January 25 Meeting Notes

Announcements

Pete VanWell of the Wenatchee Rotary Club was here to promote their auction this Saturday, 5:30-9:30.  This will be a huge event with lots of games, and over 750 auction items.  Our club has purchased a table, so let Kathleen know if you'd like to join (no cost to you, just bid on some items).  

Earl has raffle tickets for all of us to sell.  This is a new fundraiser, and will only be successful if everyone is helping to sell tickets.  You can also purchase a bunch for yourself.  Earl has done about all the work on this, but we need to be the ones selling the tickets.

Public Relations committee meets Friday, 5:30 at Hilton Garden Inn.  Everyone welcome.

Braggs & Confessions

Alan & Kelly are back from a great trip to Hawaii

Jim A played a short sound bite of his grandson commentating at a Linfield College men's basketball game.  He got a bit excited about a half court shot at the buzzer to send the game into a 2nd overtime.

Earl, Kathleen, Jim A, and Carol all paid for birthdays.

Robin's mom is now in assisted care, giving her more time and energy to do Rotary things.

Guess who uses this mug at the meeting? 

You, too, can select a custom mug each Tuesday, along with a great breakfast offering.

Program

Mario Perez, Operations Director for Foray/Mela Coffee Company, gave an informative talk on the history of coffee, and the Foray/Mela business mission. 

Coffee actually got its start in Ethiopia, then spread to the Netherlands and South America, all from the parent plant.  Brazil is now the number 1 producer of coffee, followed by Viet Nam and Columbia. Mario talked about the two varieties - Arabica and Robusta, and single origin vs blended.  He also talked about all the steps in making coffee, from the farmers, to storage and processing, to roasting, to brewing.

Mario discussed how Foray roasts and brews it coffee, and how they blend this with new technology.  They have an app that times the brewing of your coffee with when you will drive up to the window, blending quality with convivence.  To Mario, coffee is more than a good drink.  It creates memories when people get together around a cup of java. Kathleen presented Mario with the traditional children's book that we will donate the library in his name.

After Notes

Milt (on zoom) had his raffle ticket drawn, but the wrong marble was pulled out.  $80+ next week.

Next week's program is Rani Sampson will talk about scams we should all be cautious about.

Greeters for February are Wayne and Sam.  Please find a sub if you will not be at the meetings.

Feb. 1 set-up - Jim A       Clean-up - Dave F

January 11 Meeting Notes

 Announcements

With the snowy and questionable roads, we had as many zoomers as we had in person attendees today (about 20 of each) but a lively meeting none the less.

Wayne announced that it is time to renew (or join) the Life Flight program.  He will be sending emails to those who currently are enrolled so we can renew our memberships by January 20.  We get a discount if we have at least 10 subscribers.  If you want to be a new member to Life Flight, contact Wayne before January 20.

Earl said Road Apple Roulette raffle tickets will be ready next week for distribution and sales.  This will be fun, and except for selling the tickets, will be easy.  Thanks to Earl for getting this going, and for getting sponsors for the 5 squares, and major event sponsors.

Guest Steve Cope has been approved for membership by the Board.  Steve is a sales and product manager at Artic Refrigeration and Heating.  He and wife Kay have been in Wenatchee for a few months, but lived in the area for awhile back in 2018.  Kay is originally from Connecticut, and Steve was raised on Whidbey Island.  This is his official posting, so anyone with any objections to his membership should contact Kathleen or Kelly before January 20.

Brags and Confessions 

Chris admitted he has had a difficult couple months with the loss of his dad, keeping dad's business running, and putting in many hours on his own job at the PUD.  We are glad he is back with us.

Program

Allie Shank (Executive Director) and Mitch Darlington (new head coach) of the Wenatchee AppleSox talked about the background and changes in their program. The baseball team preps college players for the next level (minor and major leagues).  Mitch is a local guy from Cashmere who is glad to be back and coaching the Sox.  The team attracts players from around the country, and even has one from Japan who will be here this summer.  They will also have some local players who grew up in Central Washington, as well as 5 from UW and 3 from Gonzaga.

Changes this year include adding 3 more teams, bringing the league to 15.  There will be a new video board screen at the park, and the Sunday home games will be at 1:00 to allow for more families to come.  There will be added theme nights and other fun events at the games.  The team will paly 31 home games and 27 away games.

The AppleSox organization is looking for host families to board the players for the 45 days they are here.  Players usually come in early June, and the season ends in mid-August.

Final Notes

Milt's ticket was drawn today, but the magic marble was not picked, so the pot grows.

Next week's helpers:  Earl (set up), Sam (clean up), Milt (invocation)

Next week's program:  Trent Moyer - Pangborn Airport changes

Happy New Year - January 4 meeting notes

 Announcements

Kathleen introduced her sister-in-law, Wendy Wright, visiting from Virginia.  She has visited our club in the past, and it was great to welcome her again.

Sad to announce the passing of long time Sunrise member, Ron Griffith.  Ron was 80 years old, and was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn.  Ron joined Rotary in 2010, and was an honorary Rotarian for a few years, after his health declined.  Ron was always photographing our club events.  He was a retired trucker, and loved collecting stamps.

Alan reported that the single mom with four kids was overjoyed when he delivered presents and a full Christmas dinner our club provided for the family.  

Kathleen gave a grant update on the kids' area in the museum.  We hope to raise $30,000, including donations from our area clubs, the district, and a $10,000 matching district grant, and $5,000 from two Rotarians.

Earl reported that the Road Apple Roulette raffle tickets would be ready next week.  Let the sales begin.

Brags and Confessions

Rebecca's aunt is visiting for Christmas, and is still here due to the bad weather.

Kevin had both daughters and their families for Christmas.  He also confessed his ill will to people who don't go anywhere because they don't want to drive in the snow.

Ruth paid to honor the city for the snow removal in the streets.

Alan had family visiting for Christmas.

Kathleen bragged about the 7-course meal the family had, cooked mostly by their son.

Visiting Wenatchee Rotarian Ken Robertson invited us all the their January 29 auction.  Then he donated $100 to our Challenge Scholar program.  Thanks, Ken.

Program

Wenatchee Rotarians Ken Robertson and Mark Kulaas gave the program today on Rotary Park and the proposed Peace Pole Project.  The project is a Rotary International initiative to promote peace and goodwill around the world.  There are over 100,000 peace poles in 190 countries.  Many Rotary clubs in our district have place peace poles in their communities.  Have you seen any?

Ken and Mark discussed our proposed design which is much more elaborate than just a pole.  The design includes a few basalt colonnades of different heights with a peace slogan and the four-way test written in several languages.  The colonnades will be in a landscaped area with trees, shrubs, boulders, river rock, pavers, benches, and concrete walkways with inlaid metal salmon.

The area will be in the south end of Rotary Park between the parking area and the two smaller picnic shelters.  There will be a narrative explaining the symbolic use of all the components, and a list of financial donors.  Fundraising will be through grants, donations from clubs and individuals, sponsors to fund colonnades, benches, and salmon, and by selling more tiles for the plaza by the flags.  The project will start in late spring, and hopefully be completed is a couple months.

Final Notes

Raffle - Craig's ticket was drawn, but no luck in picking the correct marble.  More $ for us next week.

The Applesox baseball team will be the program next Tuesday.

Kathleen ended the meeting with a really good joke.