MEETING RECAP
Peanut Butter, Beer and Compliments - Oh My!
By Stephen SaalfeldEdited By Horn, Gregory S.Monday, January 27, 2025
On this 24th day of January, President Carl rang the bell promptly at 12:31 according to this writer’s clock. So we were already waaay behind schedule. However, we all rose and did the usual meeting starting stuff including Eric Warn’s invocation and a salute to Old Glory led by Mark Silva.
January 24th, is National Peanut Butter Day. In honor of this momentous day, I share with you a rhyme my kids learned in preschool. I recommend reading it with a British accent as that really classes it up:
A peanut lay upon the track, his heart was all aflutter.
Around the bend came Number 10…
Toot Toot! Peanut butter.
Yes Rotarians, that is the kind of highbrow prose you can expect in this week’s bulletin so buckle up and strap on that crash helmet because as you can tell, Number 10 brakes for no nut (or in this case anthropomorphized legume).
Our regular set-up crew once again made our meeting possible including Rob Erb who in spite of being under the weather showed up, set up and then reversed course back home before the meeting began. You need look no further than Rob for today’s example of “Service Above Self.”
Walt Richardson shuttered the bugs and I scribbled the notes that are gradually transforming into today’s bulletin. Note that Walt’s photos are guaranteed to be more accurate than any of the nonsense I report today.
GUESTS
Angela Connelly introduced Angie Dahlen of Battlefield Addiction.
VISITING ROTARIANS
Angela also introduced Roma from Enumclaw Rotary and Stephen from a club that shall remain unnamed (mostly because I didn’t hear the club’s name and additional research doubles my Scribe fee). President Carl also introduced Jim Merritt first as a visiting Rotarian before he spilled the beans: Jim is officially defecting to Lakewood Rotary from Tacoma Rotary 8. They may be the 8th club in the world, but we get pot roast on the last Friday of the month, so I believe Jim made the right choice.
The projector was running hot as we had a large Zoom contingent joining today’s meeting: Bill Potter, Barb Spriggs, Liz Heath, Shiru Osundwa, Gayle Selden, Scott Buser and Ralph Johnson who recently celebrated 97 years of good, clean living (Scribe’s note: Truth be told, I did not verify how “good” or “clean” Ralph’s 97 years on our fine planet have been, but we’re grateful he chose to spend the afternoon with us all the same).
We were graced by the presence of PDG Greg Horn, DGN Tony Camoroda and the aforementioned Zooming Bill Potter (and a reminder that he was only “zooming” in the on-screen sense—I can confirm that he appeared to be mostly stationary throughout our meeting).
SUNSHINE REPORT
Wendy McGowan let us know that after a couple of cancellations, Jan Gee had her long-awaited back surgery earlier this week. She is hoping to be released from the hospital shortly but is battling the pain and discomfort one might expect from back surgery. All Rotarians are asked to send positive energy Jan’s way—we’re all thinking of you Jan!
January 24th is also National Compliment Day. I’m trying this one out on my spouse this evening: “If it was legal to marry food, I would still choose you over pizza.” I expect her to swoon. Or perhaps inform me that I’m making dinner tonight.
PAUL HARRIS AWARDS
Andy Phillips collected the armful of hardware, pins, medals and statues sculpted in his honor in a local park that are customary with one’s first Paul Harris—congrats Andy!
THE PUFFIN-ATION of Tiffany Holmon
Though Tiffany was sponsored by Kamarie Wilson, Mary Horn stepped in for the swearing in ceremony. President Carl read the royal edict, and before we knew it, Tiffany was the proud owner of a shiny red Rotarian badge. In addition, an ecstatic Joseph Walsh handed Tiffany the puffin (that for my money looks an awful lot like an overfed and slightly constipated crow) that has been in his possession for nearly a decade.
Tiffany thanked everyone in the club who have made her feel so welcome from her very first meeting. She has a long history in the field of customer service and reported that she is wired to always give her absolute all and “never half-ass” (I quote her for accuracy even though such an inclusion is sure to bump the rating of today’s bulletin to PG-13). Tiffany is a UW grad, the mother of three boys and lives in Lacey, Washington. All present welcomed her enthusiastically to Lakewood Rotary.
