April 23 Meeting Notes

 

The meeting was opened by President Craig Reese, who introduced visiting Rotarian John Fishburn from Leavenworth.   John gave an announcement about the Leavenworth Rotary Club’s ”Roaring 20s Night” that will be held in the evening of May 26th.  Casino activities, dancing, food, everyone welcome.

See flyer at right.

Announcements

Road Apple Roulette - 2477 tickets have been sold so far.  We still have the upcoming food court, beer garden, parade day, and the all service club luncheon next Wednesday.  We also have availability at all the Senior Center luncheons.       

As the Apple Blossom Festival 2024 opens this Thursday, 25 April, there are many volunteer positions available for our club members. Please review the link below and find where you can help out. Just send Wayne Massing an email at wkmassing@nwi.net and note the Day(s), Event(s), Time(s) that you wish to volunteer. I will send you a reply confirming your selection.                      

Apple Blossom Volunteer Dates/Times       

                                   

We are still looking for parade marshals for the youth parade this Saturday from about 7:30 to 12:00.  Contact Alan if you can help.  Get your free T-shirt.

Julie gave a talk about the youth exchange program.  They had it an outbound youth exchange meeting in Penticton two weekends ago where the outbound students and their parents got training on what to expect.  The inbound students were also in attendance as well as the district youth exchange committee.  Our outbound student (Abbey) is going to be going to Spain.

Laerke announced that she had a quiet week.  She did go to prom with a friend and had lots of fun eating and dancing.

Braggs and Confessions

Wayne M. spent time in the Tri-Cities for his brother in law's 80th birthday.  He sold 59 tickets at the Sunrise Rotary Club there.  He also contacted former member and president Joan Wright, and met their outbound exchange student.

Kathleen bragged about going to the Mariners game and getting a couple of Julio Rodriguez bobble heads.  She’ll be going again soon.

Mark said that his 3D printing class only had one student, so they had to cancel, but they're trying to drum up some more interest.  He was interviewed by KPQ not long ago and had some juicy quotes.

Laerke saw a youth exchange friend from Yakima at a recent tennis match.  They're going to plan an overnighter with another youth exchange student.

Jennifer was in the Cashmere paper.  Part of that was regarding her husband John's workshop there.

Jim bragged about going to the daddy daughter dance with his granddaughter this last weekend. Hundreds of dads and their little daughters danced the night away.

Craig is back from Burundi with his Sister Connections work, which was a success.  He gave thanks to Rebecca for filling in during his absence as president during that time

Sergeant at Arms

Wayne fined president Craig for missing the last meeting when Emma was able to come after they had gotten back early in the morning from Burundi.

Program

Gary Ivory, General Manager of the Douglas County PU, talked about the new hydrogen project and the different things that the PUD has going on.  Besides the hydrogen project, their main focus is on the Wells Hydro Dam which provides low- cost electricity to Douglas County residents.

Gary discussed how the power grid works with all the other sources of energy.  He explained that we need hydropower, especially during peak times and emergencies like hot and cold spells.

The new hydrogen plant near Lincoln Rock State Park is up and running.  Gas is captured and stored in big tubes, and then can be transferred to semi-truck containers.  It costs about $135 million to rebuild a water generator, so power from the hydrogen project will help the water generators to run more smoothly.  The biggest use of the hydrogen project will be to sell hydrogen to other outside sources who will use the hydrogen for many things.

Gary talked about their strategic planning.  Their goal is to have the best utility services for the lowest cost.  Along with that they have an amazing fish project where 95% of the fish pass through the dam safely and hatcheries replace the fish that are lost.

The Douglas County PUD electricity costs to customers are subsidized by revenue from power sales to external sources.  As more power is needed today, less is available for outside sales, so the rates for customers will go up slightly over the next five years.

Gary also discussed the Columbia River Treaty with Canada related to flood control.  This could be a big issue after September this year when the treaty expires.  The lack of snow in Canada also could be a problem for our power generators.  We need to rely on solar and wind power at times.

After notes

$164 in the pot.  Kevin won the raffle draw.  He went for the marble and got the wrong one.  Too bad.

