Above: Some Rotarians cavorted?

Seriously? A Cabal?
Undercover agents working… well, undercover, have uncovered a previously covered plot to centralize governmental authority in Lakewood.  For the first time since the wheel was invented in ancient Lakewood, we have a Mayor and Rotary Club President co-locating. Over the years we’ve had Commissars of the Lakewood Water District. We’ve had Fire Chiefs and Fire District Commissars. We’ve had Army generals, a Navy admiral, a USAF general and too many colonels to count.  We’ve had lackeys, minions, arsonists, drug peddlers, peons and one stump grinder. We’ve had doctors, dentists, lawyers, solicitors, barristers, attorneys and notary’s public. We’ve had underground housing specialists, above ground housing builders and decorators, men and women executives galore and preachers – lots of preachers. We’ve had architects, engineers, video purveyors, landlords and one prune peddler. BUT, until now we’ve never had a Mayor as President.

Not even the vaunted General Harrison, nor General Doug Richardson, nor Claudia Thomas nor fellow Lakewood Rotarian Don Anderson were ever Rotary club president concurrent with their stints as Mayor of Lakewood. This is by no mean pejorative. No indeedy, we bull-writing scribes universally feel that having  President Mayor Jason brings certain savoir-faire to our proceedings. We all agreed it will be a year of flancampulent enormounktidudity! So I was just joshing about the Cabal – there are no plans afoot by the banks in Lakewood to see a NLO (New Lakewood Order) evolve. No Siree – keep your ears and eyes sharpened, focused and peeled for hints of conspiracy theories about consolidation of power though, just to be safe.

The Meeting – Aloha Friday
So what did we learn on Friday July 1^st, 2022 – In Depends Holiday weekend at Lakewood Rotary? We learned that it is Aloha Friday! We learned that Scott Buser gave the invocation, calling on a greater power to bless everything our new president, officers and directors will be undertaking. Wow! Anyone think they will really need all that spiritual help? Mary Horn led the pledge of allegiance. Tom George and Rob Erb upset the place and Ole is scribe. Allison Whalen was appointed photographer. Chuck Hellar was Sgt. At Arms and Bud Montgomery manned the foundation table. John Lowney, treasurer, was absent so someone else had to collect money.

Visiting Rotarians were introduced sotto voce. I have no idea who they were or where they were from. Carl Bronkema introduced Christian Tomlinson of Puyallup Rotary and his co-worker Ryan Cleanhands. Puffins stood in Depends and were appreciated. President/Mayor – that’s just too much to type – PM Whalen introduced his wife First Lady Gael and daughter Allison, Lakewood Rotary photographer. Assistant Governor and Puffin Tony Camoroda was introduced. Why is it everyone has such an abundance of titles and honorifics? Past President Doctor Jim Rooks announced very sad news that Lakewood Rotarian and Jim’s close friend Bob Bruback has died. He had a severe case of Covid and took Chemo for a pre-existing condition. Services will be at St. Patrick’s Church on Friday July 8.  Mary Hammar has suffered a slight stroke. Our thoughts and prayers go to Bob and Mary, lovely Mary!



Above: New Member Faaluaina (Lua) Pritchard

New (ish) Members
On PM Whalen’s “first day out on the water” he swore-in three new members: Christian Tomlinson, Ryan Cleanhands and Lua Pritchard of the pretty famous Pritchard family! Each gave brief biographical information. I long to learn Ryan’s real last name. Imagine my surprise if it is indeed “Cleanhands?”   (Actually Ryan’s last name is Kleynhans, according to Secretary Greg Rediske.)  Veronica Bronkema reported on her progress in establishing a Rotaract Club. She is seeking a leadership team to establish and formalize the club. Membership is sought for 18- to 30-year old men and women, young professionals who will be exposed to the work of Rotary in the world and community. Had they been here on this day they would have been exposed to Rotarians in Depends on this our annual In Depends Day celebration.




Above: New Members Christian and Ryan

Fines, Fines and More Fines
PM Jason welcomed Dr. Mo Sarram’s contribution of $90 for his birthday of the same number of years. Mo you look Mahvellus! Jan Gee donated money for having two more great grandchildren. Jim Bisceglia paddled a boat from New Orleans to Memphis! Yeah, right! (Maybe Jim was a stern wheeler? -Ed.) Bob Peterson feted Steve and Ann Enquist for getting Lowe’s to double their contribution they usually give to Rotary. Bob, all you had to do was ask! Information about Bob’s grandson’s, (Carl Peterson’s son) upcoming marriage on Lake Steilacoom had to be pried out. AG Tony forgot the Puffin-- $25. Barb Spriggs hosted a gambler from Kotzebue, Alaska who snuck off with $12,000 in winnings. Barb also won a pittance but she gave $40. PP Mark Edgecomb gave $100 for Covid and a son who married in Tampa. Someone gave $69 in sotto voce – again, no idea who it was!
(Please use the mic for the poor scribes and others listening on Zoom.  It was Andrew Neiditz. -Ed.)

PM Jason then cast his net to PP Joe Quinn for a PP pin: $20; Mary Moss for acting as Mayor Pro Tem, Chief Mike Zaro for his retirement coming in February 2023. Rob Erb and Donn Irwin cavorted in Idaho, smoked cigars, drank whiskey, shot skeet and generally behaved badly - $20 – Cheap!!!

 Program:  PM Jason

The Impact of Mentorship

Life began in Montana for Jason. For his forbears hardships were a way of life but so was perseverance. The Pathfinder Bar is still in Fort Benton, Montana. For those of you who don’t know where Fort Benton is, look up Kotzebue, Alaska on Google Maps. Fort Benton, Montana is on the outskirts. Giuseppe and Henrietta survived and sired a Doctor; actually he wasn’t born a doctor but became one who began a practice in Butte. But a lifetime of non-stop work led to health problems and a less stressful medical career was accomplished. That work meant many moves for his family, including Jason and 3 siblings. Get out your Rand McNally map of western America and start drawing lines with your Sharpie. Start from Butte, go to Oklahoma City, Fort Collins, Colorado, Miles City, Montana, Medford, Oregon, Juneau, Alaska, Nine Mile Falls, Washington. Wow! Aren’t you glad you didn’t have to fill the family car with gas at today’s prices? In Spokane Jason was mentored by a janitor – to be fair he was also a bus driver – to be even more fair he was also a teacher. Another teacher convinced Jason to try debate. He was successful enough to gain a scholarship to Gonzaga University where he furthered his skill at debate and Army ROTC. He mentioned being skilled at spelling Bees including the challenge of spelling ROTC! The Army led to Germany, marriage and Olivia, the first of three Whalen daughters. After the Army service Jason attended Gonzaga Law and upon graduation clerked for Judge Richard Guy. And now, in addition to a career in law, 16 years in city government.

Compiling credit for PM Jason’s accomplished life means giving credit to the mentors he acknowledges: grandparents, parents, janitor, teacher and judge. PM Jason vows that just as in Lakewood, in Rotary, if we see a problem, we’ll fix it! And, in his words – not your scribe’s-- “We’ll do epic shit!”



Above: Jason looking serious

Who Reads This Stuff?
Ole

Secretary Greg Rediske passes this news on to all members of the club.
Resignations:
Mary Covelli Johnson (“it’s not the same without Mick”)
Jay Mayer (moving to Sequim)
John Forkenbrock (health)
Leanna Christian (work)
Joan Strait
Jamie Simons

Upcoming LR events:

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