|
| Sept. 18, 2009 |
Editor: Judy Hosea
|
|
Dear Fellow Lakewood Rotarians:
If you were at the
meeting on Friday, you will know because you can no longer hear after
President Hornblower sounded the outside air horn in the dining room
both to start and end the meeting. Additionally, he hit the bell with
the gavel a couple of times. City Manager Andrew Neiditz noted that
several local noise ordinances had been violated, but it appeared none
of Lakewood's finest was in attendance to run the perpetrator in!
Whew, narrow escape, President Greg Nukinukihuihuihaha II!
And so…another meeting of the historic and exclusive Lakewood Rotary began!
|
Able Assistants
Mike McGowan and Bill Price manned the Foundation and Daily Raffle tables respectively. Following a very Feldman invocation by PP Joel, Ron Adkins led us in the Pledge to our Flag. This was followed by the first pledge of Richard Simmons to attend the Oysterfest in Shelton, sponsored by the Skookemchuck Rotarians. Admission is a mere $3 .. but oysters are extra.
Pres Greg called for Denise Yochum and one other absent Red Badge to come forward and claim the Blue.but it was a nice day and the last weekend the Puyallup Fair is in town..who can blame the absent?
Bill Young introduced our visiting Rotarians including the often local PP John Lowney (Renton) and Dave Barclay (Sumner . who was pitching his club's fundraiser or his travel and tour company, I am not sure).
Announcements and Time Killer
According to President Greg, another $100 turned up from ticket sales for the August 29th Homebrew Festival. Maybe some of the aficionados were waiting for their funds to mature - to age a few weeks before they were just right for submitting! Keep 'em coming! This could turn profitable eventually!
Greg also announced that the Fall Raffle would be making an appearance real soon!
With time on his side and a mic in his hand, President Greg unleashed a plethora of tidbits, facts, fines and truth-stretcherisms.
First, he asked for back-confessions of missed birthdays and anniversaries. Stepping up with a big $100 fine was Mark Blanchard who admitted a "crappy birthday" (Sept. 11) and 33rd anniversary. The latter, a monumental event, took place on September 18th, the very day and very year that our illustrious leader espoused his beloved. They were later seen comparing photos of the blessed event to determine if they had in fact, married the same person.
Next, in a self proclaimed (and fineable) "pulling a Joel", Greg was reminded that we had not introduced guests. Another "WHEW" for the pocketbook of the PREZ when there were none.
Sunshine Report
Our own Little Miss Sunshine (Jan Luze) let us know that Ann Tremaine was home and doing as well as could be expected, according to Norm. Please, no visitors or flowers, but cards are welcome. This scribe, having run into their neighbor in the grocery store, also knows that Norm may also appreciate a casserole every now and then. (Maybe Richard could bake him a pie!)
Jan, also a first-class noticer of politeness, nice manners, etiquette and good behaviorness - not to mention: snappy dressability - next commented on President Greg's foot attire (one moccasin and one dress shoe). In the middle of trying to find a solution for our fearless leader, he was heard to explain "Well, I thought two moccasins would be too casual, so I opted for one of each so you know I tried." (That may not be exactly it, but it's close!)
While reading this next part I might suggest that our current First Lady cover her eyes. Pres Greg all women know that you should never mention your bride and weight (in any context) in the same sentence. That said, you were very delicate in telling your story, so I won't revert to capital letters. The jest of the story is that the beloved bride of our President Greg was involved with gambling and weight loss - or in her case: Weight Gain ($$$$) Mary won nearly $1,500 in a biggest loser competition with business associates who waited and weighed and waited and weighed over the past few months. Congrats Mary! That is inspirational and may give us an idea for a future fundraising activity!
Under more announcements..PP Greg Rediske reminded us that our exchange student, Anatole was available for outings with Rotarians! Richard Simmons generously offered to take him to the Oysterfest this weekend, whereupon, President Greg said he would go, too! Whereupon Richard said he had a lady friend and didn't need Greg for a date. Whereupon Greg pouted and Richard said he could go, too! Boy! There was a lot of drama at Rotary today!
Back to PP Greg 1st.Mr. Rediske detoured us back to the topic of exchange students. If you know anyone who would be interested in applying to be a Rotary Exchange student for the short or long stay programs, please contact Greg as the applications need to be in shortly.
