MEETING RECAP
Never Forget a Birthday
Monday, January 17, 2022
By: Gayle SeldenNever Forget a Birthday!
THE LAKEWOOD KEY FOR January 14, 2022
It was the January 14th meeting and the Lakewood Rotary club was separated into the Zoom Brady Brunch squares. Before the meeting there were a lot of greetings to those members who we hadn’t seen in awhile including Ralph Johnson and Mo Sarram. Also joining at meeting time was Dave Covey. Yay for Zoom.
President Jim Rooks called the meeting to order at 12:30 welcoming all. Dave Coleman gave the invocation and Kendra Riconosciuto led our pledge. Jim thanked Kendra for helping on the Zoom, John Lowney for the collecting of fines, Gayle Selden for being kind during bulletin writing and Greg Rediske for helping with everything else. There were no visiting Rotarians but Veronica Bronkema joined us. Lots of Puffins in the house including our two new puffins-- Dwight Williams and Linda McDermott.
Our Health and Wellness report included a big welcome to Dr. Ralph Johnson who has spent the last seven months dealing with some serious health issues. He finally returned home Christmas Eve from his Mayo Clinic stay and is doing well. Mo Sarram also talked about how good he is doing and how much Rotary connections have meant to him.
Above: Greg Horn is (almost) always fun!
Greg Horn started Birthdays and Anniversaries reminding members of their partner’s birthdays. Those birthdays include Sharon Rediske, Lisa Daniels, Casey Loiland, Marilyn Zawilski and Marci Titus. It was at this point in time Bill Potter complained in the chat that his Birthday was forgotten. But Greg was just getting to the wedding anniversaries. Celebrations for John and Linda Forkenbrock (50 years); Phil and Judy Eng (37 years); Jim and Penny Rooks (33 years); Mick and Mary Johnson (24 years). Bill continued to complain about his Birthday being missed in the chat! But Greg was just to Rotary Anniversaries—Jessica James, Carl Bronkema, Barlow Buescher, Bill Allen, Rob Erb, Bob Hammar, John Caulfield, Cheri Loiland, Dave Reames, Jason Whalen, Dave Betz, James Guerrero, Leon Titus and Jim Bisceglia all had one of those. Finally, Greg got to member Birthdays and he recognized Gary Fulton, Stephen Enquist, Linda McDermott, Mike Brown, Clayton DeNault, Leanna Christian, Himself, Steve Mazoff, Ralph Johnson, Jim Bisceglia, Troy Wilcox, Donna Phillips, Cheri Loiland, Joe Quinn and Jessica James. He totally missed mentioning Bill Potter who had a Birthday the DAY before! And Bill knew Greg missed it before he had actually missed it. Was there a glitch in the Matrix? Is Bill Potter from the future? Or can Bill influence the future with thought? And if either of those are true why is Bill using those powers for Birthday recognition? I hope Bill chooses in this Birthday year to use his superpowers for the greater good. Anyway, Happy Birthday Bill.
Above: You gotta love it! Potter was laughing all the way to the bank with his friends.
Greg Horn then threw in $77 in recognition of his Birthday. Steve Enquist followed with $74.
President Rooks then called on John Lowney. John Lowney proposed on behalf of John Korsmo and the Puffins to utilize their collected funds from the Roast. It was moved, seconded and passed to send $1700 to Emergency Food Network and $500 to Caring for Kids. Good fundraising Puffins!
President Rooks then announced that we are planning on sending students to the World Affairs Seminar at Carroll University in Wisconsin June 18-24. This seminar is open to Juniors and Seniors in High School. Lakewood Rotary has sent a couple students every year; we pay airfare and for the weeklong stay at the college. The student and family are responsible for the student’s spending money. This program brings in students for lectures and work in a specific field. We encourage Lakewood Rotarians to send their own children, grandchildren or their friends to the seminar. It is a great way to see a glimpse of college life. If interested see John Lowney, whose grandchildren have attended the World Affairs Seminar and gotten a lot out of it. If we send in registrations in February there is an early bird discount so don’t delay.
Fines and Generous Giving started with $50 from Terry Roarke for a breakthrough asymptomatic Covid case. Jason Whalen took Bruce Dammeier’s challenge on and paid $50 for being Lakewood’s newest mayor and $50 for being Covid Positive (he added a dammit at the end). Mary Moss added a Greenleaf ($20) for being Deputy Mayor. Rick Selden gave $20 to honor Ralph Johnson. Gayle Selden added $20 for a quick trip to Tucson. Andrew Neiditz paid a fine for enjoying our meeting during 85 degree weather in Puerto Vallarta. Andrew also sent congratulations to Jason and Mary for leading his favorite city. Anne Enquist paid $26 to round up Steve’s fine to $100 including their trip to Scottsdale. James Osundwa paid $40 for a Disneyland adventure with the family and an extra $20 in honor of Jason and Mary. Steve Mazoff paid $79 for his Birthday. President Rooks fined himself $50-- a combo of 33 years with Penny and appreciation for Jason Whalen and Mary Moss.
Above: County Council Member Jani Hitchen
Our Program:
Mary Moss introduced Pierce County Council member Jani Hitchen. Jani is the district 6 representative to the Pierce County council. District 6 includes Lakewood, University Place, Steilacoom, Anderson and Ketron Island, Parkland and Dupont. Before she was council member she was a teacher including time at Lochburn in the Clover Park District. She is the mother to three and resides in Parkland.
