MEETING RECAP
Wine, Beer Equals Big Bucks . . . and a WOW Farm 12 Presentation
By Donn IrwinSunday, April 2, 2023
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Wine, Beer Equal Big Bucks….and a WOW Farm12 Presentation
Donnn Irwin
For the benefit of those that may have been late to Zoom or the physical meeting, I must report that Past District Governor Greg Horn (PDG Greg) gave everyone a start before the actual meeting was called to order. It was 12:21PM and folks were busy either getting food, eating and or chatting when suddenly the bell rang. Although somewhat startled and much like a Pavlovian response, after years of training, the collective started to rise for the start of the meeting. PDG Greg evidently realized what had happened and, after a brief pause, let everyone know that it was, in fact, not the start of the meeting – he just wanted attention – everyone’s attention, so that he could sell bottles of wine left over from the Wine & Beer event the prior Friday.President Jason Whalen (PJW) set the tone for the meeting by calling it to order at precisely 12:30PM by blowing his horn, er conch. Well, actually he rang the bell first but still. I leave it to the musicians in the group (Ole) to determine what note it was that was produced as I can’t carry a tune in a bucket and couldn’t tell a B-flat from a tire iron. PJW then proceeded to give forth an wonderful innovation message that would make any member proud to be part of such an amazing group of people. Bob Martin had to follow that by leading us in the Pledge and the 4-Way test. (Note: Thank you PJW for allowing us all to sit down so that we could all see the 4-Way Test all spelled out for us!).
1889- the Eiffel Tower is dedicated in Paris
Our Zoomers today included Eric Quinn, Nicole Hancock, Greg Rediske, John Magnuson and Carol Wier (I know there were more I just didn’t get all the names – sorry I missed you).
Why is it called marijuana possession and not joint custody?
The set-up crew was there in full force – thank you!! Jan Gee was the SAA and raffle ticket hawker while Steve Enquist took care of the Paul Harris money. ($110.00 was collected). Donnnnnn Irwin did the writing and phenomenal photography was accomplished by that whacky wizard of wonderful images, Walt Richardson.
Visiting Rotarians: That quiet, received young lady from Puyallup South Hill, Suzzanne Johnston. She was accompanied by fellow South Hill Rotarian, Mike Mayor.
I was absolutely devastated when my wife told me my 5-year-old son wasn't mine. She also said I needed to pay more attention at school pickup.
1854 - Treaty of Kanagawa signed with Japan:
In Tokyo, Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry, representing the U.S. government, signs the Treaty of Kanagawa with the Japanese government, opening the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to American trade and permitting the establishment of a U.S. consulate in Japan.
Guests of Rotarians: Anne Enquist introduced Sally Saunders as her guest (good to see Sally). Mary Marlin introduced Alishia Ryan. James Osundwa proudly introduced his lovely wife, Shiru. Angela Connelly brought a group to the meeting that included our speaker, Krista Linden, Krista’s sister Trisha, Crystal Westcott and Mary Spriesterbach. Guests from Habitat for Humanity were Sherrana Kildun and Ellie Wilson.
Puffins were introduced and then Eric Warn was called on to let us know that fellow Rotarian Ed Shannon is on home Hospice. Ed is taking visitors and would love to visit BUT please call first. Ed bought the winning Wine & Beer Festival raffle ticket and won just shy of $5000.00!!
Announcements: John Lowney reported on preliminary (but very close to being final) financial results of the Wine & Beer Festival. $120k gross!! Almost $50k for next year’s giving budget (that’s just for the Wine & Beer festival and doesn’t include the other fund-raising activities). Congratulations Lakewood Rotarians!! PJW recognized Bill Potter for his efforts as coordinator for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Mary Horn let us know about the upcoming Parks and Recreation on 4/22 from 9-noon as well as reminding us the District Conference is coming up on May 19th and 20th in Victoria BC. Also, see her if you have a certificate from the Wine & Beer festival.
