MEETING RECAP
The End is Near!
By Gregory J. RediskeSunday, June 18, 2023
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The End is Near!
Jason’s (almost) Last Stand
It’s almost July 1st, the time of the year when a spanking brand-new Rotary year begins. Out with the old and in with the new. But there is a downside. We at the Lakewood Key, aka the Lakewood Rotary Bulletin, are dismayed at the thought of losing Jason as our comic foil. Oh, the fun we have had recounting the deficiencies of Whalen life! Like the time he interviewed for a job at the prison near Gonzaga as an undergrad. When asked what he’d do to keep control of the inmates, he replied, “Simple. If they don’t behave, out they go!” And of course, there’s the story Jason told concerning when he met Gael. Jason had invited her over to his house but had to make a small repair. So he said to Gael, “Please bring me a screwdriver.” Gael answered, “Which one: Phillips, flathead, or vodka.” That’s when Jason knew she was The One.
But of course, Jason has been known to dabble in comedy himself. That’s if puns are considered comedy, anyway. Jason’s motto has always been that comedy is the art of making people laugh without making them puke. So far, so good. (Here’s hoping I’m not premature in my praise.)
My last Jason Bulletin. Heavy sigh. Thankfully, our next target is Mary Horn. Which would be difficult, if not for the fact that she’s married to Greg. He was a goldmine during his presidential year, so it’ll be déjà vu all over again. But then, all these wistful thoughts were blasted from this writer’s brain by the cacophony of the infernal conch shell…..and away we go.
Jason called on Eric Warn for the Thought for the Day, who noted that “growing old can be dangerous.” This is not news to some of us. However, he suggested that knowing this fact, we should all go out there and make a grand exit….by making the world a better place. Gordon Quick, Past District Governor in the previous century, led us in the pledge to the flag. Then came thanks: Bud Montgomery (Paul Harris collection), Jan Gee (Installation dinner signups for which you have until noon, Tuesday, 6/20, to get registered), Chuck Hellar and Leon Titus for the two-man job of selling countless raffle tickets, Phil Eng for recording the proceedings via camera, and of course the illustrious set up crew (Tom, Rick, James, Terry, Rob)..Puffins in the house! Linda Disney, Mark Herr, Dick Ferrell, Cat Frederickson.
Be prepared: Next week, all are encouraged to wear Hawaiian garb in honor of Jason’s second to the last meeting.
Sign on Jason’s office desk: “A man is innocent until he has been proven broke.”
Member Spotlight:
With no advance warning, Angela Connelly was called upon, and she spoke of her just published second book, THE CROWDED TABLE 2. #1 was about mothers; this is about fathers, because fathers are good, too. Jason and Chris Kimball have submitted stories, 2 out of 56 recorded here. All proceeds go to non-profits, including Coffee Oasis. Soon to be at Barnes and Noble, along with Amazon and others.
Then came Heather…..
Heather Burgess is a long-time friend of the Whalen family, and a fellow lawyer. She has three kids (law school, PLU graduate school, and soon-to-be first year at William and Mary, respectively) and a husband (Todd) of 30 years (come September). She sent one of her daughters to Denmark on the Rotary Student Exchange program a few years ago and has 10 years of Rotary in clubs in the Lacey area. Jason honored his rule of toasting new Rotary members who are lawyers with a shot of tequila for both of them, while Cat Frederickson tearfully parted with the puffin in the time-honored tradition of pass-the-puffin to the newest Puffin.
A minister and a lawyer arrived at the pearly gates. Saint Peter greeted both and gave them their room assignments. “Pastor, here are the keys to one of our nicest efficiency units. And for you, sir, the keys to our finest penthouse suite.”
“This is unfair!” cried the minister.
“Listen,” Saint Peter said, “ministers are a dime a dozen up here, but this is the first lawyer we’ve ever seen.” (I should qualify this: it’s the first MALE lawyer he’s ever seen…..)
