Soundings (8/22/06)

Posted by Matt Groenig 
 
 
Meeting Held at Taylor Street Dock to Commemorate the "Centennial Project":

President Barry Kramer introduced Ron Hardesty to provide both background information on how the Centennial Project developed, who were contributing volunteers, and who provided corporate sponsorship.

Barry had to introduce Ron twice as no one had ever seen Ron in a suit before and did not recognize the speaker.

History:

· February 23, 1905 in Chicago, Illinois, Paul Harris met with three business associates in hopes of recapturing in a professional club the same friendly spirit they had experience growing up in small town America.

 
· Now, more than one hundred years later, that organization known as Rotary International, consists of 1.2 million men and women across the world⿢members of more than 31,000 clubs representing 166 countries.

· As the Centennial year approached, RI asked each of those clubs to celebrate Rotary and its birthday by participating in a centennial project. The projects could be simple or complex, inexpensive or costly, so long as the project met with a need in the community, was promoted by Rotary, and involved hands-on participation by fellow Rotarians.

· Bellingham Bay asked for help in identifying a project by approaching the Parks Department. Paul Leuthold shared with us the City's plans for this Taylor Avenue Park and entryway to the dock. Our club offered to take on the construction of the gateway.

· At the same time, Barry Kramer suggested the concept of Grape and Gourmet as a potential fundraiser. Barry and Ron integrated these two concepts and raised over $40,000. The board authorized a budget of $50,000.

· To construct a good project, good help was needed. Brad Cornwell and John Stewart agreed to produce the drawings and coordinate with the City. Gordon Plume agreed to be the project lead.

· Gordon did much more. He elicited business involvement asking for donated materials, expertise, and equipment and the response was remarkable.

· Our club rose to the occasion through volunteer workers, gathered at Gordon's huge workshop and played with man-sized toys, to construct and erect this gateway.

· Through the combined efforts of the community businesses, hands on participation and leadership by both Gordon and Brad, allowed the project to be completed at one quarter of the budgeted costs.

· The project as completed stands as a work of art, a permanent reminder of the power of Rotary, and the good Rotary represents.

In honor and recognition of Rotarians who donated their time and effort, the following individuals were awarded hats for their selfless giving:

· Ron Hardesty
· Gordon Plume
· Curt Smith
· Brent Walker
· Cy Lindberg
· Art Runestrand
· Bill Boyd
· Stew Ellison
· Bill Unrein
· Harold Scott
· Matt Elich
· Ed Zech
· Eddie Hanson
· Jerry Simmons · Bob Jones
· Frank Zurline
· Dan Moore
· Stan Dyer
· Robin Schmidt

Corporate contributors and donors were also acknowledged and thanked:

· G.R. Plume Corp (lumber, manufacturing, materials, tools) Robin
· Birch Equipment (equipment) Sarah Rothenbuhler
· C B Wholesale (materials) Brent Walker
· Dawson Construction (excavation, labor) Pete Dawson
· Brooks Manufacturing (lumber) Mimi Ferlin · RMC architects (design, ram rodding) Brad Cornwell
· Ferndale Ready0Mix & Gravel, Inc. (Concrete)
· Andgar Corp (metal roofing) Andy Mellema
· K&K Industries (end caps) Ben Kennebrew
· Fasteners Inc. (bolts) Laurie
· INDECO Craig Wazaleski

Finally, Paul Leuthold from the Parks and Recreation Department and Louise Bjornson from the City Council were honored for the support of this project.

Respectfully submitted,
Matt Groenig