WORD OF THANKS FROM LAKEWOOD BASEBALL CLUB
Jonathan Garcia, the commissioner of LBC came to express his gratitude for our club’s support. He reported that in 2021, there were only 108 kids signed up to play baseball at LBC, but that number hit 262 in 2024. The club has a goal of 300 kids this year and Jonathan thanked Lakewood Rotary for the opportunity our funds have provided for local kids including the 28 players who lacked the resources to sign up, but was sponsored to play thanks to our donation. Jonathan sees the results the club produces when he coached at Lakes HS, and it is not unusual to have half of the kids say they played at LBC.
TURN ON YOUR HEART LIGHT ON FEB 15
John Lowney reminded those present that there are just a couple of rooms left at Clearwater Casino on February 15 for those inclined to croon along to Sweet Caroline and other classics performed by a Neil Diamond tribute band. So if your Valentine won’t Bring you Flowers, Thank the Lord for the Nighttime and since every Girl will be a Woman Soon don’t delay and get that room ASAP!
DISTRICT CONFERENCE IN TACOMA May 30-31
John also let us know that our club has funds for anyone who might be interested in attending the Rotary District Conference that will take place in Tacoma on May 30 and 31. For those who have never been to a district conference, this is your chance to give it a whirl while it’s here in our backyard.
GETTING CRABBY
Sally reminded us that Feb 22 is the Lions Crab Feed. Attendees are encouraged to dress in the spirit of the “Under The Sea” theme. Rumor has it funds are being collected for a red wig and shell bra to complete President Carl’s Little Mermaid costume. Apparently he already has an iridescent tail fin that will be perfect for the occasion.
THIS ISSPINAL ROTARY ON TAP
Linda Disney reminded us that the next Rotary on Tap will take place at the Lakewood Elks on Feb 13
A FINE DAY FOR FINES
Greg Horn reported that he recently asked Mary if there was anything he doesn’t like about him. He swears that she only came up with two things (a few of us put our heads together and came up with a MUCH longer list. Mary—let’s talk). According to Greg Mary complained that
Mark Silva grabbed the mic to cough up fifty proud dollars as he recently learned that his daughter is expecting a child in April. Congratulations Grandpa Mark!
SPEAKER: Andrea Suarez, Executive Director of We Heart Seattle
Angela Connelly introduced Andrea. Angela decided to wear her boots to today’s meeting as a homage to Andrea’s willingness to do the hard work she does in Seattle where she truly is boots on the ground making a difference. The two of them met for the first time via Zoom as Andrea was in the midst of taking someone to rehab.
Andrea is a Rotarian who joined a club after they funded her efforts to clean up Seattle (and she quickly pressured Jonathan Garcia to sign up as a Rotarian declaring that if Rotary is funding your work, you really should join).
The highlights:
-Andrea and her fellow We Heart Seattle-ites started by picking up needles (more than 50,000 collected) in Seattle and cleaning up green spaces.
-University Sunrise Rotary funded her work, so she joined their club where she is now a Paul Harris Fellow
-In addition to picking up trash, she makes an effort to talk to homeless people to figure out what they need. If it is a ride to rehab, she gives them a ride to rehab
-They have picked up more the 2 million pounds of trash including finding a dozen or so bodies
-They have helped 250 people get off the street and she gave a shout out to Battlefield Addiction for their great partnership
-Her organizations has logged more than 20,000 volunteer hours much of it done by her Rotary club
-They are looking to expand their efforts beyond Seattle. South Sound clean up party anyone?
Dr. Peter Marsh had his number called, but alas he drew a white chip for $5. The pot is safe for another week.
Linda Disney relayed that only a measly, $172 was collected for the foundation day and asked that I shame you all appropriately. Consider it done:
January 24th is also National Beer Can Appreciation Day. If I’m being honest, I probably appreciate the beer in the can more than the can itself but since National Beer Day isn’t celebrated until April 7th, I think I’ll celebrate anyway. Cheers!
