Greeters: Kristi Brill and Shoshannah Siefken. Dave Pfendler provided the Inspirational Moment by offering a prayer or remembrance for Jon Triest, who passed away June 3rd after a long battle with cancer.  Dave also called upon the membership to give thanks to our service men and women around the globe who risk their lives daily, that we may continue to enjoy the freedoms they pledge to protect. The Pledge of Allegiance was then led by Art Bradley.

Darrick opened his portion of the meeting by announcing several birthdays and anniversaries among our membership.

Elise Hui acknowledged the passage of her birthday.

Dale Tomlinson accepted kudos for his birthday with two contributions, a check for an undisclosed amount, and a “lucky nickel” which he just happened to find on the floor.

Gene Zinda happily announced 46 years of marriage to his lovely bride Carol.

Johannes Goddick called attention to the fact that the Demotion Dinner sign-up sheets located on the tables were on plain yellow paper, as the official sign-up sheets have been misplaced.

Art Bradley followed up by reminding the membership that Chuck Pattishall’s Demotion Dinner will take place on Friday, June 26^th.  As per custom, the dinner will take place in lieu of the usual noon meeting in the Grand Ballroom.

TAMARA BORGES, our current Inbound Exchange Student from Araxa, Brazil, happily announced that she would be receiving her diploma at the McMinnville High School Graduation Commencement Exercise on Friday night.  You go, Graduate!

Lynda Wiegan announced that the Annual Rose Sale was successfully completed.  She thanked Teresa Smith and all of the Team Captains for their hard work, and speculated that the club would see a net result of nearly $7,000 for this year’s drive.

Bruce Huffman took a moment to personally thank Waldo Farnham (not present) for his generous contributions to the Rose Sale through his donation of flowers to members of Hillside Retirement Community.

Darrick Price concluded his portion of the meeting by sharing a brief allegory about his efforts to make Membership Recognition a fun an enjoyable segment of the noon meeting.  To those who might insist that he be funnier, Darrick issued the same warning he issues to his children when they demand hilarity: “Don’t make me spank you!”

John Ailstock announced that his daughter would be joining TAMARA by receiving her diploma at Mac High Friday night.

Steve Battaglia reported that the performers for the Summer Concert Series have been scheduled.  They are as follows:

• New Iberians, July 7^th
• Midnight Serenaders, July 14^th
• The Cheeseburgers, July 28^th
• Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin’ Daddies, August 4^th
• Aquamiel, August 11^th

There will be no concert on July 21^st because of the International Pinot Noir Festival.  Steve also reported that volunteers are still needed to monitor this event.

 

Lee Vasquez gave a brief report on our upcoming Wine & Art Auction, known otherwise as “Uncorked”.  Despite the economic downturn over the past year, Lee was pleased to announce that a “Presented Sponsor” has been found for this year’s event.  With a generous donation of $10,000, the “Presented Sponsor” for “Uncorked” is DND Electric.  The McMinnville Rotary Club extends a huge thank you to DND Electric and its President, Ed DeReaves, for making this commitment to our largest fundraiser.  Thanks, Ed!

Chuck Pattishall thanked everyone for their participation in the Annual Rose Sale.  He then called attention to the Donation Board, and the fact that our goal of reaching $10,000 has nearly been met. Those who have not yet contributed to the Foundation are encouraged to do so so we can reach our goal.

 

 

Chuck Pattishall spoke for a few minutes about Paul Colbert and Jon Triest, both of whom recently passed away.  Paul was President of the Rotary Club of McMinnville  from 1996-1997. He also served for a short term as Club Secretary the year after his presidency and just before he moved from McMinnville. While in McMinnville he was the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Yamhill County. 

 Jon was a very active member who served on a number of committees.  He Chaired the Rose Sale Fundraiser for several years, Chaired the Summer Concert Series following the retirement of Patti Webb from MDA, and was a frequent contributor to the Pacesetter.  Chuck spoke warmly of how Jon, a prominent local realtor, helped him out with moving expenses and related problems a number of years ago.  Jon’s motto: “Just leave it all to me….I’ll handle it!”  This reporter would like to add that Jon was among the most trusted and reliable members of the Pacesetter staff.  He provided many insights and suggestions that made the job of Pacesetter Chair easier and more efficient.  He will be greatly missed by his family, his many friends, and  his associates.

MAIN EVENT

Chuck Pattishall welcomed PHIL STUVA and LARRY WOOD to the podium to speak about some of the latest activities going on at the Evergreen Aviation Museum.  PHIL began by announcing that Evergreen Aviation Museum was recently tabbed as the first Smithsonian Institute affiliate in Oregon.  This achievement is important, as it will certainly be a factor in Evergreen’s quest to secure one of the Space Shuttles when the fleet is retired a few years hence.

Three main goals of the Museum were discussed: To Inspire and Educate, To Promote and Preserve Aviation & Space History, and To Honor the Patriotic Service of Veterans.

Many educational programs are currently underway at Evergreen.  Special tours designed for young students have been very successful.  LARRY stressed that the tours are designed to have features which grab and hold the attention of the students, and that the key is to involve them in a number of ways.  Currently, Evergreen has over 10,000 square feet of classroom space, and shares 10,000 additional square feet of classroom space in remote locations around the county.  A “Home School Day” four times per year gives students who are educated at home an opportunity to tour the facility.  There is also a program for teachers called “Educator Launch”, whereupon teachers in the area can learn more about the various programs found at the Museum.  Summer camps, day camps, and overnight camps are also available to students.  EASA, the Evergreen Aviation Science Academy, is growing rapidly and is highly successful.

There are nearly 200 aviation and space vehicles now housed at the facility.  A restoration program is ongoing, with volunteers working to bring historic aircraft back into “mint” condition.  As mentioned earlier, Evergreen is hoping to receive one of the Space Shuttles after the fleet is retired, but the cost is enormous.  The estimated cost to acquire a Space Shuttle has been given as $42 million.

Veterans are honored in many ways at the Museum.  Special events include the Oregon Aviation Hall of Honor program, a program that honors the memory of Easy Company (one of World War II’s most decorated outfits), and a huge Veteran’s Day Weekend program.

The latest plans for the facility include a new Hotel and an indoor Water Theme Park.  The hotel will feature conference facilities, and will be designed in a rustic fashion that infuses traditional themes with the architectural motif seen in the Museums and IMAX buildings.  The water theme park will be noted for having a 747 jet perched atop the roof!  The 747 will be brought to McMinnville in the coming months, and will have a temporary home in front of the Aviation Museum while the theme park is being constructed.

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