Wild Bill Potter regained the microphone. He first announced that an $8,000 award from the Club to Habitat for Humanity closed out our portion of the funding for the Claudia Thomas Legacy House. Sherrana Kildun and Ellie Wilson accepted the check on behalf of the organization and expressed their gratitude. Next, Bill informed us that at the April 17th Lakewood City Council Meeting the Club would get recognition for our swing sets and Dolly Parton Imagination work. Lastly, Bill asked for volunteers to help as a work party on Earth Day – 4/22.
I just spent $100 on a new belt and it didn't even fit......huge waste.
Fines – Dave Coleman 54 years wedded and $54.00 lighter in the wallet. Bob Hammar and John Lowney both announced new great grandchildren and paid the price for it. Phil Eng paid for a new grandson. Congratulations to all of you. Good to know that our children are supplying the world with new Rotarians. Steve Enquist mentioned Cinco de Mayo and Sun River and paid money for that. The permanently tanned Don Daniels went to Mexico again for a couple of weeks on “Rotary Business” and Mary Horn “borrowed “money from Greg (he thinks he’s going to get it back) to remind us about Ladies Night Out on May 5th (circles back to Steve’s Cinco de Mayo thing).
New Blue Badgers: Joel Vranna and Mark Herr. Congrats to both!
1943 - "Oklahoma!" premieres on Broadway
PJW mentioned something about art and tanks on Motor Ave and called on John Caufield to say something about the art installation. John Caufield informed his boss (PJW- aka Mayor Whalen) that he is not in charge of art. He’s in charge of getting the money to get the art…...but, never-the-less, John encouraged us all to come out and see the new art installation right off of Motor Ave and Gravelly Lake. PJW reminded us that the last Friday of every month is designated to bringing food items for the Little Free Pantry project.
1959 – The Dalai Lama begins exile: The Dalai Lama, fleeing the Chinese suppression of a national uprising in Tibet, crosses the border into India, where he is granted political asylum.
Angela Connelly came forward to introduce a remarkable woman – Krista Linden, Founder of Step by Step/Farm 12/Fika. Krista is the mother of seven (yes, 7) daughters. For most mortals that would be more than enough to handle in their lifetime. For Krista, not so much. She is college educated, a teacher and a human dynamo. Writer’s note: Krista attended Bethel University (Formerly Bethel College) in Minn. The School of Education there was started by the aunt of a dear friend of mine who has spoken at our club and is a past Rotary Scholar that studied in India for a year through the Ellensburg Rotary Club). Krista mentioned a couple of things before she got into her presentation. She mentioned that she didn’t start Farm 12 to be in the restaurant business and that she grew up on a farm (in Colorado I think).
There is usually a point in time or a circumstance/happening that occurs in a person’s life that affects them in such a way as to do something – for Krista this event occurred when, as new teacher, she looked into the face a 1st grade girl and realized she was staring into “soulless” eyes. She found out that the reason the young girl had that look was because she had Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The effect on her was profound. After having her first child she still remembered the encounter and after having her second child she decided to do something to help at risk mothers and families and to improve prenatal and infant care among other things. Twenty-six years later has yielded 25,000 women referred to Step by Step.
Krista never wanted to be a fund raiser but has raised millions and millions of dollars since starting this organization. She wanted to be able to provide an engine to provide the dollars necessary to teach women not just job skills but the life skills that they didn’t have to be able to make it on their own. She started Farm 12 just before Covid – talk about perfect timing! She didn’t lay anyone off. Her goal was to be profitable after 5 years. They were profitable after 3 years.
She has vision for doing more and just signed papers on an additional 6 acres of land across the road from their current spot. Her plan is turn this into a farm that kids and their families will run. She also has her mind set to get another 10 acres adjacent to the new 6 acres in order to develop the property into affordable housing.
Krista shared with us how incredibly hard this journey has been but she is excited for future. Too bad some of you missed this one. Go to their website for much more information on this amazing organization. https://www.stepbystepfamily.org “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ? Margaret Mead
Mary Marlin won the drawing and was rewarded with $5.00.