April 16, 2024 Meeting Notes

Our Tuesday, April 16, 2024, Rotary Club of Wenatchee Sunrise was called to order by President-Elect Rebecca Lyons. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, a moment of silence followed, and "Say Howdy" followed with members greeting each other and our guests.

Our guests for this meeting were Dan Feil, soon-to-be new member, Chris (Emma Crowe's fiancé), Veronica Masuda (Taro's daughter) and our Youth Exchange student Laerke. The Apple Blossom Royalty and their chaperons were introduced as the meeting's speakers.

Announcements

Alan Walker Club Secretary, read the minutes of the Board Meeting, and reminded club members that the Board meeting is now being held on first Thursday of each month at 7 am in the basement of the Maple Street Cashmere Valley Bank.

    -A multi-year planning session is being planned. Board Member Allie Schank will send an online poll to those club members who volunteered to be part of this planning session. The poll will ask recipients the days in late April and early May when they would be able to meet. This planning session should be completed by mid-May.

    - Dan Feil's membership application was approved by the Board of Directors. We welcome Dan to our club. His induction into the club will be at a future meeting.

    -Club member Joel McDonald has resigned from the Rotary Club of Wenatchee Sunrise and has joined another area Rotary Club.

    -Due to an accounting error, the increase in District 5060 and Rotary International's dues was not paid. The club dues will increase by $40 per year and will show as a $10 increase on member's quarterly billing.

Alan also announced that he was still seeking volunteers for the Apple Blossom Youth Parade on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 7:30 am to about 1 pm. Volunteers will be given keepsake Apple Blossom Festival T-shirts to keep. Duties included keeping vehicles off the parade route, and answering questions like "When is my son's Cub Scout group coming in the parade?" Sequence of parade groups and floats will be provided to volunteers on a handy clipboard! You also get to use a walkie-talkie radio, too. See Alan to volunteer or sign-up online. 

Julie and Joel Banken just returned from Youth Exchange events in Canada.

Wayne Massing announced that the Road Apple Roulette tickets sales has reached 2418, almost 48% of the 5,000 tickets that are available. The Cafe La Vie En tickets sales were good for the first shift, but not for the second one. Therefore, the Friday, April 19th tickets sales at Cafe La Vie En will just be from 8-10 am. Those who have signed up have been notified of the time changes. Also, the ticket sales at Firehouse Pets and Trek Bicycle were spotty, and not very productive. We will drop the plans to have sales at those 2 sites on Saturday, 20 April. At our April 23rd club meeting, we will have more information about our booth in the Food Court and have a sign-up list for volunteers wishing to sell tickets there. Youth Parade on Saturday and lots of people eating Funnel Cakes (just across from our Rotary ticket table)!!

Rebecca Lyons attended the Environmental event at Pybus over the weekend. Zero Waste at Apple Blossom is an achievable goal. Volunteers in the Food Court of Memorial Park will assist Apple Blossom attendees in separating garbage from recycled materials. Last year, the amount of garbage going to the landfill was reduced by 50%. An even greater amount of recycling is anticipated this year.

Jim Adamson reminded the club that the Fellowship Committee has put together a social event at a woodshop in Cashmere to drink wine and use power tools to make "Shark-cutery" boards on April 29th. More details later.

Kelly Walker reminded the club of a free Fraud Awareness workshop at Pybus Tues. April 16th at 7 pm. Learn how not to be scammed and your bank account compromised.

Youth Exchange Update

Our Inbound Youth Exchange student Laerke gave us an update on her YE activities. She spent 1 week in Hawaii, and got to surf. There were about 85 other Youth Exchange students there as well. After returning to the mainland, she flew to New York City and met up with 61 YE students there. After seeing the major sights of the Big Apple, they flew to Washington, DC where they toured the capital and other historic sights. An inbound orientation was just held in BC, Canada.

Brags and Confessions

Emma Crowe bragged about having just returned from Burundi, Africa, with her Sister Connection manager Craig Reese (and Rotary Club of Wenatchee Sunrise President). She slept on the flight home and was able to attend the 7 am club meeting. Craig was NOT able to sleep on the plane and took two days off work! Emma and Chris are looking for a wedding venue!

