Rotary Club of Bellingham Tattler - February 26, 2024
Tattler Reporter: John Dunne
Tattler Editor: Steve Ban
Photographer: Mike Diehl
Michael Feerer, Whatcom Million Trees Project
Opening Welcome:
The meeting was brought to order by President Doug Cole at 12:30. In his opening remarks, he welcomed Honorary Member Ralph Rinne, who turned 100 years young today! For the opening music, The Rotary Brass played Lift Up Your Voice and Sing, in recognition of Black History Month.
Brad Burdick gave the invocation honoring Ralph. He noted that every year on his birthday, Ralph would read a poem he had composed for the occasion. In recognition, Brad composed a poem honoring Ralph:
In Whatcom Community College I take the stage
To honor Ralph Rinne, who's reached a grand age.
A century of wisdom, mischief, and cheer,
His secret? Perhaps is keeping his friends near!
Ralph, you've seen it all—wars, tech, and trends,
From typewriters to TikTok, life's twists and bends.
Your wit is sharper than a freshly peeled banana,
And your dance moves rival any salsa bandana!
At 100, Ralph's still got that twinkle in his eye,
He's the life of the party, no need to ask why.
He's climbed many mountains and done many things,
And his kindness lifts us on eagles' wings.
So here is to our friend, let the praises flow,
To Ralph Rinne, our centenarian amigo!
May your next century be filled with joy and fun,
And may you keep sharing your wisdom with everyone.
Happy 100th, Ralph!
Lord of the Universe thank you for Ralph and for the friendships and
fellowships that have made this, his organization, what it is today.
Amen.
Guests:
Bill Day introduced David Rehm
Doug Cole introduced Mike Bates, Assistant District Governor
Del VandeKerk introduced additional members of the Rotary Brass: Mark Lindenbaum on tuba and Pete Kirkman on trumpet..
Members on Zoom: Steve Hager, Jack Westford, John Moffat, Ward Naf & Nathan Twining
Club Events and Committee Announcements
Roland Trenouth asked for volunteers for the meal packing day, May 4, at Assumption School gym. Last year, we packed 37,000 meals with 106 volunteers. Had Rotaract members and other clubs’ volunteers as well. - May 4, 2024 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER & DONATE
Steve Ban announced that there will be a District Rotary Learning Event, March 9, 2024 from 8:30 am-4:00 pm at the Shawn O'Donnell's Farmhouse Restaurant, 13724 Laconner Whitney Rd., Mt. Vernon. Cost is $65.00 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Rotary Learning is back! The former 3 day Rotary Leadership Institute has been revamped into a one day session that is facilitated, interactive, and fun - to help you become a more knowledgeable and effective Rotarian. Strongly recommended for new Club members and new Board members!
President Doug encouraged members to sign up for the Memorial Day parade, Saturday, May25th . He also encouraged members to attend the District 5050 Conference on May 4th. Details for both on the Club and District 5050 websites.
Catherine Riordan announced that there would be a Rotary social event this Wed. at 5 PM at the Country Club, jointly with the Bellingham Bay club.
George Halsell described his experience visiting the Rotary Club in White Rock, B.C. He discovered that they had never had a visit from an American Rotarian. With a show of hands, he learned that none of us in attendance had ever visited a Canadian Rotary meeting. The White Rock Rotary has initiated a Hands Across the Border project to encourage more cross border Rotarian visits.
Past Rotarian, Jodi Borrelli, was featured on King5 News and here is the link to see what she is up to now:
Announced by Bryan Hennessy: The Ferndale Rotary Club is going to have a booth at the Whatcom Conservation District's Native Plant Sale in Ferndale, March 16. I hope to see many other Rotary members there, and there's room to help if you like. WCD is still looking for volunteers:
Roland Trenouth presented a beautiful tribute to Ralph. He told the story of Ralph's amazing life: Ralph was born into a humble and hard working family in western MissouRAH. He grew up during the Great Depression, in very difficult times for his family. Ralph toiled at menial jobs while accumulating an excellent academic record and starring on his high school football team. The family owned two mules, Pete and Beck, who taught Ralph how to deal with difficult people and situations, a skill that served him well during his medical career!
Upon graduating from high school in 1942, Ralph enlisted in the Navy, which allowed him to attend college (Westminster College) and medical school (St. Louis University). He obtained his medical degree in 1948, which was the year he met the love of his life, Eleanor, an OB nurse.They married in 1949 and had 4 children.
Ralph's surgical residency, started in 1950, was interrupted in 1953 by the Korean War and he treated injured Marines on a Navy Hospital ship off the coast of Korea until the fall of 1954. He then returned to Kansas City and completed his surgical training in 1956.
Ralph and Eleanor then began looking for a place to settle and practice medicine. They very wisely left the heat and humidity (summer) and cold and ice (winter) of the Midwest and traveled to the Great Northwest, where Ralph began his general surgical practice in Bellingham in 1956. During the next 44 years, he earned the reputation as the best surgeon in Whatcom County. He was a highly skilled clinician, an exceptionally talented surgeon, and always showed great compassion and respect for his patients.
Ralph retired in 2000 and enjoyed wonderful years of companionship and travels with Eleanor, until her passing in 2007. Since then, Ralph has been a source of inspirational and historical stories, as well as wise counsel, for his many friends and family.
This was followed by the presentation of a large 100th-year birthday cake to Ralph, who kindly shared it with the attending members.
Weekly Payment Reminder
VENMO:
@RCOB- Bellingham.
Give Sandee a call if you need help. 360-734-5532.
CASH / CHECK:
Yes, we still take these and saving on fees is appreciated.
President Doug introduced our featured speaker, Michael Feerer. Michael is the founder and director of the Whatcom Million Trees Project (WMTP). He started this project three years ago to plant new trees, protect existing trees, and to connect
people to engage in positive, active outdoor projects. In addition to the obvious benefits of reducing climate change and promoting biodiversity, trees help enhance the health and resilience of salmon, protect the watershed, and improve people's
health. Among its many programs, WMTP has a wildlife rehabilitation facility.
Members have planted over 1600 saplings on public and semi-public (e.g., college campuses) lands. One of the programs Michael stressed was removing English ivy from trees to keep it from killing the trees, and encouraging nurseries to no longer sell English ivy. He talked about WMPT's efforts to protect as many old growth trees as possible in a plot of land along Meridian that is owned by the Bellingham Country
Club (BCC). The BCC is selling the plot to a California developer, who wants to build a 68-unit housing complex there. Although WMPT is in favor of increased housing in Bellingham by in-filling, Michael noted that 8 of the housing units would disproportionately eliminate many of the old growth trees, and communicated with the developer to modify the plans to save more of the trees. He encouraged Rotarian members who are also members of BCC to ask the BCC Board to do the same. He also encouraged Rotarians to volunteer as individuals for one of their work parties or to organize a Rotary project in partnership with the WMTP.
Closing:
President Doug thanked all who contributed to the meeting, wished Ralph Rinne another Happy Birthday, and rang the meeting to adjournment at 1:30 PM.
Guess Who?
Greg Grant Honoring DC and Bob
Giving Circle Celebration honoring Major Donors to Light House Mission Medical Center Project
Rotary Brass performance
Celebrating Ralph Rinne's 100th Birthday!!
Beautiful tribute from Roland Trenouth
and of course "Happy Birthday" accompanied by the Rotary Brass
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.
HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY, RALPH