If were born on March 31st you have some famous birth mates:
J.S. Bach (1685)
Renee Descartes (1596)
Cesar Chavez (1927)
Shirley Jones and Richard Chamberlain (1934)
Herb Alpert (1935)
Rhea Perlman and former VP Al Gore (1948)
Donnn Irwin
For the benefit of those that may have been late to Zoom or the physical meeting, I must report that Past District Governor Greg Horn (PDG Greg) gave everyone a start before the actual meeting was called to order. It was 12:21PM and folks were busy either getting food, eating and or chatting when suddenly the bell rang. Although somewhat startled and much like a Pavlovian response, after years of training, the collective started to rise for the start of the meeting. PDG Greg evidently realized what had happened and, after a brief pause, let everyone know that it was, in fact, not the start of the meeting – he just wanted attention – everyone’s attention, so that he could sell bottles of wine left over from the Wine & Beer event the prior Friday.President Jason Whalen (PJW) set the tone for the meeting by calling it to order at precisely 12:30PM by blowing his horn, er conch. Well, actually he rang the bell first but still. I leave it to the musicians in the group (Ole) to determine what note it was that was produced as I can’t carry a tune in a bucket and couldn’t tell a B-flat from a tire iron. PJW then proceeded to give forth an wonderful innovation message that would make any member proud to be part of such an amazing group of people. Bob Martin had to follow that by leading us in the Pledge and the 4-Way test. (Note: Thank you PJW for allowing us all to sit down so that we could all see the 4-Way Test all spelled out for us!).
1889- the Eiffel Tower is dedicated in Paris
Our Zoomers today included Eric Quinn, Nicole Hancock, Greg Rediske, John Magnuson and Carol Wier (I know there were more I just didn’t get all the names – sorry I missed you).
Why is it called marijuana possession and not joint custody?
The set-up crew was there in full force – thank you!! Jan Gee was the SAA and raffle ticket hawker while Steve Enquist took care of the Paul Harris money. ($110.00 was collected). Donnnnnn Irwin did the writing and phenomenal photography was accomplished by that whacky wizard of wonderful images, Walt Richardson.
Visiting Rotarians: That quiet, received young lady from Puyallup South Hill, Suzzanne Johnston. She was accompanied by fellow South Hill Rotarian, Mike Mayor.
I was absolutely devastated when my wife told me my 5-year-old son wasn't mine. She also said I needed to pay more attention at school pickup.
1854 - Treaty of Kanagawa signed with Japan:
In Tokyo, Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry, representing the U.S. government, signs the Treaty of Kanagawa with the Japanese government, opening the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to American trade and permitting the establishment of a U.S. consulate in Japan.
Guests of Rotarians: Anne Enquist introduced Sally Saunders as her guest (good to see Sally). Mary Marlin introduced Alishia Ryan. James Osundwa proudly introduced his lovely wife, Shiru. Angela Connelly brought a group to the meeting that included our speaker, Krista Linden, Krista’s sister Trisha, Crystal Westcott and Mary Spriesterbach. Guests from Habitat for Humanity were Sherrana Kildun and Ellie Wilson.
Puffins were introduced and then Eric Warn was called on to let us know that fellow Rotarian Ed Shannon is on home Hospice. Ed is taking visitors and would love to visit BUT please call first. Ed bought the winning Wine & Beer Festival raffle ticket and won just shy of $5000.00!!
Announcements: John Lowney reported on preliminary (but very close to being final) financial results of the Wine & Beer Festival. $120k gross!! Almost $50k for next year’s giving budget (that’s just for the Wine & Beer festival and doesn’t include the other fund-raising activities). Congratulations Lakewood Rotarians!! PJW recognized Bill Potter for his efforts as coordinator for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Mary Horn let us know about the upcoming Parks and Recreation on 4/22 from 9-noon as well as reminding us the District Conference is coming up on May 19th and 20th in Victoria BC. Also, see her if you have a certificate from the Wine & Beer festival.
Wild Bill Potter regained the microphone. He first announced that an $8,000 award from the Club to Habitat for Humanity closed out our portion of the funding for the Claudia Thomas Legacy House. Sherrana Kildun and Ellie Wilson accepted the check on behalf of the organization and expressed their gratitude. Next, Bill informed us that at the April 17th Lakewood City Council Meeting the Club would get recognition for our swing sets and Dolly Parton Imagination work. Lastly, Bill asked for volunteers to help as a work party on Earth Day – 4/22.