Reminder: Attire required at the Country Club:
Golf Attire and Denim will be allowed in all areas of the Club. (no rips or tears will be accepted)
No T-shirts; mock neck acceptable for men
No hats for men inside
No athletic wear including hooded/college sweatshirts.
Aloha Bucks, Generous Giving, formerly called “fines”:
Gary Barton: married son in Tahoe, $150 (!)
Bill Potter: Alaska cruise (with a Covid gift at the end), child graduation, promotion at work, $100
Linda Disney: Thanks for the support of the Support the Enlisted event recently, $200 (!!)
Donn Irwin: 7000-mile car trip to Virginia and back again, $100
David Swindale: Freshly returned from the Rotary International Conference in Melbourne, with the added bonus of a return trip with Covid. Delivered a shirt and pin to the President.
Program:
Mary Horn ushered in a Club Assembly with a twist: Speed Dating. Eight tables were set up with a table mentor, to come up with ideas on the following subjects:
Sponsorships (Whalen), Dolly Parton Imagination Library (Potter), Foundation (Enquist, S), Fellowship (Eng), Youth (Albrecht), Fundraising (Disney), Puffins (Blanchard), Miscellaneous (Horn, G.). In addition, the Zoomers came up with some interesting stuff, too. All notes went to Mary, who will look at incorporating them into her upcoming fabulous Rotary year.
Drum Roll please…..The raffle was down to two chips, one white and one red (though Chuck Hellar tried to insist there were only two white chips left.) Many tickets were sold, with great benefit to the club (half of the ticket purchase money goes to the winner, half to the club). There were winners, and there were losers. More losers, actually. Peter Marsh got the opportunity to win the $1,343. And he did! Red Chip!! And Peter gloriously proclaimed that he was giving it all back to the club. Wow! But wait, there’s more. Jason had a $100 gift certificate from Harkness for second prize. A new drawing, and the winner was……Me! Greg Rediske! Except not really. Barlow Buescher gave me money for tickets, and it was his winning ticket, not mine. Poor ticket distribution by me.
And then there was the woman who was ecstatic with Jason for winning her case. With a full heart and tears in her eyes, she asked Jason, “Oh, what can I ever do to thank you?!?” Jason replied, "My dear woman, ever since the Phoenicians invented money there has been only one answer to that easy question."
But we must not forget John Magnuson. He expects the ridicule, and I aim to please.
Ole just got a new job with the Stockholm police department. He was on the phone to the precinct: “I’m here at a house where a woman named Lena just shot her husband for stepping on the floor she just mopped.” Precinct: “Did you arrest her?” Officer: “Not yet. The floor’s not dry.”
Rotary Events or Horn’s Happenings:
June – Rotary Fellowship Month
June 18th - Jason Whalen’s 60th birthday.
June 21st – Clover Park Rotary Installation Banquet – Tacoma Country & Golf Club
June 23rd – Lakewood Rotary Installation
June 27th – Lakewood Rotary Board Meeting – TC&GC – 5:30 p.m.
July – Maternal & Child Health Month
July 1st – Beginning of Rotary Fiscal Year
July 16th – Kayak Poker Run on American Lake – contact Barb Spriggs
July 23rd – Mission Impossible Movie – contact Anne & Steve Enquist
July 25th – Lakewood Rotary Board Meeting – TC&GC – 5:30 p.m.
July 28th – Regular meeting will be at Fort Steilacoom Park at the Pavilion starting at 11:30 – bring family, especially grandkids for fun & games
August – Membership & New Club Development Month
August 3rd – Floating Board Meeting (club barbecue & boat cruises on Steilacoom Lake) – at Holly Hedge Estates – family & friends welcome
August 5th – Beer Stock at Ski Park Lake (also known as Pints for Polio) – see Greg Horn for details
August 5th – Rotary International President – Gordon McInally – function at Murano Hotel in Tacoma – evening
August 9th – Rainiers Tailgate BBQ & Game – contact Mary Horn
August 20th – 22nd – Annual Reeder Roaster Romp
August 22nd – Lakewood Rotary Board Meeting – TC&GC – 5:30 p.m.
