Stories
At our March 11, 2024 meeting, Ryan Patrick and Chloe Madison were our speakers for the evening from the Braves Hub. As noted in La Conner Weekly News: The La Conner Rotary Club gave a $2,000 donation toward food and snacks at the Braves Hub and another $600 earmarked for the end-of-year senior class trip. “We’re blessed that La Conner Rotary supports our programs,” said La Conner Schools Superintendent Will Nelson. Ryan and Chloe wanted to come to our club meeting to THANK US for the $2000 grant monies. As they explained, it could not have come at a better time. Many financial challenges happened in the last couple of years and now with some additional grant monies for 5 years and money from the Rotary Club of La Conner, Ryan and Chloe were able to join the program and keep it going. Academic enrichment, snacks for all the children, and supplies for the activities allow all programs to be free to the students/parents in the program. Ryan is the Program Director and Chloe is the Site Coordinator. This month’s project is to build rockets and building a safe habitat. The children can be tired and hungry after a day of school so they are developing fun topics to get them energized with snacks to give them a boost. Celebration of kits as well as making volcanoes with elephant toothpaste for the eruption, reading, robotics, etc. They serve 35-40 children regularly, although they have registrants of over 120+ children. Children must register to be allowed into the program. Many of the older children from Middle School and High School volunteer time to teach the younger children. Word of mouth is the best way to attract all that need the service in the area. The hours of Operation are 3:00-6:00 pm and include children from both sides of the Channel. There are also similar programs at the Boys and Girls Club. They also focus on problem-solving and academic needs. The summer project – the Monday after the 4th of July week will allow for Mon-Thurs 9:00-2:00 hours with (4) classes. Teachers, parents, and volunteers will be helping during this time. There will be transportation to and from, along with lunch and snacks. Thank you Ryan and Chloe our speakers, for sharing. |
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Farmers and Merchants 2024Our March 18 Rotary meeting was at Maple Hall to celebrate Farmers and Merchants in our community. https://www.laconnerweeklynews.com/story/2024/03/20/news/civic-leaders-keynote-la-conner-rotary-farmers-and-merchants-dinner/10260.html covers it pretty well. Doug Moore coordinated our Rotary event and kicked off the evening. Connie Milliken, club president, introduced our club and Rotary to the audience. La Conner Schools Superintendent Will Nelson led the lineup, followed by La Conner Schools Finance Director David Cram. See https://www.laconnerweeklynews.com/story/2024/03/20/news/civic-leaders-keynote-la-conner-rotary-farmers-and-merchants-dinner/10260.html for pictures and coverage of the other speakers. |
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2024 Tulips sales!Rotary will again be selling 10-stem bunches of tulips from booths during the Skagit Tulip Festival. We expect to begin selling on Friday, March 29 (Good Friday). Get some fresh flowers for Easter. Sales will run daily 11 AM - 5 PM at Shawn O'Donnell's at the Farmhouse parking lot (LaConner Whitney Rd & State Route 20) and at the La Conner roundabout by Hedlin Farms (Chillberg Rd & LaConner Whitney Rd). All proceeds support projects in education, public health, and community service. |
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2024 Lincoln Theater
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2024 Ecuador and BoeingFebruary 26, 2024 Rotary Club of La Conner Special Award: President Connie welcomed Cathy Squires to the podium to award her an Honorary Membership to the Rotary Club of La Conner and a Paul Harris Fellow award for her generosity and kindness. You embody “Service Above Self”! Each year, Cathy and her BUNCO friends, donate BUNCO winnings and time to purchase bicycles and helmets for the SPARC donation each Holiday season. Thank you Cathy for your kindness to our club members for the last 30 years and week after week serving and caring for us as well as your kindness to the community! Welcome! Cathy shared how much this club means to her and she considers us all friends whom she dearly loves and cares about. She was very honored and thanked Connie and the Club for this very special award. Program: Lori Buher introduced our speaker for the evening Joel Hingston, a Spanish Language teacher at La Conner High School. A Spanish Learning Trip is planned so Joel brought Marlin Bralins, a sophomore student, to share about the trip and what he hopes to experience and learn. Marlin shared that the students will be going to Ecuador for 9 days, students are raising their own money, in November they will be having a Fundraiser, and to date, he has earned a large percentage of the money by driving and doing yard work in the area. Students need $3590 ea and Marlin is down to his remaining $700-800 for the trip. They will spend 2-3 days in Quito to start their learning and the opportunity to see other cultures in the world and how they live. They will be at an indigenous camp for half a day and then will have some time for hiking in the National Forest and meeting the people who live there. They will have the opportunity to take a rafting trip down the Amazon River. One of the foods that are quite a delicacy are “guinea pigs” which are roasted. Marlin would like to try, even if only once. The trip is 4 weeks and includes 10-11 students all on one bus. They will be doing the trip adventure/experience together. As a second speaker for the evening, President Connie introduced Cory Ertel, Boeing Grassroots Advocate to come to the podium and share about his role at Boeing. You may remember Cory from when he spoke to the Club when he worked at the Refinery and other Rotary of Anacortes Club interests. Cory attended Ballard High School where he enjoyed playing baseball in the Seattle area. He attended Central Washington University. Cory has been married for 17 years and has 3 children. His career has mostly been in Public Affairs, most recently hired at Boeing Washington in Government Affairs. He worked at the Shell Refinery until July 2022 when he joined Boeing. The Boeing assignment is Grassroots Professional Government Official. Cory has been a member of Anacortes Rotary since 2012, Cory began by acknowledging and sharing an update of the Alaska Flight 1282 in January, where the door plug exited the airplane and pilots successfully landed the aircraft with no series injuries. He felt that he should share the seriousness of the incident and the levels at which Boeing is committed to ensuring nothing is more important to the company than ensuring the flying public is safe. Boeing regrets that it happened and commended the pilots for getting the AP landed safely. The investigation is ongoing and will ensure enhancements to Quality programs to ensure safety. Boeing is being transparent – There is a one page write up if you would like to follow up on the information at Boeing.com. Boeing was formed in 1916 by Bill Boeing at the Red Barn. If you have never visited it in the Tukwila area, it is a fabulous museum. Boeing is a leading global aerospace company with product and services support to customers in more than 150 Countries, and contracts with more than 12,000 suppliers globally. Boeing employs more than 140,000 across the US and in 65 countries, A Diverse Team committed to innovating for the future. Washington is the headquarters of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Boeing Subsidiary Insitu, and Boeing Test and Evaluation with 65,000 + employees, which is more Boeing employees than anywhere else in the world. The Boeing average wage in Washington is $106,514 compared to the average wage in Washington State which is $84,167. Boeing currently has 3,494 employees in the Learning Together Program, where Boeing has paid $23,466,982 to date in our State for employee education. Boeing has a direct and indirect economic footprint in Washington, supplier 1K+, annual purchases $2,25B, and jobs supported 205K. Boeing Everett produces wide body aircraft, 767, 777, Composite Wing Center, 777X, 4th 737 production line, the KC-46 Modification Center, and the The Renton facility produces the 737 MAX family of commercial aircraft and the E-7 and P-8 military aircraft. The Seattle/Tukwila facility is home of the P-4 Military Delivery Center, and the Renton product Commercial Delivery Center. Kent houses the Kent Space Center and the 737 Engine Build up, as well as the Auburn Fabrication Division in Auburn and in Moses Lake there is a 737 Production line to catch up on the MAX build that was stopped for 2 years, after the crash of (2) -900 MAX aircraft internationally. Over the next 20 years, Airlines will need 42,595 new aircraft. Cory shared that Washington State s very important to Boeing, as well as 842 Skagit Boeing employees as well as 1045 Skagit Valley Retirees. Company matches Boeing employee and retirees giving through Company Match. Boeing hired it’s 1000th employee as a part of the “Kids from High School” program. If you would like to see more information on the Boeing Company, you can visit www.watchusfly.com. Thankyou Cory for such an educational presentation. |
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Children of the Valley and YES 2024
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Hospice of the NWAt our Feb. 5 was Katie McDougall, the Clinical Liaison for Hospice of the Northwest. She has been with hospice for over a year but has over 10 years in the medical field including respiratory and durable medical equipment, home health, and now hospice. She has a personal connection to Rotary as she was selected to be an exchange student out of The Dalles Oregon and went to San Juan Argentina for her junior year of high school. Hospice of the Northwest is Medicare-certified and Washington State-approved. They have been serving residents of Island, San Juan, Skagit, and North Snohomish counties since 1984. They provide care to 200+ patients a day and are a not-for-profit organization. They currently have 100+ employees and 60 volunteers, who live and work in the communities they serve. Katie covered Aging in place with 3 parts: Assess, Plan, and Prepare in the areas of community, financials, transportation, social connection, technology, health and wellness especially falls prevention. What if I sign up for hospice and change my mind? You are free to leave hospice care at any time, for any reason, without penalty. You can re-enroll later. The hospice benefit is available to you anytime if you meet the medical eligibility requirement. How do I get started? Get permission from the patient via the Referral Center. They are available 7 days a week from 8-5 pm. You provide basic information such as name, date of birth, insurance, and primary care physician. They determine eligibility and then schedule an informational visit. To get started, a doctor must determine that the patient meets medical criteria during the intake process, and anyone can make a referral – Self-referral, family members, friends, physicians, other healthcare providers, social workers, counselors, and clergy. Things to consider when choosing a hospice provider would be: Is the provider a for-profit company or a not-for-profit organization? What extra services do they offer? How do they handle urgent needs? Will someone come to my home if there is a crisis in the middle of the night? Is the provider Medicare-certified and approved to provide hospice services in Washington State? Are they accredited by an objective third party? What’s the provider’s history and reputation in the community? Medicare provides hospice comparisons. There is HOPE in hospice care. Hospice affirms life. It is not about how you want to die; it’s about how you want to live. Our team works with patients to create an individualized care plan and HOPE is a big part of that. We focus on your needs and goals, so you can live life to the fullest in comfort and dignity. Hospice care is about more than just pain and symptom management. It’s about maximizing your quality of life. Research shows that people on hospice live longer, and with a greater quality of life. Some patients experience improved health once they are in hospice. There are even patients who “graduate” from hospice. Hospice is not a place; it is a model and philosophy of care. Services are provided wherever the patient calls home. Patient’s home, home of a loved one, nursing home, assisting living community, memory care community, and correctional facility, homeless shelters Wherever you are, transportation is provided to and from appointments as needed. To help you get your home ready for aging in place get the AARP HomeFit guide. Very enlightening and educational program! Everyone was very engaged and had some great questions. |
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2024 Poetry Festival poster revealAt our Jan 29 Rotary meeting our guests included Cora Thomas, Executive Assistant to the Director of Skagit River Poetry Foundation, Fidalgo Island artist Anne Schreivogl, and Molly McNulty, Executive director at Skagit River Poetry Foundation. The Skagit River Poetry Foundation revealed its 2024 Poetry Festival poster art by Anne Schreivogl. More details about the artist in La Conner Weekly news article: Anne Schreivogl creates 2024 Poetry Festival poster. Molly, a fellow Rotarian, thanked La Conner Rotary for past donations and support. This October 3-5, poets Tony Curtis (from Ireland) and Sam Green will be returning. A major target for poetry is students especially high school students. As a supporter of Poetry in the Schools, we once again donated $1,500 to the Skagit River Poetry Festival. |
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Skagit PassageAt our first meeting in January, we had two more Harris Paul award winners including Danielle Mullen. Alexia Reid, our Youth Engaged in Service (YES) student, shared with us some information about herself. At Burlington-Edison High School she is active in several clubs. She is doing her community service including Children of the Valley. To raise money for her contribution for a trip to Honduras, she sold raffle tickets where winners will be drawn at Luck of the Irish. Jessica Clement and Alicia Schwind spoke to us about their newly founded nonprofit called Skagit Passage. Its mission is to nurture a rich storytelling culture throughout the Skagit Valley. They create opportunities within our local community to perform, listen, play, and engage in story. They are both active in drama and have been involved with the drama club in the La Conner school district. All drama classes and support of the drama program have been cut from the school budget, so they decided to create a nonprofit to fund and support drama in the high school. Their first focus is on the school's spring production. A production costs $25,000-$40,000 to put on. A production requires collaboration. The pieces and parts to put on a production include people and skills and provide an amazing opportunity for volunteers. Trade experience and career pathways include carpentry, cosmetology, and electrical. Their long-term goals are to continue to be active in the school but also reach out to other schools, start a community theater, and maybe even a storytelling event. Connie shared that as a club we more than matched Connie and Dennis' contribution to Steve Miller Medical Mission. In total we donated $4,440!! Luck of the Irish is March 2nd at Maple Hall, doors open at 5 PM, game starts at 6 PM. Dinner, wine, beer, and friendly gambling fun are provided. The funds raised go to the YES project in Honduras: this year, paint school buildings, provide electricity, and build a playground and a fence around it. Please see the attachment for how to get tickets online. Marty is leading a trip to Honduras 4/3-4/10 geared towards curious people about the IPA, family, and friends. The pace is more laid back and touristy oriented. Let Marty know if you are interested. Our next meeting's speaker is Natalie Milligan, a Rotary scholar. |
