The Lakewood Key
   
Gettin’ Lei’d
Our illustrious President and (actual) mayor, Jason Whalen, sounded the conch to commence his second-to-last meeting of the Rotary year. Mark Blanchard gave a grass skirt to Jason, who received at least ten different leis from Rotarians. He was seriously getting lei’d.






Above:  One of Jason’s last blasts
 Jason welcomed us one and all. He turned the mic over to Yorleny Clapper who gave the thought for the day, which served as a reminder to promote peace and justice, and replace doubt and fear with hope and faith. Bob Peterson led us in the Pledge.
Jason then welcomed various Zoom attendees, including Charles Heberle, Ralph Lockhart, Carole Wier and Nicole Hancock. JW thanked those who made the meeting happen as follows: Mark Edgecomb for tending to the $2 table and being sergeant-at-arms; Scott Buser for working the Foundation desk; Phil Eng for his battery-powered photography, and Eric Quinn for writing the bulletin.
Our diligent treasurer, John Lowney, meticulously recorded fines.
The setup crew, comprised of Tom George, James Osundwa, Rob Erb, and Wynn Hoffman,  worked hard to ensure a smooth and welcoming environment.
We were delighted to welcome Katie Arnold from our farm club, Tacoma 8, as a visiting Rotarian. Additionally, our esteemed guests included Jenny Weinand, the wife of Rotarian Jim Weinand.
Several noteworthy announcements were made during the gathering. Steve Mazoff brought our attention to the Little Free Pantries, expressing gratitude for Rotary Partners' generous $500 contribution. He highlighted the increasing issue of food insecurity, particularly with children being out of school and no longer receiving free and reduced lunches.
Steve Saalfeld shared information about Carts for Kids, a Multicare initiative, which runs until July 21^st.  This program features purple recycling bins for your home or business, promoting curb appeal while supporting a good cause. Don't miss the opportunity to participate.
Another exciting announcement came from Bill Potter, who introduced "A Night at the Ballpark." This highly anticipated event, presented by the assistant governors and AG-elects of Pierce County, will be the 7th annual mandatory fun night hosted by the Pierce County Rotary Clubs. Join us on August 9th for a tailgate starting at 4:30 p.m., followed by the Rainiers game at 7:05 p.m.. For further details, feel free to reach out to Bill Potter.
The meeting continued with a special Paul Harris presentation. Steve Enquist honored Barb Spriggs with her fifth Paul Harris recognition. Barb expressed her gratitude, mentioning a sponsor from Alaska who generously donated points.

Above: Barb Spriggs with Steve Enquist
Don Daniels proudly managed the Rotary Store and reminded us that there is still $1800 worth of inventory available. Let's support the club by making purchases.

Above: Don Daniels
Jason then shifted the focus to Aloha Bucks. In a heartfelt gesture, John Lowney contributed $100 to celebrate his grandson's upcoming college graduation. Rotarian Connie Coleman-Lacadie’s daughter achieved a goal of riding a roller coaster, and Connie happily contributed $20.
We also celebrated Paula Olson, who expressed her gratitude to Chris Kimball for assisting her in purchasing a new Lexus NX300. Joe Quinn and Eric Quinn shared their adventures at Lake Tahoe, contributing $100 and $40 respectively.
Birthdays were commemorated as well, with Mo Sarram turning 91 years old and Don Anderson celebrating his 70th birthday in Hawaii. They both made generous contributions to the club----$40 and $70, respectively. Phil Eng contributed $20 for a sighting of Sam Hunter, while Dave Reames acknowledged his great grandson's birthday with a $40 contribution.
Sam Hunter, after a long absence from the club, surprised everyone with a remarkable $1,000 Paul Harris donation. Dick Ferrell celebrated family birthdays with a $100 gift, while Wynn Hoffman proudly shared the news of his son's acquisition of a 40-foot motor yacht, resulting in a $100 donation. Mark Blanchard recognized the importance of Little Free Pantries with a $50 contribution. Greg Rediske and Sharon encountered Ringo Starr at Sunriver, leading to a $100 donation.
President Whalen concluded the meeting by acknowledging Brandon Elliott, a Lakewood student who received a presidential scholarship for a full ride to the University of Washington. To commemorate this achievement, Jason, along with Mark Edgecomb, contributed $20.
  Above:  Group shot after meeting, thanks to Phil Eng and Walt Richardson
THE PROGRAM

