The room was buzzing when President Paul Grey made his way to the podium. This was one of the larger crowds we have had in the past few years. It goes to show that the students’ programs are some of the favorites of our club.
Club and Committee Announcements:
There will be NO meeting next week due to President’s Day
There will be a Board of Directors meeting this Thursday February 16th at 4:30 on zoom
Report on Predictions Event President Paul gave us a report on the Club’s Prediction Event noting that it was a clear success. Over 100 people attended, filling the room, and we met our fundraising goals. He offered thanks to Sandee, Shauna and Ward for their efforts.
Obituary for Dr. Ben C. Kuiken
Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Dr. Ben C. Kuiken passed away at home on January 19, 2023 at age 83. He was born on February 1, 1939 in Salina, Kansas to Walter and Vera (Crawford) Kuiken. Ben met his wife, Dana, at the University of Kansas (KU). They were married after graduation, in 1960. Ben earned degrees in pharmacy and medicine from KU. In 1969, they packed four young children and a poodle into their station wagon and moved to Fairchild A.F.B. in Spokane. After two years of service and after falling in love with the coast and mountains, they moved to Bellingham where Ben worked as a beloved pediatrician for over thirty years. He helped to found Northwest Pediatrics and later led the formation of Madrona Medical Group. A master gardener, Ben was always generous with his bounty. In retirement, he became an avid golfer. He is survived by his four children: Jill Klein (husband Rich), Ben Kuiken (wife Cathy), Jani Kuiken (husband Rick Heilmann), and Julie Kuiken Harris (husband Lynt); thirteen grandchildren: Kurt, Caitlin, Kristi, Aly, Carrie, Samuel, Olivia, Madison, Ricky, Greg, Ben, Donnell and Kiesha; and sister Nanc Smith, nephews, niece, and their children.
A Service of Remembrance with reception will be held at the Bellingham Golf & Country Club on Saturday, February 18th, 2023 at 1 PM. Memorials in Ben's name may be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 2901 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, WA 98225. You may share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.
Committee Announcements:
Mike Plenkovich announced the Football pool winners for this week’s Super Bowl game. Winner of the half time score was the Lighthouse Mission and Sandee Lindhout was the winner of the final.
Roland Trenouth promoted the upcoming meal packing event.Roland urged members to volunteer to pack meals for the people of Sierra Leone on April 22nd. He estimated that the event would pack over 20,000 meals that costs only an average of 22 cents. We will be working at Assumption gym in the morning. (Click Here to Register)
Felicity noted the promotional literature on the tables to introduce YAIL (Youth Adventures in Leadership) to the students. YAIL is for students 15-17 and Rotarian's families can participate. It will be held March 31-April 2nd in Surrey, B.C. and the club has budgeted 3 students to send. Contact Felicity Dye if interested. Click here for information
John Dunne introduced Bob Kumar and Taylor Stagliano at a recent meeting. The RCOB is working with the Opportunity Council to supply donated furnishing to those exiting from homelessness. Often these people find themselves in an empty apartment without the means of providing livable furniture. A list of needed items was provided for a one-time donation. Contact John Dunne for more information and turn the forms into him. The Opportunity Council will contact you about picking the items up. Thank you for your help!!
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. Here is the clothing catalogue, with the Order Form on the last page: (Click Here) Fill out the order form, turn it into Vinson Latimore at a meeting or email a scanned copy to embroidery@choicesscrubs.com.
WE MOVED TO THE SYRE STUDENT CENTER - SYRE THEATER AT WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE. HERE ARE THE DIRECTIONS.
The buildings address is 235 W Kellogg Rd. But this is not where you park. There is no parking off of Kellogg Road. You must enter parking off either Eliza Ave or Cordata Parkway. You are looking for the YELLOW lot (look on light poles for Y2 or Y3).
Enter from Eliza Ave: the driveway between Kellogg Rd and Westerly Rd has a driveway into the campus, follow that about 200 yards until it slopes down, park in the area between the three buildings.
Enter from Cordata Parkway: Just north of the WTA station and Cruisin Coffee before the round about is Orca Lane, take Orca Lane around the first two buildings until you find a large parking lot between three buildings.
You will still receive an email from Sandee each week prior to the Monday 12:30 meeting if you are unable to attend in person (you can start logging in at 12:00 for short socializing) with the link for that privacy-protected meeting. If you have n 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 cannot do 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.
Lunch will be $22 for a buffet meal. We must notify them by Monday at NOON the week prior to the Monday meeting as to the number of members attending. We are sending out meeting "Invites" weekly and members are asked to sign-up ASAP. You can also sign-up by going to the event section of our website at bellinghamrotary.org. If you sign up for a meal at the meeting, you will need to pay the $22 even if you don't wind up attending the meeting after the numbers are turned in. If you plan to attend but not eat, PLEASE indicate that on your sign-up so we don't overorder meals and still make sure there is enough seating.
The Club will collect payments prior to the meeting or at the door.
We urge members of the RCOB to set up a Venmo account for ease in payment of Meeting lunches, 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 di ctly 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
Other payment options are to bring a check in the correct amount to the meeting made out to RCOB or cash in the exact amount to speed up the payment process. There is also the PayPal option as usual and we are set to take payments at the meeting. We have a QR Code that you scan and simply click to pay thru paypal also.
