March 19 Meeting Notes

Announcements:

We will be changing our morning meeting location to Pybus Market starting April 2.  We will meet there for 8 weeks, and then decide if we want to stay longer.  The cost is considerably less ($100/week).  A buffet featuring a variety of food items will be offered for $10.25.  We will eventually be buying round tables for Pybus, and they will credit us that amount to our room costs.  We are hiring a person to come in early to set up coffee, condiments, linens, etc.

April 10th is the second gathering of women in Rotary in our area.  Bring prospective members (women or men).  Norwood Wine Bar at 6:00.

Wed., May 1, is the All-Service Club Luncheon at the Convention Center.  Cost is $25 per person.  Keynote speaker is Melissa Arias, who oversees the strategic direction and operations for Make-a-Wish Alaska and Washington.  Contact Carol Adamson if you missed the sign up sheet.  We will have one or two tables for our club.

Wayne Massing announced the location for the training for volunteers for The Gorge's 2019 concert series.  The one near us is Tues., May 7th at Link Transit, Columbia Station Ridgeline Graphics, 34 North Chelan St., Wenatchee (new location) 5:30-8:30 pm. Please contact Wayne to get on the list, if you need training. Those trained last year are certified for 5 years!

Earl Crowe announced that the Local Area Rotarian Directory has local advertising space available. See John McDarment for rates.

Brags and Confessions:

Erin McCool announced that she had been absent for several meetings while conducting legal business, and supporting her husband Paul on his cross-country runs.

Jim Adamson announced that he and his wife Carol, along with Wayne and Karen Massing, attended a dinner and trivia contest at the Wenatchee Golf and Country Club on Saturday night. They took third place (out of four teams) and won their admission fees back!

Wayne Massing announced that he and his wife Karen traveled to Seattle to visit her sister who is in the hospital there. They had dinner with their daughter and returned Monday.

Taro thought he did a great job tuning and sharpening his son Reagan's Atomic Skis because Reagan won his ski competition! Way to go, Reagan!

Program:

Eloise Barshes, Executive Director of Volunteer Attorney Services (VAS) in Wenatchee, was our speaker today. VAS' mission is to bridge the justice gap in our community by facilitating high quality, free civil legal services to low-income persons of Chelan and Douglas counties. Since they were founded in 2002, they have helped qualified, low income women, men and children have access to a better future. Eloise gave the following facts:
   - 46% of Chelan and Douglas County residents only have a high school diploma or GED
   - During 2018, over 620 hours of pro bono assistance have been given to qualified residents
   - VAS is part of the Alliance For Equal Justice" organization.
Eloise announced the "Justice Gala" on Saturday, June 1st. Tickets for this event are $50/pp.
On March 28, 5-7 pm the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce will have its After Hours gathering at the VAS office at 300 Okanogan Ave., Suite 3B, in Wenatchee. Light appetizers and drinks will be served.

Pot Draw:
Kathleen McNalty won the pot draw

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 a.m.

March 5 & 12 Meeting Notes

Announcements:

Board Meeting notes - It was decided that we will be changing our morning meeting location to Pybus Market starting April 2.  We will meet there for 8 weeks, and then decide if we want to stay longer.  The cost is considerably less ($100/week).  A buffet featuring a variety of food items will be offered for $10.25.  We will eventually be buying round tables for Pybus, and they will credit us that amount to our room costs.  We are hiring a person to come in early to set up coffee, condiments, linens, etc.

It was decided to change our Challenge Scholarship amount (which has varied depending on when and where credits are taken) to a flat $12,000 over two years. $5,000/per year for tuition and $500/per year for books.

Bike ride committee will meet Tuesday, 3/19, at Bob's Burgers & Brew at 5:30.

Wed., May 1, is the All-Service Club Luncheon at the Convention Center.  Cost is $25 per person.  Keynote speaker is Melissa Arias, who oversees the strategic direction and operations for Make-a-Wish Alaska and Washington.  Contact Carol Adamson if you missed the sign up sheet.  We will have one or two tables for our club.

Wayne Massing announced the locations for the training for volunteers for The Gorge's 2019 concert series. Tues., April 2nd, 5:30-8:30 pm at Chelan Chamber of Commerce, and Tues., May 7th at the Link Transit, Columbia Station, 5:30-8:30 pm. Please contact Wayne to get on the list, if you need training. Those trained last year are certified for 5 years!

Brags and Confessions:

PJ Jones returned from his ski adventure/work in the Grand Tetons. He injured his leg, and only was able to ski after extensive Physical Therapy. He and Cookie decided to tie the knot and get married on March 1st!

Jim Adamson returned from Edmonton where he gave several speeches at that region's PETS (President-Elect Training Seminar). He had a 10 hour commute time getting there!

Rebecca Lyons bragged about getting on a plane at Wenatchee Pangborn Airport and the temperature was 9 deg. F. When she arrived in Mexico, it was 90 deg. F.

Program:

Alina, the Youth Exchange student from Finland, gave a great program that outlined her experiences in our community, and gave information about Finland.  Everyone got to sample some licorice-like treats from Finland (see picture).  Alina is being hosted by the Wenatchee Confluence Rotary Club. She has had a wonderful experience so far, and has seen many places and gone to many events.

She gave several examples of how different and difficult the Finish language can be. The words "Kuusi Palaa" have 9 different meanings.

The REAL Santa Claus is from Finland, Alina says! She has met him!

In Finland, the meat balls are just meat: no sauce like ours!

Alina is enjoying her Youth Exchange time in the US, and thinks that many of her friends and classmates at home would enjoy it, too.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 am.

Nick's Bricks

Some of our members helped out at the 2nd Annual Nick's Bricks event at Pybus a couple weeks ago.  The event is in honor of Nick Vituli (age 24) who died while hiking in Africa.  He was into Legos, and his parents started this event to honor him, and spread the joy of Legos to kids in the valley.  They have also set up a foundation to keep the event going.  Nick's dad, Kevin, was the president of Wenatchee North Rotary (now Confluence) two years ago.

March 5th Meeting Notes

Announcements:

Wayne said that training for The Gorge is getting ready to come up. If you completed the training last year you are set for five years.

5:30 P.M. March 19th there will be a bike ride meeting at Bobs Burgers & Brews

Kathleen brought in fliers for A Night at the Museum Sat. March 23rd 6-9 P.M. at the Wenatchee Valley Museum.

Brags and Confessions:

Jim Huffman's wife is negative for cancer and her surgery went well.

Jim A. is raising money for the Young Life Golf Tournament, and also said a big thanks for the volunteers at the Nick's Bricks over the weekend.

Ryan Price returned from a Mexico trip!

Program:

We talked about the Sunrise Rotary Facebook page.

The Senior Dinner was discussed by the club members. In the past, it has been a free dinner for Wenatchee Valley senior. The club members cook and serve an Italian dinner to the seniors, and entertainment is provided. It was decided by those present that this year's Senior Dinner should be held Oct. 27, 2019. Time and place to be determined. Jill Courtney is the chair for the Senior Dinner.