April 18, 2011 Spokesman

Announcements:

Thanks to those that helped with the Texas Hold'em Event (Barb, Rachel,

Katherine) to the Bruners for the dinner, to Brett Johnson for the venue and to the donors for all the prizes and auction items.  Total raised was just under $5000.

Patti Smith modeled the Rotary shirts, $10 for the polo shirt and just $15 for the vest.  If you are going to the district meeting please get one to wear.

Duck Dash is here and the organizing event is set for May 2nd at the Wilde Rover on May 2nd.  There is a $10 cost for the event, please pay at your next meeting or bring cash to the door, there will be no way to process credit cards on the 2nd.  Please bring your ideas for new venue locations to sell tickets as the Wed Market will not start this year until June.

Rotary After Hours - the next event is April 21 at the Milagro Cantina in downtown Kirkland from 4pm to 6pm.  This is a no host bar.  Last time there were over 20 Rotarians and their guests there, so come and enjoy the fun.  Brandon Honcoop is the coordinator if you have any questions.

Pat read a thank you note from Milken Residence thanking our group for the money donation to finalize their building permit.  (Pat has the email that should be attached)

Happy Dollars - Chuck Brickman did the honors.  Way to many stories to share here, but do remember to remind Chuck that he still owes Elizabeth a trip back to South Carolina for a photo journal.

Main Program - Miracle League - Presented by Chuck Brockman

Program started in 1997 in Rockdale, GA by a little league coach who noticed the joy on the face of a disabled child where he was asked to play.  For most of the players this is the only chance they will have to play in front of a cheering crowd.

The WA program was started in Monroe, WA and has spread across the region.  Our season starts on April 30th with all games being played at Redmond's Perrigo Park off Union Hill road.  Games are scheduled for 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 6/4 and 6/11.  We need 10 to 15 volunteers for each game.  The games are played from 10am to 11am and the volunteers need to arrive by 9:45 to get matched with a player.

Chris Rusnak has taken photos for many years and will work with Chuck to put together a presentation in the near future.

Participating groups in the volunteer effort include Kirkland Rotary, Kirkland Downtown Rotary, Redmond Rotary and the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity.  The program is organized through the Boys and Girls Club.

In order to encourage participation Pat Swenson has offered to create a drawing for all Kirkland Rotarians for a set of 4 tickets in their club level seats at a Seahawks game this year.  For each Miracle League Game that a member participates in they will have one name entered in the drawing.  So, as they say in Chicago, "Play early and play often".  Please make sure you sign up for the games during the Monday meetings so we can get an accurate count for the drawing.  Drawing will be held in June after the season is over.

Please volunteer for this event, the joy they players share is inspiring.

Jokers Pool - $195 in pot, Barb Seaton won the drawing but did not pick the Joker.  Barb gave her $10 to Chuck to help defray his expenses for sending Elizabeth back to south Carolina for her photo journal.

Next Meeting - Scholarship Night - The winners will be announced.  Due to the large group expected the meeting will be held in the Marina Room.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm.

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Tim Kehrli