MEETING RECAP
Monday, August 16, 2021
By: Donn IrwinIvan Goes Ape Over Meeting Notices or the Lakewood Meeting for Lucky Friday the 13th 2021. (Pick One) By Donn Irwin of Lakewood Key Staff
Pre game chatter:
Puffin Tom George and his wife were lauded for the auction dinner they provided. Evidently the food was wonderful.
Greg Horn tooted his own……you guessed it…...horn about how busy he is building docks for local lakeside denizens. He even dropped the Trufant name in there.
A discussion was started regarding the number of meeting notices we received from President Jim. A discussion was started regarding the number of meeting notices we received. A discussion was started…...you get the picture. President Jim informed the current listeners that the topic would be addressed shortly during the “regular” meeting.
The “Game Farm” was discussed. Mr. Mark Blanchard stated that we are putting in park benches.
The number of meeting notices was brought up again by a later arrival to the chatter along with the mention of a fine.
It was noted some of our members were out playing golf at McChord golf course (aka Whispering Firs) for a charitable event. Oh, the sacrifices we have to make! I won’t mention any names but did notice that Mr. Erb was absent.
Our leader, Jim Rooks, began the meeting at 12:30 p.m.
Clint Johnson gave the invocation and President Jim led us in the Pledge.
Making our meeting happen:
Meeting set?up: Leanna Christian.
For fines/foundation/etc: John Lowney
Bulletin writer: Donn Irwin
Bulletin photographer: Each and every Rotarian in the meeting!
President Jim then went into his explanation of what had happened with all of the “pmails” as DACdb calls what the rest of got as emails. This writer stopped counting at 6 notifications for the meeting, meeting, meeting figuring that I had been notified enough and that I would just pick one of the messages and hope for the best, best, best. The pmail pandemic cost the Pres a Greenleaf. ($20.00) (I got a total of 12 notices, so thanks Jim but I had to miss the meeting anyway. –Ed.)
Our illustrious leader thanked the set-up team for their hard work in preparing for the upcoming hybrid meetings where we will be face-to-face and in person as well as having concurrent Zoom participation. (Ole, that means they will happen at the same time. I apologize for using big words.)
In 1521 what is now Mexico City fell to the Spanish and the Aztec Empire ended.
Above: Kids love Ivan! (Credit to Donn Irwin and his grand-daughters.)
Puffins and new members present: Wendy McGowan, Rachel Mazoff, James Osundwa and Steve Saalfeld.
Sunshine: As reported earlier in the week by Greg Rediske, long time LR member Joe Ghilarducci passed away. A copy of the obit is at the end of this Bulletin.
Above: Joe Ghilarducci and the flag of Italy (Thanks to Greg Rediske)
Announcements: The Courage Classic is canceled. Living Access Support Alliance (LASA) is having a breakfast Wednesday, October 22ns at the McGavick Center at Clover Park Technical College. The cost is free but donate what you can to help the homeless.
Pres Jim gave a shout out to Sally Porter Smith and the Program Committee for their hard work. Sally asked for help with leads in lining up speakers with an emphasis on businesses.
Alfred Hitchcock was born in London, England on August 13, 1899.
President Jim had the honor and privilege of inducting a new member into Lakewood Rotary – one Anthony Veliz. Coincidentally, Jim also sponsored Anthony. Mr. Veliz is a duly elected member of the Clover Park School Board and is looking forward to working with his new fellow Rotarians on projects that help the Lakewood community. Anthony was born in Tacoma but attended school in Lakewood. He graduated from Bates through the Running Start program and now runs a cleaning business. (Writers note: Anthony is a nephew of a former Rotarian and President of the Tacoma Narrows Club, Jose Veliz, but we shouldn’t hold that against him).
Julia Child passed away on this day in 2004.
Mickey Mantle passed in 1995.