January 24th, is National Peanut Butter Day. In honor of this momentous day, I share with you a rhyme my kids learned in preschool. I recommend reading it with a British accent as that really classes it up:
A peanut lay upon the track, his heart was all aflutter.
Around the bend came Number 10…
Toot Toot! Peanut butter.
Yes Rotarians, that is the kind of highbrow prose you can expect in this week’s bulletin so buckle up and strap on that crash helmet because as you can tell, Number 10 brakes for no nut (or in this case anthropomorphized legume).
Our regular set-up crew once again made our meeting possible including Rob Erb who in spite of being under the weather showed up, set up and then reversed course back home before the meeting began. You need look no further than Rob for today’s example of “Service Above Self.”
Walt Richardson shuttered the bugs and I scribbled the notes that are gradually transforming into today’s bulletin. Note that Walt’s photos are guaranteed to be more accurate than any of the nonsense I report today.
GUESTS
Angela Connelly introduced Angie Dahlen of Battlefield Addiction.
VISITING ROTARIANS
Angela also introduced Roma from Enumclaw Rotary and Stephen from a club that shall remain unnamed (mostly because I didn’t hear the club’s name and additional research doubles my Scribe fee). President Carl also introduced Jim Merritt first as a visiting Rotarian before he spilled the beans: Jim is officially defecting to Lakewood Rotary from Tacoma Rotary 8. They may be the 8th club in the world, but we get pot roast on the last Friday of the month, so I believe Jim made the right choice.
The projector was running hot as we had a large Zoom contingent joining today’s meeting: Bill Potter, Barb Spriggs, Liz Heath, Shiru Osundwa, Gayle Selden, Scott Buser and Ralph Johnson who recently celebrated 97 years of good, clean living (Scribe’s note: Truth be told, I did not verify how “good” or “clean” Ralph’s 97 years on our fine planet have been, but we’re grateful he chose to spend the afternoon with us all the same).
We were graced by the presence of PDG Greg Horn, DGN Tony Camoroda and the aforementioned Zooming Bill Potter (and a reminder that he was only “zooming” in the on-screen sense—I can confirm that he appeared to be mostly stationary throughout our meeting).
SUNSHINE REPORT
Wendy McGowan let us know that after a couple of cancellations, Jan Gee had her long-awaited back surgery earlier this week. She is hoping to be released from the hospital shortly but is battling the pain and discomfort one might expect from back surgery. All Rotarians are asked to send positive energy Jan’s way—we’re all thinking of you Jan!
January 24th is also National Compliment Day. I’m trying this one out on my spouse this evening: “If it was legal to marry food, I would still choose you over pizza.” I expect her to swoon. Or perhaps inform me that I’m making dinner tonight.
PAUL HARRIS AWARDS
Andy Phillips collected the armful of hardware, pins, medals and statues sculpted in his honor in a local park that are customary with one’s first Paul Harris—congrats Andy!
THE PUFFIN-ATION of Tiffany Holmon
Though Tiffany was sponsored by Kamarie Wilson, Mary Horn stepped in for the swearing in ceremony. President Carl read the royal edict, and before we knew it, Tiffany was the proud owner of a shiny red Rotarian badge. In addition, an ecstatic Joseph Walsh handed Tiffany the puffin (that for my money looks an awful lot like an overfed and slightly constipated crow) that has been in his possession for nearly a decade.
Tiffany thanked everyone in the club who have made her feel so welcome from her very first meeting. She has a long history in the field of customer service and reported that she is wired to always give her absolute all and “never half-ass” (I quote her for accuracy even though such an inclusion is sure to bump the rating of today’s bulletin to PG-13). Tiffany is a UW grad, the mother of three boys and lives in Lacey, Washington. All present welcomed her enthusiastically to Lakewood Rotary.
