MEETING RECAP
Saturday, June 18, 2022
By: Eric T QuinnThe Father-Son Bond
Or “The Bond of a Father and Son and the Father’s bond with Bond”
The meeting of June 17, 2022 was rung to order by a recent winner of the Sound-to-Narrows race in his age group: President Jim Rooks. This was Jim’s last meeting as president, and he has been a great leader for Lakewood Rotary. Thank you, Jim.
Have you heard the term—Juneuary? Well the weather feels more to me like fall than the beginning of summer so I used my favorite Masthead with a Message. The various mastheads with a message that we often use in The Lakewood Key were all (I believe) created for us by Leanna Christian. More about her below. If someone else has those skills and the right software let me know. We need more of those to use in the rotation. The Editor.
There will be no meeting next week because it would have taken place during Past President Mary-Lou Sclair’s funeral. Attend that instead please. She will be missed.
“Bond. James Bond.” —Sean Connery, Dr. No
Chris Kimball gave the Invocation and reminded us that if the world ever needed Rotarians, the time is now. Rick Selden led us in the Pledge.
Making the Meeting happen was Rob Erb and his amazing set up staff. John Lowney recorded fines. Eric Quinn wrote the bulletin. Barlow Buescher staffed the raffle table and also took on the role of Sergeant at Arms. Bud Montgomery served at the Foundation desk. And of course, monitoring Jim’s many gaffes was Greg Rediske.
Jim introduced Tony Camoroda, our assistant District Governor and Lakewood Rotarian. As for visiting Rotarians, Greg Rolsma visited us from Tacoma 8. Howard Svigals, District 5020 Chair of the Rotary Foundation, joined us from Gig Harbor Rotary. And Barlow’s brother Henry, visited us from his Rotary club in Sand Point, Idaho. Guests included Maria Rodriguez and Alberto and Alfonso Gonzales, family members of Veronica and Carl Bronkema. Lisa Williams was another guest.
“I’ll do anything for a woman with a knife.” —Timothy Dalton, Licence to Kill
As for announcements, Jim read a resignation letter from Leanna Christian. Leanna has been an indispensable asset to our Club, and she needs to take some time away to further her schooling and be with family. We know this is not goodbye, Leanna, but we miss you already. Veronica Bronkema, Angela Connelly and Andy Phillips all earned their Blue Badges.
Eric Warn reported from Health and Wellness. He congratulated Joe Quinn and Jim Rooks on their recent accomplishments in the world of fitness. Did we mention that President Jim Rooks won the Sound-to-Narrows in his age group. Jim provided the “bad news” from Health and Wellness. Bob Bruback, chair of Community Concerns, is very close to passing based upon a condition that has been exacerbated by Covid. Let’s keep Bob in our thoughts.
“Pistols at dawn; it’s a little old-fashioned, isn’t it?” —Roger Moore, The Man With the Golden Gun
Howard Svigals from Gig Harbor Rotary awarded a Paul Harris—the Fourth, this writer believes—to Tony Camaroda, who has also become a member of the Paul Harris Society, which is composed of persons that have pledged to give $1,000 annually to the Foundation. Lua Pritchard is set to be inducted as a new member (sponsor: Connie Coleman-Lacadie) but she was unable to attend the meeting.
Steve Saalfeld made an announcement regarding the Courage, taking place August 20-21. He gave a special shout-out to Greg Rediske, Mary Marlin and Barb Spriggs for their help.
Above: Steve Saalfeld wants you…to help with his Courage fundraising.
Chuck Hellar made an announcement from Little Free Pantries. We are in need of some more food items containing protein for the pantries.
Bill Potter informed us that two Saturdays from now, July 2, there will be a food distribution gathering from 9 AM- 12 noon at Clover Park High School—or so this writer believes. The food will be distributed to over 700 military families currently experiencing food shortages.
“The world is not enough.” —Pierce Brosnan, The World Is Not Enough
Incoming Youth Exchange Officer, Bob Martin, reminded us that although we have secured our first host family for the 2022-2023 Exchange year, we need at least two more host families so the Murthas don’t have to do all the hosting. Let Bob or Eric Quinn know that you’ll step up.