Fines: Jim Bisceglia paid a fine for his wedding anniversary - $100.00. He claims that the check is in the mail. Kendra Riconosciuto paid $20.00 to brag about her summer intern. Said intern just happens to be John Lowney’s grandson. James Osundwa managed to come back from Las Vegas after a long weekend with his wife with enough coin to pay a $50.00 fine. He also mentioned that his Mom was here visiting from Kenya. That answers the question of who was watching the kids whilst Mom and Dad played. Steve Saalfeld stated that he was about to take a second child off to college (San Antonio). I didn’t get what he paid for the privilege. Bob Peterson donated $60.00 to the cause for 60 years of marriage.
In 1898 the US Army took control of Manila Bay in the Philippines.
The Program:
Speaker: Earl Borgert, Chairman of the Board
The Legacy of Ivan the Gorilla®: The I.V.A.N. Foundation
President Jim introduced my brother from another mother, Ron Irwin, who in turn introduced our program speaker - his nephew Earl Borgert. Ron, in his long-winded introduction stated (not in brief) that his nephew holds several board positions and has a day job.
Earl: Ivan’s story has shaped a large part of Earl’s life. As we know from our member Ron and from previous presentations, Ivan stayed with the Johnson family in his infancy and after three and a half years (and the total trashing of the Johnson home) Ivan went to live at the B&I on South Tacoma Way. In 1994 Ivan moved to Zoo Atlanta and was able to commingle with other gorillas for the first time since he was an infant. Earl noted that, because Ivan knew only humans for so long, he was the only gorilla that would approach visitors at Zoo Atlanta.
Ivan lived at the zoo until his passing on August 12th 2012 at age 50. At his peak Ivan weighed 550 pounds!
The bronze statue of Ivan that is at the entrance of Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium was commissioned by the Friends of Ivan Foundation. They chose local artist Doug Granum to design the statue and Two Ravens Studio in Tacoma to cast the bronze. The Milgard Family donated $125,000 of the $250,000 needed to create and cast the statue and cad cam technology was used for the first time to create the mold for the casting.
Above: And Ivan loved kids too! (Credit to Donn Irwin)
In 2015 a book was published that was written by Katherine Applegate, “The One and Only Ivan”, based on Ivan’s life story. Disney made a movie from the book.
You can find out more about Ivan by going to ivanthegorilla.org. The Ivan Foundation is focused on the importance of conservation and protecting endangered species. The Foundation works with Central Washington University Primate Behavior Program.
Earl is trying to raise funds to travel to Africa so that he can bring Ivan’s ashes back to Washington. He puts on Zoom meetings with kids to share Ivan’s story and promote conservation. Earl said that when we buy items from the website, a portion of the sale goes to support the Foundation. Earl mentioned during his talk that some of the patina on Ivan’s statue has been rubbed off by all of the kids that crawl up on Ivan at the entrance to zoo. My two granddaughters have contributed to that change of patina. Our granddaughters are big fans (they haveread the book AND seen the movie).
The floor was opened for Q & A.
Q. Why was Zoo Atlanta chosen? They have the best gorilla program in the country and the weather in Atlanta is better suited for gorillas.
Q. To Ron Irwin: Did Ivan live with you. Ron: No – only with the Johnson’s. Side bar: Ron used Ivan to meet girls when cruising 6th Ave in Tacoma. (Is this an unsubstantiated rumor, fake news or fact)?
Q. How were Ivan’s communication skills. Ron: Couldn’t really communicate but they knew what he wanted.
Q. His origins: Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Q. Cost to feed him. Expensive. Ron – 60% fruits and vegetables, 40% monkey chow.
President Jim thanked Earl for the presentation, reminded the Board of the meeting this Thursday and closed the meeting at 1:29PM
Clint Johnson gave the invocation and President Jim led us in the Pledge.
Making our meeting happen:
Meeting set?up: Leanna Christian.
For fines/foundation/etc: John Lowney
Bulletin writer: Donn Irwin
Bulletin photographer: Each and every Rotarian in the meeting!
