MEETING RECAP
Wonderful Wildlife Area
Sunday, July 10, 2022
By: Paula T. OlsonThe Wonderful Wildlife Center
THE LAKEWOOD KEY
Paula T. Olson
Our new President Jason Whalen timely blew us away opening his second meeting of his tenure. Yep, Aloha Boy likes to blow his shell. Bob Peterson gave a nice invocation and Ed Shannon led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Meeting set up crew included Rick Selden, Tom George, and Rob Erb. Mary Marlin took money for the Foundation, Mark Edgecomb was the Sergeant at Arms and $2 table, John Lowney collected fine money, Gayle Selden womaned the computer, and yours truly took notes for the bulletin. We can’t forget Walt Richardson for taking pictures, this time using a real camera like the old days.
Visiting Rotarians included our speaker, Alan Billingsley from Clover Park Rotary and dignitaries included Tony Camoroda, our Assistant Governor. Puffins in attendance were Lua Pritchard and Dwight Williams. Eric Warn had no Health and Wellness report, good or bad.
Bill Potter of the Major Projects Committee gave us an opportunity to spend up to $6,000 to repair and/or replace the swing set at the playground in Fort Steilacoom Park and to do other repairs such as replacing shingles.. A District grant will be applied for to add to the funding. A motion was made and seconded to approve up to $6,000 for this project. Rick Selden gave more information on this mini-major project. The City of Lakewood redid the play area for little children making it accessible for the disabled. The total cost to redo the entire play area will cost about $1 million. If we do upkeep now, we can hold off that major expense. John Lowney advised that the budget is still a work in progress so exactly how much money we can contribute is still up in the air. Rick stated that we can hold a separate fundraiser for additional money. Calling for a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Above: Photo showing need for shingles
Above: Treasurer John Lowney
Barb Spriggs announced that the date for the Poker Kayak Run has been changed to August 22nd beginning at 9:00 am. Pick up your card at the American Lake launch, get your treasure and end up at John Korsmo’s house for the BBQ. Aloha Boy used his presidential powers to change the day that board meetings will be held. Now board meetings will be on the third Wednesday of the month. The Floating Board Meeting will be held on July 21st beginning at 4:00 pm. Yes, I am aware that is not the third Wednesday of July but this board meeting is more of a social event with a steak BBQ, boat rides, games and fun for all. The cost is $20 per person, $10 for children under 18 years if anyone has one. Nicole Hancock has her 13-week old baby, Mason Michael, who can get in on his adorable looks for free. John Lowney felt he needed to give a historical perspective on this event and told us that originally this meeting was held on the Sound with large boats and an airplane. Everyone would cruise to Dockton and get roasted, even if it was raining. Everyone had lots of fun. When reasonable Phil Eng got involved, he tamed and expanded it to include families and to do it on Steilacoom Lake. Go to the Holly Hedge site for the steaks. There is room for 68 people so get your reservations in as soon as possible.
Bob Martin talked to us about the Four Way Test. He hails from the Monroe club and they had a banner that had the test on it; each meeting everyone recited it. He talked to Past President Jim Rooks who liked that idea. Bob got this nifty banner that has the test on it large enough to be seen from far and wide. We’ll see what President Whalen wants to do with it, but he promises it will be epic. Stay tuned.
Greg Horn announced birthdays and anniversaries. Starting with Partners Birthdays, Sharon Selden, Jeannine Stephan, Stephanie Williams and Dan Pritchard all have birthdays in July. Rotarian birthdays included Rose Stevens, Phil Eng, Eric Herbel, Sam Hunter, Lowell Johnson, Bud Montgomery, Howard “Skip” Stephan, James Weinand, and Steve Saalfeld all celebrating in July. Happy Birthday to all! Wedding anniversaries included Mike and Kristin Brown (12 years), Linda and Glenn McDermott (14 years), Barlow and Karen Buescher (17 years), Peter and Susan Marsh (23 years), Mike and Debi Zaro (27 years), Don and Lisa Daniels (29 years), Tom and Sharon Sadler (29 years), Greg and Sharon Rediske (33 years), Michael and Karen Lewis (33 years),Gary and Cynthia Barton (39 years) Leon and Marci Titus (43 years), and Steve and Ann Enquist (49 years). Congratulations to all!
