Greeters were Past President Dan and Assistant Governor Art Bradley (not pictured). The inspirational moment was provided by Darrick Price and the salute to the flag was led by Brent Adams.

The annual Demotion Dinner was held in the McMinnville Ballroom to honor the service of Chuck Pattishall as our 2008-09 Club President, and to herald the ascension of Jan Hartzell to that post for the coming year.  Dinner began at 6:00, and members and guests enjoyed a delightful repast of prime rib, baked salmon, buttered asparagus “al dente”, roasted golden potatoes, and a variety of salads served up by Harvest Fresh.  An outstanding berry crisp provided the dessert topper, and the whole affair was punctuated with some very nice riesling, chardonnay, and pinot noir wines. 

Dan Gardner offered a few introductory remarks about Chuck’s year as President, noting that the $10,000 goal was reached on the Rotary Donation Board during his administration.  What a great accomplishment!  Dan then yielded the podium to Darrick Price.

Starting the Chuck Roast, Darrick spoke eloquently about Chuck, offering praise via an assortment of humorous anecdotes, the kind of which we have come to expect from our low-key master of member recognition.  The highlight was a Top Ten list of things Darrick will miss most about Chuck’s tenure.

Dan Gardner took a moment to thank Harvest Fresh for not only providing a great dinner, but for all of the Friday lunches they prepare for the club throughout the year.   

Brent Adams followed with more Chuck Roast by showing some great photos of Chuck, including shots from childhood and even babyhood.  It was a priceless assortment of candid images and memorable moments out of Chuck’s life.

Dan Gardner asked Chuck to come up to the rostrum and officially surrender his “President” badge, and accept a new “Past-President” badge, along with a “past-President” pin and a commemorative plaque.  The assembled members and guests rose to give Chuck a sustained round of applause for successfully completing a memorable year as Club President.

Chuck Pattishall then took his turn at the podium, and began by thanking the members of his Board.  They were Jan Hartzell, Bruce Dixon, Teresa Smith, Ron Benek, Maureen Chapman, Paul Elias, Russ Rainwater, Ryan Arzner, Jack Crabtree, Richard Weed, Lee Means, Ray Fields, and Dan Gardner. 

The following members were awarded red wings in recognition of their donating at least $100.00 to Rotary International this past year signifying their being Foundation sustaining members:  Dudley Frost, Paul Elias, Art Bradley, Brent Adams, Colin Armstrong, Steve Battaglia, Maureen Chapman, Jack Crabtree, Dan Gardner, Walter Haight, Jan Hartzell, Jeanne Hermens, Phil Hutchinson, Ezra Koch, John Larsen, Robert Mason, Lee Means, Kelly Odegaard, Jeff Sargent, Shoshannah Siefken, Leslie VanBlaricom, Richard Weed, and Lynda Wiegan. Other members of the club who have achieved sustaining membership status but were not present to be recognized will be recognized later.

Chuck touched on some of the highlights of his year as President:

• The trip to Guatemala (with Brent Adams) with a dental team led by Dr. Allen Methven
• The book donation to Upper Uganda
• The success of “Uncorked!” (aka the Wine & Art Auction)
• The Youth Exchange Program
• The “Pennies For Polio” program (which reached its goal of $1,000)
• The Annual Rose Sale
• The Concerts in the Park series
• The continued success of the Membership Committee
• The Flagpole Project

Chuck then took a moment to announce that our current Rotary Exchange Inbound Student TAMARA BORGES was celebrating her 18^th birthday.  Bruce Huffman led the assembled guests in a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday”, sung in the keys of B flat, G sharp, and E flat.

Chuck conferred several awards, beginning with a Presidential Citation to Elise Hui for her work on the Program Committee.

Ron Benek was the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award for all the important work he does “under the radar”.

Jeff Sargent was honored as Outstanding New Rotarian.  Although Jeff has, in fact, been with the club for several years, he has recently joined the Board, and has also agreed to Chair the Wine & Art Auction in 2010.  Way to go, Jeff!

Waldo Farnham (who was not present) received the Rotarian of the Year award.

After thanking the entire membership for a wonderful year, and offering a personal thank-you to his wife, Sharon, Chuck introduced the new President of the Rotary Club of McMinnville, Jan Hartzell.  Jan took a few moments to introduce her Board for the coming year: Bruce Dixon (President-Elect), Jack Crabtree (Vice President), Carol Benedict (Treasurer, who will be succeeding Ron Benek in March of 2010), Elva Salinas-Garcia, Brandon Malloy, Jeff Sargent, Richard Weed, Paul Elias, Lee Means, Teresa Smith, and Ray Fields.

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