President Jim then went into his explanation of what had happened with all of the “pmails” as DACdb calls what the rest of got as emails. This writer stopped counting at 6 notifications for the meeting, meeting, meeting figuring that I had been notified enough and that I would just pick one of the messages and hope for the best, best, best. The pmail pandemic cost the Pres a Greenleaf. ($20.00) (I got a total of 12 notices, so thanks Jim but I had to miss the meeting anyway. –Ed.)
Our illustrious leader thanked the set-up team for their hard work in preparing for the upcoming hybrid meetings where we will be face-to-face and in person as well as having concurrent Zoom participation. (Ole, that means they will happen at the same time. I apologize for using big words.)
In 1521 what is now Mexico City fell to the Spanish and the Aztec Empire ended.
Above: Kids love Ivan! (Credit to Donn Irwin and his grand-daughters.)
Puffins and new members present: Wendy McGowan, Rachel Mazoff, James Osundwa and Steve Saalfeld.
Sunshine: As reported earlier in the week by Greg Rediske, long time LR member Joe Ghilarducci passed away. A copy of the obit is at the end of this Bulletin.
Above: Joe Ghilarducci and the flag of Italy (Thanks to Greg Rediske)
Announcements: The Courage Classic is canceled. Living Access Support Alliance (LASA) is having a breakfast Wednesday, October 22ns at the McGavick Center at Clover Park Technical College. The cost is free but donate what you can to help the homeless.
Pres Jim gave a shout out to Sally Porter Smith and the Program Committee for their hard work. Sally asked for help with leads in lining up speakers with an emphasis on businesses.
Alfred Hitchcock was born in London, England on August 13, 1899.
President Jim had the honor and privilege of inducting a new member into Lakewood Rotary – one Anthony Veliz. Coincidentally, Jim also sponsored Anthony. Mr. Veliz is a duly elected member of the Clover Park School Board and is looking forward to working with his new fellow Rotarians on projects that help the Lakewood community. Anthony was born in Tacoma but attended school in Lakewood. He graduated from Bates through the Running Start program and now runs a cleaning business. (Writers note: Anthony is a nephew of a former Rotarian and President of the Tacoma Narrows Club, Jose Veliz, but we shouldn’t hold that against him).
Julia Child passed away on this day in 2004.
Mickey Mantle passed in 1995.
Fines: Jim Bisceglia paid a fine for his wedding anniversary - $100.00. He claims that the check is in the mail. Kendra Riconosciuto paid $20.00 to brag about her summer intern. Said intern just happens to be John Lowney’s grandson. James Osundwa managed to come back from Las Vegas after a long weekend with his wife with enough coin to pay a $50.00 fine. He also mentioned that his Mom was here visiting from Kenya. That answers the question of who was watching the kids whilst Mom and Dad played. Steve Saalfeld stated that he was about to take a second child off to college (San Antonio). I didn’t get what he paid for the privilege. Bob Peterson donated $60.00 to the cause for 60 years of marriage.
In 1898 the US Army took control of Manila Bay in the Philippines.
The Program:
Speaker: Earl Borgert, Chairman of the Board
The Legacy of Ivan the Gorilla®: The I.V.A.N. Foundation
President Jim introduced my brother from another mother, Ron Irwin, who in turn introduced our program speaker - his nephew Earl Borgert. Ron, in his long-winded introduction stated (not in brief) that his nephew holds several board positions and has a day job.
Earl: Ivan’s story has shaped a large part of Earl’s life. As we know from our member Ron and from previous presentations, Ivan stayed with the Johnson family in his infancy and after three and a half years (and the total trashing of the Johnson home) Ivan went to live at the B&I on South Tacoma Way. In 1994 Ivan moved to Zoo Atlanta and was able to commingle with other gorillas for the first time since he was an infant. Earl noted that, because Ivan knew only humans for so long, he was the only gorilla that would approach visitors at Zoo Atlanta.
Ivan lived at the zoo until his passing on August 12th 2012 at age 50. At his peak Ivan weighed 550 pounds!
