewer, and of course take-down / clean-up); please sign up for a spot. Volunteers should buy a tee shirt at entry ($5/each) so we can tell who the volunteers are.

Heather Lewis talked about her trip earlier this year as our representive on Group Study Exchange.  Her team went to Brazil (in the State of Paraná, south and Sao Paulo). She will do a formal program and slide show for us later this year, but wanted to present several club banners she was given - she and her team attended 12 clubs while there!  See the website at http://www.gsebrazil2010.co.cc/index.html.

 

Bucks in the Bay

  • Tonja said she really appreciated and enjoyed the past year as club president;
  • Lance Calloway had fun a Boxx Farm, little one turns two next week;
  • John Gargett for missed meetings logged a lot of road miles for work, 33 states!
  • Eddie Hanson for fathers' day, some whale watching, new swing set, and waiting for a not-so-shiny-anymore nickel to show up;
  • Marla Sanger was in Portland watched friends in Dragon Boat races, son-in-law accepted to Harvard for masters program;
  • Lesa Boxx said Liv Festival had collected over $8,000;
  • Mary Humphries' daughter turned 18 and graduated from High School, and tonight is the Bellingham Technical College graduation!
  • Jane Carten is glad her two-year old doesn't eat money like Eddie's kid!

Sergeant at Arms by Patti Imhof and Lynn Templeton
Joke by Lynn, fines for no ties, lots of thank you's, etc.

Program

Stowe introduced Todd Warger (curator at Whatcom Museum), and Mel Monkelis (from Whatcom Events and the organizer of the Ski to Sea race).  Todd is working on a documentary film called "The Mountain Runners" about the original Mount Baker Marathon which took place here in 1911-13.  Many would say is the precursor to today's Ski-to-Sea relay race, and one of North America's first extreme endurance events.

The marathon started in Bellingham and the object was to get to the base of Baker (by car or train), run 30 miles to the top and back, then take the train or car back to town.  First to return wins.  Many crazy stories ensued, including a train derailment and participants falling into crevasses.  The idea behind the 1911 event was to promote and open up the Mount Baker area to tourism. 

Todd has been working on this film project for a year, fundraising, filming some scenes, and receiving many many "in-kind" donations like air flights and access to vintage trains.  But he is still in need of donations to complete the project.  Todd wants to premier it at the Banff Film festival in the Fall of 2011 and then tour it around the country to other film festivals.

Mel talked about the important connection between the original Bellingham Marathon and today's Ski-to-Sea race.

Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot