MEETING RECAP
Lakewood Rotary Infrastructure aka Club Assembly
By Donn IrwinEdited By Horn, Gregory S.Sunday, April 13, 2025
Assembly – a legislative body, a gathering, a collection of parts, a school gathering, computer programing, a job (act of producing components by assembling parts).
Examples: A group of people gathering for social or political purposes. A group of people gathering for worship or entertainment. A group of people gathering to make laws.
Synonyms of “assemble” include collect, congregate and gather.
Don’t you just love the English language?! One word and all of those possible outcomes from “assemble”.
I’m sure that a few of the scribes on the Bulletin writing team could wax eloquently about the various nuisances of the word (thinking Magnuson and Saalfeld here) but I have to look at the use of “Club Assembly” in the announcement email this week and wonder: what clubs are we assembling….
(Again, you gotta love the English language).
It all began with that noise we heard before the actual meeting commences. Some call it “walk up music”. Others call it “what the #*&%!!# is that”. While others just ignore it.
Examples: A group of people gathering for social or political purposes. A group of people gathering for worship or entertainment. A group of people gathering to make laws.
Synonyms of “assemble” include collect, congregate and gather.
Don’t you just love the English language?! One word and all of those possible outcomes from “assemble”.
I’m sure that a few of the scribes on the Bulletin writing team could wax eloquently about the various nuisances of the word (thinking Magnuson and Saalfeld here) but I have to look at the use of “Club Assembly” in the announcement email this week and wonder: what clubs are we assembling….
(Again, you gotta love the English language).
It all began with that noise we heard before the actual meeting commences. Some call it “walk up music”. Others call it “what the #*&%!!# is that”. While others just ignore it.
491 - Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, as Anastasius I - often called the first Byzantine Emperor
Anyway, the bell rang and the meeting commenced.
President Carl Bronkema (PCB) greeted everyone and called upon Clint Johnson to do the invoking. Gayle Selden led us in the Pledge.
PCB then rattled off the cast of characters that work to make things happen:
Paul Harris – Connie Coleman-Lacadie. This writer saw Steve Enquist – he doesn’t look anything like Connie – at the station upon my arrival. You folks kicked in another $480 for Paul Harris today. Excellent!
SAA – Debbie McVicker.
Set up – Tom George, Terry Roarke, James Osundwa and Rob Erb.
Walt Richardson was scheduled to take pictures but he was out goofing off somewhere (fineable?) so Bob Zawilski pinch hit and got the job done. (Love the way this “Key” team covers each other’s backs! Thank you Bob). Your scribe for this exciting event – Donnn Irwin.
1689 King William III and Queen Mary II crowned as joint rulers of England, Scotland and Ireland
1783 - Hostilities formally cease in the American Revolutionary War after the Continental Congress proclaims the "Cessation of Arms" against His Britannic Majesty.
Zoomers today – Greg and Mary Horn, Barlow Buescher, Wynn Hoffman, David Swindale, Patrick Smith, and Shiru Osundwa.
Guests - The Marketing person for Bates Technical – sorry, I did not catch her name.
PCB introduced/acknowledged our resident big wigs – PDG Greg Horn, DGN Tony Camoroda and AG Bill Potter.
Wendy McGowan handled the Sunshine Report. She let us know that after shooting his age on the golf course, Gary Fulton had the distinct pleasure of having a brand-new pacemaker installed! Congratulations on both the golf game and the medical result and welcome to the wonderful world of Medtronics! You are not alone and KEEP AWAY FROM MAGNETS!!!
Steve Enquist got his Marys confused at first but got himself straightened out and handed out another Paul Harris pin to Mary “the Fish” Marlin (her 4th) and then to Rob Erb (his 8th). Thanks to both of you for your generosity!!
Tom George gave a brief on some of the projects the Foundation has accomplished and both Steve and Tom reminded us that money given to the foundation for PolioPlus is matched 2 to 1 by the Gates Foundation.
