Global Medical Brigades

Alex Rodriguez, one of our Wenatchee Rotary Challenge Scholars. has been given the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua and provide medical care to low-income families through the non-profit organization called Global Medical Brigades (GMB). UW GMB has an annual auction that raises funds for the trip. 

He would be incredibly grateful if any member would be willing to donate an item or an experience for the auction. I suppose we could also attend the April 30 event.  Here is the link:  http://gmb-uw.wixsite.com/gmbuw.

Dec. 20 Meeting Notes

Remember - no meeting Dec. 27.  See you all next year (Jan. 3).

Program

Wenatchee Wild Hockey coach Bliss Littler discussed the history of hockey, and the evolution of the Wild.  In 1980, 75% of the US college players were from Canada, which has always had a great junior hockey program.  Now the US has lots of programs, and hockey has become very popular, even in southern states with indoor program.

The Wild are now in the BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League), which is very competitive.  Last year the Wild were 2nd in their division.  This year they are first in the league with an amazing 28-5-2 record.  Lots of the players are committed to division 1 colleges, and a couple could be drafted by the NHL.  The Wild also has a U-18 program which includes boys from all around the PNW, U-16 and U-14 programs which attract players from around the state, and hope to add a U-18 girls program in the next couple years.  The team has a big economic impact in our area, and provides support for many of the service clubs and charitable groups.

Announcements

The Board has approved Callie Klein for membership.  Contact Jim H, Jim A, of John M. by Dec. 27 if you have questions or objections.

Terry Lillybridge was here to show us a quilt that featured several Sunrise Rotary bike ride T-shirts
from the past, including the first one in 1988.  He has ridden in many of our bike rides.

Our club was able to provide two bikes, helmets, and locks for the 9-year old twins of the family we adopted for Christmas.  Thanks to Lisa, Matt, and any others in the shopping crew.

Last chance to sign up for the January 14th Wild Hockey game and dinner will be on our January 3 meeting.  This will be a fun family social with our Challenge Scholars and their families, and a great way to support the first place Wild hockey team.  $20 for tickets and dinner.  You can email Jim Adamson at jncadamson@gmail.com to reserve your tickets.

What?  An indoor golf tournament?  Yes, but you'll have to check out the details on future emails. Great idea for a small fundraiser where you and a partner can set an appointment to use the indoor golf simulator at Golf, etc.

We had a fun Christmas party last Thursday.  About 70 showed up to eat a great Olive Garden dinner and exchange gifts.  Thanks to John McDarment for opening up his rooms at Ridgeline Graphics, and to Wayne and the fellowship committee for all the work setting this up.  See pictures below.

Brags & Confessions

Kathleen McNalty is looking for tutors, and the Tutor Doctor will be starting an SAT prep class.
Renee Parkins went to White Christmas at WHS, and really enjoyed it.
Jill Courtney reported that former member Shelly Miller is searching for a club in Spokane, and really thought our club was great (she is right).

Christmas Party time

Carol presented gift certificates to newlyweds Jenny & Top (had to work) Rojanasthien and Leslie & Mike Coleman.  Congrats!

Lots of good fellowship at Ridgeline Graphics. The building is John McDarment's, and he and Betsy opened the place for our party.  Thanks John.

 Olive Garden buffet

Four of our Challenge Scholars with families.
Julia, Lupita, Jasmine, and Zayra

                                                         

Youth exchange students Putter (Thailand) and our own Lucas (France).

December 13 Meeting Notes

Announcements

Location change - Social tomorrow (Wednesday) at PYBUS (brewery) starting at 5:00.  They expect it to be busy so come as early as you can.  This will be a great informal pre-function for our Christmas party on Thursday.  Family and guests are always welcome.

Christmas Party Thursday night.  Due to large number attending (about 70), we ask that you only bring one White Elephant gift per couple if you are coming with spouse or guest.  Starts at 6:00 at Ridgeline Graphics.  BYOB.

Check your calendars.  We are having a Hockey social on January 14 with our Challenge Scholars and families.  $20 per person includes dinner in a private room and the game tickets.  The Wild are leading their division (British Columbia Hockey League), and ranked third in the entire Canadian Junior Hockey League.  We'll need you to sign up by January 4 so we can purchase a block of tickets.

Our club and members are participating in a fundraiser for family of the young man that was killed when struck by a car last month.  They would like to get back to Guatemala.  Our club donated $500, and members chipped in another $170 by passing the hat.

Brags and Confessions

Taro Masuda spent the weekend with the district YE (youth exchange) kids at Silver Star (near Vernon, BC).

Brian Thorpe paid for missing so many meetings (glad to have you back Brian).  He will have three daughters getting married this summer (all different dates).

Lucas paid because he forgot his visa in Vernon, and almost couldn't get back into the US after the YE weekend.

Kevin Love's wife, Lynn,  was featured in the Good Life.  He will be going to his first Seahawk game Thursday and will miss our party.  Kevin was also the subject of the "shotgun classification talk" today.

Rebecca Lyons is back from too weeks in China.

Joel Banken's son, Isaiah, will be our outbound YE student next year, and just found out he will be going to Spain. Ole.

Thanks to John McDarment for printing Wenatchee Sunrise note pads.