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Doug Jones 64 years rotaryOur final 2023 party meeting was for Doug Jones, 64 years in rotary. https://www.laconnerweeklynews.com/story/2024/01/10/news/channel-drive-resident-honored-for-64-years-in-rotary/9997.html For more than two-thirds of his life, Doug Jones has been a Rotarian. The 95-year-old Channel Drive resident joined Rotary when he was 31. He has been a Rotarian longer than the 52 years he was married to his late wife Ruth and almost, but not quite, longer than he has been a father. He brought energy to the La Conner club when he and Ruth built their Channel Drive home. President Milliken, oversees a club that gives away about $100,000 annually. Much of it goes to La Conner Schools as scholarships, clothes for the clothes closet, food for the food closet and support for the preschool and the Braves Club. As part of its focus on literacy, the club pays for a book a month for any child under five within the school district registered in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Rotary is also involved in the development of La Conner's Waterfront Park and gives grants to groups like the Skagit River Poetry Festival, Children of the Valley, and the Anacortes Family Center. "All of our work is focused on the county, except for our international work in Honduras," Milliken says. Members record 50 to 90 volunteer hours at every Monday meeting as they live out the Rotary slogan, "Service above Self." "Keeping Drama Alive in La Conner Schools" will be the topic at the January 15 La Conner Rotary meeting at 6 p.m. at O'Donnell's Restaurant on Highway 20. |
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Miller Medical Missions 2023At our December 4, 2023 Rotary Club of La Conner, our guest speaker for the evening was Dr. Steve Miller, from the Fidalgo Rotary Club/ President Connie thanked our very successful Santa Breakfast leaders Patsy Good and Lori Buher. Lori thanked everyone for their help and shared that she and Patsy made a list of what worked well and a few changes for next year. Thank you everyone! John Milnor announced we were doing very well in our collection for SPARC gifts to deliver on Dec 12th. Our guest speaker Dr Steve Miller is an active member of the Anacortes Fidalgo Island Rotary Club and a founding member of the Podiatry Institute. Its mission is to be a supportive global network of members, colleagues, and friends that enhance the quality of life of patients with foot, ankle, and leg disorders through innovative education, research, and service. The Podiatry Institute is a non-profit educational foundation that offers a variety of programs including conferences, workshops, and postgraduate courses. The institute has achieved national and international recognition for its leading role in developing and advancing podiatric medicine and surgery. The faculty members are all volunteers who serve without compensation. They are committed to ongoing education in the area of foot and ankle surgery. Together they bring podiatric surgical care to needy children in the underdeveloped parts of the world. Dr Steve shared with the club his story of Medial Missions that have made a difference by changing the world one child at a time through “Healing the Children Oregon and Western Washington. He shared his experience in 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004 at Foundation Pediatriia Guatemaltea near Guatemala City. In addition, Venezuela- Barinas 2000, Vietnam- My Tho 2005 and Hanoi 2007, Nepal 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, Nepal 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Ecuador Riobamba 2010, Indonesia- Ungaran 2011, El Salvador – San Salvador 2012, Guatemala-San Lucas Toliman 2011, Honduras-Comayagua 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023. He recalled one of his favorite RN’s Bojan Kuure 1942-2017 who quoted “All I can wish for is for you to try and do something that makes you happy, leaves a legacy, and makes yourself UNFORGETABLE”. He shared a picture of San Lucas Toliman Guatamala 2019/2020 where Karen Ryan was able to join. I believe Danielle was also on that trip. He introduced Dr Will and Diane Boegel from Virginia Mason Department of Orthopedics in Seattle, who had a calling to move to their new home and location in Guatemala to continue the work. Dr Steve shared the Opal House that was funded by the Fidalgo Rotary Club in San Lucas Toliman Guatemala 2012-2023 as well as the expansion of Hospital Obras Sociales de Monsignor Gregorio Schaffer expansion serving a city of 35,000 people. The backbone of the organization is led by Physicians, Surgeons, Nurses, IT Specialists, Logistics, Construction, Fund Raising and Translators. Steve shared the story of Ester, all healed from her surgeries and time for new shoes. Ester was born with her feet pointing backwards and was so happy when she could wear shoes. Dr. Steve also introduced Dr. Libby Weber and Trauma Surgeon specializing in treading cerebral palsy patients who were able to correct both legs of a patient that were backwards. The team treats Pediatric Clubfoot, Neglected Clubfoot, extra toes/fingers, post-polio problems, fractures, fracture complications, cerebral palsy complications, and other foot, ankle and leg problems. So many were touched by the team's great work that they wanted to donate. Here is the address and instructions to send donations -- Checks can be mailed to our PO Box - P.O. Box 125, Anacortes WA 98221. Please make sure they are noted to be for Miller Medical Missions so we know to earmark the funds. Thank you Steve for the very inspirational stories and rich discussion! |
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final regular 2023 meetingDennis Milliken provided the inspiration – Since we are in the SPARC gift-giving time of year, Dennis shared a lovely story of a father talking to his son. One day, the father told his son, that he watched a woman collapse on the subway. I summoned an ambulance, I was Santa. Now it is your turn to be a Santa. Never tell the truth about Santa until a person is ready, and look for every opportunity to help people. Marty shared that the YES (Youth Engaged in Service) program is going very well. We have 10 students, and our sponsored student is from Burlington, Alexia Reed. She is a Junior, her family is divorced, and she is very excited for the opportunity to travel and do the YES project. They will be traveling to the village of Copan with IPA (International Project Alliance), working on a new kindergarten with electricity, and building a playground at the end of June. They are hosting dinner at the Brick to practice leadership and fundraising. John Milnor shared where we are with SPARC (Skagit Preschool and Resource Center) gifts and shopped for the fathers to provide food baskets and gift cards.
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Santa Breakfast 2023Another great Santa Breakfast with a full house. Rotarians hard at work Santa |
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La Conner Mayor elect Marna HannemanAt our Nov 20, 2023 meeting, our guest and presenter for the evening was Marna Hanneman, La Conner's mayor-elect. Audrey offered inspiration from an editorial from the La Conner Weekly which had quotes from The Boy, The Mole, the Fox, and the Horse. Marna's professional career included property management, a printing business, and a yoga instructor. She moved here 20 years ago and has been active on the planning commission since 2014. Her motto is Communication, consensus, and collaboration equal community. The town did a survey and from that the council has established four main goals.
She challenged us to create plaques with QR codes that hold historical information. A high schooler created the codes and did the history research but they are presently posted in obscure places and on paper in merchant’s windows. |
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Santa Breakfast 2023Start the morning with a Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Rotary Club of La Conner at Maple Hall. Holiday craft fair at Maple Hall from 9 am to 3 pm
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Lukov's Why RotaryAt our November 13, 2023, Rotary Club of La Conner Meeting, our guests for the evening were District 5050 Governor David Lukov and Area H Assistant Governor Susan Guterbock. The theme for David’s sharing tonight is “Why Rotary”. David is a storyteller leader and shared that many other associations and clubs have lost membership, and Rotary continues to go strong. He asked us: “How many find that Rotary has widened and broadened their view of the world?” Several members answered the question of what the rotary experience has done for them. He shared that for him, Rotary allows him to provide service work with his hands, mind, body, and soul. He shared a story with us about when he was at a parsonage in Wilmington. He and his young daughter were in the front yard when he heard the squealing of tires approaching. The speed limit in the area was 20 MPH, and the fast-approaching vehicle had its window down, music blaring. As it went by, David yelled at it to slow down and that it was in a residential area. The driver proceeded to affectionately produce a middle finger. Not long thereafter, David was driving in the downtown area with many beautiful row houses. David was in a hurry and driving way too fast. From one of the houses, David heard “Hey, slow down” as he reflected back on his own experience at his house. David shared that we all have a tendency to see what we want to see and that is our greatest challenge. As we read the newspaper and social media, we choose those that align with our beliefs. Rotary for David allows us to take our blinders off and see the world more broadly. For our Club, he recognized our work with La Conner United and our International Projects in Honduras and how they make such a difference in our world. It allows us all to broaden our views, the myopic narrow view widens. David then asked us: “How many of you believe you are a more effective leader by being a Rotarian?” Several members shared their thoughts. David told the story of (3) CEOs sitting on a park bench in Central New York. Sarah was on one end of the bench She had been a very successful CEO in the 1970’s and was now retired. On the other end of the bench was Sam, also a very successful CEO with a substantial impact in his community in the mid 1990’s and was semi-retired. Tom who was sitting in the middle, started asking and sharing what led to their success. Sarah stated that she read a lot and kept adjusting as she went. She was a real trailblazer for other women. Tom shared that he experienced everything he could, learned and became a stronger and stronger leader. When asked, Sam stated his success was “LUCK”. He had good training, many college conferences, and a lot of listening. He shared that when you have a strong vision, you have to guide and help people to see it, follow you and it requires a lot of listening. You learn when to talk and when not to. Leadership involves taking an experience and opportunity and doing something with it. David shared that in my rotary, there is a lot of really great training. Leadership is just one of many choices. It used to be the Learning Institute and now is both online and presented at many of our conferences. YAIL, RYLA, YES graduates come out with confidence, get to see the world, and come back with really strong leadership traits. David recognized and thanked Adam for his good work in leadership as he was able to start up Skagit Rotaract. Adam exhibited servant leadership, guided and then handed off to them and their leader. He was a fabulous mentor and guide allowing them to set it up the way that felt best for them. David asked us: “Why have you stayed in Rotary?” Some said the companionship, the good works and vision, and the love of people. David shared “You are what you do”. He has been in 6 different Rotary Clubs, when he joined the Mt Vernon Club, he didn’t feel the connection or welcoming environment, but he returned many times to give it another try. It was not until Della Moon and Art Palmer who were the elderly members and were sitting off by themselves invited David over. They didn’t want to talk about them, they wanted to hear all about David. It was then he knew Mt Vernon was for him. Every human has a need to feel they belong and are welcome. You will stay when you know you belong. David shared that he wants to host an affordable, fun, Rotary District 5050 Conference for the community and all Club members. He has decided it will be a Mt Vernon High School Conference, $100 per person or $400 for family. It will be May 4, with other events on May 3 and May 5thsuch as Bowing at Riverside Bowling, dinner at Max Dale, and ending up at Kamp Kory. He will soon have bookmarks to announce the conference and events. Fun, simple, and engaging. David presented John Milnor and Don Wolf with an award for their long and exemplary leadership in Rotary, always behind the scenes, with enthusiasm. He expressed his gratitude and thanks on behalf of Rotary. He also has a District Governor award for Doug Jones which will be presented. David recognized our Club for our energy, projects, community impact, and the fun we have while doing good work. The next time you see someone in Safeway, walking in downtown La Conner, or one of your neighbors, find out their story – Listen What is your own story and how did it shape you to see the world – We are all a part of a family. Thank you, David, for the very inspirational stories and rich discussion! Click read more for David’s background and the inspiration for the night
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Etta Program in Bolivia
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Braves Halloween 2023Some creativity at the Braves after school program, Rotary provided the pumpkins and hotdogs .