1865 - Battle of Mobile, Alabama evacuated by Confederates
1899 -Treaty of Paris ratifies ending the war; Spain cedes Puerto Rico to US
Someone from University Sunrise Rotary in Seattle announced their club’s fundraiser called The Big Taste. April 19 (a great day!) from 4-8PM at Magnuson Park – Hanger 30. 6310 NE 74th, 98115.
1909 Establishment of Tel Aviv by Jewish settlers (named 1910)
New member Ryan Grady was fined for not having his pet Puffin with him.
Mark Blanchard, freshly back from Tahiti and environs, gave PCB 10,082 French Francs. Which amounts to about $10.00 US. Mark also chipped in $100 US.
Mary Moss gave all she had ($7.00?) and thanked us all for our support of the Lakewood Multicultural Center.
Anne Enquist reached into husband Steve’s pocket again and came up with $20.00 in honor of Gary Fulton. (Steve, you need to start coming to the meetings with NO money!).
1912 – The Titanic leaves Ireland bound for New York City
Today’s program was introduced by his honor, PCB.
We were subjected to, er, awarded the opportunity to get updates on what our club is doing through the various committees that we have. All of the following was presented by the Committee Overlords.
President-Elect Tom George explained that his job is to make plans for the coming year and to make sure there is continuity from this year’s regime to his. (This writer thinks Mr. George is selling himself short – no pun intended - as he does a whole lot more than that for the club).
World Affairs guru, James Osundwa, gave a shout out to Tom George for his work on International Affairs and to Steve Enquist for his work on the Foundation as we are about to hit 1.5 million dollars in contributions to said Foundation. James chatted briefly about our work with other clubs and the District and about the importance of Global Grants.
Dwight Williams, he of the Club Service oversight, listed off the nine different committees that we need/have that keeps the club rolling. Some of the committees – Program, Gambling (raffle) Sergeant-at-Arms and Property Set Up and Technology.
Our esteemed Treasurer, John Lowney, (7 years on the job and counting) gave us an update on the club organization and let us know that we are on budget and in good shape for the end of the year. Yeah team!
Mr. Lowney explained that there are three areas that the money goes to:
Connie Coleman-Lacadie, our Membership Director listed some of the committees under her perview: Rotary on Tap, Monday Night Football (both of them), the Installation Dinner and new member orientation. Connie did mention that we are bringing back the Firesides for new members and spouses.
Public Image Director, Linda Disney, is in charge of our internal/external communications like this Bulletin. She did mention that maybe she isn’t really in charge of the Bulletin as maybe Greg Horn might be…. Linda is in charge of Publicity and the Dolly Parton project. She asks that anyone who would be interested in helping her, especially with Facebook, should get in touch with her.
Youth Services Director, Barlow Buescher, among other things, takes care of the Education / Student Recognition and the McGowan Incentive Award committees as well as the Next Step Program.
Past President Mary Horn acts as a consultant to the current President and Board Members and claims she doesn’t do much.
Current Major Projects: The H-Barn project has raised $35,000 and we have a commitment to Nourish of Pierce County for $100,000.
PCB closed the meeting and pulled a raffle ticket from the drum. John Lowney had the winning raffle ticket number and magically pulled out the one red chip amongst the many white ones thus winning himself somewhere in the neighborhood of $370.00
(Writer’s note): Many thanks to the Directors for showing up today to give us all updates and for your time as volunteers in the community. The same thank you to the many members of the various committees for all of your time as well.
The rest of the history lesson and birthdays are below. There was a ton of things that happened on April 11 in the past, as you will see; but as a friend of mine says all the time – who’s gonna read this stuff anyhow?
