MEETING RECAP
A Different Sort of Meeting
Sunday, April 18, 2021
By: Gregory J. RediskeTHE LAKEWOOD KEY
A Different Sort of Meeting, Lawyer Style by Greg Rediske
I looked at my calendar: bulletin writing, April 16. Oh, no. Another meeting with a CPA running the show. A guy whose life is built around 2 + 2 equaling 4. Every. Dang. Time. But wait!!! Who is that in the Big Guy’s chair?!? Why, it’s Joe Quinn, lawyer! 2 + 2 might equal 4, or not, depending on what the judge might want to hear….Yes, a lawyer! The profession with more (scathing) jokes than any other profession (and with good reason, perhaps?). You know, the guys of whom it is said that 99% of them give the others a bad name. Lawyers, who are buried 600 feet in the ground, because deep down they’re really nice people. The age-old question: If a lawyer is talking in the forest and there is no one around to hear him, can he still bill for it? And what’s the difference between a CPA and a lawyer? CPAs KNOW they’re boring. (Like the lady who is given 3 months to live, and the doctor advises her to immediately go out and marry a CPA. “But why?”, she understandably asks. The doctor replies, “Because 3 months will then seem like an eternity.”)
Above: One of Greg’s favorites
So that’s where I was at, looking forward to the jokes. But then came the pre-game show: talk of jury trials, lawyers, and just plain legal talk. Clint Johnson just egged on Mr. Quinn….But we were all saved by the bell at 12:30 sharp.
THE REAL MEETING: Clint Johnson gave an invocation designed to impress our CPA president, asking that the good Lord “provide bliss” and “patience” for our most notorious accountant in residence. Gayle Selden and Joe led us jointly in the salute to the flag. Carole Wier let us know that Janet Lordahl is doing much better, and Bob is also doing pretty good. Jan Gee thanked all for the well wishes and cards from her recent health issue. Bob Martin joined us again, former Rotarian past president from Monroe and current Lake Steilacoom resident, a couple doors down from Clint Johnson. Puffins in the house: Carl Bronkema, Tom George, and Jessica James.
Greg Rediske is our scribe this week and the PPT said we are all photographers so remember to send any pictures you have to Joe Quinn that you feel might be appropriate and we will use them at some point unless they are obscene, the Editor said. You responded!
Above: Jason Whalen (thanks Gayle!) [had to give Mark something to fine you for]
EDUCATOR OF THE MONTH:
Above: Misty McHargue, Educator extraordinaire
Leanna Albrecht busted out this award for the first time this calendar year, with the award going to Misty McHargue from Hillside Elementary on JBLM. Misty not only takes on a classroom of second graders but assists her entire team at the school as well. She opened a sealed envelope on camera to reveal……$100! She was delighted. Joining in the salute to Missy were her principal David Young, and administrator Meghan Eakin. Superintendent and Rotarian Ron Banner was also with us.
MONEY, AWAY!!
Jim Rooks asked for a club approval of $2000 for Springbrook Connections on behalf of the Community Concerns Committee. To no one’s surprise, it was approved unanimously. Especially given that acting president Joe muted everyone during the opportunity to vote “no”. [Not really Greg…I just sustained the objection to any negative votes. The Ed.]
Did you hear about the new sushi bar that caters exclusively to lawyers?
It’s called Sosumi.
NEXT STEP:
Anne Enquist is hosting a Zoom meeting on Monday, April 26 from 3:30 to 4:30 to explain the Next Step program to anyone interested. You are not obligated to participate, but they are looking to add to their committee. Joining her will be fellow Next Step-ers Nicole Hancock, Chuck Hellar, and Steve Enquist. Email Anne for the link. This committee does huge things for students. [Rumor has it that Puffin Rachel Mazoff will soon be a mentor too.]
GAME NIGHT:
Rappin’ Eric Quinn delighted us with rhyme in promoting the Spring Fling Game Night fun-draiser, heavy on the fun, happening next Saturday, April 24 at 6 p.m. Bill “Gamemaster” Potter will be the host. (Hopefully, he’s revised his joke book….) Sign up at https://lakewoodrotary.maxgiving.bid/about-us
$30/person for a game card
$30/person to join without playing
$100/couple for a game card, Domino’s coupon, wine, dessert
$300/3 couples for the same as above but more.
Their goal is $5000, which will earn a dunk in currently-cold Lake Steilacoom for PE Jim Rooks.