Above: Dick Ferrell, our speaker today
We had the pleasure of welcoming fellow Rotarian Dick Ferrell as our presenter. With his extensive experience working in pharmacies for many years, Dick provided us with valuable insights into the pharmaceutical industry. He began his career as a pharmacist and served as the pharmacy manager at Swedish Medical Center for approximately 17 years. Additionally, we learned that Dick possesses exceptional culinary skills—a true renaissance man.
Dick's presentation covered five important aspects of pharmaceuticals. First, he emphasized the importance of individual responsibility when it comes to taking medications. It is crucial to understand the name, strength, and purpose of each prescribed drug, as well as the expected outcomes and potential side effects. Maintaining an updated list of medications is essential for effective communication with healthcare providers.
The second topic Dick explored was the difference between brand name drugs and their generic counterparts. While historically brand name drugs were preferred, the quality and affordability of generics have significantly improved in the United States. The FDA plays a crucial role in efficiently approving new generic brands, leading to cost savings for consumers.
Next, Dick delved into the issue of pharmaceutical costs. The complexities of drug pricing involve factors such as patent duration, manufacturing expenses, and the influence of market forces. Some drugs, only produced by a single company, can be exorbitantly priced. While legitimate reasons exist for high drug prices, some instances raise questions about the true reflection of manufacturing expenses.
Over-the-counter medications were also discussed, with an emphasis on the importance of carefully examining the ingredients. Manufacturers frequently change packaging, making it challenging to distinguish between expensive and affordable options when they contain the same active ingredients.
The final topic covered was the impact of television drug advertisements. Dick highlighted the misleading nature of these ads, which often resemble promotions for new products. The ubiquitous message encourages viewers to consult their doctors (“Ask your doctor if _______ is right for you”), who may not have full knowledge of medication costs, potentially leading to prescriptions without considering affordability. Examples of outrageously expensive drugs, such as Ozempic for diabetes and Skyrizy for psoriasis, were mentioned to illustrate the issue.
Following the presentation, a lively Q&A session took place. Various topics were explored, including the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in controlling drug costs and the influence of Big Pharma lobbyists. Concerns were raised about the lack of correlation between research costs and drug pricing, as well as potential bureaucratic challenges faced by the FDA.
 And of course, Jason, our hilarious president, had one final question: What if “it” lasts for more than four hours? Our ever-raunchy Jason will be missed as Pres,  but we can’t wait to see how Mary Horn’s iron grip will impact us all when she becomes President.
We extend our gratitude to Dick Ferrell for sharing his expertise and shedding light on these crucial aspects of the pharmaceutical industry. Such knowledge empowers us to make informed decisions about our health and healthcare expenses.
Thank you to all members for your active participation in the meeting, and we look forward to our future gatherings as we continue to learn, grow, and serve our community.
Thanks to Linda Disney who sent us these pictures from the fabulous Installation Dinner on Friday night, where we said a fond farewell to Jason, and also saw the installation of new officers and directors, including the formidable Mary Horn!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
July – Maternal & Child Health Month
July 16: Kayak Poker Run on American Lake -  contact Barb Spriggs
July 23: “Mission Impossible” followed by dinner at Tacoma Country Club
July 25: LR board meeting
July 28: Rotary meeting at Fort Steilacoom Park Pavilion at 11:30 a.m. (bring the family—do NOT go to Tacoma Country Club!)
August – Membership and New Club Development Month
August 3:  Floating Board Meeting at Holly Hedge (BBQ etc.)
August 5: Beerstock at Ski Park Lake (aka Pints for Polio -see Greg Horn)
August 5: RI President Gordon McInally at Murano Hotel in Tacoma
August 9:  A Night at the Ballpark (Tailgate at 4:30 and Rainiers game at 7:05)
August 12:  Clover Park Rotary’s Golf Event at VA golf course
August 20-22: Annual Reeder Roadster Romp
August 22: LR board meeting at TCGC at 5:30 p.m.