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Anacortes Family Center 2023
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Dictionaries for third grade 2023Every year La Conner Rotary gives Dictionaries for 3rd grade students. Why do they love them? They are for children and illustrated. |
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exchange student in the Philippines in 1973Michael Bucy came to share with us his experience as a Rotary Exchange Student in the Philippines in 1973. He is forever grateful to Rotary for this life-changing experience. Michael is 65 years old and has lived in the PNW most of his life. He has lived in La Conner for the last 5 years, with music and guitars very much in his life. He is a member of the Parks Department, and, as you walk downtown, you can often hear his music coming from inside Studio 623. Michael attended Highline High School in Normandy Park, and when he was a sophomore, he saw that anyone interested in being an exchange student for Rotary could apply. He filled out the forms and told his parents he really wanted to attend. He stated he had a way to always convince his parents of what he wanted to do, and they fully supported him. He was selected and was given the opportunity to go to the Philippines in 1973/1974. He travelled from Seattle to Guam to Manila, where he spent the night. He found himself with a family on the island of Mindanao, on the bottom chain of islands. The father was a doctor and the mother a commissioner. Michael shared many experiences and learnings, the first being not to climb trees due to ants. They crawled up his pants legs biting him, and he had to be stripped down to get them off. Michael got to experience a different family about once per month, which he loved due to his desire to travel and meet people. A couple of other exchange students taught him to play the guitar as well as music from the Allman Brothers, which he taught himself. He learned to play mahjong and eat delicious foods. The host families would try to prepare for him American food, but he shared that he really wanted to try all their foods – dinuguan stew (which is made from pig blood and entrails), barbeque chicken, jackfruit, balut (14-day-old duck eggs), bok choy soup, and San Miguel Beer. He met many other exchange students. In all, Michael stayed with 12 different families, each one with a different lifestyle. It was so eye-opening for him and such a wonderful experience. When he came home, he was a bit out of touch with his family, friends, and all the changes. He would not change the opportunity or the impact it had on his life. Michael again shared how grateful he is to Rotary. Thank you, Michael, for blessing us with your stories and adventures. |
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Sunflower F.U.N.D.Our Oct. 2nd presenter Marketa Vorel with Sunflower F.U.N.D. and her assistant Trish. Marketa grew up in Czechoslovakia and had experienced firsthand Russian occupancy. She with her family successfully escaped and ended up in the United States. Because of her history, the war in Ukraine means a lot to her and she wants to help at a grassroots level. She visited earlier this year and made firm connections with four organizations she wants to support that are offering assistance to Ukrainian citizens at the front lines.
Her presentation was very moving with pictures, people's stories, and the perseverance of the Ukrainian people. |
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Iris Carias – Migrant Program Educator
Our guest speaker for the evening – Iris Carias – Migrant Program Educator, Mount Vernon School District. Iris immigrated to Mount Vernon from Honduras in 1994. She and her husband Alexis have lived here ever since, where they raised their daughter Alejandra who is currently pursuing a law degree. Iris has always been involved in the community; first as a volunteer in the Police Department’s domestic violence unit, then with Sea Mar Community Health Centers, DSHS, Skagit Valley Hospital and the Friendship House. Iris has a bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Education from the National Autonomous University of Honduras. She has also taken courses at Skagit Valley College. She currently works for the Mount Vernon School District as the Migrant Program Educator and is also a member of the Washington State Migrant Education Advisory Committee (SAC). Iris also helps families as a liaison at Community Action of Skagit County and works as a nursing assistant with Sunrise Services. Iris currently serves as a board member of Skagit County Child and Family Consortium, and Skagit Immigrant Rights Council, she is also a member of Community Action’s Latino Advisory Committee. Mount Vernon is growing and changing and we need a city council that represents all of the residents. Iris believes in giving everyone a voice and helping them achieve their potential. As a social worker, paraprofessional educator and caregiver, she has worked steadily and passionately for the good of our city and its residents. Iris wants to be an inspiration for the whole community, especially our youth, who will become our next leaders. Let’s work together to unite our community and help our city grow in a healthy and prosperous way!Iris Carias has the most beautiful smile and accent. It was a little hard to pick up all of her message via ZOOM, but I hope that I captured her passion and desire to help all Migrant Families and this community. Her key messages:
Thank you Iris for what you do and for sharing the story of the Migrant Workers in our area! Thanks to our other guest Dan Berard, Skagit Sunrise Rotarian and Executive Director of Categorical Programs at Mount Vernon Schools. |
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Embracing Your Mental HealthPatsy, Connie, and Audrey volunteered on behalf of our Club at the Skagitonian Auction, which was a great success. President Connie – Welcomed Bruce Eskeberg and Steve Miller to the podium. Steve said a few words about his friend Bruce and why he introduced Bruce to the Rotary Club of La Conner. President Connie formally inducted Bruce as our newest member of the Rotary Club of La Conner, pinning him, and providing him with his package and Rotary Badge Welcome Bruce, we are so lucky to have you as a new member to our Club. Brandon Burbank is a mental health advocate, author and speaker. He was born and raised in Whatcom County. Brandon has an AA in Arts and Sciences with Business Classes. Brandon is the author of the book "Comeback 2 Success: Relentless Commitment for a Better Tomorrow" and several UTube videos. Brandon specializes in doing talks on mental health speaking from a peer-to-peer perspective. He has his peer-to-peer counselor certification from the Washington State Health Care Authority. The title of Brandon's speech is "Embracing Your Mental Health." Brandon Burbank – Thank you all for having me this evening to share with your Club. Brandon shared with us his passion for sharing his story and that doing so, allows him to help others in similar mental health challenges and darkness and helps him find his purpose which also keeps him in a healthy place. Brandon shared that when he graduated high school in Bellingham Washington, he went on an adventure to Barcelona to help him discover and grow. He was always independent and driven, and this type of change he felt would help him discover his purpose and career choices. When he came back to Bellingham, he started having real struggles with depression, and was diagnosed with Bipolar. He felt isolated and totally lost with no sense of purpose or hope for the future. Brandon was in and out of Hospitals, therapy, and halfway housing which he hated. It was a very dark and difficult time for him. He had lost his sense of purpose and hope. Brandon shared there are 50M people which is about 1 in 5 people who struggle with mental illness and have similar struggles that Brandon faced. Brandon started his journey by doing personal journaling, as suggested by his treatment and therapists. During those times of self-discovery, he realized there are (5) steps that can provide hope and allow him to take ownership of changing his life and struggles. He describes the (5) steps as: 1) Self Awareness, 2) Confide in an advocate, 3) Take charge of your situation and life, 4) Accept change, 5) Be patient for change to come. Click "Read More" for details of his speech. Brandon brought some books to sell to the Club members and also had a drawing to sign one, which Pam was the lucky winner. Thank you, Brandon! What an inspirational message and program! |
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Hope Springs EternalOur Hope Springs Eternal 2023 17th Annual Harvesting Hope Auction and dinner raised more money than any previous auction with 118 people attending. Former La Conner mayor Ramon Hayes was presented a Paul Harris award. |
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2023 Silent Auction
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For a hilarious read, settle in with Kevin Kwan's trilogy! | ||||
Cozy up for an intriguing classic, "Murder on the Orient Express" is packaged in a beautifully hand-made basket, protected with your own "evil eye" protection ornament. Asian carpet coasters will protect your table-top as you enjoy Turkish Coffee, a pot to brew it in and beautiful cups to sip from. If tea is your preference there is a wide assortment to choose from as well! | ||||
Cozy red plaid throw 50" x 60" | ||||
Rough Cedar framed print by northwest artist Walton Butts 26" x 20" |
PolioPlusMissVicki
Our speaker was Dr. Lee Harman who has been actively working on Rotary's PolioPlus project for many years. He described the effort to eradicate polio and Rotary's major role. He is currently raising money for PolioPlus riding his Model A, Miss Vicky, on an edurance trip from Alaska to Mexico.
2023 Skagit Adult Day Program
The day starts at 10:00 and ends at 3:00 where clients are greeted by their family members to return home. There was a flood at Gentry House in Anacortes during COVID and was forced to close. They are looking for another place to reopen and needs to be a dedicated space vs. a shared space. At Bradford House in Burlington, there are 4 employees to help with toilet and shower needs, conversations, movement exercises, general merriment, and food service. There is a nurse on call who documents the care plans for clients, take vitals, talk to family members, take temperatures for example. Some families utilize private pay, but also have assistance from NW Regional Council for others needing financial help. The benefit to the client is measurable in how they warm up to the social connections and friends they make. The benefit to the caregivers is priceless in allowing them to take a break, take care of personal matters such as doctor appointments or merely to get their hair cut. Caregivers can become exhausted and frustrated with the inability to leave their loved one unattended, and with this level of stress 3 of 4 will develop their own health issues.
There are also learn and listen support groups for caregivers at the Burlington Senior Center, where others share their caregiving stories. Topics such as how to age at home safely, as well as 6-week classes on caregiving, which allows people to share ideas and find time for themselves to stay healthy during their time as caregivers.
2023YES
Hanna and Emma did a tag team approach to sharing their gratitude and appreciation for what they have experienced and learned on the YES journey to Honduras.
Thank you, Hanna and Emma, for sharing your journey, your learnings and the passions you both have and bring to our community.
Auction 2023 proceeds
• Food security every day
• Art and poetry in Classroom
• Continuing education opportunities for all
• Monthly Books from birth to age five
• Leadership experiences for students
• Education opportunities beyond our borders
• Polio free world
• Weekend nourishment for kids
• Art Supplies for students
• Poetry in the Classroom
• Scholarships for Graduating Seniors
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
• Youth Engaged in Service
• Honduras schools and students
• Libraries in Honduras & Guatemala
• Rotary International Polio Plus
Impact of Planetary Environment on the Human Body
The shapes of our head to house the brain could be totally different. Perhaps a big shiny head in the future may then very well be a statement of beauty in 50,000 years. The brain will change over time due to environment as well as teeth and the shape of the mouth to match what is required for the types of food we would eat. In addition, according to geneticists, the intensive use of computers and screens will alo affect the size of the human eye. When you look at the shapes of noses today from different parts of the world, you realize how the environment affects the breathing and nose shape. From Dinarid, to Roman, to Armenid, to Syrid, the different is due to the current environment to allow people to breath freely. As the atmosphere changes, so does our nose shape. Also affected is our size. As gravity changes, so will our compression on our spine and with a change in gravity, can allow for humans to be much taller, and/or much shorter. All characteristics are not changed by genes, but rather by environment. Parameters determining the human morphology are gravity, atmospheric composition, atmospheric composition, atmospheric pressure, magnetic field and temperature/climate. As we search for other planets to provide living spaces, all of the above will be taken into account to ensure the human species can survive.
Wow, what an interesting presentation with so many GREAT questions and thought from all the members.
2023 Annual auction and dinner
2023 Goals
- For International, encourage members while traveling to visit local Rotary Clubs – get credit as a make up meeting but more important to meet and share with Rotarians around the world
- Continue Rotaract and Interact and identify “host” members when families are visiting in the area.
- Website will be updated 1-2 times a week, so share pictures/stories etc. with Keith
- Looking to write (4) stories per year about the Rotary Club good as publicizing and attracting new members with similar passions.
- Work on additional promotional materials
- As a part of Literacy & Education, how we better publicize what we do with Dolly Pardon Imagination Library project
- More focus on Vocational Interests / Rotary Fellowship activities
- As a part of Social Activity – partner with the sports teams in the area as a way to get to know students and their parents
- Connect with local businesses – Get them involved as speakers. Listen and find ways to get guest involved, additional membership opportunities.
Auction 2023 recreation
La Conner Independence day Parade 2023
Installation 2023
What a year we had!
We had some great club meetings and guest speakers.
We hosted fun, successful events.
And we put on massive fundraisers.
We volunteered our time and expertise.
We donated our dollars,
and directed that money towards worthwhile projects.
We strengthened friendships between one another,
and friendships with the community at large.
We improved the workings of our club.
We made La Conner an even better place to be.
And we strengthened our ties abroad
through service, giving, and fellowship.
We advanced Rotary’s mission,
And we did our best to live up to the Four-Way Test each and every day.In preparing for this speech,
I started thinking about your individual contributions.
I began a list...but the list got longer, and longer, and longer. Ultimately, I found it very difficult to single out individuals,
even the most active and engaged among us.
Because I know that each and every one of you
gave the time that you could,
offered what expertise and widsom that you have,
and donated what money you were able...
both to our club, and to Rotary at large.
This club has a generous spirit that we should be proud of,
even the humblest among us.
I want to say thank you to you all...
You’re the reason I’m a part of this club,
and it’s your generous spirit that keeps our club true to its name,
the “Make it Happen Club."
I know you’re going to have a great year...