Jason’s (almost) Last Stand
It’s almost July 1st, the time of the year when a spanking brand-new Rotary year begins. Out with the old and in with the new. But there is a downside. We at the Lakewood Key, aka the Lakewood Rotary Bulletin, are dismayed at the thought of losing Jason as our comic foil. Oh, the fun we have had recounting the deficiencies of Whalen life! Like the time he interviewed for a job at the prison near Gonzaga as an undergrad. When asked what he’d do to keep control of the inmates, he replied, “Simple. If they don’t behave, out they go!” And of course, there’s the story Jason told concerning when he met Gael. Jason had invited her over to his house but had to make a small repair. So he said to Gael, “Please bring me a screwdriver.” Gael answered, “Which one: Phillips, flathead, or vodka.” That’s when Jason knew she was The One.
But of course, Jason has been known to dabble in comedy himself. That’s if puns are considered comedy, anyway. Jason’s motto has always been that comedy is the art of making people laugh without making them puke. So far, so good. (Here’s hoping I’m not premature in my praise.)
My last Jason Bulletin. Heavy sigh. Thankfully, our next target is Mary Horn. Which would be difficult, if not for the fact that she’s married to Greg. He was a goldmine during his presidential year, so it’ll be déjà vu all over again. But then, all these wistful thoughts were blasted from this writer’s brain by the cacophony of the infernal conch shell…..and away we go.
Jason called on Eric Warn for the Thought for the Day, who noted that “growing old can be dangerous.” This is not news to some of us. However, he suggested that knowing this fact, we should all go out there and make a grand exit….by making the world a better place. Gordon Quick, Past District Governor in the previous century, led us in the pledge to the flag. Then came thanks: Bud Montgomery (Paul Harris collection), Jan Gee (Installation dinner signups for which you have until noon, Tuesday, 6/20, to get registered), Chuck Hellar and Leon Titus for the two-man job of selling countless raffle tickets, Phil Eng for recording the proceedings via camera, and of course the illustrious set up crew (Tom, Rick, James, Terry, Rob)..Puffins in the house! Linda Disney, Mark Herr, Dick Ferrell, Cat Frederickson.
Be prepared: Next week, all are encouraged to wear Hawaiian garb in honor of Jason’s second to the last meeting.
Sign on Jason’s office desk: “A man is innocent until he has been proven broke.”
Member Spotlight:
With no advance warning, Angela Connelly was called upon, and she spoke of her just published second book, THE CROWDED TABLE 2. #1 was about mothers; this is about fathers, because fathers are good, too. Jason and Chris Kimball have submitted stories, 2 out of 56 recorded here. All proceeds go to non-profits, including Coffee Oasis. Soon to be at Barnes and Noble, along with Amazon and others.
Then came Heather…..
Heather Burgess is a long-time friend of the Whalen family, and a fellow lawyer. She has three kids (law school, PLU graduate school, and soon-to-be first year at William and Mary, respectively) and a husband (Todd) of 30 years (come September). She sent one of her daughters to Denmark on the Rotary Student Exchange program a few years ago and has 10 years of Rotary in clubs in the Lacey area. Jason honored his rule of toasting new Rotary members who are lawyers with a shot of tequila for both of them, while Cat Frederickson tearfully parted with the puffin in the time-honored tradition of pass-the-puffin to the newest Puffin.
A minister and a lawyer arrived at the pearly gates. Saint Peter greeted both and gave them their room assignments. “Pastor, here are the keys to one of our nicest efficiency units. And for you, sir, the keys to our finest penthouse suite.”
“This is unfair!” cried the minister.
“Listen,” Saint Peter said, “ministers are a dime a dozen up here, but this is the first lawyer we’ve ever seen.” (I should qualify this: it’s the first MALE lawyer he’s ever seen…..)
Reminder: Attire required at the Country Club:
Golf Attire and Denim will be allowed in all areas of the Club. (no rips or tears will be accepted)
No T-shirts; mock neck acceptable for men
No hats for men inside
No athletic wear including hooded/college sweatshirts.
