ROTARY'S FOUR WAY TEST
"Of the things we think, say or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it Build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"

THE OPENING & GUESTS

John Balwit and Joe Steward stood by the door and made sure all Rotarians and guests felt welcome today.

Jan Fyant read from Ecclesiastes 3 for today’s invocation. Ron Benek did a flawless job of leading the pledge.

Many guests today!

Kris Olsen introduced Emily Sloss and Travis Carter, friends of student of the month Kirstin Mahoney.

Bruce Huffman introduced Erv Royer, a visiting Rotarian from Myrtle Point.

Dale Tomlinson introduced Paul Colbert, a visiting Rotarian and Past President of McMinnville Rotary.

Bob Emrick introduced his guest, Scot Berry.

Richard Weed introduced Interactor Katie Browne.

Frank Bumpus introduced Ron Carr, attending with speaker Tom Sanford.

Van Keck introduced guest of club Jeff Long.

Waldo Farnham introduced Assistant Fire Chief Scott Majors (no picture).

Jere Jackson introduced guest of club Bill Miller.

John Larsen introduced visiting Rotarian and Newberg President Larry Bohnsack. John explained that Larry was performing a makeup because he had been “forced” to visit Cabo San Lucas. Larry said that Stella says “hi”.

Eric Hanson introduced guest of club Ryan Arzner (no picture).

And last and absolutely not least, Ray Fields was paying attention and noticed we had passed over inbound exchange student Dori Jenei.

MEMBER RECOGNITION & ANNOUNCEMENTS


John Larsen began by explaining he couldn’t remember ever having been totally skunked – but today, none of his “victims” had shown. He admitted he was groping when he fined Ron Benek and Art Bradley for wearing company logo shirts that were similar to his. Always concerned about fairness, John paid up too. He followed that desperate move by fining Art Bradley for looking around during the invocation. That, of course, cost John because of what he had to have been doing to notice that. All this was followed by the expected fine for not wearing a Rotary pin.

Steve Larson decided to help out by attempting to fine John for not recognizing Jess Davis and Cydnie Mason. John asked Jess if he’d like to say anything. Jess acted confused and wondered what event may have caused this recognition.

Guy Everningham helped by bragging about his oldest son stationed with the Air Force in Denver. He had established a new base record by hitting 49 out of 50 targets, was awarded a third stripe for other activities and was named Airman of the Quarter.

Moving right along, Bruce Huffman celebrated his last day as a bachelor by contributing $5 to the Foundation. He reminded us all of his 2:00 Saturday wedding at the Covenant Church.

Richard Weed also helped by bragging about his son’s performance as a freshman at college in New York – 1^st out of 1500 students.

John Balwit continued the trend by bragging about his daughter who recently graduated from Willamette and was in Madrid as a film producer. He was proud to report that she successfully had produced her first film with the “big cameras” and everything!

President Jess returned to the microphone and admitted that there actually had been an event worth noting. He and Cydnie were married in Judge Ron Stone’s chambers last Tuesday at 4:30. While the union was originally scheduled to occur late this spring, they accelerated the event on very short notice – less than 24 hours. Health issues with Cydnie dictated an earlier marriage and the discovery that Ron would not be available after Tuesday caused Jess to put the pedal to the metal. With the help of several Rotarians, Oregon Realty staff, and other friends, they were able to put together a full blown event complete with cake, special label wine, get together at Noah’s, and more. Cydnie has been diagnosed with cancer with a very good prognosis. Jess said that having the wedding earlier than scheduled will help with the expenses. He promises a huge victory party upon the successful completion of treatment. Congratulations to the newlyweds and our hearts and best wishes will continue to go out to Cydnie.

Katie Browne was asked to give her Interact update in sixty seconds or less. She suggested that her dad make a contribution to the Foundation if she achieved that goal. Very quickly then: The Interact club did Salvation Army bell ringing, adopted a family for Christmas, and their annual dance is tonight (Friday). Pay up Dad!

Kris Olsen introduced our students of the month.

Kirstin Mahoney is the daughter of Steven and Carol Mahoney. She has an older sister, Lisa. She came to McMinnville Hi from Patton. She has maintained a 3.60 GPA and is interested in computer science. Among her many achievements are Grizzly Athlete of the Week and several other sports awards. She would like to go to the University of Oregon or wherever she can play collegiate softball.