The bronze statue of Ivan that is at the entrance of Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium was commissioned by the Friends of Ivan Foundation. They chose local artist Doug Granum to design the statue and Two Ravens Studio in Tacoma to cast the bronze. The Milgard Family donated $125,000 of the $250,000 needed to create and cast the statue and cad cam technology was used for the first time to create the mold for the casting.
Above: And Ivan loved kids too! (Credit to Donn Irwin)
In 2015 a book was published that was written by Katherine Applegate, “The One and Only Ivan”, based on Ivan’s life story. Disney made a movie from the book.
You can find out more about Ivan by going to ivanthegorilla.org. The Ivan Foundation is focused on the importance of conservation and protecting endangered species. The Foundation works with Central Washington University Primate Behavior Program.
Earl is trying to raise funds to travel to Africa so that he can bring Ivan’s ashes back to Washington. He puts on Zoom meetings with kids to share Ivan’s story and promote conservation. Earl said that when we buy items from the website, a portion of the sale goes to support the Foundation. Earl mentioned during his talk that some of the patina on Ivan’s statue has been rubbed off by all of the kids that crawl up on Ivan at the entrance to zoo. My two granddaughters have contributed to that change of patina. Our granddaughters are big fans (they haveread the book AND seen the movie).
The floor was opened for Q & A.
Q. Why was Zoo Atlanta chosen? They have the best gorilla program in the country and the weather in Atlanta is better suited for gorillas.
Q. To Ron Irwin: Did Ivan live with you. Ron: No – only with the Johnson’s. Side bar: Ron used Ivan to meet girls when cruising 6th Ave in Tacoma. (Is this an unsubstantiated rumor, fake news or fact)?
Q. How were Ivan’s communication skills. Ron: Couldn’t really communicate but they knew what he wanted.
Q. His origins: Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Q. Cost to feed him. Expensive. Ron – 60% fruits and vegetables, 40% monkey chow.
President Jim thanked Earl for the presentation, reminded the Board of the meeting this Thursday and closed the meeting at 1:29PM
He was a Lakewood Rotarians from 1970 to 2017 Joe Meade Ghilarducci was born in Tacoma, Washington, on October 12, 1937. He was the youngest son of Lawrence "Gilly" and Dorothy "Dotty" Ghilarducci. He lived his entire life in Lakewood, WA (previously part of Tacoma), eventually graduating from Clover Park High School in 1955. Joe initially attended Stanford University, completing two years then enlisting in the U.S. Army for a two-year term. After his discharge he chose to finish his education at the University of Washington. It was here that he met his future wife, Carolyn Davis, and they were married on April 10, 1960. They both graduated in June of 1961. Joe went to work for Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith the following month, and settled down with his bride in Lakewood. He was to remain with Merrill Lynch for over 35 years, retiring as a Vice President in August of 1997. Joe was active in local education and business organizations most of his life, serving on the boards of the Clover Park School District, the Lakewood Rotary, The United Way, Boy Scouts of America, Tacoma Country and Golf Club, and others. He also served as president of the Greater Lakes Mental Health Foundation and his local PTA, as well as coaching two Little League teams each season. Joe played a "little" golf, and was a dedicated Seattle Mariners fan. He and Carolyn had three children together. After retiring, Joe and Carolyn took the opportunity to travel, visiting Joe's ancestral home of Italy several times as well as many other parts of the world. After Carolyn's passing in June of 2017, he lived a quiet life in his home of 55 years in Lakewood. Joe passed away peacefully at St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood. Joe is survived by his sons Paul and Joe, his daughter Rena, and his brother Lawrence "Larry" Jr, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He will be remembered as a man of kindness and generosity, who cared for his wife and family above all else, and he will be missed. In light of the current health crisis and concerns surrounding public gatherings, the family has chosen to hold a small private service, with a Celebration of Life planned for 2022. Donations to the Alzheimer's Association in Joe's memory would be gratefully appreciated.
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