PP Dave Covey reminded all of us that Clover Park Rotary was having their CPRI (Clover Park Rotary Invitational) night on October 30 and that we should participate. He then changed lanes without a blinker and asked PP Joel Feldman to pay for his alma mater (USC) losing to the Huskies. (I am married to a Husky and they are famous for this type of driving!). It is hard to keep up, but Joel did offer up a twenty!
This is out of order, but reads better: Bill Young (a Lakewood/CP Rotary Hybrid), urged our support of "CPRI". He explained it this way...I swear!
You pay $125 and get dinner and a spot on the board of 100 spots
47 of said spots have prizes worth $100 or more (but you may or may not want to keep it)
10 spots have $100 cash
Idea is to stay in the game and not have your number called (or not, because you can horse trade for good things)
You really want to be one of the last three because you get to stand in front of everybody and have people haggle for your spot which you can sell or trade, or keep if you want.
Ultimately the last man/woman standing wins $1,500
The event will take place at the Tacoma Elks and Bill can hook you up with your "spots".
Jim Early wanted us to be aware of an opportunity coming up. On October 8 at St Mary's Episcopal Church at 7 pm, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will present "Coming Home: Supporting Your Soldier", a film for all who have an interest in the welfare of our Veterans. The film will cover the warning signs of PTSD and its effect on both the Veteran and their family. If you have questions and would like additional information, please call Ginny Peterson, 253-568-1011 Outreach Coordinator-NAMI, PC.
President Greg also announced that the Great Indoor Golf at Harkness Furniture to benefit the South Tacoma Rotary Club will take place on Friday, October 16. Greg has entered and would like other Lakewood Rotarians to join him.
Along with that - Lakewood Lions Auction is the 17th of October. Bill Young, Ted Wier, Judy Hosea and Dave Guttu all have tables or are involved in filling them.
October 18th is Richard Simmons Birthday. This was a recurring theme throughout the announcements starting with Oysterfest. John Lowney brought a used beer stein back from Sun River for President Greg who almost didn't accept it because it didn't even smell like beer! Greg offered up Bob Zawilski to pay a birthday fine for 9-9-09. It was pointed out that he shared that birthday with PP Greg1st and PP Zee had paid last week! PPG 1st paid his $20!
PDG Dave Sclair rose to his feet and once again urged members who served in the military to provide him with a photo of himself or herself while serving. The photo, to be returned unharmed, will be added to the collection of vets' pictures to be shown on Nov. 6 at our Veteran's Day recognition in conjunction with Clover Park.
Dave also reminded members that the Playground @ Ft. Steilacoom Park will be five years old in June and he and Past President Mary Lou (who was the inspiration for the project in the first palce) hoped the club could plan some type celebration of this event at the playground.
It was then that PP Dave Covey stated enough was enough and Larry Faulk was ushered forward to introduce our speaker.
Julie Martin is the Deputy Director of the Washington State Lottery. As such, she cannot purchase a lottery ticket and has to head to Oregon to do that. She graduated from City University and got her Masters at the UW.
The Washington State Lottery has been operating for 27 years. There are more than 4,000 retail lottery outlets in our state that average over $8,000 in commissions annually.
Since I couldn't quite see the breakdown on the screen, here is where lottery sales are allocated:
60% Prizes
20% Educational Construction Fund /or General Fund by 2 Year Initiative
6% Retail Commissions
5% Cost of Sales
2.4% Overhead Administrative Costs
The balance 6% + or - goes to repayment of stadium debt, problem gambling education, unclaimed prize fund, etc.
Ms. Martin shared a number of anecdotes about lottery winners over the past 8 years that she has been with the department, and what they have done with their winnings. She shared very inspirational stories about the generosity of many of the winners who wanted to share their good fortune with family and charities. In her opinion, many have benefited in our community and our state as a result of the Washington State Lottery.
Our members engaged in a number of questions and there was a lively exchange until the end of the meeting. Much to my chagrin there were no samples!
Julie drew my winning raffle ticket but, alas - white chip! $5
Cheers and goodbye to September!
|
|
|
|
Website Sponsors
|
 
|
|