History stuff:
1921 - Iowa imposes 1st state cigarette tax
1924 - 1st men's college swimming championships begin
1953 - US Department of Health, Education and Welfare created
1968 – President Lyndon Johnson signs the 1968 Civil Rights Act
1970 - Apollo 13 launched to Moon; unable to land, safely returns 6 days later
1984 - Challenger astronauts complete 1st in space satellite repair
Upcoming Events:
Friday April 18th – Weekly Lakewood Rotary meeting – John Caufield, Lakewood City Manager
Friday April 18th – Cops v. Teachers Basketball fundraiser for Tom Prentice at Lakes High School. 6:00 p.m. Anonymous donor will buy beers afterward at Hops N Drops for all Lakewood Rotarians.
Friday April 25th – Weekly Lakewood Rotary meeting – Dr. Philip Lindholm, Podcasting
Friday May 2nd – Weekly Lakewood Rotary meeting – Lia & Chad Knight, PSA Imaging
Thursday May 8th – Rotary on Tap location TBD
Friday May 9th – Weekly Lakewood Rotary meeting – Jim Sharp, West Pierce Fire & Rescue
Friday May 16th – Weekly Lakewood Rotary meeting – Ryan Mello, Pierce County Executive
Friday May 30th & Saturday May 31st – District Conference at Marriott Downtown Tacoma
Saturday June 21st – Rotary International Convention in Calgary, CA (Canada, not California)
Monday June 30th – End of President Carl’s Reign of Terror and miscellaneous sports
Tuesday July 1st – Beginning of new Rotary year and Tom George’s Reign of Terror
Anyway, the bell rang and the meeting commenced.
President Carl Bronkema (PCB) greeted everyone and called upon Clint Johnson to do the invoking. Gayle Selden led us in the Pledge.
PCB then rattled off the cast of characters that work to make things happen:
Paul Harris – Connie Coleman-Lacadie. This writer saw Steve Enquist – he doesn’t look anything like Connie – at the station upon my arrival. You folks kicked in another $480 for Paul Harris today. Excellent!
SAA – Debbie McVicker.
Set up – Tom George, Terry Roarke, James Osundwa and Rob Erb.
Walt Richardson was scheduled to take pictures but he was out goofing off somewhere (fineable?) so Bob Zawilski pinch hit and got the job done. (Love the way this “Key” team covers each other’s backs! Thank you Bob). Your scribe for this exciting event – Donnn Irwin.
1689 King William III and Queen Mary II crowned as joint rulers of England, Scotland and Ireland
1783 - Hostilities formally cease in the American Revolutionary War after the Continental Congress proclaims the "Cessation of Arms" against His Britannic Majesty.
Zoomers today – Greg and Mary Horn, Barlow Buescher, Wynn Hoffman, David Swindale, Patrick Smith, and Shiru Osundwa.
Guests - The Marketing person for Bates Technical – sorry, I did not catch her name.
PCB introduced/acknowledged our resident big wigs – PDG Greg Horn, DGN Tony Camoroda and AG Bill Potter.
Wendy McGowan handled the Sunshine Report. She let us know that after shooting his age on the golf course, Gary Fulton had the distinct pleasure of having a brand-new pacemaker installed! Congratulations on both the golf game and the medical result and welcome to the wonderful world of Medtronics! You are not alone and KEEP AWAY FROM MAGNETS!!!
Steve Enquist got his Marys confused at first but got himself straightened out and handed out another Paul Harris pin to Mary “the Fish” Marlin (her 4th) and then to Rob Erb (his 8th). Thanks to both of you for your generosity!!
Tom George gave a brief on some of the projects the Foundation has accomplished and both Steve and Tom reminded us that money given to the foundation for PolioPlus is matched 2 to 1 by the Gates Foundation.
1865 - Battle of Mobile, Alabama evacuated by Confederates
1868 - The Shogunate is abolished in Japan
Announcements:
Jan Gee told us to look in our e-malls for our assignments associated with tomorrow’s fund-raising event. She also told us, if you are volunteering at the event, to look for a volunteer table when you get there. Jan also thanked everyone for being such great Rotarians – back at you Jan.
