Next up we heard from Hannah Cassar, an International RYLA participant who was sponsored by Margaret Curtis, who attended the RI Convention in Sydney, Australia, June 1-4, 2014. Hannah participated in an international event and her strongest take away was talking to others who were there with her, hearing about how Rotary has changed lives, and the mentoring she received. Her team started a new initiative for a Literacy and Education Program to be introduced in India, and they have raised $6,000 in the last month to put towards the effort. Nice job!
Paul Grey took the podium to award the Karen Morse Vocational Service Award to a very talented and generous Rotarian – Robin Halliday. Robin’s commitment to education and vocation is exceptional, and includes contributing her time and efforts to Options High School, WWU teaching Project Management and writing curriculum on LEAN business practices, Junior Achievement helping students to become financially literate, The Big Idea Lab as a founding member, investor, and board member, and Technology Alliance Group (TAG) as a founder, a 14 year board member, and past president.
Congratulations, Robin, and a big THANK YOU for all that you do for our community!
Rud Browne was Minister of Fun today, and he had his fun with us, challenging the Club to a game of Texas Hold’em. His lovely co-minister, Vanna White – I mean Dominque Zervas put herself to work as well, as each table had to determine whether they had a winning hand, and if so, whose table’s was best? After a little confusion, it all became clear and got some good laughs. That Rud Browne. What a card! He really needs to be dealt with….
Program – The Northwest Washington Fair
Today’s program was presented in two parts; first by the Northwest Washington Fair’s Board President, Marv Tjoelker and next by Fair Manager, Jim Baron.
Marv began by saying that Fair's are about making memories, and challenged each of us to recall our favorite memory of something we did or experienced at a Fair sometime in our lives. He then gave us some background on the NW Washington Fair – sometimes called the Lynden Fair, though in reality more people come to visit from outside of Lynden.
The Fair was started in 1913 and has been a part of Whatcom County summers every year since but one – during WWII. It is a not-for-profit organization, whose core values include agriculture, youth, education, community, and entertainment.
Besides the 6 day Fair itself, the fairgrounds are also used during the other 51 weeks of the year for everything from bull riding competitions, to high school equestrian shows, the Milkmakers Fest, Cystic Fibrosis Bikeathon, and more. The fairgrounds are a positive economic impact on our county.
A Fair Foundation has been set up with the intent to give scholarships, make the fair available to all by providing entry to those who otherwise may not be able to afford it, and to preserve the history of the fair.
They are not without challenges – the buildings are old and need constant attention. Offering relevant entertainment in an ever changing cultural world is also receives attention. As far as aspirations and dreams go, they would like to add a Youth Board, an Amphitheatre, and an Agricultural Education Center.
Jim Baron was up next and started by telling us that most people’s favorite part of the fair are…the animals. Then food, carnival, arts/exhibits, and entertainment. This year’s fair theme is “I Love This Fair” and Jim asked Club members to give their favorite fair memories. Pete Kremen’s was when he won some tires (really?), Scott Hume won a pregnant goat at an Eastern Washington fair, and New Member Steve Gray has fond memories of his daughter winning a 4H Trophy. New this year at the fair will be a beer garden, VIP privileges, and for the first time, the Rodeo will be part of fair week instead of the week after.
Fun times! Love that Fair! Don’t miss it!
