Rotary Club of Bellingham Tattler - DECEMBER 4, 2023
Tattler Reporter Hans Erchinger-Davis
Tattler Editor Catherine Riordan
Photographer: Mike Diehl
Kait Whiteside
Max Higbee House Update
Opening Welcome:
Opening Welcome by President Doug Cole quoting Amelia Earhart, “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”
Guests:
New Member, George Halsell introduced his wife Melanie
Doug Cole introduced our speaker Kait Whiteside with Max Higbee House
Members on Zoom: Steve Hager, Loch Trimingham, John Moffat and Catherine Riordan
Chuck Snyder from Arizona
Kevin Bradshaw from Twin Falls, Idaho to honor George's induction
Club Events and Committee Announcements
George Halsell Induction
Sponsors Paul Grey and Doug Cole introduced George.
George is a native of Bryan, TX. As a musician, he studied at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. There he performed with numerous musical groups, including the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Baily Circus. He received his Master’s degree in music from the University of Texas at Austin followed by his Doctorate in music. His main instrument is trombone but he also plays a number of instruments, including French horn. The Rotary Brass welcomes his addition. You may recall his superlative spur-of-the-moment leadership of the Star Spangled Banner. He met his future (and current) wife Melanie while giving trombone lessons at UT. She taught K-8th grade music in public schools. George taught music at a number of colleges prior to settling at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls in 1994. While there he played in local bands and orchestras while he and Melanie raised two sons, Simon and Elias. It was during this time he was invited to join the Rotary Club of Twin Falls.
George retired from the college in 2021 as Professor Emeritus and they decided to head further west the following year. We’re pleased to welcome him as our latest member and also look forward to his contributing to and energizing the musical aspect of our club.
Dave Blair reminded members to get their Major Project Pledge in soon for the Light House Mission Medical Clinic. Our goal is 100% member participation; currently, we are at only 28.5%!Click here for the form.
Dick Tucker reminded us that our annual Salvation Army Bell Ringing is this Saturday, December 9th. You can sign-up on Clubrunner, by sign-up at the meeting, or call Dick or Sandee. We still need ~ 4 more volunteers! The Rotary Brass will make special appearances between 2-4pm.
Rotarians Engaged: John Dunne had a letter to the editor published in the Seattle Times:
Aaron Booker shared a recent experience of his trying to assist a fellow business owner in Belingham whose business is being evicted. Apparently some of the safeguards that were put into place to protect residential renters are not available to business owners. In trying to help this business owner Aaron got an inside look at the experience of eviction and the difficulty of accessing the system and searching for answers. Apparently it is opaque to many who have to engage with the system during this extremely stressful time in their lives.
Mystery Photo: Monty McAllister
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.
MHC is a community-based recreation program for teens and adults with developmental disabilities, that serves more than 200 individuals annually and supports over 100 families caring for a family member with a disability through reliable respite care. The programs support members in life-long learning, health, community engagement, and building transferable skills.
Rotary’s support helped eliminate growing waitlists at MHC!
In 2018, MHC launched its capital campaign and, with support from Rotary Club of Bellingham, fully renovated 1400 N. State Street to create a welcoming and functional space to eliminate growing waitlists. The completed project will allow Max Higbee Center to grow and serve the community for the next 25+ years.
MHC programs are now full and thriving. Thank you Rotary!
MHC had 50 new member orientations in 2022 and 44 new members in 2023; totaling nearly 100 people served from the waiting list in the last 2 years. On average, 30-40 people attend programs each day. Staff provide 80 hours of individualized, one-on-one services every week. And pre-pandemic community partnerships are being rebuilt.
Future opportunities:
MHC aims to expand in the county through satellite locations and in partnership with other agencies to more equitably serve Whatcom County and reduce pressure on our downtown location. They plan to identify service gaps and invest in MHC’s partnerships and cultural competency for improved access. They plan to replace COVID-19 relief funding sources that are drying up in 2024. April Brew’s days is also being relaunched post-pandemic as their major fundraiser and being done in collaboration with other nonprofits in Bellingham to reduce drawn on staff time.
Closing:
President Doug thanked those who produced the meeting and helped with the setup and tear down.
He reminded us of the Future of Bellingham event we are sponsoring today at WCC Syre Theatre from 4-6
Guess Who?
Minister of Fun and Games!!
Trying our Pickleball skills
Max Higbee Fundraiser - Save the Date
What a GREAT evening!
The Future Bellingham event with the City of Bellingham, our other Bellingham Rotary Clubs, Whatcom Community College, and the Whatcom Community College was a success! We had about 100 people turn out to give the City valuable feedback regarding how the city should grow and change over the next two decades.
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.
Rotary Moment
