newsletter march 2012 officers the view from pets f€¦ · is marco parolin (photo right), a...
TRANSCRIPT
Kingston - North KitsapRotary Club
www.kingston-nkrotary.org
Newsletter March 2012
OfficersPresident:
Clint [email protected]
VicePresident:Randy Monlux
[email protected] elect:
Past President:Fredrick Branchflower
Suzanne [email protected]
Treasurer:Jerry Tellinghuisen
[email protected] International:
Community Service:Rae Mowery
[email protected] Service:
Bill [email protected]
Vocational Service:Jessica Larson
[email protected] at Arms:
Doug [email protected]
Newsletter Editor:Don Hutchins
Meeting on Wednesdays at Noon, N. Kitsap Fire & Rescue, 26642 Miller Bay Rd
The view from PETSby Don Hutchins, Editor and President Elect
First, let me apologize for the lateness of this newsletter. In spite of my best intentions, spotty access to wi-fi connections in the last couple of weeks, and my need to return to Puget Sound to attend the Pacific
Northwest President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS) have conspired to make this newsletter a tad late. Mea Culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa...
Having said that, I want to share a bit of the truly inspirational informa-tion and education that I received at last weekend’s three-day PETS Semi-nar in Seattle. You all know that I’m a pretty new Rotarian (a tad over two years when I arrived at PETS) and as such, I’m still on a learning curve vis a vis Rotary International. While I feel I’ve gotten to know our own club pretty well, I’m in grade-school when it comes to the “big” Rotary in the sky.
But courtesy of the learning process we in the Navy call “drinking from a fire hose”, I’m a lot smarter today than I was a week ago. And I have to say, I’m truly inspired as well. I’ve had the chance to learn from Rotarians from every level of our organization, and exchange thoughts with PE’s from al-most 600 Rotary Clubs. I now know that our Kingston Club is not a “small” club, but in fact is pretty average for our District. And I can very proudly say that our club is really on the leading edge in terms of our programs and our processes. We are doing as much on a “per Rotarian” basis as any club out there, and more than most. We should all be very proud of our “little” Kingston/NK Rotary!
I also know now much more about the “big” club: Rotary International. RI is truly the World’s premier deliverer of Service to Mankind. Our 1.2 mil-lion members raise more funds, sponsor more projects, deliver more ser-vices and help develop more communities than ANY other organization, anywhere, Governmental or Non-Governmental. Our International slogan for next year will be “Peace through Service”, and I can’t imagine a more appropos thought to inspire us in the coming year. We do indeed spread Peace in the World, as we provide Service to those in need. I’m extremely proud of my small role in that effort, and I know every one of you is too!
Well done to you all. I look forward very much to serving you as your President in 2012/2013. Don
Page 2March 2012
Poulsbo approves Coffee Oasis leaseby Mike Scott - Poulsbo Rotary
We are all so happy and very proud to announce that the Poulsbo City Council approved the Coffee Oasis Lease. (A project stalwartly supported by K/NK Rotarians led by Fredrick
Branchflower - Ed). With one abstention (but a supportive council person) the vote was unanimous. Kudos to Beck Erickson and Meredith Green for their friendly, persuasive, and outstanding leadership. Hope you enjoy the pictures. Please pass them on to others who have supported this project.
Poulsbo City Council hears testimony in favor of the project from Ardis Morrow of Poulsbo Rotary Club.
Rotarians and Friends of Rotary celebrate the successful vote. Congratulations to all involved!
Page 3March 2012
ServiceAboveSelf RadioPodcasts
To join us and listen to a Podcast of ServiceAboveSelf RadioJust click on the logo at left! - Get involved - you’ll be glad you
did!
Kitsap county Weed of the Monthby Dana Coggon
Yellow archangel : This escaped ornamental plant is one that has moved from our garden planters to our forest floors. At first appearances this plant is attrac-tive with trailing square stemmed vines adorned with mottled green and silver leaves. If you look closely at just the right time, from April to June, you will see lit-tle yellow flowers along the upward reaching stocks.