You have a supportive, engaged club, and fine line-up of leaders You have a community that appreciates the work we do
And you have a past-president that will support, advise and assist however you need.
Here’s to a successful club year in ‘23-’24
Scholarships and Mars
- Hadley Shears $4000 from the Fred Martin Academic Scholarship,
- Rachel Haley $2000 from Rotary Scholarship Fund,
- Josie Harper $4000 from Bert Langenhorst Community Service Award,
- Eleanor Drews $4000 from Don Bakken Women in STEM,
- Gage Tenborg $2000 from Jim Hulbert Vocational,
- Ariana Siddle $2000 Bob Hart Vocational, and
- Charity Dakota Johnson $2000 from Jack Frisk 2nd Year Renewal Scholarship.
Karen shared with us the story of Mars, the last frontier. Mars is the only other planet in the Solar System that lies in the habitable zone, therefore the focus on Mars exploration. The scientists have done a comparison of earth to Mars where earth has 365 days in a year to Mars 686 days, Mars gravity is 38% of earth, Mars sunlight is 44% of earth, and compared the levels of CO2, N2, O2, H20 showing that Mars and Earth of quite different today, however the exploration efforts are to determine how to adapt since it is most conducive for habitation.
In the phases of exploration of Mars, it is mapped in (4) phases. From 2001-2022 1) Follow the water, 2) explore habitability, and 2024 & beyond 3) prepare for future human explorers and seek signs of life. In phase 1, follow the water, what has been discovered from Mariner4 in 1965, Mariner 9 in 1971, Viking Lander in 1976 shows thermal, epithermal and fast neutron data from the GRS & HEND instruments indicating large quantities of hydrogen, interpreted as water ice within the top meter of the Martian surface over a wide area.
Harvesting Hope Auction 2023
BannerExchangeSemiahmoo
Our guests were Randy Myers and Steve Frishlings from the Semiahmoo Club. Also recognized was Keesha Dorosz from the Canadian Club, who was unable to attend this evening. Randy and Steve shared that Semiahmoo adopted a school after having the chance to visit. They shared that seeing it firsthand gave them so much energy and education. It was truly an amazing experience. They have 13 children in the school they adopted from grade 7-12. They also helped to get the Canadian team off the ground.
La Conner Rotary small world 2023
It is amazing that one has to travel to Dublin to meet people from Skagit County!
Terry and Wendy Brazas, former owners of the Farmhouse where our club still meets, arrived in Dublin the same day as Danielle Mullen.
They met for dinner at the Brazen Head Bar, the oldest bar I Dublin dating from 1198. Terry and Wendy send their regards to the club. Terry looks so relaxed since selling the restaurant.
On May 30, Danielle was able to meet with Tony Curtis for lunch and then he took her to the Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts and the National Gallery of Ireland and the Library. Tony Curtis is an Irish poet who is a regular guest poet of the Skagit River Poetry Festival.
Tony sends regards and best wishes to everyone. He will be back next year for the Poetry Festival.
International Project Alliance 2023
Betsy Anorbe is President of the new Skagit Rotaract Club. Betsy shared with his that she is a mother and a realtor, born in Skagit County and currently living in Sedro Woolley. She had the pleasure of attending the RYLA celebration and thanked our club for our generous sponsoring. It was a very meaningful event for her and the others. The speakers at the celebration were wonderful and the facilitators had activities for the participants that made them feel like they knew each other for a long time. Thank you Betsy for sharing and for being our guest!
Susan Guterbock, District Assistant Governor awarded President Adam and President Elect Connie Milliken with a 2023/2024 theme pin. The theme for the upcoming Rotary year is “Create Hope In the World”. She thanked Adam for the fabulous job he did as President 2022/2023 year and gifted him a wonderful “lively” pair of socks.
She commented what a wonderful energetic club we have with a lot of energy. She contributed our great successes to our President Adam. Thank you Adam for all the guidance and leadership you provided our Club.
Marty Pease provided us an update on the International Project Alliance (IPA). Marty created a wonderful game with wind up toy prizes to quiz the Club on key aspects of IPA and the many successes.
What does IPA Stand for? International Project Alliance
What country does the IPA operate? Honduras in the region of Copan
IPA Secretary: The duties include recording discussions and decisions made in monthly meetings and distribution to IPA email list the Rotary club members. You would need MS Word knowledge.
Budget analyst: Follow the money, track pledges, verify accuracy, research any issues. Basic accounting and excel knowledge would be needed.
Trip planner: Manage our trips in November and February
Database developer: Manage the present database and possess knowledge of MS Access and VBA programming.
If you are called or are interested, please reach out to Peter Martin at pgm@seanet.com
Thank you, Marty, for such a creative and fun way to share all the good works and needs of the IPA!
CTE Chicken Coop 2023
La Conner Rotary provided the funds to acquire material to build the Coop allowing students to use the tools most commonly used on a job site.
The students presented pictures of the coop and some guidance.
Danny Hagen, Skagit County Assessor
2023 Brigid Collins Family Support Center
The center provides prevention education and family support. The Stewards of Children program educates children and adults on what to look for with predators and child abduction. The family support side provides case management to help people find the services they need. They provide counseling for children and adults and parenting classes. They also have advocacy services for those in the court system. Their main area of focus is Whatcom and Skagit counties and provide some services in Island and San Juan counties.
2023 Harvesting Hope Auction
- Leavenworth Get Away May 11-18, 2024. 2BR 1.75baths. BBQ, balcony/patio,
- Two-hour tour of the Discovery Gardens with a master Gardner followed by a picnic lunch. $75/person max 10 people
- Two-hour pruning lesson: hands-on 4 people $100/person
Will Nelson, Superintendent of La Conner Schools
The benefits of a small school include the personal touch and smaller class sizes. When playing sports, students can play all sports and are on the team, since they need all the players.
1) Proficiency Learning Community, where the teachers collaborate and take learnings on what is working class to class and share ideas to be most effective.
2) Universal Design for Learning – standardizing curriculum and designs across classrooms and
3) Student Choices where they can select the books they want to read and the concept is to understand the author’s purpose. That allows everyone to read whatever they are passionate about and boil down the author’s main points and purpose.
4) Equity – Different teaching styles to align to learning styles. You can teach it, but if students don’t learn it, you didn’t really teach.
The La Conner Rotary members that attended the District Conference were all wearing their “Be The Good” shirts and shared with us what they learned. They all stated it was the best speaker lineup they had ever attended. Thank you Dennis, Connie, Marty, Audrey Danielle and Pam for sharing.
District 5050 Conference 2023
Days for Girls in Eswatini
Days for Girls offers reusable feminine hygiene kits and every time they are distributed there is an educational component.
Days for Girls has also introduced an educational piece for men called "Men who Know".
Snacks for Students 2023
Raiser Tulip Sales and our Annual August Auction. Thanks to all of you, it was a tremendous success.
Skagit Valley Clean Energy Cooperative 2023
presented at our April 17, 2023 meeting
2023 La Conner Rotary Club at the Anacortes Centennial Celebration
2023 Farmers and Merchant's night
Organized by Doug Moore with kick off by club president Adam McGarity.
- La Conner Superintendent of Schools Will Nelson started on math progress and five-year plan.
- Third-generation farmer and founder of Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland Dave Hedlin spoke about the history and future of farming in the Magic Skagit.
- University of Washington climate expert Dr. Guillaume Mauger discussed flooding threats.
- Outgoing four-term La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes reviewed some of his accomplishments and concluded with 3 future challenges of Water, Sewer, and Flooding infrastructure.
For more details see the La Conner Weekly article:
https://www.laconnerweeklynews.com/story/2023/03/08/community/la-conner-rotary-serves-food-for-thought-at-merchants-and-farmers-dinner/8737.html
2023 MV Chamer of Commerce
Mark shared that the most common question he gets asked is “why sell your business” and take on an Executive position at the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber position allows him to take his Business and Politic experience and blend them – The Government side and the Business Side.
Mark had two priorities as he came into the Executive position.
20230220 Nyamuswa Tanzania Grant Water Project
Nyamuswa Tanzania Grant Water Project
You can see the installation of the very heavy overhead gravity water tanks and it includes the names of the Rotary Clubs who sponsored the project.
Travelogue Antarctica
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards RYLA 2023
Joy of Giving...
We're cheering you on, Galina!
Our Newest Paul Harris Fellow!
Traffic Circle Weeding
Installation of 2021-22 Board
Speaker Spotlight: Linda Banaszak, Caravan Gallery owner
Conner Waterfront Park clean up
Speaker Spotlight: Good Eats, Sweet Treats
Speaker Spotlight: Madison Kerr
Smelt Run 2021
2020 Rotary Auction ~ Through the Looking Glass: 2020 Vision
Rotary
Rotary Addressing Racism Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. Rotary’s vision statement drives us to work together to make a better world for everyone and that means tackling racism in all its forms. Each person has a unique and different background or upbringing which contributes to unconscious bias against other human beings. As a young boy growing up in rural B.C. in the 1950s, I heard in my home, my school, and my community, many derogatory names and statements about people who looked different from me. Some I questioned, but I know that I absorbed many of them without even knowing. So I have to recognize that I have unconscious biases and must be continually aware of it and question myself constantly - I must keep looking inward to unlearn and relearn. Nelson Mandella said “education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world”. So I ask that you join me in District 5050’s efforts to tackle racism by participating in upcoming online sessions on racism that you will soon hear about. Our goal is to help members and their communities work to end racism. Statement from Rotary International: At Rotary, we have no tolerance for racism. Promoting respect, celebrating diversity, demanding ethical leadership, and working tirelessly to advance peace are central tenets of our work. We have more work to do to create more just, open and welcoming communities for all people. We know there are no easy fixes and that challenging conversations and work lie before all of us. Rotary’s strength has long been our ability and commitment to bringing people together. We will tap into that strength now as we stand with those who are working for peace and justice. Rotary will do our part to listen, learn and take action to ensure that we continue to contribute to making positive change. |
La Conner Middle School
La Conner 8th graders gain insights into occupations with professionals over pizza
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2019 Santa Breakfast - Save the Date!
Janna Gage -- 2019 Paul Harris Fellow Recipient
13th Annual Harvesting Hope Auction Huge Success!
Changing of the Guard - Installation Dinner
2019 Auction Dinner Menu
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In Memory of Rotarian Don Bakken
"Shine A Light On Literacy" - 2019 Harvesting Hope Auction
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2019 Tulip Sales - We are SOLD OUT!
Thank you once again for supporting the Rotary Club of La Conner's tulip sales! Because of your support we had a successful April which will allow us to continue the work we do locally and internationally!
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54th Annual Smelt Derby Family Festival
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Holiday Meeting Schedule
2018 Santa Breakfast - December 1!
August is Membership & Extension Month!
Did you know August is Rotary Membership and Extension Month? Here are some ideas on membership building from rotary.org.
All Rotarians are ambassadors of Rotary and their clubs. This is especially relevant during Membership and Extension Month in August, when the focus is on building strong, vibrant clubs by inviting prospective members to join Rotary. Interested in growing your club but not sure how to get started? Here’s an easy three-step plan to bring to your next club meeting.
Read more by clicking here
Maureen Harlan - 2018 Paul Harris Fellow Recipient
Maureen served for many years in a variety of capacities with the La Conner School District. She taught in the elementary and middle school and then became a high school teacher for English, humanities and leadership. From there she became the district's K-12 counselor, and then middle school principal, also teaching Speech and Drama.
After officially retiring from the district, she took the position of Planning Director for the Northwest Technical and Career Academy located on the Skagit Valley College campus. She reported to the seven Superintendents of Schools in Skagit Valley. (!!!!)
Twenty years ago, Maureen gathered a group of women in Maple Hall to start the process of forming Soroptimist International of La Conner (SILC), at the encouragement of a fellow school counselor from Burlington-Edison. The new SILC was sponsored by the B-E Soroptimists. Today the organization is going strong with more than 50 members.
To read more click here
2018 Harvesting Hope Auction Paul Harris Fellow Recipient Announcement
Maureen Harlan
Maureen grew up in La Conner and graduated from La Conner High School. She worked summers in Skagit farm fields. She attended the University of Washington and has degrees from: Western Washington University – B. A. in English and Speech and an M.A. in School Counseling. She later earned her Principal Credentials from Gonzaga University.
Maureen served for many years in a variety of capacities with the La Conner School District. She taught in the elementary and middle school and then became a high school teacher for English, humanities and leadership.