Website and Phone App instructions:
Here is a tutorial on how to login for the first time. (Click here) Go to belling mrotary.org first. In order to login you need t know your user name and password in your Clubrunner account. The user name is Your first name.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 her 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:
Del VandeKerk introduced Rotary Brass guests: Pete Kirkman (Trumpet), Brad Bigelow (French Horn) and Mark Lindenbaum (Tuba)
Student Recognition Guests:
BHS:
Humanities: Oliver K. Johnson, parents Staci and Mark Johnson
Visual Arts: Carter Dawson, parents Scott and Megan Dawson
Options:
Humanities: Liliana Davison, parents Kimberly and Jeremy Davison
Visual Arts: Christina Gerner, parents Diane and Gene Gerner, Linda Gerner
Sehome:
Humanities: Sophia Rey, Sammy Farkas and mom Claudia Rey
Visual Arts: Opal Gould, parents David and Amy Gould
Squalicum:
Humanities: Katie Golombek, parents Sue & Terry Golombek
Visual Arts: Tanya Morales, mom Norma Morales and brother Nicholas
Zoom attendee visitors: Steve Hager, Chris Lopez, Loch Trimingham and Monty McAllister
Program:
Kathie Hiyane Brown began our Student of the month program by noting that we have been recognizing Students of the Month since 1990 and have disbursed over $78,000 in awards. Today, we are recognizing students who excel in the visual arts and the humanities.
Options High School
Felicity Dye opened our Student of the Month program by introducing two students from Options High school.
Liliana Davison
She began by introducing Liliana Davison the Student of the Month in Humanities from Options. In addition to her work at school. Lilliana likes to listen lo music and play video games after high school. She would like to be a Dental Hygienist and is considering BTC. She loves Option High School because it is small and everyone knows you.
Christina Gerner
Felicity next introduced Christina Gerner a student of the month for the Visual Arts. Christina loves art and has taken art and ceramics classes every year she has been at Options. She has been a dedicated student in these classes, even during the time of school over Zoom. She also loves animals and caring for the elderly. Christina works at The Willows Retirement home, and loves to spend time with the residents. She also visits her elderly neighbors in her spare time. She has a clear plan for her future to become a CNA so she can make caring for others her profession while keeping art as a steady hobby. She described Christina as a kind and compassionate human who deserves to be acknowledged for her hard work and determination.
Squalicum High School
Tom Grinstad introduced the students of the month from Squalicum High School
Katie Golombeck
Tom began by introducing Katie Golombeck who is acting in the production of “The Little Shop of Horrors” which is scheduled to open on March 2, 2023. She sings and has been in choir competitions. Her plan is to attend Western Washington University for her prerequisites and then transfer either to the University of Michigan or the University of Southern California for their theater programs.
Tanya Morales
Tanya was nominated by all four of her visual arts teachers. Tanya does a lot of her work digitally, which Tom (being old fashioned) doesn’t understand. Tom showed us an example of her art. Tanya is still considering her future plans.
Bellingham High School
John Pedlow introduced the students of the month from Bellingham High School
Carter Dawson
Carter Dawson is the Student of Month from Bellingham High School in the visual arts. He was described as well rounded. His specialty is ceramics. He also runs cross country and track in the middle distances. He enjoys boating in the San Juans and generally being on the water. He is currently carrying a 3.6 GPA. Carter credits his parents as being most influential in his current success. He has applied to Montana State, Cal Poly Humboldt and University of Washington.
Oliver Johnson
John next introduced Oliver Johnson. Oliver does well on the academic front with a GPA in the high 3’s He volunteers at school in a communications leadership role - as the "morning voice" of Bellingham High School. And is an active member of the leadership team. He runs the hurdles on the track team. Oliver is active in Bellingham's theatre program which uncovered his true passion - film making. He has several projects in the works including his current film noir which Oliver described to the Club. Oliver credits Damon Burnett, his Language Arts teacher, his brother and of course his parents as being key influences. Oliver plans on attending film school after graduation and is currently in the selection process.
Sehome High School
Finally, Felicity introduced the Students of the Month from Sehome High School.
Opal Gould
Felicity noted her teacher called Opal a dedicated artist, exhibiting amazing skills, creative and work ethic which is apparent in her work. This semester Opal is taking 4 AP classes and AP Art. In her free time, she likes to read, play tennis and play guitar.
Sophia Rey
Sehome teacher Shannon Casey described Sophia by saying “She embodies the Rotary Humanities Award because she represents the best of humanity. Her focused academic perseverance, dedication to helping others in her community, and compassionate nature are her most outstanding qualities. Sophia is a real student; her curiosity for learning is infused into every aspect of her life and she will utilize this knowledge to create positive change in the world.”
Sophia reports: “I am a proud Venezuelan-Colombian American. I serve on the Immigration Advisory Board to the Bellingham City Council and Mayor. I Co-Founded and am Co-President of the Young Multiracial Society -a club for students of color at Sehome High School. I am also president of the Diversity In Action Club and Teen Court. I play baritone saxophone in Sehome Jazz band and the Kids Sax Ensemble. I am a sprinter in Sehome track and field and I am also an athlete with Galbraith Track Club. I am an artistic prose and journalism blogger with Coexist International Literary Magazine and a volunteer for Community to Community Development. I will be attending Harvard University next fall, concentrating in political science and minoring in migration, ethnicity, and rights. I intend to pursue a career in law, public policy or community organizing with the goal of dismantling systemic racism, patriarchy, and capitalism from our nation's structures.” Sophia provided us a brief history of her research on the Native American history associated with Sehome High School accompanied by a poem she wrote.
Closing:
All the parents were asked to rise, and were given a rousing round of applause. (richly deserved) President Paul adjourned the meeting by thanking those who assisted in putting it on.
