Soundings (8/8/06)

...TODD RAMSAY announced that some 24 wineries have been signed up for the GRAPES & GOURMET bash (which is on 5 November at the Lakeway Inn) as well as another 6 in the wings -- Put that date on your busy calendar schedule.

...EDDIE (the Fun Guy) HANSEN gave a glowing report about the recent Crab Fest on his Yacht---however, only $150 had been collected to cover the cost, and another $150 Clams need to be collected. If you were there for the GALA event and did not cough up the required $10 per person, then please do so by tossing in the Ten Spot next Tuesday by giving it to EDDIE or our Treasurer, BOB YOST;

...DONNA EDQUIST announced that the big Honduras Clean Water Project dinner (remember the one last year?) will be on Sunday, 8 October, at the Mt. Baker Theatre---more info of this event to come soon;

...Rotario Dinners - During the past year or so, SARAH ROTHENBUHLER has coordinated the Rotario Dinners, and we give our sincere thanks for doing a great job. We should be reminded that the purpose of these dinners is to extend Rotary Fellowship and to raise funds for Student Scholarships in our Community. As we might know, there is a donation of $100 per person required, and a check in that amount should be presented to our President or our Treasurer, BOB YOST. It is a fact that many of our members have not written that check, and if you are one of those, please do so during the month of August. If you have been a Host/Hostess for one of these dinners, you are not asked to give up any dollars for this event---you have done enough by providing the food and refreshments. Please help and send in that check!

BUCKS IN THE BAY
...DENISE donated a Fifty Dollar Bill in recognition of her recent Birthday (on 8/6/2006) as well as her sojurn to Carmel, California with her family;
...PAUL, some good money for his recent BIG DAY;
...BILL G. for telling us about "....the long arm of Rotary...", and other factual items;
...GERALD B. for his trip to California and 33 years' of blissful marriage;
...TONJA letting us know about the Money Committee's Request Form and telling us about that production of the Skagit River Shakespeare Festival (of which she is a Star, we are sure!!);
...HARTE some Irish Bucks for his recent trip to Ireland, and for driving on 'the wrong side of the road'!!;
...RON for his ride to the Skagit Festival, and he confirms that TONJA was doing great as an actress;
...EDDIE for his recent boat trip to the north, and for fishing out his wife from the drink just in time so that no Insurance claims would be necessary;
...MIMI for her 34 years' of marriage to the same lucky guy.

SERGEANT AT ARMS, featuring PATTI as the 'mean Sergeant'
...JOHN T. a $50 (American Dollars, of course) fine for his recent win of a Mexican trip at some auction;
...DAVE H. for his attempt at singing the passe hit, 'YMCA';
...MIKE W. for reading his E-Mail during one of our breathtaking meetings of the past;
...RON H. for suggesting that 'the female's age' was an important topic, etc., etc., etc.
...GEORGE B. for having lunch at the wrong spot (we didn't catch the name of the mentioned Beanery);
...GARY B. for wearing a suit and not shorts at some bash;
...TIM M, for those outrageous gasoline prices, as well as other infractions that will not be mentioned here;
...GERALD B. for 'romance' on the Ferry (what the heck was this?!!);
...BRENT W. for accepting a position on another Board -- and not acknowledging same!;
...ALAN K. for his recent picture in the local rag;
...EVERYONE who went to SCOT SWANSON'S recent wedding, and this was done because PATTI had not been invited;
...CY & G.. DENNIS for having a vehicle out front today that was using two parking spots---couldn't be decided who owned the silver Dodge, so what the hey, get both of those gentlemen!!;
...ALL CLUB ARCHITECTS who had not made plans for a 'tree house' -- so how would one put a tree house in a Douglas Fir?
...DENISE for not mentioning her husband when she talked about Carmel;
...CHRISTINE P. for her sons new job---perhaps he will now pay rent!!

PROGRAM
...A most interesting 25 minutes was given to us by Ms. Laurel Baldwin, with her slide show as well as verbal information about toxic weeds and plants that may be found in Whatcom County. And some of the items are not only injurious to wild life, animals and pets, but also, may very well be harmful to the likes of us. Ms. Baldwin is the coordinator for the Whatcom County Public Works Department's Toxic plant division, and she will not only present lectures to whomever would like to listen, but also, travels around the U. S. of A. using her specialty and knowledge as a Botanist to assist others in their needs. She was able to leave a most interesting booklet that identifies many of the noxious weeds, plants and other growths, and I personally found it to be of interest. Also might be of interest that she has been with the County for some 17 years, and is a graduate of Ohio State

University. And when she is called to certain locations in the County, and finds that some violation has occurred regarding the improper use of certain toxic growths, she has to power of arrest and assessing of fines -- so, watch, and be alert!~!

FUTURE MEETINGS
...On 15 August, we will have the WSU Basketball coach, Lorenzo Romar as our speaker (his name was slightly mis-spelled last week). This event will be most interesting, and because of Mr. Romar's schedule, our meeting will commence at 1220 hours rather than at 1235 hours -- that would be about 15 minutes early, so PLEASE be there on time so that the meeting can go on as planned
...On 22 August, the TAYLOR STREET DOCK event, and that will be discussed on the 15th;
...On 29 August, DALE BRANDLAND will tell us all about his recent trip to Africa -- not a political speech.

RAFFLE won by JOHN H, to the tune of reportable dollars of some 23!!

ROTARY THOUGHTS
...UDO, HEIWA, PAZ, FRIEDEN, SALAM, PACE, HE PING, FRED, SHALOM, PAIX SHANTI, PEACE. Some ideas rosonate in any language. That's why Rotary has developed educational programs and provides scholarships around the world to promote peace and conflict resolution. Together we can create a more peaceful world. ---Rotary, Humanity in Motion.

DATES to REMEMBER
...Grapes & Gourmet - 5 November; Club Assembly - 12 September; Governor ROD THOMPSON'S official visit-19 September; Clean Water Project at Mt. Baker Theatre - 8 October, President KRAMER'S birthday - 3 September (every year, of course!)

Respectfully Submitted,
STAN DYER