Program

Steve Robinson (right) and Gil Sparks presented on Pybus 2.0.  They gave a history of the facility, a look at how the non-profit works, and a glimpse future plans.  The 25,000 sq, foot building was purchased by the Chelan County Port District ($5M) and Mike & Joanne Walker ($5M) in 2010.  Through the public/private partnership, the building was remodeled, and opened in 2013.  Pybus is a non-profit run by a 16 member Board of Directors.  They support other non-profit groups.  Pybus has 17 year-round merchants and employees 100 people.  The plan is to expand and remodel the annex to house meeting rooms, businesses, and restaurants  Steve and Gil showed slides and renderings of Pybus, then, now, and in the future.

December 6th

Announcements:

Next week is a busy week!

December 12th:  7:00 a.m. Board Meeting at Wild Huckleberry(updating bylaws and the constitution)
December 13th:  Regular meeting with Steve Robinson from Pybus Market
December 14th:  5:00 p.m. Club Social at Columbia Brewing Company
December 15th:  6:00 p.m. Christmas Party at Ridgeline Graphics

Lucas had a big week last week!  He spent Thanksgiving with the extended family of his host family. Then he went to Seattle and visited Pike Place Market and took a ride in a Tesla!!!  He was also able to attend Mission Ridge opening and was lucky enough to get stuck on a chair lift.

The Bike Ride Committee met and has some very cool stuff for the June 3rd bike ride.  If you haven't already blocked off the day on your calendar, do it now!  We need all hands on deck for the 20th anniversary of our club's biggest fundraiser.

There is a financial aid workshop for challenge scholars on Wednesday.  All mentors received an email regarding the details.

Brags and Confessions:

Lisa Park's birthday!

Jim H put in money for Annie because she took Sammy.

Mansour wonders why he has been stuck in this snowy torture chamber.

Jim A spent the weekend in Edmonton training district leaders.

Jill celebrated her 44th wedding anniversary.

Laura reported that the Rotaract club made $200.00 for CASA.  At right are some of the stocking stuffers they purchased for the kids.

Program:

Doyle from Lighthouse Ministries presented to our club today.

Doyle joined Lighthouse Ministries three years ago after realizing that he wanted to help people that were just like him.  He reminded us that we could all be in the same position as many of the people that the Lighthouse Ministries help.
The organization was founded in 2009 by Bob Rogers who is still involved in the organization.  Currently there are 7 active programs.  These programs include:

• The Lighthouse Soup Kitchen which feeds about 5000 servings per month.
• The Food Distribution Ministry which distributes approximately 168,000 servings per year.
• Grace House which is a transitional house for Women and Children.  The capacity is 40 people and is currently at 16 women and 19 children.
• Gospel House provides emergency housing for entire families.
• Mission House which provides transitional housing for men.
• Lighthouse Clinic which provides free or reduced medical and dental care.
• King's Garden Christian Preschool which has been in existence provides interactive preschool for 3-5 year olds.  The current class has 19 children.

Lighthouse Ministries is currently looking at consolidating it's efforts in a large building they were recently able to acquire.  The monetary goal for the organization is $744,000.00.  They are approximately $189,000 short of their goal.  If you would like to donate to this amazing local project, click here.

(former residents, and now volunteers, Harry and Crystal pose with Doyal)

You have to check out the new look for our club and bike ride web site.  Very cool!  Thanks to Joel and the others who helped to make this happen.   http://www.wenatcheesunriserotary.org/.

November 30th Meeting

Announcements:

Remember to get a hold of Lucas!  He has a list of stuff he would love to do (See November 15th Meeting Blog) before he leaves.  His number is 881-8616.

The Christmas Party is on December 15th.  If you haven't signed up, be sure to get a hold of Wayne. Family welcome!

The week of December 12th is a busy one!  At our regular meeting on December 13th, Steve Robinson will come speak about Pybus Market.  On December 14th there is a club social at Columbia River Brewing Company at 5:00.  On December 15th is our Christmas party.


Brags and Confessions:

Earl paid for the Coug's loss in the Apple Cup.
Erik paid for the Huskie's win the Apple Cup AND the celebration of his 26th wedding anniversary.
Rani's dad broke his leg and is currently staying at the hospital at which Jonas Salk worked.  Rani was glad that Ohio beat Michigan.
Ron paid for his big ole color picture in the paper.
Alan took his mom and the kids to the woods to gather trees for Christmas and left with 5!

Club Assembly:

Today we spent time looking at all the committees we have and making sure that everyone is involved on some level.  A reminder that Rotary is a service club and serving on a committee is how that service happens.  We have the following committees list with their chairpersons that you can contact to get involved:

Rotary Foundation (contact Jerry Karney)
Fund Raising (contact Earl Crowe)
Challenge Scholar (contact Joan Wright)
Salisbury Fund (contact Maggie Nelson, Jim Huffman or Leslie Coleman)
Youth Exchange (contact Maggie Nelson)
Membership (contact John McDarment)
Public Relations and Social Media (contact Annie LaCroix)
Rotaract (contact Laura Singletary)
Fellowship (contact Wayne Massing)
International Projects (contact Wayne Massing)
Community Projects (contact Matt Eastman)
Senior Dinner (contact Jill Courtney)
Bike Ride (contact Alice Thompson or Alan Walker)
Programs (contact Jim Huffman)
Club History (contact Leonard Noss)