Above: President-Elect Rooks running away
Non-anonymous Rotarians Joe Quinn and Peter Marsh pledged $500 each to match other donations to the fun-raiser….for every gift of $100 or more each of them are matching, up to $500 each. Rob Erb then volunteered a matching fund of $250, for any donations of less than $100. At that point, pandemonium ensued. At $100 each (so far) pledges rapidly came in from John Warner, Jim Sharp, Sally Porter Smith, Chuck Hellar, Don Daniels, Terry Roarke, and Steve Mazoff. Clint Johnson and others noted that all the talk about matcher and matchee was quite confusing. Perhaps the fact that lawyer Quinn was assisting the other lawyer Quinn could explain the confusion. [Obviously, the matchers are Marsh, Quinn and Erb and all others are matchees. I guess only a lawyer is smart enough to understand the jargon. Court commissioners are not lawyers are they, Clint?]
[At deadline time on Sunday, it is apparent that the fundraiser has doubled its receipts thus far compared to three days ago, when one counts all of the pledges and paid donations. Just saying. The Editor.]
A minister and a lawyer arrived at the pearly gates. Saint Peter greeted both of them and gave them their room assignments.
“Pastor, here are the keys to one of our nicest efficiency units.”
“And for you, sir,” he said to the lawyer, “the keys to our finest penthouse suite.”
“This is unfair!” cried the minister.
“Listen,” Saint Peter said, “ministers are a dime a dozen up here, but this is the first lawyer we’ve ever seen.”
PLEASE HELP!
Saturday May 1st from 9:00AM to 1:00PM. Come join Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions clubs and other community groups as we work together to improve Lakewood’s Wildlife area.
Located on Phillips RD just across from Hudtloff Middle school, this public space has been adopted by Clover Park Rotary as a signature local project to improve public accessibility and to return it to the educational area it was 50 years ago. Workers will be dispersed over the 100 acre site to maintain social distancing and working in family groups.
Jobs will include:
--Picking up garbage along Phillips RD.
--Install permanent benches along the trail.
--Signage in the interpretive area where we can put up "what to look for" posters and information for the public.
--Weed indigenous garden area and rock wall.
--Pull Scotch broom in education area.
--Pull Scotch broom around Garry Oak plantings.
--Cut down black berries at North end of fence.
--Weed-whack under fence line.
Personally, I have “project envy”. This is such a great project started by Clover Park Rotary! We need to get on board and share in this!
Above: The gate at entrance
The President Pro Tem mentioned that he would like to see every meeting include a Lakewood Rotary Spotlight, featuring a short recognition of one member so that Puffins and all others could get more familiar with each member of the club in these days of Covid isolation. He wanted to recognize our eight great bulletin writers at this meeting but we ran out of time and did not want to cut into the fine Program.
Rotary spotlight: Above: Ole in the morning [thanks, Greg]
Rotary spotlight: Above: the late Bud Montgomery [thanks, Ole—tell the story behind this!]
[Keep those photos coming—we will use them here]
PROGRAM:
Jan Gee introduced Becky Newton, Economic Development Manager for the City of Lakewood, and Vice President-elect of Clover Park Rotary. She’s worked for the City since 2011, and is on numerous local boards including Pierce County Tourism, Travel Tacoma Tourism, and is a Lakewood Chamber ambassador. Becky kicked off her discussion by inviting one and all to the Clover Park Rotary Golf Tournament, coming September 18. She noted that there is approximately 700 acres of industrial lands in Lakewood. Some of the coming warehouse projects include Amazon (470,000 sq feet), 700,000 sq feet of developing warehouse, and 200,000 that is projected to go to Tesla. In 2019, there were 521 businesses in Lakewood. In 2020, that number grew to 755, and still growing. In the last 5 years, there has been an increase of 11% in jobs in Lakewood (31,860 employed). Her department is focusing on continuing to develop the downtown area (300 acres), to include a “green” street, a 2-4 acre park and the restoration of Seeley Lake. Other areas of focus include the Colonial Center, the Station District (300 acres), and Pacific Highway, which already has several new hotels. Lakewood Landing is planned for this area, to include 790 residential units, 87,000 sq feet of retail and restaurants and entertainment. And there’s more! The International District is expanding and renovating, with more attention given to Lakeview/Kendrick, Springbrook, Tillicum, and the North Clear Zone by McChord. A lot is going on! Thanks for the update, Becky.
“Hi, my name is Billy,” the 7-year old says. “What’s yours?”
“Tommy,” replied the other 7-year old.
“My daddy’s an accountant,” says Billy. “What does your daddy do?”
“He’s a lawyer,” Tommy answers.
“Honest????” asks Billy.
“No, just the regular kind.”
[Hey, here is the one lawyer joke I have never heard before! Thanks Greg]
Remember that if you shop online, you should do so at Amazon Smile so you can allocate a portion of your purchase to Lakewood Rotary. Also remember to tell Greg Rediske that you read the bulletin so you can get a make-up for a missed meeting.
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