Jim was proud to announce that Pat Price has been named as an honorary member. Clover Park Rotary will be hosting a golf tournament on August 6. For more info, look here: https://cloverparkrotary.org/
As for fines and generous giving, Barb Spriggs forked over $25 for her son getting married at the Columbia Gorge. Tom George was recently elected to the Board of Trustees of Bates Technical College and may have paid a fine for that. Rick and Gayle Selden went to Florida to see some family members graduate from college and high school. They paid $100 for the privilege but also gave Jim a Merman and a gator head. Really? Really. Wendy McGowan gave $50 for a grandchild attending university.
Above: Jim Rooks got a laugh out of Rick and Gayle’s gifts.
“Why is it that people who can’t take advice always insist on giving it?” —Daniel Craig, Casino Royale
Above: Carl Bronkema, our Father’s Day Speaker
The Program:
Our Speaker was Carl Bronkema. The program was called Happy Stepfather but Carl feels that is a misnomer. A father is a father, whether he is the biological parent of his children or not. The love of a parent transcends direct blood relations, and the love of a father erases boundaries. Alfonso and Alberto Gonzales are the biological children of Veronica Bronkema, and Carl is their father, not by blood, but by bond. Carl met Veronica, and commensurately, Alfonso and Alberto, in the fall of 2003. Veronica’s family is from Southern Mexico and when Carl and Veronica married, the family made their home in Washington State. Carl showed us their family life in pictures. Their sons excelled in football and baseball, among other sports.
Alberto and Alfonso played a lot of sports in high school and both excelled academically and as student leaders. Alberto spoke to the club about his father: “Carl was the right dad for both of us.” Alfonso joined us from California on Zoom and indicated that Carl “always knew what we needed to succeed.” Alfonso is an aerospace engineer at SpaceX and is on the cusp of meeting Elon Musk, shortly. Carl is a very proud father and a great Rotarian. It is obvious that he and Veronica make a great team and together they raised two wonderful boys (who are now outstanding young men).
He is also a huge James Bond fan, hence the quotes above. Asked which Bond was his all-time favorite, Carl replied that Sean Connery was a fav, but he also liked Roger Moore, but not the latest—Daniel Craig.
Dads everywhere: This Father’s Day, be reminded of your excellence and passion for your children and family. And do not forget their appreciation and love for you. Happy Father’s Day.
Upcoming LR events:
6/25 Rotary Installation Banquet
7/21 Floating Board Meeting (picnic)
7/30 Pints for Polio (at Horns’ water ski lake near Orting)
8/20-21 The Courage
9/11-13 Reeder Rotary Roadster Romp to Sun Mountain
12/16 Tom and Jerry Party and President’s Roast
“Bond. James Bond.” —Sean Connery, Dr. No
Chris Kimball gave the Invocation and reminded us that if the world ever needed Rotarians, the time is now. Rick Selden led us in the Pledge.
Making the Meeting happen was Rob Erb and his amazing set up staff. John Lowney recorded fines. Eric Quinn wrote the bulletin. Barlow Buescher staffed the raffle table and also took on the role of Sergeant at Arms. Bud Montgomery served at the Foundation desk. And of course, monitoring Jim’s many gaffes was Greg Rediske.
Jim introduced Tony Camoroda, our assistant District Governor and Lakewood Rotarian. As for visiting Rotarians, Greg Rolsma visited us from Tacoma 8. Howard Svigals, District 5020 Chair of the Rotary Foundation, joined us from Gig Harbor Rotary. And Barlow’s brother Henry, visited us from his Rotary club in Sand Point, Idaho. Guests included Maria Rodriguez and Alberto and Alfonso Gonzales, family members of Veronica and Carl Bronkema. Lisa Williams was another guest.
“I’ll do anything for a woman with a knife.” —Timothy Dalton, Licence to Kill
As for announcements, Jim read a resignation letter from Leanna Christian. Leanna has been an indispensable asset to our Club, and she needs to take some time away to further her schooling and be with family. We know this is not goodbye, Leanna, but we miss you already. Veronica Bronkema, Angela Connelly and Andy Phillips all earned their Blue Badges.
Eric Warn reported from Health and Wellness. He congratulated Joe Quinn and Jim Rooks on their recent accomplishments in the world of fitness. Did we mention that President Jim Rooks won the Sound-to-Narrows in his age group. Jim provided the “bad news” from Health and Wellness. Bob Bruback, chair of Community Concerns, is very close to passing based upon a condition that has been exacerbated by Covid. Let’s keep Bob in our thoughts.
