A Toast to Ralph
By Gayle SeldenEdited By Horn, Gregory S.Sunday, September 1, 2024
I should have known something was amiss when Tom George greeted me at the sign in desk dressed a little more formally. A nice blue tie adorned his pressed button up shirt. He also seemed a bit more harried than usual. I soon learned with the rest of the meeting attendees that Tom was our President for the day.
President Elect Tom George rang the bell to start the meeting. Paula Olson shared a Rotary moment by honoring Labor Day and those who are in dangerous jobs. Tom called up Ralph Lockhart to do his rendition of the Toast to the Flag. Ralph has been performing that for many years. He’ll soon be moving to Arizona full time, so it was nice to start the meeting off with his fun Flag tradition. Thanks for your 40 years of Rotary service, Kerosene! (Kerosene is Ralph Lockhart’s nickname.)
Tom George acknowledged Chuck Hellar at the Paul Harris desk, Leon Titus at the Raffle table and the set-up crew of Rob Erb, James Osundwa, Wynn Hoffman and Tom George. Tom giggled as he thanked himself, he seemed almost surprised he was on the set up crew. He announced me, Gayle Selden, as the bulletin writer who is firmly set in taking a first-person approach to this bulletin. And our photographer, Walt Richardson who always takes care to catch the best angles.
Leon Titus introduced visiting Rotarian, Andrea Suarez, from University District Sunrise (Seattle). Andrea founded the We Love Seattle program that works with homeless issues. She was recently named Rotarian of the Year of her district, District 5030. She was a guest of Angela Connelly who always provides the best introductions.
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