Finally, Club Membership anniversaries included Mike Murtha, 2 years, Carole Wier, 2 years, Ron Banner 3 years, Mark Edgecomb, 7 years, Tom George 2 years with Lakewood and 12 years with other clubs, Astrid Arola 18 years, Don Anderson, 32 years, Charles Heberle, 33 years, Joe Quinn 35 years and Tom Sadler with a whopping 46 years as a member of our club. Thanks to all for your loyalty.
President Aloha Boy paid a fine for having a child under 18. The Enquists paid $100 for their years of wedded bliss and getting back from Italy with COVID. Our speaker, Alan Billingsley also celebrated his wedding anniversary with his wife Debbie. Bob Martin kicked in $10 to thank Steve and Anne Enquist for the fabulous Top Gun party. It was a highlight of 2022.
PROGRAM:
Above: Alan Billingsley, our speaker
Turning to our program, Greg Horn introduced our speaker, Alan Billingsley. Alan is a local guy, getting his MBA at University of Washington. He moved into his grandparents’ home in Lakewood with wife Debbie and their four children. He managed the Tacoma Airport on the Gig Harbor peninsula for 15 years as well as Air Gemini. He is on the Parks Board and past President of Clover Park Rotary.
Alan talked about his favorite part of Lakewood, the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area, located on Phillips Road east of Oakbrook. The 100-acre area was originally deeded to the State of Washington in 1933 by an early settler, Andrew Byrd. It started as a game farm and when it was learned that the game was really feeding coyotes, it changed to a conservation area. It has an active fish hatchery and two endangered species are being studied. Part of it is open to the public for biking and walking and is used by 100s of people every day. Alan supplemented his talk with pictures of the area and the two endangered species, the Oregon Spotted Frog and the Western Pond Turtle. Both thrive here and nowhere else so preserving them is important.
The area also has a one-half acre Byrd Cemetery with about 100 settlers resting there. It is in the custody of the Byrd family and the state is trying to identify exactly who is buried there. The area is part prairie land although it has not been well maintained so one of the goals is to return it to its natural state. There are some buildings that were originally pens to keep animals who were injured and needed a safe place to heal but they have fallen into disrepair.
Many organizations work there to repair and maintain the area, such as the Northwest Youth Corps who just finished fixing the indigenous plant garden and placing the foot prints of various animals and birds who live in and around the area into fresh cement. The footprints are located around the picnic table that Lakewood Rotary donated. We also donated two benches for resting and enjoying. Another goal is to put up signs that tell people information about the plants and where to do further research. It’s a great place for student field trips and there are a couple of schools directly across the street from it.
Above: A glimpse of the work done so far
City leaders want to show the state how important the area is to Lakewood to encourage the state’s greater support in maintaining and improving it. A huge project is to get rid of the scotch broom that has invaded. Alan showed pictures of groups filling the backs of trucks with these weeds. Alan said that its seed can last for 50 years so there is talk about doing a couple controlled burns to get rid of it once and for all. Yet another project is to replant the white oak trees (Garry Oaks). These are slow growing and are an important part of the area. The fixed trail has needed repair and looks much nicer as the before and after pictures show. There is also a boardwalk for more fragile areas that need to be maintained.
The fence on Phillips Road is about half finished. It was funded by Rotary groups. Alan showed a picture of Mark Blanchard and Bill Potter doing maintenance work and fixing the part of the fence where someone drove their car through. One other project is to connect the wildlife area to the Chambers Creek trails since the wildlife area is about two blocks from the trail system along the creek. Sidewalks are coming and all of this will be a great example of Rotary at work.
There are community work days twice a year. The next one will be held on October 1st from 9 am to 1 pm. Come join the 40 to 100 people that come and help.
During question and answer period, Alan said goats would not work to eat the scotch broom as it’s one thing they refuse to eat! Nice to know even goats have standards. There is a tree preservation code process in the City of Lakewood that is ongoing to find a balance between placement of trees and cleared areas for homes for people. Finally, restoring the restroom is needed. Hopefully, this is a project that can be shared with the state.