Mary Marlin stood to point out that the assignment spreadsheets on the tables had her name as Mary Martin and that she had no intention of putting on tights and playing Peter Pan…. well, she didn’t actually say that but she did say that her name is Marlin – like the fish.
1898 – Spain declares war against the United StatesAnnouncements:
Jan Gee told us to look in our e-malls for our assignments associated with tomorrow’s fund-raising event. She also told us, if you are volunteering at the event, to look for a volunteer table when you get there. Jan also thanked everyone for being such great Rotarians – back at you Jan.
Mary Marlin stood to point out that the assignment spreadsheets on the tables had her name as Mary Martin and that she had no intention of putting on tights and playing Peter Pan…. well, she didn’t actually say that but she did say that her name is Marlin – like the fish.
1899 -Treaty of Paris ratifies ending the war; Spain cedes Puerto Rico to US
Someone from University Sunrise Rotary in Seattle announced their club’s fundraiser called The Big Taste. April 19 (a great day!) from 4-8PM at Magnuson Park – Hanger 30. 6310 NE 74th, 98115.
1909 Establishment of Tel Aviv by Jewish settlers (named 1910)
New member Ryan Grady was fined for not having his pet Puffin with him.
Mark Blanchard, freshly back from Tahiti and environs, gave PCB 10,082 French Francs. Which amounts to about $10.00 US. Mark also chipped in $100 US.
Mary Moss gave all she had ($7.00?) and thanked us all for our support of the Lakewood Multicultural Center.
Anne Enquist reached into husband Steve’s pocket again and came up with $20.00 in honor of Gary Fulton. (Steve, you need to start coming to the meetings with NO money!).
1912 – The Titanic leaves Ireland bound for New York City
Today’s program was introduced by his honor, PCB.
We were subjected to, er, awarded the opportunity to get updates on what our club is doing through the various committees that we have. All of the following was presented by the Committee Overlords.
President-Elect Tom George explained that his job is to make plans for the coming year and to make sure there is continuity from this year’s regime to his. (This writer thinks Mr. George is selling himself short – no pun intended - as he does a whole lot more than that for the club).
World Affairs guru, James Osundwa, gave a shout out to Tom George for his work on International Affairs and to Steve Enquist for his work on the Foundation as we are about to hit 1.5 million dollars in contributions to said Foundation. James chatted briefly about our work with other clubs and the District and about the importance of Global Grants.
Dwight Williams, he of the Club Service oversight, listed off the nine different committees that we need/have that keeps the club rolling. Some of the committees – Program, Gambling (raffle) Sergeant-at-Arms and Property Set Up and Technology.
Our esteemed Treasurer, John Lowney, (7 years on the job and counting) gave us an update on the club organization and let us know that we are on budget and in good shape for the end of the year. Yeah team!
Mr. Lowney explained that there are three areas that the money goes to:
- The Rotary Foundation aka TRF or Paul Harris (has a different set of books) and is periodically sent to Rotary International.
- Operations – this is the money to run he club that comes from dues and fines. It is not 501 C (3) money.
- Fund Raising – the money generated by our different fund-raising events (e.g. Wine and Beer Festival). The current year’s fund-raising efforts go toward the following year’s grant programs. This bucket of money is 501 C (3). (Tax deductible).
Connie Coleman-Lacadie, our Membership Director listed some of the committees under her perview: Rotary on Tap, Monday Night Football (both of them), the Installation Dinner and new member orientation. Connie did mention that we are bringing back the Firesides for new members and spouses.
Public Image Director, Linda Disney, is in charge of our internal/external communications like this Bulletin. She did mention that maybe she isn’t really in charge of the Bulletin as maybe Greg Horn might be…. Linda is in charge of Publicity and the Dolly Parton project. She asks that anyone who would be interested in helping her, especially with Facebook, should get in touch with her.