Alan Walker enjoyed spending a birthday for his 87-year-old mother in Ellensburg.

Sgt. at Arms

David Barshes was given an award for his work in a local theatre group. He previously agreed to pay a fine for overlooking this publication of his award.

Allie Schank came in late and paid a small Happy Buck fine to Earl, our treasurer.

Program Speakers

Jim Adamson introduced our speakers for today's program. Apple Blossom Festival Royalty and their chaperons. Queen Ella Stimmel (Eastmont High School), Princess Jennisa Hepton and Princess Lexie Fennell. Chaperons are Ceci Wood and Jan Crollard. Link for more royalty information: 2024 Royal Court — Washington State Apple Blossom Festival

Queen Ells detailed the Royalty selection process, and the scholarships that are available to the selected Queen and Princesses, plus other top 5 Royalty candidates.

Clothing was a big topic of discussion for the girls. Macy's provided the pink jackets (and matching pants). Other clothing was donated from different stores. There are different combinations of clothing and jewelry for each day, so a spreadsheet is used to let the Royalty how to dress for each occasion. Outfits are labeled A-M on the spreadsheet.

The Royalty sang a song that they composed. Very nice!

They will participate in other parades in Manson, Spokane, Seattle, Olympia, Penticton, Cashmere and Maysville.

A tour to Olympia to meet Washington Representative Brad Hawkins was a big deal for the Royalty! A song being sung there didn't go quite right, so they did a do-over!

Tuesday, April 16th, they were visiting Blossom Valley Assisted Living center to meet some of the residents there!

Wednesday, April 17th is the day that Royalty gets to see their Apple Blossom float for the first time! Exciting!

The Royalty offered the official Apple Blossom Festival pins for sale for $5.

Club President Rebecca presented each of the Royalty with a gift from our club!

Raffle

Kevin offered Queen Ella the chance to pick the winning raffle ticket, and she picked her own! She was not able to pick the magic marble to win the $100+ prize.

Joke

Mark VanHorne took off his crown for Dance King at the Wenatchee Wild hockey game to put on his Joker hat. "What do you can a paper airplane that doesn't fly? STATIONERY"

President Rebecca banged a gong and adjourned the meeting at 8 am.

April 9 Meeting Notes

The meeting was opened by Pres-elect Rebecca, who then introduced visiting Rotarian Dan Feil (E. Wen) and guests Jerrilea Crawford (E. Wenatchee Mayor), Veronica Masuda (Taro's daughter), and Isabell VanWeerdhuizen (Kaitlyn's new baby daughter).  Also attending were State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti and his Chief of Staff, Anna Borris.

Announcements

Laerke was not here today, but just got back from a great trip to New York.  She will be joining Abby Prieto (our new outbound youth exchange student), Abby's parents, and Joel and Julie Banken in Penticton this weekend for the district YE outbound student orientation.

Road Apple Roulette - 2125 tickets sold so far.  KPQ and NCW Life will interview our club members about our RAR fundraiser.

Upcoming places to sell: 

• LaVie En - April 12  April 19 from 8:00-11:00
• Firehouse Pet Store - April 13 & 20 from 10:00-2:00
• Apple Blossom Memorial Park - April 27 and 28 - time to be determined
• All Service Club Luncheon - May 1 - 11:15-1:30

Thursday at 7:00pm will be an environmental movie at the museum sponsored by the area Rotary clubs.  They will even have some plant-based food to try.

Earth Day at Pybus is this Saturday.  They will have an e-waste recycling station for computers and other electronic gadget to recycle.

Watch your email for a poll to find out what date is most preferred for our Multi-year Planning session.  This will be led by a district facilitator, and will get us on the way to planning the next few years for our club.  It is important to get 10-15 members to participate.

Brags & Confessions

Taro just returned for chaperoning an 8th/9th grade field trip to New York and Washington DC.

Wayne reported that Mansour is now back from wintering in Phoenix, but fell and injured his hip.

Program 

 Washington State Treasurer, Mike Pellicciotti, gave a financial "state of the state" presentation.  Mike has been the Treasurer since 2020.  He discussed what the Office of the Treasury does, some of the issues involving finances, and left time for questions.