Jani highlighted some programs that have helped the community with housing solutions including a Tacoma, Pierce County and Lakewood combined program Aspen Court which is the converted Comfort Inn that is currently housing those who are homeless. Jani also talked about the budgeting process that was just completed and highlighted a $30,000 grant to Springbrook Connections. The council has also given money to behavior health, expanding affordable housing, increasing broadband internet, sewer and water projects, small business grants and community clean-up programs.
Above: The Budget Slide
Jani opened up the floor for questions and answers. She invites all to send thoughts or questions to jani.hitchen@piercecountywa.gov or on the socials @cmjanihitchen.
Next week we are back on Zoom with Robin Abraham from Microsoft.
Above: Greg Horn is (almost) always fun!
Greg Horn started Birthdays and Anniversaries reminding members of their partner’s birthdays. Those birthdays include Sharon Rediske, Lisa Daniels, Casey Loiland, Marilyn Zawilski and Marci Titus. It was at this point in time Bill Potter complained in the chat that his Birthday was forgotten. But Greg was just getting to the wedding anniversaries. Celebrations for John and Linda Forkenbrock (50 years); Phil and Judy Eng (37 years); Jim and Penny Rooks (33 years); Mick and Mary Johnson (24 years). Bill continued to complain about his Birthday being missed in the chat! But Greg was just to Rotary Anniversaries—Jessica James, Carl Bronkema, Barlow Buescher, Bill Allen, Rob Erb, Bob Hammar, John Caulfield, Cheri Loiland, Dave Reames, Jason Whalen, Dave Betz, James Guerrero, Leon Titus and Jim Bisceglia all had one of those. Finally, Greg got to member Birthdays and he recognized Gary Fulton, Stephen Enquist, Linda McDermott, Mike Brown, Clayton DeNault, Leanna Christian, Himself, Steve Mazoff, Ralph Johnson, Jim Bisceglia, Troy Wilcox, Donna Phillips, Cheri Loiland, Joe Quinn and Jessica James. He totally missed mentioning Bill Potter who had a Birthday the DAY before! And Bill knew Greg missed it before he had actually missed it. Was there a glitch in the Matrix? Is Bill Potter from the future? Or can Bill influence the future with thought? And if either of those are true why is Bill using those powers for Birthday recognition? I hope Bill chooses in this Birthday year to use his superpowers for the greater good. Anyway, Happy Birthday Bill.
Above: You gotta love it! Potter was laughing all the way to the bank with his friends.
Greg Horn then threw in $77 in recognition of his Birthday. Steve Enquist followed with $74.
President Rooks then called on John Lowney. John Lowney proposed on behalf of John Korsmo and the Puffins to utilize their collected funds from the Roast. It was moved, seconded and passed to send $1700 to Emergency Food Network and $500 to Caring for Kids. Good fundraising Puffins!
President Rooks then announced that we are planning on sending students to the World Affairs Seminar at Carroll University in Wisconsin June 18-24. This seminar is open to Juniors and Seniors in High School. Lakewood Rotary has sent a couple students every year; we pay airfare and for the weeklong stay at the college. The student and family are responsible for the student’s spending money. This program brings in students for lectures and work in a specific field. We encourage Lakewood Rotarians to send their own children, grandchildren or their friends to the seminar. It is a great way to see a glimpse of college life. If interested see John Lowney, whose grandchildren have attended the World Affairs Seminar and gotten a lot out of it. If we send in registrations in February there is an early bird discount so don’t delay.
Fines and Generous Giving started with $50 from Terry Roarke for a breakthrough asymptomatic Covid case. Jason Whalen took Bruce Dammeier’s challenge on and paid $50 for being Lakewood’s newest mayor and $50 for being Covid Positive (he added a dammit at the end). Mary Moss added a Greenleaf ($20) for being Deputy Mayor. Rick Selden gave $20 to honor Ralph Johnson. Gayle Selden added $20 for a quick trip to Tucson. Andrew Neiditz paid a fine for enjoying our meeting during 85 degree weather in Puerto Vallarta. Andrew also sent congratulations to Jason and Mary for leading his favorite city. Anne Enquist paid $26 to round up Steve’s fine to $100 including their trip to Scottsdale. James Osundwa paid $40 for a Disneyland adventure with the family and an extra $20 in honor of Jason and Mary. Steve Mazoff paid $79 for his Birthday. President Rooks fined himself $50-- a combo of 33 years with Penny and appreciation for Jason Whalen and Mary Moss.
Above: County Council Member Jani Hitchen
Our Program:
Mary Moss introduced Pierce County Council member Jani Hitchen. Jani is the district 6 representative to the Pierce County council. District 6 includes Lakewood, University Place, Steilacoom, Anderson and Ketron Island, Parkland and Dupont. Before she was council member she was a teacher including time at Lochburn in the Clover Park District. She is the mother to three and resides in Parkland.
Jani highlighted some programs that have helped the community with housing solutions including a Tacoma, Pierce County and Lakewood combined program Aspen Court which is the converted Comfort Inn that is currently housing those who are homeless. Jani also talked about the budgeting process that was just completed and highlighted a $30,000 grant to Springbrook Connections. The council has also given money to behavior health, expanding affordable housing, increasing broadband internet, sewer and water projects, small business grants and community clean-up programs.
Above: The Budget Slide
Jani opened up the floor for questions and answers. She invites all to send thoughts or questions to jani.hitchen@piercecountywa.gov or on the socials @cmjanihitchen.
Next week we are back on Zoom with Robin Abraham from Microsoft.
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