Youth Services Director, Barlow Buescher, among other things, takes care of the Education / Student Recognition and the McGowan Incentive Award committees as well as the Next Step Program.
Past President Mary Horn acts as a consultant to the current President and Board Members and claims she doesn’t do much.
Current Major Projects: The H-Barn project has raised $35,000 and we have a commitment to Nourish of Pierce County for $100,000.
PCB closed the meeting and pulled a raffle ticket from the drum. John Lowney had the winning raffle ticket number and magically pulled out the one red chip amongst the many white ones thus winning himself somewhere in the neighborhood of $370.00
(Writer’s note): Many thanks to the Directors for showing up today to give us all updates and for your time as volunteers in the community. The same thank you to the many members of the various committees for all of your time as well.
The rest of the history lesson and birthdays are below. There was a ton of things that happened on April 11 in the past, as you will see; but as a friend of mine says all the time – who’s gonna read this stuff anyhow?
History stuff:
1921 - Iowa imposes 1st state cigarette tax
1924 - 1st men's college swimming championships begin
1945 - SS burns & shoots 1,100 at Gardelegen
1951 – President Harry Truman relives General Douglas MacArthur of command in Korea1953 - US Department of Health, Education and Welfare created
1957 - Ryan X-13 Vertijet becomes 1st jet to take-off & land vertically
1959 – Los Angels Dodger pitcher Don Drysdale hits his second opening day home run1968 – President Lyndon Johnson signs the 1968 Civil Rights Act
1970 - Apollo 13 launched to Moon; unable to land, safely returns 6 days later
1970 - Beatles' "Let It Be" single goes #1 and stays #1 for 2 weeks
1976 – Apple Computer created by Steve Wozniak is released1984 - Challenger astronauts complete 1st in space satellite repair
2012 - 8.6 magnitude earthquake and 8.2 aftershock occurs off the coast of Indonesia
2020 - Brazil is the 1st country in the southern hemisphere to report more than 1,000 deaths from COVID-19, with 1,056 deaths and 19,638 cases
Birthdays of note:
1862 - Charles Evans Hughes, American statesman, Republican politician and 11th Chief Justice of Supreme Court (1930-41), born in Glens Falls, New York (d. 1948)
2020 - Brazil is the 1st country in the southern hemisphere to report more than 1,000 deaths from COVID-19, with 1,056 deaths and 19,638 cases
Birthdays of note:
1913 - Oleg Cassini, American fashion designer (for Jackie Kennedy), born in Paris, France (d. 2006)
1932 – Joel Grey born
1939 - Louise Lasser, American actress (Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman - "Mary Hartman"), born in New York City1932 – Joel Grey born
Upcoming Events:
Friday April 18th – Weekly Lakewood Rotary meeting – John Caufield, Lakewood City Manager
Friday April 18th – Cops v. Teachers Basketball fundraiser for Tom Prentice at Lakes High School. 6:00 p.m. Anonymous donor will buy beers afterward at Hops N Drops for all Lakewood Rotarians.
Friday April 25th – Weekly Lakewood Rotary meeting – Dr. Philip Lindholm, Podcasting
Friday May 2nd – Weekly Lakewood Rotary meeting – Lia & Chad Knight, PSA Imaging
Thursday May 8th – Rotary on Tap location TBD
Friday May 9th – Weekly Lakewood Rotary meeting – Jim Sharp, West Pierce Fire & Rescue
Friday May 16th – Weekly Lakewood Rotary meeting – Ryan Mello, Pierce County Executive
Friday May 30th & Saturday May 31st – District Conference at Marriott Downtown Tacoma
Saturday June 21st – Rotary International Convention in Calgary, CA (Canada, not California)
Monday June 30th – End of President Carl’s Reign of Terror and miscellaneous sports
Tuesday July 1st – Beginning of new Rotary year and Tom George’s Reign of Terror
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