Rotary Club of Bellingham Tattler - JANUARY 29, 2024
Tattler Reporter: Hans Erchinger-Davis
Tattler Editor Tom Grinstad
Photographer: Sandee Lindhout, Doug Cole
Jim Sterk
WWU Athletic Director
Opening Welcome:
Welcome by President Doug Cole: quotes, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.” –Abraham Lincoln
Guests:
Doug Cole introduced our speaker, Jim Sterk, WWU Athletic Director and Teri MacPhee, Assistant AD, Community Engagement & Marketing at WWU
Shauna Naf brought Shay James and Scott Hutchinson
George Halsell introduced his wife Melanie
Aaron Booker introduced Marcus Roskamp, Exec. Director Camp Fire - Samish
Members on Zoom: Steve Hager, Rick Haggen, Bob Morse and Jack Westford
Chuck Snyder from Arizona
Club Events and Committee Announcements
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bob Diehl, Sunday January 28, 2024. We will be honoring Bob at our next meeting, February 5th.
Aaron Booker proposed the service grant of $1,000 given to Camp Kirby-Samish for their mattress fund. It was gratefully received by Marcus Roskamp, the Executive Director.
A New Member Talk was given by George Halsell, who in a brief slide show, hit the highlights of his life. He then serenaded us with a rag he composed "What A Drag Rag". He played the French horn and his wife Melanie accompanied him on the euphonium. The same instrument President Doug plays. George also has a YouTube Channel. Link:https://www.youtube.com/@doctorbrass1
Roland Trenouth asked for volunteers for the meal packing day, May 4, at Assumption School gym. Last year we packed 37,000 with 106 volunteers. Had Rotaract members and other clubs’ volunteers as well. - May 4, 2024 CLICK HERE TOREGISTER & DONATE
Sunrise Rotary Club Oyster Fest - February 3, 2024 $125 per ticket 5:30pm at the Bellingham Country Club Click here for further information
President Doug sadly had the difficult job of announcing the passing of D. C. Morse, Thursday, January 25th.
Jan Marchbanks wrote the following about D.C. in eulogy:
He supported the Bellingham community:
Over the years, D.C. was a board member for several businesses and a number of non-profit organizations, always giving time and support to agencies that support youth, e.g., Boys and Girls Club and Northwest Youth Services.
He endowed, or helped endow, scholarships at BTC and WCC.
He supported a school in Cambodia; supported a day care center in Cabo San Lucas, until they received funding from the Los Cabos Children's Foundation and didn’t need additional help; supported a school project in Kenya. Helped with the wheel chair project in Punta Arenas, Chile.
He supported RCOB:
He was committed to Rotary and the Rotary ideals.
He was a long-time member of the RCOB. Served on the RCOB Board and multiple terms as a Board Member of the Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation.
He believed in the RCOB Foundation and what it could do for this community, especially for students. He led the fundraising to establish the Club’s scholarship fund. As a result of his work, many students have the opportunity to attend college.
D.C. supported a variety of Club activities including: Many time hosting for Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner; for years hosting members for the Rotary cruise; hosted Rotary Exchange students from South Africa, the Yucatan, Russia, and Australia.
D.C. was not only a great supporter of the RCOB, he was also a strong supporter of Rotary International. He:
Is a Paul Harris diamond award recipient
Attend 2 Rotary International Conventions -- 2004 in Japan and 2015 in Brazil
Traveled to Ethiopia with Jan, Kathy Hughes and Bob Thomas for a Polio Immunization event, which included a day of actually giving the oral vaccine to children
D.C. was a boater, skier, fisherman, hunter, traveler, community supporter and genuinely fine human being. He was honest, bright, kind, generous, helpful, playful, thoughtful, a community stalwart and an adventuresome travel partner with Jan.
And, while he might make the Club President work to get money out of his pocket, he was always good for Happy Bucks for a big fish.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the First Congregational Church of Bellingham, 2401 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, Wa.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to: Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation Scholarship Fund, 2200 Vining Street, Bellingham, Wa. 98229.
Jim Sterk is WWU’s new Athletic Director. His job is supporting the student-athlete experience by providing them resources that help them pursue their dreams and strive for excellence in academics, competition, campus involvement, and community service.
WWU in general brings WA State roughly $972M a year in economic impact, whether it be capital projects, student spending, small business development, tourism and/or it’s payroll. With 300 student-athletes in 15 intercollegiate sports programs WWU Athletics is party to $10.3M of that impact.
When it comes to competition, the “north star” of WWU Athletics Department is it’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility and Togetherness (R.I.G.H.T).
As a NCAA Division II school they strike a happy balance of getting both a good education (3.21GPA average), and competing at a high level. Out of 304 NCAA D2 programs, WWU has been in the top 50 for the last 14 years. They are no.1 in GNAC, and No.5 in West Region.
The future remains bright for WWU Athletics.
Closing:
After the usual thanks to those responsible for another successful meeting, the tables were re-arranged and chairs positioned by a horde of happy elves, singing and dancing in their joy.
Guess Who?
George Halsell - New Member Talk
George & Melanie Halsell playing song he wrote for her "What a Drag Rag"
RCOB apparel, including polo shirts, dress shirts, vests and hats is now available. These are items that every Club member simply must have in his/her wardrobe! Besides looking great, Club members will be contributing to branding for the RCOB as well as supporting our Club's Foundation, which will receive part of the proceeds.
Click on the button below for the the clothing catalogue, with the Order Form on the last page. Fill out the order form, turn it into Vinson Latimore at a meeting or email a scanned copy to embroidery@choicesscrubs.com.