Donovan Stevahn and his twin brother Marcel are the sons of Tina Paddoct and David Theobald. He also has a younger brother, Seth. He is interested in industrial technology, carries a 3.0 GPA and is a member of the jazz band. He has received several awards for his music and activities in the FFA. His future study interests are business, photography, and landscape design.

Dale Tomlinson reminded all that the Mayor’s Ball benefiting Kids on the Block is coming up Saturday February 7. There are three tables left and tickets are available. He also was selling raffle tickets for a Hilton Head vacation.

Ray Fields reported that he had had a conversation with Linda Stephenson and that she is doing well considering what she is going through with her cancer treatment. Everybody is keeping her in his or her thoughts too.

Jess reported that Ambassadorial Scholarship and University Teaching Grant applications are available.

MAIN EVENT

Joe Steward announced that John Balwit had made his job arranging a fellowship for mid-March very easy. John has generously offered the McMinnville Ballroom and the catering and entertainment for the event. A big thanks in advance to John! In other news, it was pointed out that Bruce Huffman would become John’s uncle tomorrow. Hmmm.

Joe then continued on with an attempt at introducing guest speaker Tom Sanford. It would have gone better had Joe been able to read Tom’s handwriting, but the effort was fun to watch and paved the way for an entertaining presentation.

Tom is the Executive Director of PATCH – Planned Assistance for Troubled Children. It is a licensed treatment facility and licensed wilderness program for troubled youth. They do not take in drug, sex, or violent offenders. Many of their kids have been abandoned in one fashion or another. Some are abandoned at home by parents who are too busy with their careers.

PATCH operates a facility on 169 acres that was gifted to them. It is in the wilderness on the Payette River outside Garden Valley Idaho. This is not a lock-up facility, but it is bordered on three sides by a very cold river, swamp, and rugged mountains. Residents can depart on foot down the road. If they do, however, they must walk twice as far as they ran with a staff person when they return. This provides one on one time to reflect on what they have done and how they can correct their behavior.

Another 500 acres near Goldendale Washington was given PATCH last year.

PATCH is a multi-faceted program for 16 boys and 16 girls aimed at behavior modification over a 12 to 18 month time frame. Parent reports indicate a 66% success ratio, but 90% of the parents would recommend the program to others.

Tom told a couple of stories at the urging of his friend, Ron Carr.

The first told of four boys who wanted to stay outside a bit longer because the weather was finally nice in May. They were given the task of putting a canoe on the pond. Instead, they put it in the Payette River. Tom had already explained that the river is so cold that life expectancy is about 8 minutes, plus it has class 4 and 5 rapids. They proceeded down the river, wrecked the canoe, and drug themselves out of the river. A phone call later, the boys were found. Punishment needs to be immediate, and that was to retrieve the canoe up a 150-foot embankment and carry it back to the ranch. The boys arrived at about midnight having had plenty of time to think about what had occurred.

The other story involved a girl with a continuing bad hair day. She decided she wanted to leave because “the rules stink, the food stinks, the staff stinks, and the Exec Director stinks”. One philosophy is that you do not get emotionally involved where you have to defend yourself. Tom distracted her by saying she couldn’t leave because there were two guys who were very interested in her, but wanted her to clean up her act first. She said he was lying and he replied that, yes, he was lying. But, he said, she needed to get her inside as pretty as her outside or she would have multiple unsuccessful relationships. As she was leaving his office, she asked, “Were there really two?”

Brochures were provided on the tables and a terrific presentation had to come to an end. Jess thanked Ron and presented the official white McMinnville Rotary mug.

The meeting was adjourned with an announcement that the Wine and Art Committee would meet briefly.

Member Application

The Board of Directors has approved the following for membership:

Ryan Arzner sponsored by Pattie Warner with a classification of Lending – Mortgages.

Diane Haugeberg sponsored by Jan Fyant with a classification of Law – Tax.

Both will automatically become new members unless written objection is received by the Club Secretary on or before February 4.

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"When meeting day comes around, I do not have to decide whether to attend or not, for that has already been decided for me . . . it was one of the obligations I accepted when I joined Rotary." -- A Rotarian

Member Application

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