MEETING RECAP
Lakewood Rotary Celebrates St. Patrick's Day
By Gayle SeldenSunday, March 19, 2023
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Lakewood Rotary Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day
By
Gayle Selden
The room was filled with shade of green including festive Green Beers. Only one member had forgotten a little green and that was Assistant Governor Elect & PP Bill Potter. Lucky for him he was seated next to me, Gayle Selden. President Mayor Jason Whalen blew the conch and saved Bill from pinching fingers.
The tradition of pinching people not wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day came about because green attire makes its wearer invisible to leprechauns. Those impish creatures run rampant on St. Patrick’s Day, on the hunt for any foolish revelers who neglect to properly color-code their outfits for the day. If they spot anyone in non-festive colors, they earn a pinch from the holiday’s unofficial mascot. And, since the leprechauns can’t be everywhere at once, they recruit nearby party goers to assist in the pinching process.
Barlow Buescher provided the thought for the day and John Caufield led the Pledge of Allegiance. Jason thanked the hardest working set up crew in all the land: Tom George, James Oswanda, Rob Erb and Wynn Hoffman. Jason welcomed the zoomers and we heard about Carol Wier’s 13 degree walk.
We welcomed visiting Rotarians Helen McGovern-Pilant from Passport and Carolyne Maina from Nairobi. John Caulfield brought along our new City of Lakewood Police Chief Patrick Smith, most recently from Birmingham, Alabama. Mary Moss brought Geoff Bullock from Harborstone Credit Union for his second visit. Mark Blanchard brought his son, Tom, to hear more about the Tacoma Art Museum.
Murphy was arrested and sent for trial for armed bank robbery. After due deliberation, the jury foreman stood up and announced, ‘Not guilty!’ ‘That’s grand,’ shouted Murphy, ‘Does that mean I get to keep the money?’
Wendy McGowen shared her Rotary story which began with her father. He was a Rotarian and brought Wendy to father-daughter meetings (something his club did every year). Her husband Mike loved Rotary as much as her dad. Wendy and Mike helped begin the Next Step program mentoring high school youths to get ready for college. She is thankful for Steve and Anne Enquist carrying it forward. She also mentioned Mike’s love for the Rotary Foundation. Mike asked Wendy to Join Rotary with him when women were allowed to join. She declined to have enough time for her business, chamber board and as a mom. Wendy highlighted other men who influenced her Rotary experience including Russ Klauser, Greg Rediske, and John Lowney. She is very thankful that John asked her to join the club.
Jason shared a video that was created with a combination of District PR money and ours. It will be shown at the Wine Fest and used on our social media channels.
Bill Potter stood up and modeled his new accessory - the green, country club napkin. Bill talked more in depth about the Dolly Parton Imagination library. This well-established national program as well as located in Pierce County, Gig Harbor, and numerous other areas around the state. We are covering zip codes 98499, 98498 and 98933. Our three-year commitment expectation is $58,000. This project is being consider for City ARPA funds. There will be state matching funds and we are looking for other community partners in the area (school district, other service clubs). This program provides books, one every month, to kids 0-5 who sign up in our area. Books are currently available in English and Spanish.
What does it mean when you find a horseshoe in Ireland?
Some poor horse is going barefoot.
Carl Bronkema represented the Military Appreciation Committee asked for the club’s support in providing $2,000 toward the Lewis McChord High School Scholarships. That was moved, seconded and passed by the membership attending.
Ralph Lockhart added to the President’s coffers with a 67th anniversary celebration and a history lesson. Lakewood Rotary was founded on March 16, 1956. Jim Sharp added to the Aloha fund in recognition of our West Pierce Firefighters who climbed the Columbia Tower in honor of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society at the Big Climb. West Pierce had the 11th fastest man and the fastest women climber out of an international field of competitors.
Gayle Selden reminded all that our big 1st Annual Wine and Beer Festival is next Friday, March 24th. We have ten wineries and two breweries coming. We will also have nonalcoholic beverages to taste and enjoy. Guests will enjoy the tasting prior to a “Rustin” Italian fest. We will have a live auction and Raise the Paddle. In addition, guests will be able to purchase wine or beer to take home at the end of the evening. 30% of the proceeds will go back to our club on all of the wine purchased so fill up your wine cellars. As of Sunday we still have 60 seats to fill. So get your tickets and bring your friends. https://fundraiser.bid/LakewoodRotaryWineandBeerFestival.
The barman says to Paddy “Your glass is empty, fancy another one?”
Lookin’ puzzled Paddy says “Why know would I be needed two empty feckin glasses?
Helen McGovern-Pilant, our friend from Passport, Past President of Clover Park Rotary, Emergency Food Network and past Lakewood City Council member. Helen is currently working as the Interim Director of the Tacoma Art Museum. Although Helen doesn’t have a lot of experience in Art but she enjoys getting to learn the puzzle of the organization. She just finished a stint at Work Force Central for six months and TAM interim should be about five while they find a new Director.
Helen filled us in on some fun facts at Tacoma Art Museum. TAM is the anchor of the museum district in Downtown Tacoma. There are 5,300 pieces of art in their collection. TAM has the largest Chihuly collection in the world. The largest Western Art Collection is housed in the Hauge Gallery. The Seattle Benaroya family has gifted their art collection to the Tacoma Art Museum. The Benaroya addition currently houses 255 works and the rest of their collections comes after Mrs. Benaroya passes.
Helen also shared a video titled Passion, Pleasure and Power the story of Camille in Color. We learned about damn Magenta, the bad boys of color and getting into and out of the depths of her art. It will be a fun collection displayed at the museum currently.
The luck of the Irish was with Dwight Williams as he won both the raffle and Tacoma Art Museum prize packet.