Thanks Alan for a great presentation.
Andy Phillips got his blue badge. Congrats, Andy!
Greg Horn won the raffle and got himself a white chip. Better luck next time.
Above: Greg Horn trying to see red!
Upcoming LR events:
7/21 Floating Board Meeting (picnic)
7/30 Pints for Polio (at Horns’ water ski lake near Orting)
Some time in August: A Walk on the Chambers Creek trails led by the Enquists
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
Bill Potter of the Major Projects Committee gave us an opportunity to spend up to $6,000 to repair and/or replace the swing set at the playground in Fort Steilacoom Park and to do other repairs such as replacing shingles.. A District grant will be applied for to add to the funding. A motion was made and seconded to approve up to $6,000 for this project. Rick Selden gave more information on this mini-major project. The City of Lakewood redid the play area for little children making it accessible for the disabled. The total cost to redo the entire play area will cost about $1 million. If we do upkeep now, we can hold off that major expense. John Lowney advised that the budget is still a work in progress so exactly how much money we can contribute is still up in the air. Rick stated that we can hold a separate fundraiser for additional money. Calling for a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Above: Photo showing need for shingles
Above: Treasurer John Lowney
Barb Spriggs announced that the date for the Poker Kayak Run has been changed to August 22nd beginning at 9:00 am. Pick up your card at the American Lake launch, get your treasure and end up at John Korsmo’s house for the BBQ. Aloha Boy used his presidential powers to change the day that board meetings will be held. Now board meetings will be on the third Wednesday of the month. The Floating Board Meeting will be held on July 21st beginning at 4:00 pm. Yes, I am aware that is not the third Wednesday of July but this board meeting is more of a social event with a steak BBQ, boat rides, games and fun for all. The cost is $20 per person, $10 for children under 18 years if anyone has one. Nicole Hancock has her 13-week old baby, Mason Michael, who can get in on his adorable looks for free. John Lowney felt he needed to give a historical perspective on this event and told us that originally this meeting was held on the Sound with large boats and an airplane. Everyone would cruise to Dockton and get roasted, even if it was raining. Everyone had lots of fun. When reasonable Phil Eng got involved, he tamed and expanded it to include families and to do it on Steilacoom Lake. Go to the Holly Hedge site for the steaks. There is room for 68 people so get your reservations in as soon as possible.
Bob Martin talked to us about the Four Way Test. He hails from the Monroe club and they had a banner that had the test on it; each meeting everyone recited it. He talked to Past President Jim Rooks who liked that idea. Bob got this nifty banner that has the test on it large enough to be seen from far and wide. We’ll see what President Whalen wants to do with it, but he promises it will be epic. Stay tuned.
Greg Horn announced birthdays and anniversaries. Starting with Partners Birthdays, Sharon Selden, Jeannine Stephan, Stephanie Williams and Dan Pritchard all have birthdays in July. Rotarian birthdays included Rose Stevens, Phil Eng, Eric Herbel, Sam Hunter, Lowell Johnson, Bud Montgomery, Howard “Skip” Stephan, James Weinand, and Steve Saalfeld all celebrating in July. Happy Birthday to all! Wedding anniversaries included Mike and Kristin Brown (12 years), Linda and Glenn McDermott (14 years), Barlow and Karen Buescher (17 years), Peter and Susan Marsh (23 years), Mike and Debi Zaro (27 years), Don and Lisa Daniels (29 years), Tom and Sharon Sadler (29 years), Greg and Sharon Rediske (33 years), Michael and Karen Lewis (33 years),Gary and Cynthia Barton (39 years) Leon and Marci Titus (43 years), and Steve and Ann Enquist (49 years). Congratulations to all!
Finally, Club Membership anniversaries included Mike Murtha, 2 years, Carole Wier, 2 years, Ron Banner 3 years, Mark Edgecomb, 7 years, Tom George 2 years with Lakewood and 12 years with other clubs, Astrid Arola 18 years, Don Anderson, 32 years, Charles Heberle, 33 years, Joe Quinn 35 years and Tom Sadler with a whopping 46 years as a member of our club. Thanks to all for your loyalty.