Hunger Doesn't Take The Weekend Off
3 meals a day x 365 days a year = 1095 Meals for ALL members of the community
"Fun At The Farm" Saturday, August 4
Click here for more information and to reserve your spot!
Harvesting Hope Auction Presents "Speak Easy & Shine A Light"
Seven La Conner High School graduating seniors received $14,000 in scholarships, the La Conner Regional Library Foundation received $11,700 toward its building campaign, the Town of La Conner received more than $11,000 for audio-visual upgrades to Maple Hall, and the new Conner Waterfront Park received $10,000 from the Rotary Club of La Conner during its 2016-17 budget year.
Approximately $14,500 of the total amount donated to various causes went to the club’s international projects, including water, sanitation and support for poor rural schools in Copan, Honduras, including sponsorship of primary and secondary students, and for mobile libraries in Honduras and Guatemala. Internationally the club also contributed to The Rotary Foundation’s polio eradication efforts and purchased wheelchairs.
Harvestinghopeauction.com
June is Rotary Fellowship Month!
Tulips & Thais – A Busy April for La Conner Rotary
April is normally a very busy month for the Rotary Club of La Conner with our annual tulip sales, and it was compounded this year by a longer-than-usual tulip season and a six-day visit from 12 Rotarians from Thailand on a Rotary Friendship Exchange.
Our Thai guests were hosted in the homes of Rotarians Dan & Carol Cain, Christi (& Chris) King, Susan Macek (& Dave Buchan), Whitney Meissner, Marge & John Milnor, Jerry (& Kathy) Willins, Marty Pease. Other members who were drivers and sponsors who helped defray some of the costs for our guests were Carol Johnson, Doug Jones, Cheri Lenssen, Karen Ryan, Alice Collingwood and other anonymous club members. Some of the home hosts also served as drivers and sponsors.
We took our guests shopping in La Conner, for a VIP tour of the Boeing Everett plant (with a lovely hosted lunch), a ride on the Deception Pass Jet Tour Boat and visits to Tulip Towne and Friday Harbor. One of the highlights was their presentation to our club over dinner at the La Conner School District board room, where Swinomish Elder and carver Kevin Paul shared stories and native drum songs.
It was a jammed packed few days, and we all learned a lot from each other and shared more than a few laughs – and many photos. Chief organizers were Susan Macek and Marty Pease. Danielle Mullen of our club is the District 5050 Friendship Exchange Chair, who orchestrated the exchange and was also a sponsor and driver.
Our tulip season was longer than usual, thanks to some cool weather that made the tulips last about five weeks instead of the usual four. Thanks to amazing efforts from too many club members to name, we exceeded last year’s sale amount, meaning more scholarships and support for local non-profits.
Special thanks go to chief tulip wrangler Randy Goembel; his partners Martin Howard, Dan Cain and Jerry Willins; and Linda Ryan, who set us up with a great on-line scheduling tool. Countless club members staffed three tulip booths, visited many area Rotary clubs, and sold and delivered tulips to merchants in La Conner, Burlington and Mount Vernon.
We survived and thrived!
Annual Tulip Sales Begin on Monday, March 26!
La Conner Rotary Club Helps Push Dolly Parton’s 100 Millionth Book
When Dolly Parton presented her 100 millionth book to the Library of Congress Feb. 28, members of the La Conner Rotary Club were able to take pride in helping achieve that number through their participation in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
The club signed onto the Imagination Library in 2011 when Connie Milliken, who coordinates the club’s participation, was president. Bobbi Krebbs McMullin, the first coordinator, did a fantastic job of setting up the program and getting children enrolled. Since then, the La Conner Rotary Club has donated more than 3,800 books to children from birth to five years of age residing in the La Conner School District. T
“The La Conner Rotary is passionate about literacy, and the best way to inspire literacy in children is to instill a love of books right from the very beginning,” Milliken said.
The La Conner Rotary Club budgets funds each year to pay for the books and register children with the Imagination Library, which then mails books to them. Because of budget limitations, the club restricts participation to children living within the La Conner School District boundaries. The program may be expanded to include children in neighboring school districts if increased donations are made available.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library started in 1995 as a book-gifting organization that has mailed 100 million books to children in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States, according to the Library of Congress. The program currently mails age-appropriate books to more than 1 million registered children in participating communities from birth until they start kindergarten. Visit www.imaginationlibrary.com to learn more.
Our 2017 Y.E.S. Student's Journey to Guatemala
53rd Annual Smelt Derby Family Festival
- 7:30am - Registration & Bib number pickup opens in HIGH SCHOOL Gymnasium
- 8:45am - Registration CLOSES
- 8:45am - Kids Dash Starts
- 9:00am - 10K, 5K, and 2K all Start
- See UPDATED information below
- Fishing begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m.
- Entries for judging must be received by 1 p.m. at the judging stand at Anelia’s parking lot.
- Prizes will be awarded at 2:30mmediately following at Maple Hall.
- Details, including rules and prizes: Click to Open Fishing Derby Rules
- Breakfast served from 8 – 11 a.m.
- Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, sausage and beverages.
- $7 for adults, $3 for children
- Fish painting free, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- New this year during fishing hours.
- Hidden treasures at six locations around La Conner.
- Treasure maps available at Maple Hall during the pancake breakfast and at the derby judging station
Rotary Leads Sonoma Valley Fire Relief
2018 Smelt Run Update
The La Conner Smelt Run has three options for anyone at any level to join. Certified 5k and 10k routes that start along the historic waterfront of La Conner and out across the mostly flat farmland of Skagit Valley finishing back at La Conner High School.
There are two less intense ways to get in on the action at a 2K family walk and a kids dash for the little ones.
The Smelt Run is just part of the events during the Smelt Derby Festival hosted by La Conner Rotary. There are many other Smelt Derby events to partake in while in La Conner. Hope to see you here.
***Day of Registrations WILL NOT receive an official chip time***
Event details and schedule
Course Description: Starting and finishing at La Conner High School the certified 5K and 10k courses take you through historic downtown La Conner then wind through the flat Skagit Valley farmland.
Parking: La Conner High School parking lot.
Dress for the weather: It is supposed to be cold
Day of Race Schedule:
7:30am - Registration & Bib number pickup opens in HIGH SCHOOL Gymnasium
8:45am - Registration CLOSES
8:45am - Kids Dash Starts
9:00am - 10K, 5K, and 2K all Start
Post Race - Hot soup, & refreshments provided for all participants.
Awards: Immediately following the conclusion of the races
- Ribbons awarded to the top three finishers in each age group
as follows- 11-14
- 15-19
- 20-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60-69
- 70+
November 2017 Trip to Copan, Honduras
The IPA is a collaborative effort with 12 clubs in the Skagit Valley and the Rotary Club in Copan, Honduras. The joint efforts include supplying schools with supplies, a mobile library, sponsoring 56 schools with grades K-6 so all children of the Mayan village can attend school as well as sponsoring individual students with private party donations through the "Adopt-A-Dream" program so they can attend grades 7-12.
Other efforts include building latrines for homes and schools, providing a water supply to the villages, silos for grain storage, a woman's health clinic, supplying an ambulance. For some villages, the Rotary is providing electricity and lights/fans to schools, white boards, fixing school roofs and floors. In two locations, there are plans to start a middle school.
The Rapid Development program is supporting and educating members of three villages on budgeting, banking procedures, starting business, starting a savings and loan organization with the goal of bringing the villages out of poverty. Also there are plans to have the YES students in June work with one of the villages. All of these efforts are in collaboration with the villagers. The projects are per their requests and they provide the labor while Rotary provides the supplies.
On this trip, Karen and Marty collected and repaired mobile library books. They visited the village schools, 2-4 each day. On these visits, they had the opportunity to see school improvements, observe what else was needed and to sing and dance with the children. They also observed the Rapid Development trainings. The main goal of the trip was to connect with the local Rotarians and village residents.
Other members of the team included members of the Rotary Clubs of Fidalgo Island and Burlington.
It wasn't all work! Tourist activities included a walking tour of Copan, visiting Macaw Mountain and the Mayan ruins. Karen got to practice her Spanish which was a huge help in translating, interacting with village members and school kids and getting to know people. Marty had two instances where she put her physical therapy skills to work. Both Karen and Marty got to know Dania better, the student sponsored by Marty through the bilingual school.
The trip in so many ways was a huge success!!!
.
.
New Addition for Santa Breakfast 2017 -- PET PHOTOS!
We’re excited to offer this new opportunity for pet photos with your family or by themselves, and we are grateful to Town Hall for granting us access for pets. It is very important that you follow these instructions to ensure that all goes well and we can do this again next year:
La Conner Rotarians At It Again!
Rotarians Prep La Conner Roundabout
Sonoma Strong
Rotary Club of La Conner
The Story
2018 Veggie Races at Hedlin Family Farms
Moonlight and Margaritas 2017
Conner the auction raised over $58,000.00.
Beginning the auction we were honored with a wonderful piano concert played by our own Mayor,
Raymon Hayes.
Cathie Wyman.
Utilizing the new systems that were installed this year with a partnership between the Town of La
Conner and Rotary Club of La Conner, s a new sound system, wifi router and overhead projector were installed bringing 21st century technology to Maple Hall.
The bidders raised their paddles to provide over $9,000.00 to fund education for children to go to school
in Copan, Honduras. It will also help fund food for children in La Conner on the weekends and funded the
Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which mails a book a month to children 0-5 years of age within the La
Conner School District boundaries.
Thanks to the generosity of the La Conner community we also will be able to fund additional projects in
La Conner and the around the world!
View Live and Silent Auction Items Online NOW!
Plant a "Rotary" Garden
Moonlight and Margaritas 2017
Rotary Club of La Conner Grants
$11,700 to La Conner New Library Project
The Rotary Club of La Conner Foundation presented a check for $11,700 to Richard Wisniewski, president of the La Conner Library Foundation Board, on June 12,2017.
This generous donation is designated for the new La Conner Library project. Over the past three years La Conner Rotary has contributed more than $20,000 to the project. This year's gift is made possible by the fundraising events sponsored by the club including the annual dinner-auction held in late August and tulip sales. It also includes proceeds from the Smelt Run, presented in February by Rotary and the La Conner High School Booster Club, which also benefitted the Booster Club's scholarship and football programs.
Rotary Club of La Conner Members Tour Marine
Technology Center in Anacortes!
SVC Faculty-Mike Beemer, President Susan Macek, Kyle Von Stroberg
We took our meeting “on the road” May 22 for dinner, a program and a tour at Skagit Valley College’s Marine Technology Center, a school for boat mechanics, construction and repair. Mike Beemer, the college’s marine technology chair and instructor at the center, talked about the program, which graduates 28 students a year, ready for high-demand jobs in the marine field. The school was founded in 1968, and the new facility was built in Anacortes in 2010. High school and college classes are held there, and students can earn a one-year certificate or a two-year associate degree. They also offer adult classes on weekends and special one-week classes during the summer. We also heard an inspiring talk by Kyle Von Stroberg, an ex-inmate and graduate of the technology center. He said the school changed his life so much that he raised funds for and started a Second Chance Scholarship fund for ex-inmates that is managed through the college foundation.
Marty Pease Named "Rookie of the Year" by District 5050
Order and Pay for Your Tulips Online!
2017 Smelt Run Registration
2017 Smelt Derby Festival Schedule of Events
2017 Smelt Derby Festival Fishing Rules
2017 Smelt Derby Sponsors
Smelt Derby Festival Run Information
Smelt Derby Family Festival Run Returns!!
Rotary Club of La Conner Makes Major Donation to Conner Park Project
2016 Santa Breakfast
World Polio Day
Rotary Club of La Conner International Projects
Our club is involved in parallel international projects in Copan, Honduras. One is grant funded in partnership with nine other clubs, and the other is funded by our club and individual members.
Grant-Funded Project
This International Project Alliance (IPA) is a holistic approach to a community need – education, sanitation, potable water, economic development and the infrastructure to support it.
Eleven area clubs have pledged to pool funds. Other clubs are considering joining the alliance. Our club contributes $5,000 per year plus a district grant. The Fidalgo Rotary Club manages the funds and serves as the lead club for grant management, with each participating club having one vote. Jerry Willins is our club’s representative. Projects are initiated by the village through the Copan Rotary Club.