Basically, the office manages state and local investments ($180B), debt, bonds and financing, serves as the state bank (cash flow), and oversees the financial policies for the other state commissions.

Washington currently has the highest AAA credit rating.  The state has saved over $532M by refinancing state loans before the interest rates increased, so we have more to spend on state and local projects.

His office has made a push to get required financial education in the schools.  There are 70 people serving in the Treasury Office.  Mike indicated that the financial health of the state has improved and is in good shape.

After Notes

Kevin's raffle ticket was drawn and he went for the $138 marble pot - but failed to pick the right marble.

April 2 Meeting Notes

President-elect Rebecca opened the meeting.  She welcomed guests Dan Feil (E Wen), AG Mike Kintner, and District Governor Nominee-designate Jill Leonard.

Announcements

We haven't seen Laerke in awhile.  She got back from a trip to Hawaii, and is now in New York.

April 9 is our monthly evening social at Helbent Taproom - 5:00 - 7:00.

Apple Blossom youth Parade Service Opportunity:

Apple Blossom Festival Youth Parade

Parade Route Marshall Volunteers

Saturday, April 27

7:30am to Noon

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4DAFA72DA7F58-48442481-2024

More information call:  

Alan Walker

509.929.1083

Monday, April 29 is a charcuterie board making and wine social in Cashmere at Jennifer's husband's shop.  The cost is $125 per person, or $175 for a couple (making one board), and includes making the board, wine, and small bites.  There is room for just two more people.  Contact Carol if you want to participate.

April 16 Cashmere Valley Bank is hosting "anti-fraud training" open to the public.  7:00pm at Pybus.

Road Apple Roulette update - 2071 tickets sold - goal is 5000.  NCW Life will give us a spot to advertise.  Wayne M thanked Kathleen for getting great sponsors, Wayne S for helping with the tickets and database, Emma for helping with the database, Earl for dealing with the money account, and Allie for the shirts and ticket design/printing.

Upcoming places to sell:

• April 12 & 19 at LaVie En
• April 13 & 20 at Firehouse Pet Store

Assistant Governor Mike Kintner gave updates on area and district activities.

• Rotary Learning Institute in Yakima, April 27 (Zoom - register at rotarydistrict5060.com)
• District Conference at Penticton, BC, May 2-5 (register at rotarydistrict5060.com)
• Online general business meeting, June 13 (Zoom - register at rotarydistrict5060.com)
• District Governor Changeover, June 26, time and place TBA
• Rotary night at the Applesox, June 25

Mike also let us know that the East Wenatchee Rotary Club is now meeting at noon on Thursdays at Bob's Burgers and Brew (a change from their morning meeting). Other area events include:

• Confluence club is looking for volunteers to help man the "Net 0 Waste" program the week in the park during Apple Blossom.
• East Wenatchee will be doing the Pikeminnow Derby again.
• Chelan Rotary Club will host the Cycle Chelan ride June 24.
• Leavenworth Rotary has the Roaring 20's dinner and auction on May 26.
• Cashmere Rotary is doing a Pickleball tournament June 29-30.

Brags & Confessions

• Wayne M lost the lock to our Rotary cabinet, bought a new one, and then found the old one wrapped in our banner.  He was also filmed in the Community Action Council food bank ribbon cutting along with Jim, Alan, Kelly, & Milt, who he fined later.
• Alan (CDCAC Director) bragged about the food bank opening and ribbon cutting, and thanked all who were involved.

Program

Kathleen introduced Elizabeth Kirby (zooming in form North Carolina) who is with the District and Club Database (DACdb) group.  She walked us through the Ignite mobile app, which is our new communication tool.  This app works with the DACdb software you can install on your computers and mobile devices.  The Ignite app gives club members easy access to 7 areas  - members, calendar, messaging, service project hours, photos of service projects/fundraising/club activities, prospective members, and your Foundation achievements.

The information links directly to our club information in DACdb, and to our club social media person.  We hope everyone will install the Ignite and DACdb apps on their phones, and update their photo and personal information.

After Notes

Mark's raffle ticket was drawn (again - 3 in a row), but he failed to pull the right marble after opting for the $125 pot.