President Aloha Boy paid a fine for having a child under 18. The Enquists paid $100 for their years of wedded bliss and getting back from Italy with COVID. Our speaker, Alan Billingsley also celebrated his wedding anniversary with his wife Debbie. Bob Martin kicked in $10 to thank Steve and Anne Enquist for the fabulous Top Gun party. It was a highlight of 2022.
PROGRAM:
Above: Alan Billingsley, our speaker
Turning to our program, Greg Horn introduced our speaker, Alan Billingsley. Alan is a local guy, getting his MBA at University of Washington. He moved into his grandparents’ home in Lakewood with wife Debbie and their four children. He managed the Tacoma Airport on the Gig Harbor peninsula for 15 years as well as Air Gemini. He is on the Parks Board and past President of Clover Park Rotary.
Alan talked about his favorite part of Lakewood, the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area, located on Phillips Road east of Oakbrook. The 100-acre area was originally deeded to the State of Washington in 1933 by an early settler, Andrew Byrd. It started as a game farm and when it was learned that the game was really feeding coyotes, it changed to a conservation area. It has an active fish hatchery and two endangered species are being studied. Part of it is open to the public for biking and walking and is used by 100s of people every day. Alan supplemented his talk with pictures of the area and the two endangered species, the Oregon Spotted Frog and the Western Pond Turtle. Both thrive here and nowhere else so preserving them is important.
The area also has a one-half acre Byrd Cemetery with about 100 settlers resting there. It is in the custody of the Byrd family and the state is trying to identify exactly who is buried there. The area is part prairie land although it has not been well maintained so one of the goals is to return it to its natural state. There are some buildings that were originally pens to keep animals who were injured and needed a safe place to heal but they have fallen into disrepair.
Many organizations work there to repair and maintain the area, such as the Northwest Youth Corps who just finished fixing the indigenous plant garden and placing the foot prints of various animals and birds who live in and around the area into fresh cement. The footprints are located around the picnic table that Lakewood Rotary donated. We also donated two benches for resting and enjoying. Another goal is to put up signs that tell people information about the plants and where to do further research. It’s a great place for student field trips and there are a couple of schools directly across the street from it.
Above: A glimpse of the work done so far
City leaders want to show the state how important the area is to Lakewood to encourage the state’s greater support in maintaining and improving it. A huge project is to get rid of the scotch broom that has invaded. Alan showed pictures of groups filling the backs of trucks with these weeds. Alan said that its seed can last for 50 years so there is talk about doing a couple controlled burns to get rid of it once and for all. Yet another project is to replant the white oak trees (Garry Oaks). These are slow growing and are an important part of the area. The fixed trail has needed repair and looks much nicer as the before and after pictures show. There is also a boardwalk for more fragile areas that need to be maintained.
The fence on Phillips Road is about half finished. It was funded by Rotary groups. Alan showed a picture of Mark Blanchard and Bill Potter doing maintenance work and fixing the part of the fence where someone drove their car through. One other project is to connect the wildlife area to the Chambers Creek trails since the wildlife area is about two blocks from the trail system along the creek. Sidewalks are coming and all of this will be a great example of Rotary at work.
There are community work days twice a year. The next one will be held on October 1st from 9 am to 1 pm. Come join the 40 to 100 people that come and help.
During question and answer period, Alan said goats would not work to eat the scotch broom as it’s one thing they refuse to eat! Nice to know even goats have standards. There is a tree preservation code process in the City of Lakewood that is ongoing to find a balance between placement of trees and cleared areas for homes for people. Finally, restoring the restroom is needed. Hopefully, this is a project that can be shared with the state.
Thanks Alan for a great presentation.
Andy Phillips got his blue badge. Congrats, Andy!
Greg Horn won the raffle and got himself a white chip. Better luck next time.
Above: Greg Horn trying to see red!
Upcoming LR events:
7/21 Floating Board Meeting (picnic)
7/30 Pints for Polio (at Horns’ water ski lake near Orting)
Some time in August: A Walk on the Chambers Creek trails led by the Enquists
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
Read More
Sponsors