WORD OF THANKS FROM LAKEWOOD BASEBALL CLUB
Jonathan Garcia, the commissioner of LBC came to express his gratitude for our club’s support. He reported that in 2021, there were only 108 kids signed up to play baseball at LBC, but that number hit 262 in 2024. The club has a goal of 300 kids this year and Jonathan thanked Lakewood Rotary for the opportunity our funds have provided for local kids including the 28 players who lacked the resources to sign up, but was sponsored to play thanks to our donation. Jonathan sees the results the club produces when he coached at Lakes HS, and it is not unusual to have half of the kids say they played at LBC.
TURN ON YOUR HEART LIGHT ON FEB 15
John Lowney reminded those present that there are just a couple of rooms left at Clearwater Casino on February 15 for those inclined to croon along to Sweet Caroline and other classics performed by a Neil Diamond tribute band. So if your Valentine won’t Bring you Flowers, Thank the Lord for the Nighttime and since every Girl will be a Woman Soon don’t delay and get that room ASAP!
DISTRICT CONFERENCE IN TACOMA May 30-31
John also let us know that our club has funds for anyone who might be interested in attending the Rotary District Conference that will take place in Tacoma on May 30 and 31. For those who have never been to a district conference, this is your chance to give it a whirl while it’s here in our backyard.
GETTING CRABBY
Sally reminded us that Feb 22 is the Lions Crab Feed. Attendees are encouraged to dress in the spirit of the “Under The Sea” theme. Rumor has it funds are being collected for a red wig and shell bra to complete President Carl’s Little Mermaid costume. Apparently he already has an iridescent tail fin that will be perfect for the occasion.
THIS IS
Linda Disney reminded us that the next Rotary on Tap will take place at the Lakewood Elks on Feb 13
A FINE DAY FOR FINES
Greg Horn reported that he recently asked Mary if there was anything he doesn’t like about him. He swears that she only came up with two things (a few of us put our heads together and came up with a MUCH longer list. Mary—let’s talk). According to Greg Mary complained that
- Greg doesn’t listen, and
- He actually couldn’t remember the second thing, but
- He was proud to report that former President Mary is the new President of the Board for the Lakewood Playhouse. Greg threw some money in the pot to celebrate
Mark Silva grabbed the mic to cough up fifty proud dollars as he recently learned that his daughter is expecting a child in April. Congratulations Grandpa Mark!
SPEAKER: Andrea Suarez, Executive Director of We Heart Seattle
Angela Connelly introduced Andrea. Angela decided to wear her boots to today’s meeting as a homage to Andrea’s willingness to do the hard work she does in Seattle where she truly is boots on the ground making a difference. The two of them met for the first time via Zoom as Andrea was in the midst of taking someone to rehab.
Andrea is a Rotarian who joined a club after they funded her efforts to clean up Seattle (and she quickly pressured Jonathan Garcia to sign up as a Rotarian declaring that if Rotary is funding your work, you really should join).
The highlights:
-Andrea and her fellow We Heart Seattle-ites started by picking up needles (more than 50,000 collected) in Seattle and cleaning up green spaces.
-University Sunrise Rotary funded her work, so she joined their club where she is now a Paul Harris Fellow
-In addition to picking up trash, she makes an effort to talk to homeless people to figure out what they need. If it is a ride to rehab, she gives them a ride to rehab
-They have picked up more the 2 million pounds of trash including finding a dozen or so bodies
-They have helped 250 people get off the street and she gave a shout out to Battlefield Addiction for their great partnership
-Her organizations has logged more than 20,000 volunteer hours much of it done by her Rotary club
-They are looking to expand their efforts beyond Seattle. South Sound clean up party anyone?
Dr. Peter Marsh had his number called, but alas he drew a white chip for $5. The pot is safe for another week.
Linda Disney relayed that only a measly, $172 was collected for the foundation day and asked that I shame you all appropriately. Consider it done:
January 24th is also National Beer Can Appreciation Day. If I’m being honest, I probably appreciate the beer in the can more than the can itself but since National Beer Day isn’t celebrated until April 7th, I think I’ll celebrate anyway. Cheers!
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