I just spent $100 on a new belt and it didn't even fit......huge waste.
Fines – Dave Coleman 54 years wedded and $54.00 lighter in the wallet. Bob Hammar and John Lowney both announced new great grandchildren and paid the price for it. Phil Eng paid for a new grandson. Congratulations to all of you. Good to know that our children are supplying the world with new Rotarians. Steve Enquist mentioned Cinco de Mayo and Sun River and paid money for that. The permanently tanned Don Daniels went to Mexico again for a couple of weeks on “Rotary Business” and Mary Horn “borrowed “money from Greg (he thinks he’s going to get it back) to remind us about Ladies Night Out on May 5th (circles back to Steve’s Cinco de Mayo thing).
New Blue Badgers: Joel Vranna and Mark Herr. Congrats to both!
1943 - "Oklahoma!" premieres on Broadway
PJW mentioned something about art and tanks on Motor Ave and called on John Caufield to say something about the art installation. John Caufield informed his boss (PJW- aka Mayor Whalen) that he is not in charge of art. He’s in charge of getting the money to get the art…...but, never-the-less, John encouraged us all to come out and see the new art installation right off of Motor Ave and Gravelly Lake. PJW reminded us that the last Friday of every month is designated to bringing food items for the Little Free Pantry project.
1959 – The Dalai Lama begins exile: The Dalai Lama, fleeing the Chinese suppression of a national uprising in Tibet, crosses the border into India, where he is granted political asylum.
Angela Connelly came forward to introduce a remarkable woman – Krista Linden, Founder of Step by Step/Farm 12/Fika. Krista is the mother of seven (yes, 7) daughters. For most mortals that would be more than enough to handle in their lifetime. For Krista, not so much. She is college educated, a teacher and a human dynamo. Writer’s note: Krista attended Bethel University (Formerly Bethel College) in Minn. The School of Education there was started by the aunt of a dear friend of mine who has spoken at our club and is a past Rotary Scholar that studied in India for a year through the Ellensburg Rotary Club). Krista mentioned a couple of things before she got into her presentation. She mentioned that she didn’t start Farm 12 to be in the restaurant business and that she grew up on a farm (in Colorado I think).
There is usually a point in time or a circumstance/happening that occurs in a person’s life that affects them in such a way as to do something – for Krista this event occurred when, as new teacher, she looked into the face a 1st grade girl and realized she was staring into “soulless” eyes. She found out that the reason the young girl had that look was because she had Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The effect on her was profound. After having her first child she still remembered the encounter and after having her second child she decided to do something to help at risk mothers and families and to improve prenatal and infant care among other things. Twenty-six years later has yielded 25,000 women referred to Step by Step.
Krista never wanted to be a fund raiser but has raised millions and millions of dollars since starting this organization. She wanted to be able to provide an engine to provide the dollars necessary to teach women not just job skills but the life skills that they didn’t have to be able to make it on their own. She started Farm 12 just before Covid – talk about perfect timing! She didn’t lay anyone off. Her goal was to be profitable after 5 years. They were profitable after 3 years.
She has vision for doing more and just signed papers on an additional 6 acres of land across the road from their current spot. Her plan is turn this into a farm that kids and their families will run. She also has her mind set to get another 10 acres adjacent to the new 6 acres in order to develop the property into affordable housing.
Krista shared with us how incredibly hard this journey has been but she is excited for future. Too bad some of you missed this one. Go to their website for much more information on this amazing organization. https://www.stepbystepfamily.org “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ? Margaret Mead
Mary Marlin won the drawing and was rewarded with $5.00.
If were born on March 31st you have some famous birth mates:
J.S. Bach (1685)
Renee Descartes (1596)
Cesar Chavez (1927)
Shirley Jones and Richard Chamberlain (1934)
Herb Alpert (1935)
Rhea Perlman and former VP Al Gore (1948)
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