So far, the IPA has provided funds for a new school and several renovations, replaced furniture in several schools, built a wooden bridge and several other hands-on projects, provided school room supplies for all schools and have facilitated teacher training. We are working to rebuild a large water system that will benefit thousands. In short we have approved, started, and finished a couple of dozen projects with an annual pooled budget of more than $30,000 and additional donated and grant dollars exceeding $25,000.
Club-Funded Project
This includes our Adopt-a-School and Adopt-a-Dream Programs. The nine clubs involved in the IPA currently support 19 schools and more than 926 children and hope to cover seven additional schools in 2017. Of these, our club supports two schools, Nueva San Isidro and El Cisne.
Our money can go a long way toward supporting Copan school children through Adopt-a-School:
- $10/year provides what a kindergartener needs to go to school.
- $20/year provides for students in grades 1-6.
The Adopt-a-Dream program costs $200/year or less (varies by school) and supports an individual student in grades 7-9. This level of education is now mandated and requires most students walk a couple of hours to schools outside their villages. Adopt-a-Dream asks for a three-year commitment for each student funded.
Individual members can also support these schools Adopt-a-School and Adopt-a-Dream. Checks can be made out to the Rotary Club of La Conner Foundation. Be sure to specify Adopt-a-School or Adopt-a-Dream.
Veggie Races at the Festival of Family Farms
What a great turnout from our club to make wheels and then volunteer to make the veggie racers October 1 & 2, 2016 at Hedlin Farms - Festival of Family Farms. Thank you!
Moonlight in Margaritaville
Polio Plus
THERE WILL BE NO MEETING at The Farmhouse This Monday
2016 Golfun at Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club
2016 Donation to La Conner Regional Library
Matthew Paul
His service to Rotary, his friendship and his amazing legacy will be cherished.
"Matthew had "Retired" from promoting the tulip sales, handed the project over to Deacon George. When circumstances changed Matthew headed up the "Tulip Fundraiser" again, assisted by Dan Cain. - In his account on the trip to Bolivia he reported shampooing children's hair, to rid them of head lice, not just handing out wheel chairs."
"My lasting impression of Matthew Paul: He was full of Dutch and American pride, strong of conviction, loving of family and friends, hardworking, humorous and a dedicated Rotarian. I'm so glad I had the chance to go with him to Lynden last year to sell tulips."
Matthew's Obituary
MEETING LOCATION CHANGE FOR MONDAY, MARCH 28
VENUE CHANGE FOR MONDAY, MARCH 14
2016 Tulip Sales Are Finished
2016 Farmers Night is NEXT MONDAY - March 14
2016 Fishing Rules
- Fishing begins at 8:00AM and closes at 2:00PM at the judging stand.
- A total of up to nine hooks on one rod may be used by each contestant.
- Fishing may take place from the marina at the North end of LaConner to the Rainbow Bridge on the South end of LaConner.
- PARKING: Use the Parking Lot behind Maple Hall and City Hall.
- Public restrooms are located on Morris Street and next to the Firemen’s Museum.
- Derby headquarters is located in Maple Hall at the south end of First Street.
- Pancake breakfast, fish painting and carnival will take place in Maple Hall
- Judging stand is located in the parking lot of Anelia’s restaurant South of the Museum of Northwest Art (approx 1 block south)
- Bring your fish in EARLY.
- Fish must be fresh or the judges will not accept them.
- All decisions of the judges are final.
- Largest smelt caught by contestant 13 and older. Cash Prize $100
- Largest smelt caught by contestant 12 and under. Cash Prize $100
- Largest herring caught by contestants 13 and older
- Largest herring caught by contestants 12 and under
- Smallest smelt caught by anyone
- Largest fish of any kind
- Strangest object caught on a smelt jig
- Ugliest fish
- Smallest fish other than a smelt
- Miscellaneous, if any awarded
- Entries in the fishing derby judging will be accepted until 2:00PM.
- Fishing prizes will be awarded at approximately 2:30PM at Maple Hall
2016 Smelt Festival Sponsors
51st Annual Smelt Derby Festival
2015 Santa Breakfast is THIS SATURDAY!
International Project - Copan, Honduras - IPA
Skagit County Coalition Against Trafficking
2015 Turkey Trot
1. Sponsorship - For a generous donation, your company can have their name and logo on the shirts, digital media, and printed material for run. The goal of sponsorship is to cover the overhead cost of the event so 100% of race registration goes to help the Track Team.
2. Donate a Prize - There is a raffle give away at the end of the race from everything from massages to pumpkin pies - an opportunity for good publicity or help out.
3. Help with Race Administration - Helping with set up on Wednesday Nov 25th (afternoon for 3 hours) and or help with morning of registration and packet pick-up on Thanksgiving morning (Done by 10:30am)
4. Help promote the race on social media by 'sharing' and spread the word.
5. Sign-up and participate - We are hoping to have over 350 people this year.
Welcome to Our Newest Member
Farewell But Not Goodbye to PDG Jack Frisk
Service Project at the La Conner Regional Library!
I am Rotary
Moonlight and Martinis 2015
Rotary Gifts Benefit La Conner Regional Library
Meeting Recap for July 27, 2015
Meeting Recap for July 13, 2015
Meeting Notes for July 6
Tulips are SOLD OUT for 2015!!
Contribution for Conner Park in La Conner
Tulip Sales are in FULL Swing!!
Monday | 12 - 6 PM |
Tuesday | CLOSED |
Wednesday | 12 - 6 PM |
Thursday | 12 - 6 PM |
Friday | 12 - 6 PM |
Saturday | 11 AM - 5 PM |
Sunday | 11 AM - 5 PM |
Everett Herald Article!
Smelt Derby Schedule of Events
(Looking for Smelt Fishing Rules or a printable activities list? Click on Smelt Derby 2015 in the menu bar above)
Rules for Fishing the Smelt Derby
Rules for Fishing the 50th Annual Smelt Derby Festival - February 28, 2015
- Fishing begins at 8:00AM and closes at 2:00PM at the judging stand.
- Fishing may take place from the marina at the North end of LaConner to the Rainbow Bridge on the South end of LaConner.
- A Pink Derby Ticket is required to win a prize.
- PARKING: May be difficult on First Street, Use the Parking Lot behind Maple Hall and City Hall.
- Public restrooms are located on Morris Street and next to the Firemen’s Museum.
- Proceeds of the Derby will be used for the Rotary club of LaConner Scholarship programs and other community service projects.
- Merchandise prizes have been donated by Skagit Valley businesses.
- Derby headquarters is located in the Firemen’s Museum on First Street.
- Pancake breakfast, fish painting, sliders, and dance will all take place at Maple Hall.
- Judging stand is located in the Anelia’s parking lot North of the museum.
- Bring in your fish EARLY. Fish must be fresh or the judges will not accept them. All decisions of the judges are final.
- CATEGORIES OF PRIZES:
- Largest smelt caught by contestant 13 and older. Cash Prize $100.
- Largest smelt caught by contestant 12 and under. Cash Prize $100.
- Largest herring caught by contestants 13 and older.
- Largest herring caught by contestants 12 and under.
- Smallest smelt caught by anyone.
- Largest fish of any kind.
- Strangest object caught on a smelt jig.
- Ugliest Fish.
- Smallest fish other than a smelt.
- Miscellaneous, if any awarded.
- Entries in the fishing derby judging will be accepted until 2:00PM.
- Fishing prizes will be awarded starting 2:15PM.
- A fishing ticket is necessary to jig for smelt and must be produced when entering a fish for judging.
- A separate Raffle ticket is needed for the Smelt Derby Raffle.
- There will be drawings for prizes throughout the day.
- The raffle GRAND PRIZE of $500 will be drawn at the dance at Maple Hall on the evening of the derby.
50th Annual Smelt Derby Festival
La Conner Pergola Dedication to Fred Martin
49th Annual Smelt Derby
Town of La Conner Project
Rotary Club of Lynnwood Air Show History!
Please go to the District 5050 web site to see all of the events that
are coming up this spring.
Smelt Derby is just around the corner, so please help Linda with
posters and collecting prizes. We should all be selling our Raffle
tickets and visiting other clubs. Don and Danya are passing out the
Raffle tickets, be sure to sign them out and return the money or tickets.
We really need to document each ticket for the Gambling
Commission. Following these rules is imperative because the consequences
of not following them can be dire, especially for the
President.
Please remember our members who are ill or dealing with family illness
in your thoughts and prayers.
Next week our program is Lee Harmon from District 5050, speaking
about the RI Foundation. The word "Foundation" can be
confusing, so in the next few weeks we will be trying to clarify the
different "Foundations" .
On Monday our duties are: Greeter - Dee
Carlson Inspiration - Susan Macek
Raffle - Danielle
Mullen
Sergeant - Linda Ryan
Carol Cain
Rotary Club of LaConner
2011 Harvesting Hope Website is Live!!
The 2011 Harvesting Hope website is live!
Stay Tune for exciting LIVE and SILENT Auction Items!!
Buy your tickets or make a bid online!!
46th Annual Smelt Derby Press Release
Imagination Library Club Member Clown David Rapella
46th Smelt Derby
On February 26, 2011 the Rotary Club of LaConner will sponsor the 46th Smelt Derby which is older that the Super Bowl by one year. The original focus of the Derby is to fish for Smelt in the Swinomish Channel, 45 years ago this was mainly accomplished by dipping for the Smelt. However, due to changing economic and environmental rules, there is less food material being dumped into the Channel in LaConner. Hence, there are fewer fish, so these days most fishermen try to snag their fish on lines containing many hooks. The Rotary Club of LaConner with the assistance of judging by the LaConner Sea Scouts awards prizes in a number of catetories (under and over age 13) including: longest and shortest smelt, longest herring, biggest fish, and strangest object to be hooked and turned in for a prize. The fishing prize winners select their prize from 25-30 merchandise prizes selected for fishing prizes.
The Derby also has a large focus on the raffle that carries a Grand Prize of $750 plus 75-100 merchandise prizes. The Grand Prize is awarded at about 3PM on Derby Day with merchandise prizes being awarded every 15 minutes or so during the day. Raffle prizes commonly include, a rubber duck, gift certificates to local restaurants, fishing gear, teeth cleaning at a local Dentist’s office and many more unusual prizes donated by LaConner merchants. Raffle tickets NO LONGER entitle the bearer to fish. In order to comply with State Gambling Rules, fishing tickets must be purchased separated. The good news is that Raffle Tickets and Fishing Tickets are only $2 each. Prices have remained unchanged for as long as this author has been a member of the LaConner Rotary Club.
Other events take place on Derby Day also. There will be a pancake breakfast that is used to help fund a donation to the LaConner High School Senior Class. There will be free fish printing at Maple Hall during the morning hours, kids and others can put paint on a real fish and then print an impression of the fish. There will also be a hot dog stand operated by Rotarians.
The other BIG event of the day is the Skagit Symphony Smelt Run operated by the Symphony. This event was cofounded about 15 years ago by Rotary and the Symphony. After two years of joint operation, the Run became fully operated by the Symphony, though most years Rotary provided modest assistance. In 2010 Rotary was invited to one again play a larger role in the Smelt Run and responded with volunteers in a number of jobs most importantly being the course volunteers strategically placed to encourage volunteers.
Derby proceeds are derived from Raffle Ticket Sales, sponsorships, food sales and a profit sharing arrangement with the Symphony. The Rotary Club of LaConner Foundation then uses the proceeds to help fund the Senior Class, scholarships, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, other literacy projects and other donations made by the Rotary Club of LaConner throughout the year.
Rotary volunteers are involved in obtaining raffle prizes from local merchants, manning headquarters at the fire museum, selling raffle tickets, working at the pancake breakfast and hot dog stand, and volunteering at the Run. As Derby Day approaches Rotarians are urged to volunteer for several of these low key jobs and to recruit friends and family members to help with the Run.
Rotary Moments - memories of 2010 from club members Irene & Richard Johnson
Our most memorable Rotary Moments are the experience of attending "Rotary International" in Montreal last June. Connecting with Rotarians from other continents and feeling a kinship with them shortly after meeting was truly remarkable. We ordered the CDs, to share part of our experience through those speeches that were available, had hoped for all of them but realized that Greg Mortenson, Queen Noor, and Dolly Parton had not signed a release. We were pleased to be part of the District 5050 delegation, and we wondered if we were the club with the highest percentage participation as there were 9 La Conner club members in attendance.
