April 13, 2009 Spokesman

Pascal Kunz, our Exchange Student, noted that he had been sick for three days, so didn't have much to report.  However, Lake Washington's soccer team has two games this week in Bothell, both at 5:30PM, one Tuesday and one Friday.  He encouraged everyone to come out and cheer on the team.

He will be moving the the Shinstrom's on May 16.  Steve will be taking him to school each day but the family is asking those members that may be available in the afternoons for occasional help on some home bound transportation.  Steve has baseball some evenings and Pascal has soccer and may need a ride home.  Looking for driver volunteers to take him to the Juanita area on those days with conflicts.

Tim Kehrli introduced himself as a prospective new member, although he seemed to look a lot like his wife, Katherine.

Brandon Honcoop introduced our Student of the Month, Sam Woo, who has quite the list of accomplishments.

Brandon also introduced Evan Pardini, a prospective new member, back for his 3^rd visit.

Rachel Knight introduced Cheryl Bloodworth, a former member, back for a visit.  She brought greetings from husband Jack, also a former member.

John Overleese introduced Shirley Van Nostrand, a prospective new member, back for her 4^th visit.

Patti Smith introduced Deb Gregoruk [sp?], a prospective new member.

Pat Dye introduced Sarah Brooks, a prospective new member, back for her 4^th [?] visit.

Jim Feek, and others read the Announcements:

There is a District Conference project to purchase books for First Nations in Canada.  Redmond Rousers Rotary is having a GSE team from France come and speak 4/28.  There also will be wine tasting.  It will be at Watercress Asian Bistro in Redmond at 5:45.

Rich Bergdahl spoke at length about the importance of everyone participating in making a donation to The Rotary International Foundation every year.  The goal for the club is 100% participation - the amount of money is not as important as full participation.  He spoke about the history of the foundation, its impact on the world, and some of the accomplishments it has been responsible for.  He also reminded us that we can have our contributions doubled because the Gates Foundation has offered matching funds in excess of $100,000,000.  We have 2-1/2 more months to reach our goals as a club.

John Overleese reminded us about the Club social survey - everyone needs to print it off from their email, fill it out, and return it to John or to Jim Feek.

Gary Bruner spoke about our Saturday-last work party at NW Harvest.  There were about 20 members/spouses/children there.

John Woodbery spoke about the upcoming Club auction April 25.  Donate items, come and enjoy, and bid on lots of items.

Steve Brown was not here this evening - it may be that he is now absenting himself whenever your humble reporter is Scribe, as he fears that once again, his nefarious activities will be accurately reported.

Patti Smith introduced our speaker for the evening, Bill Knudsen.  She informed us that he has had quite a varied career, including working for the local media.

Mr. Knudsen spoke about the father he never knew, as he was killed during World War II.  He only learned of his birth father after becoming a teenager.  Following the death of his mother and stepfather, he undertook to find out about his birth father, including a trip to his grave in Normandy, France.  He said that the experience, including finding the surviving crewmembers from his father's plane, changed his life.  He was interviewed at length by the Seattle Times, a PBS program was produced about his father, and he is now writing a book about his father and his own experiences in researching his father's story.

Makayla had the winning number, but alas, did not draw the winning duck.

The meeting was adjourned about 7:52PM.

Respectfully submitted,

David Aubry, Acting Scribe