March 22 Meeting Notes

The meeting was opened by Treasurer Craig Reeves in absence of Club President Kathleen McNalty. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was rendered and Milt read the morning prayer.

Announcements

Welcome guests Mark Van Horne and Woodie Lotts (both have signed up to become members of Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary Club)!

Thanks to Milt, Mark and Wayne for setup and cleanup. Thanks to greeter Marcy and Alan for being morning greeters.

John Schapman, Club Secretary, read a brief compilation of the Club Board meeting from March 14th.

• The club has applied and received a gambling license for the 50-50 Raffle at the Wenatchee Apple Sox game.
• The Wenatchee Museum and Cultural Center will receive $3k in matching grants for children's projects there.
• The Rotary Peace Pole project will come to fruition in September this year for Rotary International's World Peace Program. A Peace Pole will be erected in Rotary Park during that time.
• Three potential members were approved by the board. Maryam and Mark Van Horne and Kollin Harmon. Orientation will take place this coming week and induction will be at a future club meeting.
• Our club will be updating our incorporation rules.
• There was a discussion about the need and future for the position of Vice President. Other clubs have eliminated that position. From July 1st, 2022, our club will cease to have a Vice President position.

The Bike Ride Committee will have a meeting on Tuesday, Mar. 29th at 5 pm at the Hilton Garden Hotel next to Pybus Public Market.

Earl announced another "square" sponsor for the Road Apple Roulette during the Apple Blossom Parade May 7th. Apple Valley Pumping donated $500. Over 1200 tickets have been sold for RAR!

Robin reminded us of the District 5060 Conference May 12-15th. Registration is only $199 (USD) and it is open to register right now. There will be 4 local hotels for attendees to stay. A special treat will be a reenactment of the David Thompson group in canoes (The Wenatchee Row and Paddle Club) meeting the local indigenous tribes. 

Brags and Confessions

Robin bragged about a girl friend's visit from San Diego. The friend introduced Robin to her husband Richard 42 years ago. Robin's brag resulted in $42 into the club's treasury.

Alan bragged about he and Kelly driving around the eastern part of Washington in his truck. He DID not brag about the gas mileage!

Bill McDowell bragged up his grandson, who was in Eastern Washington playing sports.

Program

Dr. Erik Holmberg and wife Kristin recently traveled to Israel to visit their son Ben, who is working there. Erik told of the huge construction program there to build a multi-billion-dollar chip plant for the Intel Corporation.

After a 14-hour flight and multiple Covid tests, they arrived in Israel.

His son Ben lives in the company housing there in Tel Aviv, which is a major city in the region. It is on the Mediterranean coast, some 40 miles northwest of Jerusalem.

While there, the 3 of them toured along the western coastline and inland to the Sea of Galilee. Many religious sites were visited, and were captured in hundreds of photos.

Erik explained that their "weekend" was Friday and Saturday, with Saturday being the holy day. From Friday night until Saturday night, those observing the occasion, did not use any electronics (no phones!!), no elevators or pushing of elevator buttons (Special elevators stopped on every floor of high-rise buildings), no latte's, etc.

Many of the larger hotels there had car elevators to park your car. You drove onto the elevator and it took you to a parking garage floor where there were parking spots.

A trip to Haifa and its famous gardens was disappointing because they were closed during CoVid. It was a walled city with Erik's favorite restaurant Uri Buri's!

Terrain in Israel changed from flowing fields of grain to vineyards to pine-tree forest with rugged rocks. Many communes dotted the country-side. Trump Heights was a high point of the tour!

A trip to Masada National Park was very interesting. It is an ancient fortress in southern Israel's Judean Desert. A famous battle between the rebels and the Romans. The Snake Path takes 45-60 minutes to walk up to the to catch the views. A cable car is available. It is the most visited place in Israel.

A good visit was had by all! Too many photos for this blog. See Erik for more!

Acting Prez Craig presented Erik with a children's book that will be donated to the library in his name.

After Notes

Earl's ticket was drawn (a cheer went up that Wayne's ticket was not drawn for a 4th time!), but the wrong marble was pulled.  More money next week, and fewer marbles.

Meeting was adjourned at 8 am.