August 24, 2009 Spokesman

ANNOUNCEMENTS
-GG G announced that Ken Hollingsworht's wife, Phyllis, passed away last evening.  Services will be at Holy Family Church on Friday, August 28 at 12:00 Noon, followed by a reception at his home.   All are welcome.

 She also announced a birthday party for our own Chuck Morgan who is flying in to be with all his friends on this special occasion.   It will be Saturday September 5 from 5:00-7:00 at Merrill Gardens.   All are welcome to stop by and wish Chuck a Happy Birthday!

-Bob W announced the second annual District Service fair Saturday September 12 from 8-12:00 Noon at Lake Washington Technical College.   Sign-up sheets are on the tables.

-Roy S reminded the members of the International Committee meeting on September 26 at Jim Feek's office.   Please see either of them if interested.

-Speaking of President Jim's office, Patty Sims and he jointly announced a merger of his company with Conover Insurance, and will be located at 11250 Kirkland Way.   Congratulations, Jim, and condolences, Patty!

-Rick O asked if anyone still had outstanding Duck Dash tickets to turn them back to him - there will be a reward.

-Joanne P reminded everyone of the Chili Cook-Off on September 20 at 5:30.   At the Women's Club on 1st St. Sign-up sheets were on the tables.

-Patti S reminded everyone of the upcoming Golf Tournament, to be held once again at the Mount Si course on September 14.   Tee off will be around 12:00 Noon, with dinner around 6:00pm.   Cost for golf and dinner is $60, and sign-up sheets were on the tables.

She also reminded members of the City Council Candidate Forum, to be held at the Woodmark on October 5.   The forum is jointly sponsored this year by our club and the Kirkland Chamber.

-President Jim thanked many club members for their leadership in a variety of Community Service activities, as provided by chair Mary-Alyce Burleigh.

-Visiting Rotarian Lee Readding told of his 2 1/2 month stint on a hospital ship, and had a list of associated projects if anyone in our club were interested.

-Patti S announced that she was on her way that evening to pick up our new exchange student, SELIS ATAKOY.   Selis is from Turkey, and we'll all meet her at next week's meeting at the Wilde Rover.   What a wonderful introduction to our conservative club!    Welcome Selis!!

RED TO BLUE
Pat Dye conducted a Red-To-Blue ceremony for our newest "regular' member, Deborah Gregorek.   Congratulations, Deborah!!

SPEAKER
Our speaker for the evening, introduced by Patti Smith, was making her second visit to Kirkland Rotary.   Dorothy Drummond is a retired teacher, author, public speaker,  writer, and recent Rotarian.   She's written four world culture textbooks, many encyclopedia segments, several journal pieces, and numerous articles, all centered around the Middle East.   She is a Fulbright Scholar, was educated at Valparaiso College and Northwestern University, and taught for over 30 years at two different universities in the midwest.

Her topic this evening was on the Israeli-Palestinian controversy, and her goals were to give us some history and background, and bring us up to date.

She gave a most interesting talk on the history of the controversy - or conflict, in this writer's eyes - with many stories interwoven which brought a sense of realism to her talk.   Most interesting was her segment on the start of modern terrorism, as we know it today, how it began, and by whom.

At the conclusion of her talk, she answered several questions, and stayed after for more.   As usual, a gift of food was donated to Northwest Harvest in her name in appreciation for her being with us.

HONEY POT/ADJOURN
Alice V held the lucky ticket (again) but alas, did not gues the lucky number!   So the pot grows - better luck next time, Alice!

President Jim reviewed all the above announcements again, and adjourned the meeting at 7:45pm.

Faithfully submitted,
       Steve Brown, Scribe