June 5, 2006 Spokesman

Posted by Scott Becker 
 

President Joanne called the meeting to order at 6:30

 

Jack Danforth introduced Miracle Leaguer, Robert and his Mother. Robert wanted to show off his mitt and brag about his big Miracle League friend, Brett Johnson.

 

Felicity reminded all of us about the Miracle League game this Saturday, at 9:30 a.m., in Monroe and asked for volunteers to help out.

 

Penny Sweet, founder of Celebrate Kirkland and chair of the 4th of July celebration and parade in Kirkland, told us about the upcoming celebration and gave a brief history of the parade and fundraiser. She told us all about how the 1% Club of givers had evolved into the Firecracker 500, saying that they're going to need allot more help this year because of the escalating cost of the fireworks program.

Rich Bergdahl introduced his guest, Danny Barnett, from Fairbanks, Alaska.

 

John Overleese discussed Duck Dash sales and, with Mary-Alyce Burleigh, gave a most rousing demonstration on the proper way to sell duck tickets. George McAfee encouraged more activity on selling this year because we have the added expense of $6,000 to print the tickets. As of tonight, we are just at the break-even point.

 

Al Hoviland told us about the upcoming golf tournament on the 12th, encouraging everyone to be alert to winning the "Monkey Award", which he apparently took home last year.

 

Patti Smith asked for volunteers for the 4th of July picnic. Anyone who is interested and available, please contact Bob Web to help with set-up, David Aubry to help with parking and Diane Santeford to help with the pie-eating contest.

 

Deborah Wakefield gave her classification talk, telling us she was a 4th generation-born San Franciscan and her family still lives in the Bay Area. She moved to Seattle in 1998 and then to North Bend, where she bought a house, got a dog (Dexter), met her husband and has David Aubry for a neighbor.

 

Deborah is and insurance agent specializing in Long Term Care disability and her niche is families with Children who have special needs. She joined Rotary to give something back to the community and adds this to her list of boards on which she participates, including Life Span and the Advisory Committee of Partners for Work, which is affiliated with Rotary. She likes to hang out with her husband, drink wine and eat fabulous food.

 

The club inducted two new members tonight, Mary-Alyce Burleigh and Todd Pearson. Mary-Alyce was born in Michigan and was a Fulbright Scholar. She is a former Kirkland Mayor, from 2004-2006 and currently sits on the Kirkland city Council, Likes to Sea Kayak and cross-country ski. Her sponsor was John Overleese and her classification is Retired Teacher.

 

Todd Pearson is originally from Wisconsin and is Sales Manager for McAdams Builders in Kirkland. His sponsor is Rick Ostrander and he will have the classification of General Construction Marketing.

 

Our speaker was Jim Corbett, Mr. Golf Etiquette and host of Tee it Up Golf on KJR Sports Talk 950. He gave us all kinds of metaphors, relating golf to life. The golf ball is like life, in that it's nice and shiny on the first hole and you move through the game with it. It gets dinged up during the game and you have to do with it what you can. You may lose it in the lake. Just as in life, you have to reach into your bag (self) and pull out another and play on the best you can. You pick up the game where you drop it and keep playing. Like Character, the golf swing is a lifelong pursuit. It's best to start young and, like character, it is best taught by parents. He also said that golf etiquette is similar to our Rotary motto, "Service Above Self".

 

Submitted by your scribe for tonight, Scott Becker.

It has been an honor and a sincere privilege to be a part of Kirkland Rotary. I have enjoyed working with and knowing all of you and I thank you for making Kirkland such a wonderful home for me during the past 8 years. I will miss all of you very much.