My book review is entitled "A Higher Call" by Adam Makos. NYT best seller. Just under 400 pages. Published in 2012.
It's a WWII human interest story. The central feature of the story is an encounter in the skies over Germany between a severely damaged, crippled, and defenseless B17 bomber
and a German ME 109 fighter sent up to destroy it.
The German pilot recognizes the defenseless plight of the American crew and while flying close enough to literally see each other, the German pilot salutes the American
pilot and flies away electing not to destroy the B17.
Some forty years later, these two men, haunted by the memory of this experience, make independent efforts to determine if the other pilot survived the war.
Eventually, these two men meet in a Seattle hotel in 1990 and form close bond of friendship over the remainder of their lives.
Opening Welcome:
With a mighty swing of Thor's hammer, Sandee rang the bell to officially open the meeting. President Gary welcomed all guests and members to the meeting and swiftly got underway.
Club and Committee Announcements
John Dunne: Music Committee—thanks to Del for new rendition of America the Beautiful (mixed at separate locations). The photos on the video were astounding.
Andy Day donated $43 Happy Bucks to celebrate 43 years with the Bellingham Fire Department and also his retirement effective April 30th. There will be a retirement party Friday, April 30, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. (ceremony at 3:30), Bellingham Fire Station 1, 1800 Broadway, Casual attire, masks required (Click Here for flyer)
Peter Theisen is working on planning his 2021-2022 Rotary Year as President. Regarding committee planning, he has announced that he will keep all chairman and committee members in place for next year unless a member requests a change. Contact Peter or Sandee if you would like to be added to additional committee's or want to make a change.
Major Awards:
Major Awards nominations are being accepted through the month of April, by the Executive Committee for the: Will J. Griswold Club Service Award; the David C. Morse Sr. Community Service Award; the Michael K. Mischaikow International Service Award and the Karen W. Morse Vocational Service Award. These awards will be presented at the June 28th Changing of the Guard meeting. Submit nominations to Executive Committee members President Goldfogel, Past President Cathy Buckley, President-Elect Peter Theisen and VP Paul Grey. Sandee has emailed the criteria and list of former winners. The winners are honored with a $1,000 donation to the RCOB Foundation. Criteria and Former Winners (Click Here)
Rotary Cruise
Marty Haines again reviewed the details of the planned Whale Watching Cruise, scheduled for June 21, and urged all members to reply to the email invite. Family members and friends are encouraged to attend. Ahoy! Special price is $90 a person and the date is Monday, June 21st. You can sign-up by using the email that was sent out or go to the bellinghamrotary.org website under events and register. Marty guarantees great weather for the whale watching boat.
Ongoing Announcements:
Blood Drive:
Steve Ban reminds us that when we donate blood, they are still testing for and informing us whether or not you have Covid antibodies. He also reported that our blood drive will be open for the entire Rotary year, until June 30, 2021. We are participating, along with the other clubs in our Area G, in a District 5050 challenge against the other District Areas. He is encouraging friends and relatives to join in. Those who can't donate blood can donate plasma. Currently, the W. Bakerview office is the only donation location open in Whatcom County. Click Here for additional information.The minimum age for donating blood is 16 and those 16 and 17 would need parent’s permission to participate. Rumor has it that you can score a Bloodworks pair of socks for donating! You may schedule your donation appointment on the flyer in the above link or you can make an appointment by phone. In either case, when you are donating, please tell them that you are donating on behalf of RCOB.
YAIL
This year's District YAIL (Youth Adventures In Leadership) program will look different, like so many other activities. It is available for all High School students this year for FREE with a limited number of registrations at 30. It will be over 5 separate sessions. Click Here for information
Meeting Virtually
All Rotary meetings will be held Virtually on Zoom until further notice due to Covid-19 social distancing. You can look for an email from Sandee each week prior to the Monday 12:30 meeting (you can start logging in at 12:00 for short socializing) with the link for that privacy protected meeting. If you have not done so, please download the Zoom app on your computer (you need a camera and microphone on it), iPad or phone. There is no cost to you. If you do not have either, you can also call in. On the invitation, there are US phone numbers you can call and enter the meeting ID number also indicated on the invitation.