“Pistols at dawn; it’s a little old-fashioned, isn’t it?” —Roger Moore, The Man With the Golden Gun
Howard Svigals from Gig Harbor Rotary awarded a Paul Harris—the Fourth, this writer believes—to Tony Camaroda, who has also become a member of the Paul Harris Society, which is composed of persons that have pledged to give $1,000 annually to the Foundation. Lua Pritchard is set to be inducted as a new member (sponsor: Connie Coleman-Lacadie) but she was unable to attend the meeting.
Steve Saalfeld made an announcement regarding the Courage, taking place August 20-21. He gave a special shout-out to Greg Rediske, Mary Marlin and Barb Spriggs for their help.
Above: Steve Saalfeld wants you…to help with his Courage fundraising.
Chuck Hellar made an announcement from Little Free Pantries. We are in need of some more food items containing protein for the pantries.
Bill Potter informed us that two Saturdays from now, July 2, there will be a food distribution gathering from 9 AM- 12 noon at Clover Park High School—or so this writer believes. The food will be distributed to over 700 military families currently experiencing food shortages.
“The world is not enough.” —Pierce Brosnan, The World Is Not Enough
Incoming Youth Exchange Officer, Bob Martin, reminded us that although we have secured our first host family for the 2022-2023 Exchange year, we need at least two more host families so the Murthas don’t have to do all the hosting. Let Bob or Eric Quinn know that you’ll step up.
Jim was proud to announce that Pat Price has been named as an honorary member. Clover Park Rotary will be hosting a golf tournament on August 6. For more info, look here: https://cloverparkrotary.org/
As for fines and generous giving, Barb Spriggs forked over $25 for her son getting married at the Columbia Gorge. Tom George was recently elected to the Board of Trustees of Bates Technical College and may have paid a fine for that. Rick and Gayle Selden went to Florida to see some family members graduate from college and high school. They paid $100 for the privilege but also gave Jim a Merman and a gator head. Really? Really. Wendy McGowan gave $50 for a grandchild attending university.
Above: Jim Rooks got a laugh out of Rick and Gayle’s gifts.
“Why is it that people who can’t take advice always insist on giving it?” —Daniel Craig, Casino Royale
Above: Carl Bronkema, our Father’s Day Speaker
The Program:
Our Speaker was Carl Bronkema. The program was called Happy Stepfather but Carl feels that is a misnomer. A father is a father, whether he is the biological parent of his children or not. The love of a parent transcends direct blood relations, and the love of a father erases boundaries. Alfonso and Alberto Gonzales are the biological children of Veronica Bronkema, and Carl is their father, not by blood, but by bond. Carl met Veronica, and commensurately, Alfonso and Alberto, in the fall of 2003. Veronica’s family is from Southern Mexico and when Carl and Veronica married, the family made their home in Washington State. Carl showed us their family life in pictures. Their sons excelled in football and baseball, among other sports.
Alberto and Alfonso played a lot of sports in high school and both excelled academically and as student leaders. Alberto spoke to the club about his father: “Carl was the right dad for both of us.” Alfonso joined us from California on Zoom and indicated that Carl “always knew what we needed to succeed.” Alfonso is an aerospace engineer at SpaceX and is on the cusp of meeting Elon Musk, shortly. Carl is a very proud father and a great Rotarian. It is obvious that he and Veronica make a great team and together they raised two wonderful boys (who are now outstanding young men).
He is also a huge James Bond fan, hence the quotes above. Asked which Bond was his all-time favorite, Carl replied that Sean Connery was a fav, but he also liked Roger Moore, but not the latest—Daniel Craig.
Dads everywhere: This Father’s Day, be reminded of your excellence and passion for your children and family. And do not forget their appreciation and love for you. Happy Father’s Day.
Upcoming LR events:
6/25 Rotary Installation Banquet
7/21 Floating Board Meeting (picnic)
7/30 Pints for Polio (at Horns’ water ski lake near Orting)
8/20-21 The Courage
9/11-13 Reeder Rotary Roadster Romp to Sun Mountain
12/16 Tom and Jerry Party and President’s Roast
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