May 17 Meeting Notes

 Welcome guests Kim Radach, Brian Mooney, Wayne Steele (zoom), Laura Merrill, and Stacy Gold (approved new member).

Announcements

We had a great Rotary District Conference last weekend hosted by District Governor Richard DeRock and First Lady Robin.  Thursday was a dinner with salmon, authentically cooked by some local Native Americans. Tribal Elder Randy Lewis spoke about the history of the area and the importance of salmon to their people. Friday was a time for optional activities around town (golf, pickleball, wine walk, bike ride, pub crawl, etc.), and the popular home hosting, where area Rotarians hosted our visitors for dinner.  Almost half the attendees of the conference were from Canada - fun!  Saturday was filled with internationally renowned speakers, awards, break out sessions on Rotary topics, evening band and dancing, and lots of fellowship opportunities.  Sunday morning was dedicated to Rotary youth programs (youth exchange, Interact, and RYLA - ask someone of you don't know what these are), and the passing of the torchy to next year's District Governor, Karl Ruether of Leavenworth Rotary.  Congrats to Richard and Robin on a great conference, and all the hard work they did for two years.

A thank you note was read form Barbara Tilly, thanking us for the $1500 donation to the Ukrainian families settling ion NCW.  There are about 30 people in Wenatchee and Soap Lake.

Speaking of Ukrainian refugees, there will be a benefit concert to raise funds to help the refugees in NCW (and those to come).  Gladsong will sing a variety of musical numbers, with all proceeds going to the refugees' fund.  Join us at the Grace Lutheran Church at 7:00

Bike ride meeting Tuesday, May 24, Hilton, 5:00.  Good stuff to discuss at this meeting.  Everyone welcome.

Pet Parade is June 18 at 10:00 at Pybus Market.  It will be a beach theme, with photo booth, parade, and food drive for the Humane Society.  We'll need some greeters and helpers that day.

June 21 is the Presidential Changeover Dinner, which will be a BBQ at the Museum.  Mark it on your calendar so we can celebrate Kathleen's year, and welcome Robin as our next president.

Allie, Amber, and Woody are doing the 50/50 raffle at the Applesox games to raise funds for the PAC and the Humane Society.  Any other charities we engage with on this?

Jim passed out information sheets on the Peace Pole Project at Rotary Park.  The work will start soon, but we have lots of money to raise.  The fliers had ways to donate.  You will hear more later, but think about who you may want to buy a tile, bench, salmon, to basalt column to honor.

Jim presented Karen Krisjensen of the East Wenatchee Rotary Club with her $500 winning from the Road Apple Roulette.

Braggs and Confessions

Jim bragged on Robin for the work she did helping to organize the district conference.

Kevin was back after complete knee replacement.  He said he is at 90%, but is shooting for 120%.

Carol put money in for Marcy's birthday (#40).

Besides being her birthday, Marcy said she is excited about moving to a new apartment.

Rebecca put in for Mari. She just turned 16 and has already had two hit-and-run accidents (not her fault).  Rebecca also added funds to the Salisbury Challenge Scholarship Fund for her birthday.  She celebrated in Seattle May 6.

Wayne confessed that he had the Ukrainian flag upside down at the opening ceremony at the District Conference.

Kelly got to see her granddaughter again.

Allie went to her first concert at the Gorge.

Robin is glad that the District Conference is done!  Our club presented a gift of 3 quilts in their honor at the District Conference.

She showed the club the 3 quilts we had put together for her and Richard in honor of the last two years of work and dedication to our district.

Program

Kathleen introduced Laura Merrill, Wenatchee City Executive Service Director, who talked about the future of the Riverfront Park .  She had slides and detailed project plans that outlined the process and schedule of gathering information and public input, design considerations and the preferred plan, and the development plan.  In addition to the 39 pages with this information were 54 pages of appendices detailing analysis, public engagement, design alternatives, cost estimates, and the design toolkit.

The project is projected to be done in three phases, ranging from 2022 to 2036. Way too much information to relate in the blog, but I'll have the detailed planning book there next Tuesday.  You can also check it out on the city website: www.wenatcheewa.gov (check out the tile walls at Rotary Park on the home page).

After Notes

Glenn's ticket was drawn, but not the right marble.  The pot will be at over $375 next week.

Next week's programs will be Cari Horning on Career Connected Learning, and Earl will give a final update on the Road Apple Roulette numbers.