Why can’t you borrow money from a leprechaun?
Cos they’re always a little short.
By
Gayle Selden
The room was filled with shade of green including festive Green Beers. Only one member had forgotten a little green and that was Assistant Governor Elect & PP Bill Potter. Lucky for him he was seated next to me, Gayle Selden. President Mayor Jason Whalen blew the conch and saved Bill from pinching fingers.
The tradition of pinching people not wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day came about because green attire makes its wearer invisible to leprechauns. Those impish creatures run rampant on St. Patrick’s Day, on the hunt for any foolish revelers who neglect to properly color-code their outfits for the day. If they spot anyone in non-festive colors, they earn a pinch from the holiday’s unofficial mascot. And, since the leprechauns can’t be everywhere at once, they recruit nearby party goers to assist in the pinching process.
Barlow Buescher provided the thought for the day and John Caufield led the Pledge of Allegiance. Jason thanked the hardest working set up crew in all the land: Tom George, James Oswanda, Rob Erb and Wynn Hoffman. Jason welcomed the zoomers and we heard about Carol Wier’s 13 degree walk.
We welcomed visiting Rotarians Helen McGovern-Pilant from Passport and Carolyne Maina from Nairobi. John Caulfield brought along our new City of Lakewood Police Chief Patrick Smith, most recently from Birmingham, Alabama. Mary Moss brought Geoff Bullock from Harborstone Credit Union for his second visit. Mark Blanchard brought his son, Tom, to hear more about the Tacoma Art Museum.
Murphy was arrested and sent for trial for armed bank robbery. After due deliberation, the jury foreman stood up and announced, ‘Not guilty!’ ‘That’s grand,’ shouted Murphy, ‘Does that mean I get to keep the money?’
Wendy McGowen shared her Rotary story which began with her father. He was a Rotarian and brought Wendy to father-daughter meetings (something his club did every year). Her husband Mike loved Rotary as much as her dad. Wendy and Mike helped begin the Next Step program mentoring high school youths to get ready for college. She is thankful for Steve and Anne Enquist carrying it forward. She also mentioned Mike’s love for the Rotary Foundation. Mike asked Wendy to Join Rotary with him when women were allowed to join. She declined to have enough time for her business, chamber board and as a mom. Wendy highlighted other men who influenced her Rotary experience including Russ Klauser, Greg Rediske, and John Lowney. She is very thankful that John asked her to join the club.
Jason shared a video that was created with a combination of District PR money and ours. It will be shown at the Wine Fest and used on our social media channels.
Bill Potter stood up and modeled his new accessory - the green, country club napkin. Bill talked more in depth about the Dolly Parton Imagination library. This well-established national program as well as located in Pierce County, Gig Harbor, and numerous other areas around the state. We are covering zip codes 98499, 98498 and 98933. Our three-year commitment expectation is $58,000. This project is being consider for City ARPA funds. There will be state matching funds and we are looking for other community partners in the area (school district, other service clubs). This program provides books, one every month, to kids 0-5 who sign up in our area. Books are currently available in English and Spanish.
What does it mean when you find a horseshoe in Ireland?
Some poor horse is going barefoot.
Carl Bronkema represented the Military Appreciation Committee asked for the club’s support in providing $2,000 toward the Lewis McChord High School Scholarships. That was moved, seconded and passed by the membership attending.
Ralph Lockhart added to the President’s coffers with a 67th anniversary celebration and a history lesson. Lakewood Rotary was founded on March 16, 1956. Jim Sharp added to the Aloha fund in recognition of our West Pierce Firefighters who climbed the Columbia Tower in honor of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society at the Big Climb. West Pierce had the 11th fastest man and the fastest women climber out of an international field of competitors.
Gayle Selden reminded all that our big 1st Annual Wine and Beer Festival is next Friday, March 24th. We have ten wineries and two breweries coming. We will also have nonalcoholic beverages to taste and enjoy. Guests will enjoy the tasting prior to a “Rustin” Italian fest. We will have a live auction and Raise the Paddle. In addition, guests will be able to purchase wine or beer to take home at the end of the evening. 30% of the proceeds will go back to our club on all of the wine purchased so fill up your wine cellars. As of Sunday we still have 60 seats to fill. So get your tickets and bring your friends. https://fundraiser.bid/LakewoodRotaryWineandBeerFestival.
The barman says to Paddy “Your glass is empty, fancy another one?”
Lookin’ puzzled Paddy says “Why know would I be needed two empty feckin glasses?
Helen McGovern-Pilant, our friend from Passport, Past President of Clover Park Rotary, Emergency Food Network and past Lakewood City Council member. Helen is currently working as the Interim Director of the Tacoma Art Museum. Although Helen doesn’t have a lot of experience in Art but she enjoys getting to learn the puzzle of the organization. She just finished a stint at Work Force Central for six months and TAM interim should be about five while they find a new Director.
Helen filled us in on some fun facts at Tacoma Art Museum. TAM is the anchor of the museum district in Downtown Tacoma. There are 5,300 pieces of art in their collection. TAM has the largest Chihuly collection in the world. The largest Western Art Collection is housed in the Hauge Gallery. The Seattle Benaroya family has gifted their art collection to the Tacoma Art Museum. The Benaroya addition currently houses 255 works and the rest of their collections comes after Mrs. Benaroya passes.
Helen also shared a video titled Passion, Pleasure and Power the story of Camille in Color. We learned about damn Magenta, the bad boys of color and getting into and out of the depths of her art. It will be a fun collection displayed at the museum currently.
The luck of the Irish was with Dwight Williams as he won both the raffle and Tacoma Art Museum prize packet.
Why can’t you borrow money from a leprechaun?
Cos they’re always a little short.
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