Irene and Richard Johnson
Requesting Club Members Most Memorable Moments in Rotary
Club members are invited
to submit their memories
for their most memorable
Rotary moments for 2010!
Please submit to Patricia Paul.
Imagination Library - Huge Success !
Thank you so much to make the Imagination Library event so successful! We signed up approximately 60 children within the La Conner School Disrict.
The Imagination Library will remain in La Conner indefinitely. Children within the school district between the ages of birth and their 5th Birthday will continue to be eligible. The Rotary Club of La Conner is very proud to bring and keep this program in the district and to give children the gift of books while helping them to be better prepared for preschool. It's a gift that keep on giving.
Should you know an eligible child or a group that would be interested in joining our email list or would welcome our pamphlets in their establishment or would like a speaker, please let Bobbi Krebs-McMullen know. She can be reached through the main page of our club website, in the column on the far left.
Guatemala Literacy Project
Team Guatemala's departure is right around the corner! Our club is welcoming fellow Rotarian Steve Miller (Anacortes club) on this journey. This is the proposed itinerary:
Saturday, January 22 - Arrive
Sunday, January 23 - Walking tour of Antigua in the AM, Free time afterwards, market, etc.
Monday, January 24 - AM go to Chimaltenango with a stop at the Bodega to package some books for Yepocapa and then work with Bethel Ministries, drive to Yepocapa in the afternoon
Tuesday, January 25 - reception by Yepocapa school, begin cataloging
Wednesday, January 26 - Continue cataloging, small groups get tours of town, possible family visits
Thursday, January 27 - Continue cataloging, small groups get tours of town, possible family visits
Friday, January 28 - Catalog in the AM, farewell/thank you lunch, leave for Lake Atitlan with a stop to visit Opal House on the way - near Godinez on the way to Atitlan
Saturday, January 29 - Boat trip to San Juan Laguna - visit women's coop/coffee coop - Free time in the afternoon
Sunday, January 30th - Go to Sunday Market in Chichicastenango in the AM, return to Antigua in the afternoon - Final dinner
Monday January 31 - Leave Guatemala
Club Member Yerda Yearsley presents Rotary Banner from Gary, France
Danielle Mullen presents Rotary Banner from Sisters, Oregon
Updating and Adding Club Member Biographies
Club members, Irene Johnson and Heather Bourns, are updating our club member biographies for our club website. There are three categories of biographies.
- Public. This biography can be viewed by anyone in District 5050.
- Vocational Description. This vocational description is intended for public display in a future release of a Rotarian business directory.
- Private Biography. Private biographies are only viewable by your club members are not available to District 5050 members.
Pancake Breakfast with Santa
Annual Christmas Party
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is Coming to Town
Every child in the La Conner School District is eligible to an age-appropriate book every month of their life,from birth-to-their-5th birthday -- absolutely free! Sign-up events will be held on Tuesday, December 14th, 3 pm to 6 pm at La Conner Elementary School's cafeteria AND Wednesday, December 15th, 10 am to 2 pm at the Swinomish Tribal Social Services Building. Events include story time, clown, ice cream and giveaways. Parents, grandparents,or legal guardians must complete the registration form. Presented and hosted by the Rotary Club of La Conner. Questions? 360-466-4693
Featured photo of Bobbi Krebs-McMullen describing the Imagination Library at a recent club meeting. Photo credit: Danielle Mullen
NOMINEES for 2011 - 2012 Board and Executive Committee
At the regular meeting of the Rotary Club of La Conner on November 1, 2011, the nominations for 2011 - 2012 were opened. The nominees are as follows:
President Elect for 2012 - 2013 is Gary Tollefson
Secretary is Linda Ryan
Treasurer is Don Wolfe
Foundations is Barney Bourns
Public Relations is Patricia Paul
Membership is Danielle Mullen
Service Projects is Karen Ryan
President is Carol Cain (our current president-elect)
These nominees, as well, as a call for additional nominations will continue to be announced until the ELECTION. A special thanks to the nominating commitee!
2011 HARVESTING HOPE HAWAIIAN STYLE
Polio Campaign to Launch in Africa
Nominating Committee Selected
The Nominating Committee has been selected: Carol Cain, Jerry Willins and Danielle Mullen.
Article 3 Election of Directors and Officers
Section 1 –
At a regular meeting one month prior to the meeting for election of officers, the presiding officer shall ask for nominations by members of the club for president, president-elect, secretary, treasurer, and four directors. The nominations may be presented by a nominating committee or by members from the floor, by either or by both as a club may determine. If it is determined to have a nominating committee, such committee shall be appointed as the board may determine. The nominations duly made shall be placed on a ballot in alphabetical order under each office and shall be voted for at the annual meeting. The candidates for president, president-elect, secretary, and treasurer receiving a majority of the votes shall be declared elected to their respective offices. The four candidates for director receiving a majority of the votes shall be declared elected as directors. The candidate for president-elect in such balloting shall be the president-nominee and serve as a director for the year commencing on the first day of July next following the election, and shall assume office as president on the first day of July immediately following that year.La Conner Club Members Receive Paul Harris Pins
Audrey Gravley and Jerry Willins were honored on August 9, 2010 with Paul Harris pins. Audrey received a pin with two sapphires. Jerry received a pin with one sapphire. Featured in photo are two honorees with club president, Connie Milliken, center. Club photographer Danielle Mullen captured this moment.
Paul Harris Fellow/Multiple Paul Harris Fellow
Individual Recognition with Paul Harris Pins
Learn more about the Life of Paul Harris.
Club Website Takes On New Look
Our club website has been updated with new features and a new look!
Cultural Exchange 2009
Smelt Derby 2008
La Conner Sea Scouts say thanks in 2008
Mark and Cora Lijek
The Houseguests: A Memoir of Canadian Courage and CIA Sorcery
Smelt Derby
Come Join Us for Smelt Derby 2013
Saturday, February 23rd
Smelt Fishing
Raffles
Fish Painiting
Hot Dogs
Santa Breakfast Success!!
Thanks to everyone for making the Santa Breakfast a big success this year. We make nearly $1000.00! Special Thanks to Lee Carlson for all the great adverting and especially getting flyers out to all the kids at the La Conner School. For Audrey Gravelry and David Rapella for making the food fabulous!! For my son in law, Eric Krebs who took great Santa pictures!! And especially to John Milnor who is the best Santa ever!!
Invitation to Moonlight and Martini's!!
Be sure to invite your friends, neighbors and family to attend Moonlight and Martini's!!
Scholarships 2013
La Conner Rotary Christmas Party 2012
La Conner gets District 5050 Awards
Santa Breakfast
Be sure to tell your friends to put on their Holiday Calendar the Rotary Club of La Conner's Ninth Annual Santa Breakfast!!
Saturday December 1st
Maple Hall
8:30-11:00 AM
Cost $6.00 Adults $3.00 Children
!
Harvesting Hope Auction - Who We Are and What We Do!
Welcome to our new members, Corey and Frank!!
Our meeting on 6-4-12 was lively and interesting. Lee Harmon from District 5050 stopped by to inspire us to continue giving to Polio Plus and the Rotary International Foundation. He gave us many statistics on where polio still exists (3 countries) and how many cases (64). This is indeed good news, but Rotary cannot give up until it is completely gone for 3 years. India has been polio free for 18 months!
Jerry Willins helped induct 2 new members, Corey Stout and Frank Marzec. Please remember to welcome them at our next meeting. I had the honor of presenting Ric Buldoc with a Paul Harris +2. Our club is vital and growing. Please remember that to increase membership it is up to everyone to invite a friend to a meeting or an event. I sent out a survey to guide our next board in funding projects. We need your input. If you did not receive one I will have them at our next meeting.
Installation of new officers will be June 18th and it will be a spouse night. Please come and help us celebrate the beginning of a new Rotary year.
Next week our program will be brought to us by Sid and our duties are:
Greeter: Barney Bourns
Raffle: ??? I'm working on this - any volunteers?
Inspiration: Pam Narron
Sergeant: Linda Ryan
No Meeting On Memorial Day!!
Greetings Rotarians! It was great to be back at our meeting on Monday. As you probably know, my mother is ill and I will be in and out for the next few weeks. I am working out a schedule that will allow me to be at all the meetings in June. If you need something, or have a problem, please contact Linda Ryan or my husband Dan.
We had a wonderful speaker on Monday, her name is Amanda Wilson. Amanda was a Rotary Exchange student to Bhopal, India. She shared her interesting perspective on a year in India. She is a close friend of Danielle's and will return to show us her pictures. Thank you so very much to Danielle for bringing this lovely young woman to our club.
I am very pleased to announce that we have two new members, Frank Marzec and Corey Strout. Please be sure to welcome them at our next meeting. They will be formally inducted into the club on June 4th.
I have included a link to view the progress of Scott Dudley and his incredible donation of a kidney to save someone's life. Scott takes Service Above Self to a new level. We wish him the very best and a safe recovery.
At our meeting on May 21st our program will be Mark Schraeder. Our duties are:
Greeter: Linda Ryan Inspiration: Connie Milliken Raffle: Dee Carlson Sergeant:
Cindy Tracey. WE WILL NOT MEET ON MEMORIAL DAY, MONDAY, MAY 28TH.
Carol Cain
Rotary Club of LaConner
Five New Paul Harris Members Awarded!!
Farmer's Night Next Monday Night!!! Please RSVP
Greetings Rotarians!!
Dan and I missed the meeting last week, because we wanted to get a little California sun and see our son before tulip season started. What we really got was a little sun, but mostly rain, high winds and flooding on our way home. It is good to be home to our normal rain and wind.
Please remember that our District Assembly is on April 14th, it is at Skagit Valley College this year. District Assembly is a great place to learn about all aspects of Rotary.
Thank you so much to Linda Ryan for bringing Naomi Williams to us this week. Naomi is a volunteer for Relay for Life in Anacortes. She is very passionate about raising money to find a cure for cancer. As a result of her visit, Connie Milliken has volunteered to be a captain for a team from our club. We named our team Heart for Hart in honor of Bob Hart. So this will be a project for us this spring. Details on how and what we can do will be coming.
Next week is Farmer's Night. It is a tradition in our club to honor the farmers in La Conner. It is a special spouse night and I would like to see our entire club come that night to welcome and visit with our honored guests. We are trying to keep the cost to 18-20$. Please let me know if you and your guest are planning on attending so that we can give the Farmhouse an approximate number for dinners. My email is carolcain17356@yahoo.com .
Duties for Farmer's Night: Greeter - Irene and everyone Inspiration - Linda Ryan
Raffle - Jean Barclay Sergeant - Danya Wolf
Have a good week, and please remember our members that are ill or traveling in your prayers.
Carol Cain
Rotary Club of LaConner
Winter Celebration with your Spouse Next Monday!!!
Come Celebrate Winter at the
Rotary Club of La Conner
Winter BBQ
Monday, February 27th, 2012
Civic Garden Club La Conner
(across from the Gaches Mansion)
5:45 PM
Bring a Potential Rotarian!
Bon Voyage to the Tollefson’s
Bring your favorite meat to BBQ
Bring a dessert or salad to share
Bring your favorite drink
We will pass a sign up sheet on Monday
Boys and Girls Club
We had some wonderful guests at our meeting this week. Bernadette Halliday and Shayla Brown from the Rotary Club of Burlington came to sell raffle tickets to raise money to send a group of High School students to Guatemala to build efficient stoves to help the people in a small village. You can find information on their web site.
Our program was Christine Valdez and David Conover from the Boys and Girls Club. David is the new regional director and they gave a lively program on the needs of the Boys and Girls Club. They need volunteers as well as financial support.
Please go to the District web site to see all of the District events coming up this spring.
Linda Ryan is getting us organized for Smelt Derby. Please contact her if you can help out by visiting other clubs to sell tickets.
This Wednesday, February 15th at McIntyre Hall, there will be a reception to honor Dr. Gary Tollefson. It begins at 4:30.
I am very pleased to announce two new members that have been approved by our board last night. They are Ron Wigal and Marge Milnor. According to our by-laws our members have 7 days to submit in writing any concerns about these prospective members. If we do not hear from anyone, we will vote at our next meeting.
On Monday, February 27th we will have a "Winter Celebration Party". It will be a pot luck celebration at the Garden Club instead of our regular meeting at the Farmhouse. You will receive an email from Cindy with more information.
