Greeters were Jesse Davis and Kristi Brill.  Darrick Price’s Inspirational Moment was a humorous story about his 3-year old daughter’s plans for marriage, and the message that he derived from it.  Even though she is only 3, she will one day truly face the challenges of adulthood, and Darrick expressed gratitude that organizations such as Rotary are there to offer a bright hope for the future. The Pledge of Allegiance was then led by Jack Crabtree

Bruce Dixon was recognized for another birthday.  Bruce took the opportunity to calm Darrick Price’s worries about his daughter’s future by mentioning that his own 23-year old daughter was about to leave for Sardinia to visit her boyfriend.  The message to Darrick:  BE PREPARED!

 

Ron Stone smilingly acknowledge the passing of another birthday.  Judge Stone’s summary of the day: “so far, so good!”

Ryan Arzner was recognized for his 33^rd birthday.  Ryan ruefully noted that, with the arrival of his fourth child, further, um, congress with his wife Julie is hereby suspended until corrective action is taken to preclude the arrival of a fifth child.  Thanks for sharing, Ryan!

Norm Goss made a donation to Rotary International to note the passage of his 32^nd wedding anniversary.

 

Erin Stephenson announced that the McMinnville Volunteer Fair will be held on April 25^th at the Community Center.  She encouraged everyone to attend and support the various organizations that provid volunteer services in McMinnville and Yamhill County.

Leslie VanBlaricom reminded the membership that the annual Yamhill County Plant Sale will also be taking place at the Fairgrounds on April 25th.

Visiting Rotarian DAWN WITT announced that the Habitat For Humanity ReStore will be holding its 4^th Annual $10 Bag Sale on the 25^th.  Anything that can fit into their brown paper bags will be sold for $10.00.

Teresa Smith mentioned that flower baskets would be going on sale soon.  Proceeds from the sale of flower baskets will go to the American Cancer Society.

Lynda Wiegan reminded us that our annual rose sale will be taking place this next month with delivery of roses the first Friday in June.

Tamara Borges made a pitch for “Comedy Cubed”, an evening of one-act comedies being presented at Mac High.  Performances of the show will extend through April 25^th.

 

Rotary Interact member AMU PALACIOS  reported on the activities of the Interact Cub at the High School.  Among the activities they are working on is a beautification project around the school, in the form of planting flowers and ornamental shrubs.

Darrick Price concluded this session with another stab in McMinnville Rotary's quest for the lamest joke. The three he presented were quite lame.

President Chuck Pattishall reminded the membership that a Foundation Board Meeting was held before the regular meeting. He also announced that the dedication of the Rotary Flagpole at the intersection of Baker/Adams and 15th Street will take place on May 16th at 11:00 am. This reporter urges all who wish to attend to arrive early, as parking may become difficult due to the subsequent Alien Daze Parade, which will begin downtown at 1:00 pm.

 

Kristi Brill spent a few minutes talking about the April edition of Rotarian Magazine.  Among the features she discussed was a story about a woman in Uganda who was the first child in that country to have successful open-heart surgery, an operation sponsored by Rotary International.  She has since become an active member of Rotary in Uganda.  Other articles of interest included a project begun by a Rotary Club in India to lend assistance to a city in Ohio.  So often we think that we in the United States only GIVE assistance to the rest of the world.  The fact that we RECEIVE assistance from clubs in other countries proves just how “International” Rotary has truly become!  Kristi concluded her report with a sobering account of the drinking water crisis around the world.  Over 1.1 billion people around the world do not have access to safe drinking water, and 1.8 million die each year due to water-borne diseases.

MAIN EVENT

PAM FERRARA, a workforce analyst with the State of Oregon Employment Department, was the featured speaker. The subject was the alarming growth of unemployment in Oregon. As has been documented, the current rate of unemployment in Yamhill County is a staggering 13.4%, and the state as a whole stands at an equally alarming 12.1%. Both figures meet or exceed the unemployment rates experienced in the recession of the early 1980’s, and the trends suggest that the numbers will continue to grow over the next couple of quarters. Industries hardest hit by the current recession are Construction, Manufacturing, Trade/Transportation/Utilities, and Professional/Business Services.

As gloomy as the reports are, Pam reported that there are signs that the labor force is, in fact, growing. Pam’s relatively brief report was followed by a vigorous question-and-answer period.

Following her report, Pam was asked to sign a book for the Early Readers Program at the McMinnville Library.

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