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.