Have a great week!
Historic and Fun La Conner Smelt Derby!
Sponsor: The Rotary
Club of La Conner
Saturday, Feb. 25
Contacts: Lee
Carlson, (360) 466-0127 or Sandy Stokes (360) 466-3315
History-making in 2012
Over the years
families have made a tradition of taking the children, grandchildren and even
great grandchildren to the historic smelt derby. It’s a special family event. You don’t last 47
years without offering something to those who participate and the community
that supports the events. Each year local merchants donate over 100 prizes and
others provide substantial cash sponsorship to keep the derby going.
Over the years
the Smelt Derby has developed a fun, family day to remember. Here are the events:
·
Breakfast:
As in years past, the Rotarians will serve up pancakes, eggs and all the
trimmings at Maple Hall from 8 to 10 a.m. The breakfast benefits the La Conner
Senior Class
·
Smelt
Run: Work off the meal with the Skagit Symphony’s USATF Certified 5K or 10K
run. Or take the family fun walk around town, see the town’s award-winning
public art displays and maybe even glimpse one of La Conner’s town turkeys. 10
a.m. start.
·
Fishing: The
Smelt Derby fishing contest is on the town docks from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids can win cash prizes of $100 for bringing
in the largest smelt. Other prizes for
unusual catches from the channel. Pick up a life jacket at derby headquarters.
·
Kid’s
activities: Kids will love the fishing action and the free fun at Maple
Hall, the site of the famous “fish printing” where the budding artists can
create a masterpiece out of a dead fish and paint. 10 am. to 2 pm.
·
Boat
tour: Also for the youngsters, La Conner Sea Scouts will offer tours of
their historic schooner, “Rejoice.”
·
Raffle
and more: Adults can spend $2 to try their luck in a raffle with over 100
fabulous prizes and a $750 cash Grand Prize.
They can feed the kids and families can enjoy $2 hot dogs. Meals for $4
with a polish hot dog.
·
Meet the
Smelt Queen and hear what smelt has meant to her.
·
Participate
in a geocaching contest. Prizes are located
throughout the town.
Rotary Passion!
Don't forget to sell Smelt Derby tickets. This year it is very
important to sign your tickets out and then sign in the unsold tickets and the
money. The Washington State Gambling Commission is cracking down on
raffle tickets sold to the public. We continue to need to have people visit
other clubs and get the Smelt Derby word out and the tickets sold.
A huge thank you to Danielle for planning a Membership event this
week!!!!! We had five prospective people attend (we were expecting 14),
but it is a good start. Danielle did an excellent job of explaining what
Rotary is and how to become a member. Thank you also to our club members
that came to show their passion for the work of Rotary.
Next week is a very important club assembly. We will look at the
ideas that were shared in the fall and how we can become a bigger, bolder and
better club!!!! This is your Rotary club and we really need your input
!!! Please come!!!
Our Duties for next week are: Greeter: Lee
Carlson Raffle: Dee Carlson
Santa Breakfast Photos are now available on facebook
Foundation Dinner 2011
January 2nd Meeting
Meeting January 9th 2012
We were blessed by a lot of wonderful guests at our meeting last
night. We had Bobby Pulson, one of our high school ambassadors give us an
update on how things are going at La Conner High School. He also updated
us on how the teams are doing. Go Braves!!
Our District Governor Jane Helton, visited us to promote the
District Conference in Semihamoo this June. The conference will take
place at Semihamoo Resort near Blaine, June 1-3. You can register for the
conference on line at the District 5050 web site. She also presented
Linda Ryan and Karen Ryan with Paul Harris Awards. Karen is a plus
2. We have a VERY generous club!!
One of our esteemed visitors was Sam Green, State of Washington's Poet
Laureate. Our program was given by Molly McNulty. Molly is the
Director of the Poetry Festival in La Conner. She had a student read her
beautiful poems. It was an inspiring program. The Festival will
take place this year and they will need volunteers. So there will be more
to come on this event. See additional photos in our photo album!
Next week's program will be Kim Lorentz with World Vision. Come Join Us!!
Ruth Taylor become a Paul Harris Award Winner!!
2011 Paul Harris Award Winners
Paella Party
Harvesting Hope 2011
Swinomish Canoe Paddle
Harvesting Hope Website now can accept payment for tickets and donations!
Check out the 2011 Harvesting Hope Website!!
It has been update to take payment for tickets and donations!
You can even make a bid for Live or Silent Auction Items!
Save the date. Pancake Breakfast December 4th 2010 @ Maple Halll
Delivering Wheelchairs to Guatemalans
Delivering School Books to Guatemala
Historic Home Signs in La Conner, Washington
Salmon Dinner @ the Suttons
$12,000 in Scholarship Awards to 2010 Graduating Class
Charley Too - support boat for Canoe Pullers
Canoe Pullers - Harvesting Hope Auction Event
New Club Member - Kevin Paul
Harvesting Hope 2010 Live Auction Items
4th of July Events
There will be with live music by Lane Fernando, DJ Heidi, food, beer, wine & pop. The tickets are $10 per person or $25 for families.
Fireworks over the Swinomish Channel start at 10 pm. Celebrate the Independence of our country with the whole family! Bring your own chairs.
Rotary International Vision
HARVESTING HOPE AUCTION 2010
The date is August 28th from 11-3 at Maple Hall in the town of La Conner.
A sampling of packages featuring one-of-a-kind experiences:
A photo safari in vintage touring cars
A native canoe trip sponsored by the Chairman of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
Tickets to the ballet with two nights at the Camlin
Jazz on the patio for 30 of your friends
A murder mystery and dinner at a famous location
A barge trip down a river in France
Harvesting Hope raises money that funds local scholarships and literacy projects. Reservations by August 14.
Cost is $65
Brunch with minosas' and wines especially selected to go with the foods. This year we are serving sweet breads, Greek quiche with feta, artichoke and spinach, and medallion of beef, fresh fruit, and hash browns and Pavlova dessert. This wonderful brunch is being prepared by La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib. Hellams' Vineyard is selecting the wines to compliment the food.
La Conner Rotary takes on the Imagination Library Project
GSE Team India
Incoming Directors - Committee Chair Appointments
Every Member Every Year!
Historic Plaques
How to Login to our Website
Bobbi Krebs-McMullen New Member
Farmers Night at Rotary of La Conner
Exchanging Banners - Making up Rotary Meetings
Making Up Rotary Meetings - Attendance
Historic La Conner Smelt Derby
Salvation Army Food Bank
Good Things Happening in Guatemala
Club Bulletin News
News items regarding:
RYLA will be April 29 to May 2, 2010. Initial deadline for applications is February 26th.
Literacy Seminar. District 5050 literacy seminar is scheduled for Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Hampton Inn in Bellingham.
District 5050 Annual Assembly is Saturday, April 17, 2010 In Surrey, BC.
Your Rotary Club of La Conner contribution at work
Some of the local programs La Conner Rotary funded in the current 2009-2010 fiscal year:
$10,000Â La Conner High School graduating senior scholarships
$2,500Â La
$2,500Â Skagit River Poetry Project
$1,000Â La Conner Middle School aviation class
$1,000Â La Conner Boys & Girls Club
$1,600Â Salvation Army food bank, Anacortes
$1,500Â La Conner Regional Library
$800Â Dictionaries for every 3rd grade student in La Conner Elementary
$400 for the La
$300 to La Conner Co-op Preschool
$300 to La
45th Annual Smelt Derby Festival
Have a $3 lunch at our old-time hot dog stand.
Rotary Establishes Haiti Earthquake Fund
The Rotary Foundation has established the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund for U.S. Rotarians who want to donate toward recovery efforts after a powerful earthquake rocked Haiti on 12 January.
Updated Categories of Gifts for Guatemala Trip
Guatemala Orphanage Gift Contributions
2010 Elected Leadership
Rotary of La Conner members in Birmingham, UK
Karen Ryan, Rick Bolduc and I on our way to a concert in Birmingham. They attended the 100th Annual International Rotary Convention in the United Kingdom. Here's a note from the convention organizers:
The Host Organising Committee and the people of Birmingham hope that you had a great time in Birmingham at the 100th RI Convention. We were enormously proud to welcome you to our city and the United Kingdom and hope that you'll visit us again one day.
100th Annual International Rotary Convention
A group of 40 visiting Rotarians from Northern Italy, including their District Governor, 2 past DGs, 13 club presidents and members and family, were at the Winchester Club when I was there. They were doing a historic tour prior to convention. They all adopted me. Their current District Governor presented me with their Italian Banner and we all had a wonderful luncheon. I met up with many of them at convention. My Winchester coordinator, Colin Cook, invited me to stay with his family and included me in this wonderful meeting.
The Fascination of Rotary
If you have always wanted a crash course about Rotary, go to rotary.org and sign up for the International Convention. You will find out more that you ever thought you could learn about Rotary in 4 (long) days.
RI International convention is a microcosm of the world. You meet fellow Rotarians who are more than happy to share their stories of how they became a Rotarian; what their clubs do and what projects, both locally and internationally, that they support.Past President's Message
Greetings from the office of the president.
When asked to prepare a President's Message to the club for this year the first thing that came to mind is to talk about our international theme.
Every year the incoming President of Rotary International chooses a theme to represent his year as president. This theme is then adopted by clubs around the world as their theme to be used as a guide for their next Rotary year. Last years theme was "Make Dreams Real".
Club Anniversaries - November 2009
Club Anniversaries | ||
Member Name | Induction Date / Number of Years (Effective the day of induction this year) | |
Hulbert, James | November 1 1979 (30 years) | |
Tollefson, Gary | November 19 2006 (3 years) | |
Rauch, Robert | November 28 2006 (3 years) |
CONGRATULATIONS!
Guatemala - Club Serving Planning - Dinner
Lee and Dee Carlson hosted a lovely dinner meal at their home on November 3, 2009 to discuss the logistics and other details of the planned club service to Guatemala in January 2010! Club members with interest attended. Details are available on the home page, left column, 'Site Pages' and scroll down to Guatemala Project 2010.
Fall Festival 2009 - Huge Success
Betty Jo Anzaldua - GSE Team Member
Dictionary Project 2009
Rotary of La Conner distributed 50 dictionaries to the third grade students at La Conner Elementary School.
Art and ice cream sundaes highlighted the fun event!
World Polio Day
Harvesting Hope 2009
The day was more incredible than any of us could have imagined. Maple Hall never looked better. We served the most incredible brunch to one hundred and elven guests. There was energy in the air that is hard to describe. Silent auction items rimmed three sides of the hall while live auction items flashed continuously on the huge screen at the front. Beautiful flower arrangements were the backdrop for white clothed tables adorned with three tier serving platters, elegant place settings and napkins in hand made floral napkin rings. This club was "out of control" incredible coming together as only we can to make this event happen. With all the physical, financial and moral support, we did it...resulting in the one of the most successful Harvesting Hope Auction to date. Kip Toner and his auction house group did their magic to help us raise over
Annual Picnic Aug 17th
From Pres David Tracey
Special thanks to Don, Doug and helpers for another great picnic. It was just a delightful evening with the best food around. Also, thanks to all who furnished those wonderful appetizers, salads, side dishes, and way too yummy desserts. Everything was prepared to perfection. I know I won't be alone in saying, let's do it again next year.
Thanks again to Pat and Kevin Paul for providing us with the most incredible fish.
Footnote, the last thing most of us saw were Kevin, Pat and Don heading off in the sunset with the boat…more fish?
Harvesting Hope
Harvesting Hope Auction 2009
Saturday August 29
11:00am Maple Hall
This one of a kind event will feature
the bounty of Skagit Valley, expertly
crafted into delectable delicacies by
Susan and Casey of Nell Thorn's.
Revolutionary Rotary
Did You Know??
A Short History of Rotary
Paul Harris, a lawyer, gathered together three friends to meet on February 23, 1905.The three were Silvester Schlele, a coal dealer; Hiram Shorey, a merchant tailor; and Gustavus Loehr, a mining engineer.They met in Loehr's business office in Room 711 of the Unity Building at 127 North Dearborn in downtown Chicago.The purpose was to discuss Harris' idea that business leaders should meet periodically to enjoy camaraderie and to enlarge their circle of business and professional acquaintances.They decided to meet weekly and to rotate the meetings at each others' offices (hence the name Rotary).To promote diversity they decided to limit members to one representative from each business and profession.