RCOB has now set up a Venmo account for ease in payment of Happy Bucks, Minister of Fun, Dues or donations to the club. Our account is @RCOB-Bellingham. If you do not have a Venmo account you can set up an account with your computer then download the app. on your phone (just Google "Venmo" and you will find all the information you need) You then attach it to a debit or credit card (a fee on your end) or attach to your checking account at no cost. Payment will be sent directly to the RCOB checking account. When you use it for the first time it may ask you the last 4 digits of the RCOB phone number which is 0282. Give Sandee a call if you need help. 360-734-5532
Here is a tutorial on how to login for the first time. (Click here) In order to login you need to know your user name and password in your Clubrunner account. The user name is Yourfirstname.Lastname.264 unless you have changed it. Example: Sandra.Lindhout.264 The password is initially set by Clubrunner at 264 unless you have changed it. Sandee can see your Username from my computer but not the password. She can also change your password for you from her computer at your request if you run into problems.
Once you have originally created your User Name and Password you can download the ClubRunner Mobile app on your phone:
Please contact Sandee at 360-734-5532 or rcob@comcast.net if you run into any trouble.
Guests:
Dale Rings joined us again. Love having you join us!!
Student Recognitions in Most Inspirational/Community & Music;
Bellingham High School: Introduced by Arlie Norman
Uyen Le, Most Inspirational and her mother Tran Huynh
Phoebe McNaire-Luxon, Music
Sehome High School: Introduced by Tom Grinstad
Ahmed Wariyo, Most Inspirational and his second family from Chicago, Jessie Gwozda and Suzanne Munson
Casey McEvoy, Music and his mother Ann
Squalicum High School: Introduced by Paul Grey
Ashli McCudden, Most Inspirational and mother Aubrey McCudden
Spencer Kaiser, Music and his parents Chris and Lisa Kaiser
Program:
Squalicum High School– Host: Paul Grey
Most Inspirational/Community: Ashli McCudden –a true giver that lives the Rotary motto: service above self. She is a member of Rotaract, a varsity soccer captain both Jr and Sr years, sowed and donated 800 masks to Bellingham Dialysis and others. She’s a 4.0 student, and loves working closely with her school’s life skills class (special needs) even though she’s already completed her credits to graduate. She is going to school at Portland State University to study and become a special needs teacher.
Music: Spencer Kaiser. He was dancing in his mom’s belly to her tunes. In the 4th grade he started guitar lessons, and did dance at Dancing for Joy for 5 to 6 years. He became a percussionist in middle school band and eventually joined jazz band in High School. He competes in swimming. He loves the drum set and joined his church’s worship team, which allows him a wide range of drum styles and spiritual connection. He’s going to Grand Canyon University in Arizona to study worship music.
Sehome High School – Host: Tom Grinstad
Most Inspirational/Community: Ahmed Wariyo. In country five years from Ethiopia, and went to school for the first time in his life as a freshman in High School. He loves helping his family every day, and does it often as the only driver in the family. He’s on track to be first to graduate High School in his family. He has a high GPA, is on the track team, and does cross country and running club. He likes music, and is interested in reading nonfiction and history.
Music: Casey McEvoy, has a “singing heart”—a benign heart murmur, and is a very good student. He’s been singing since 5th grade, and became serious as a freshman in the chamber choir at Sehome. He’s going to Texas Christian University and majoring in music education to be a teacher.
Bellingham High School – Host Arlie Norman
Most Inspirational/Community: Uyen Le. Uyen came from Vietnam two years ago, and is proficient in English and academics. She has been student of the term, excelled in computer, helped Vietnamese students and parents with paperwork, loves studying different cultures, and enjoys improving herself. She is the first in her family to attend college when she enrolls at WCC in the fall.
Music: Phoebe McNaire-Luxon. 4.0 student, musical artist, leader, and twice selected as student of the semester. She enjoys music, dance, and was the outstanding soloist in the BHS choir. Her favorite music is film music. She’s received first place in a state dance completion, and 2nd place in national dance competition. Senator in student government, class vice president, captain of dance team, communications director of club, taught violin, interned with school teacher, etc. She enjoys reading outside, sailing and hiking with her family and two dogs. She wants to go to the University of British Columbia.
Covid Report:
Gary Covid-19 Report – The Peace Health hospital count hit a week high of 11 (2 in ICU). The number of positive test results has fluctuated but has generally been good (substantially below phase 3 levels). There are places now in the country where there is more vaccine than there are people, but not so here. Still people lining up to get them. No deaths in hospital in months, though, which suggests solid progress. The good weather also helps. Gary remains optimistic and grateful. Steve Ban notes there still have been some deaths and hospitalizations nationally despite being vaccinated—and suggests staying vigilant. Cathy Buckley encouraged perspective and proportional response.
Program Recordings: We are now recording the speaker portion of our meetings:
Missed a meeting? Remember a great speaker but want to revisit the content? You can catch the recording on our Rotary Club of Bellingham YouTube page:
