After warm greetings from Rob Saxton and Waldo Farnham, we ate the summer reduced meal special, which actually was a pretty good soup. Paul Jahnke gave our invocation and wannabe Dr. Bill Hurliman gave a strong "I" to lead the pledge. Mercifully, there was no song led by Bruce Huffman. Guests included Jon Triest of Century 21, Rick Smithrud newly at Linfield, Peter Anderson, local Chiropractor, Andrea McKenzie an outound nominee, Jennifer Houscheld a former exchange to our club from Denmark and Kristen Humphreys our outbound student to Denmark.
Al Hansen did a robust job of member recognition, which included: Lee Howard, 37 years of great marriage and a very soon to be birthday; Bill Hurliman and Paul Jahnke a birthday each. Vivian Bull celebrated that her 29 year old school teacher son had recently received a Paul Harris Fellowship from a club in New Jersey, this for a son who was diagnosed as learning disabled and was predicted to not be able to finish the 4th grade. Everybody donated after hearing that story.
Ezra Koch inducted Will Wiebe, new Yamhill County Director of United Way, as our newest member. Ez gave a stirring talk on the meaning and relevance of Rotary.
Announcements included: Ray Fields is taking orders for Rotary polo shirts. Pete Granger reported that Carol was doing well after bypass surgery, and set the story straight that the surgery was necessary as a result of a car accident 4 years ago. We also heard that Steine Jonasson is home from the hospital and is making a moderate recovery. The Florence Rotary club is sponsoring a Rotary golf tournament, 36 holes of golf at Sandpines, Oct 3 & 4 and a barbeque dinner. Sandpines was voted the best new course in the USA a few years ago. Rotary is expanding into mainland China. Six new countries that were formerly part of USSR as also now into Rotary (don't ask me to list them, they were mostly the former "__stan's" in USSR). Rotary Baseball night is cancelled so we can all to the first summer concert series next Tuesday night.
Jennifer Houscheld gave a brief update on her life since she was our guest a few years ago. She has been visiting her former hosts and friends, including the Paul Colberts, the Al Hansens, the Dale Moores, and the Johannes Goddiks.
Paul asked for some more volunteers for committees. If you see something interesting please speak up, we need some more fleshing out on most committees.
The annual turkey preparation was scheduled for Saturday morning July 12th. Our club traditionally takes the 6-8:30 am shift cook turkeys to sell at Turkeyrama. About 1,200 turkey halves will be cooked. East park entrance off Lafayette Ave.
Board Meeting scheduled for 7 am next Wednesday July 16th, at Arbor Inn. Since this was scheduled as a club assembly, there was no formal program, and we all went back to work lightly fed, somewhat entertained, and early. Overall a great meeting! Next meeting will be a report on the immediate past legislative session from State Senator Gary George.
-- your reporter Mike Strange