Aloha Bucks, Generous Giving, formerly called “fines”:
Gary Barton: married son in Tahoe, $150 (!)
Bill Potter: Alaska cruise (with a Covid gift at the end), child graduation, promotion at work, $100
Linda Disney: Thanks for the support of the Support the Enlisted event recently, $200 (!!)
Donn Irwin: 7000-mile car trip to Virginia and back again, $100
David Swindale: Freshly returned from the Rotary International Conference in Melbourne, with the added bonus of a return trip with Covid. Delivered a shirt and pin to the President.
Program:
Mary Horn ushered in a Club Assembly with a twist: Speed Dating. Eight tables were set up with a table mentor, to come up with ideas on the following subjects:
Sponsorships (Whalen), Dolly Parton Imagination Library (Potter), Foundation (Enquist, S), Fellowship (Eng), Youth (Albrecht), Fundraising (Disney), Puffins (Blanchard), Miscellaneous (Horn, G.). In addition, the Zoomers came up with some interesting stuff, too. All notes went to Mary, who will look at incorporating them into her upcoming fabulous Rotary year.
Drum Roll please…..The raffle was down to two chips, one white and one red (though Chuck Hellar tried to insist there were only two white chips left.) Many tickets were sold, with great benefit to the club (half of the ticket purchase money goes to the winner, half to the club). There were winners, and there were losers. More losers, actually. Peter Marsh got the opportunity to win the $1,343. And he did! Red Chip!! And Peter gloriously proclaimed that he was giving it all back to the club. Wow! But wait, there’s more. Jason had a $100 gift certificate from Harkness for second prize. A new drawing, and the winner was……Me! Greg Rediske! Except not really. Barlow Buescher gave me money for tickets, and it was his winning ticket, not mine. Poor ticket distribution by me.
And then there was the woman who was ecstatic with Jason for winning her case. With a full heart and tears in her eyes, she asked Jason, “Oh, what can I ever do to thank you?!?” Jason replied, "My dear woman, ever since the Phoenicians invented money there has been only one answer to that easy question."
But we must not forget John Magnuson. He expects the ridicule, and I aim to please.
Ole just got a new job with the Stockholm police department. He was on the phone to the precinct: “I’m here at a house where a woman named Lena just shot her husband for stepping on the floor she just mopped.” Precinct: “Did you arrest her?” Officer: “Not yet. The floor’s not dry.”
Rotary Events or Horn’s Happenings:
June – Rotary Fellowship Month
June 18th - Jason Whalen’s 60th birthday.
June 21st – Clover Park Rotary Installation Banquet – Tacoma Country & Golf Club
June 23rd – Lakewood Rotary Installation
June 27th – Lakewood Rotary Board Meeting – TC&GC – 5:30 p.m.
July – Maternal & Child Health Month
July 1st – Beginning of Rotary Fiscal Year
July 16th – Kayak Poker Run on American Lake – contact Barb Spriggs
July 23rd – Mission Impossible Movie – contact Anne & Steve Enquist
July 25th – Lakewood Rotary Board Meeting – TC&GC – 5:30 p.m.
July 28th – Regular meeting will be at Fort Steilacoom Park at the Pavilion starting at 11:30 – bring family, especially grandkids for fun & games
August – Membership & New Club Development Month
August 3rd – Floating Board Meeting (club barbecue & boat cruises on Steilacoom Lake) – at Holly Hedge Estates – family & friends welcome
August 5th – Beer Stock at Ski Park Lake (also known as Pints for Polio) – see Greg Horn for details
August 5th – Rotary International President – Gordon McInally – function at Murano Hotel in Tacoma – evening
August 9th – Rainiers Tailgate BBQ & Game – contact Mary Horn
August 20th – 22nd – Annual Reeder Roaster Romp
August 22nd – Lakewood Rotary Board Meeting – TC&GC – 5:30 p.m.
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