It has been used as filler in planters, hanging baskets and even as a ground cover in many gardens. When given the opportunity this plant, like so many in the mint family, will take over any open spaces within its reach.
This little plant has become a big problem in our forests. The plant crowds out and covers many de-sirable plants in its path. To control this botanical bully, you will need a lot of time and patients. Pull up as much as you can by the roots, work hard to remove all root and stem fragments. It is very important to discard plant material in such a way as to prevent spreading. As a member of the mint family, it spreads readily by stem cuttings. Never dump clippings in parks or natural areas. Don’t dispose of plants in backyard compost piles.
Email Kitsap Noxious Weed Control at: [email protected]
Page 4March 2012
K/NK Rotary’s newest Community Service Project - An ongoing reminder to all K/NK Rotarians that the Village Green Picnic Shelter is our goal for this year’s fundraising efforts. Let’s pull together to
ensure Rotary’s newest contribution to the Little City by the Bay is a great success!
Kingston/North Kitsap Rotary supports the Puget Sound Blood Center and encourages everyone to give blood regularly. There was an excellent turnout in February, with 48
donors coming through. Thanks to all who participated! Don’t miss the next drive on May 8th at the Kingston Christian Church.
Information on donating is available by visiting the Center at their website.Please help us in this most worthwhile cause. Save a life!
Page 5March 2012
THE INTERNATIONAL SCENEBy Bill Maule
In previous issues of the Newsletter you met our three out-standing young Kingston High School students who are par-
ticipating in our Club’s Short Term Exchange Program (STEP) -- Simon Campo, Leah Van Lieshout and Taylor Larson.
Now it is time to learn where they will travel this summer and just whom they will bring back to spend time in our town. All three of our youth were very diligent and submitted their formal applications to District at an early date. All three have been rewarded by travel to their country of choice.
This month we feature Simon Campo who will travel to Romano d’Ezzeiino, a small town just two hours from marvelous Venice, Italy. His exchange “brother” is Marco Parolin (photo right), a student in the fourth year of a “gymnasium” school. Marco hopes to attend Venice University and become an architect or a designer. He is interested in sports, having played soccer in the past, then moved to Rugby until a foot injury side-lined him. He is quite musical, played piano, and then moved to electric guitar. He enjoys his favorite musical form, hard rock. He is also interested in modern art, especially the serious side of graffiti, although he has not produced one yet. This interest is a natural one for Marco as his town has an annual graffiti festival. Marco has traveled a great deal and once visited Vancouver Island where his father was born.
Rotary has done a good job in matching the two boys. Among their common interests are music, soccer, snow-boarding, and graphic design. They will be a great pair to meet when they arrive in Kingston.
In the next two months, I will introduce you to the exchange sisters of our Leah and Tracy.
And now for a special treat! Here is a photo-essay on our completed Graham Creek Water Project:
Before two Rotary Clubs and an NGO came to the rescue, the women and children of the village of Graham Creek handcarried water from this shallow contaminated well...
Page 6March 2012
Graham Creek, continues:
The Punta Gorda and Kinston-North Kitsap Rotary Clubs, working with the Nongovern-mental Organization Plenty Belize, prepared plans to hand drill a well, install a solar pow-ered pump, provide storage tanks and distribution lines to each building. Nothing would have been possible without matching grants from District 5020 and Rotary International.
The only problem was that every-thing had to be carried on this trail - a two hour hike:
A Punta Gorda Rotary Cub member and villagers pre-pare to start hand drilling the first well:
Page 7March 2012
Graham Creek, continues:
Almost anything can be brought in - if you’re willing! Big tank - no problem...
Troubles were always just around the corner. The hand drill could not penetrate a rocky layer barring the way to enough water for the planned distribution system. Our ever-resourceful Rotary were able to bor-row a gasoline powered drill rig that was disassembled and hand carried to the village, this time with the help of a boat, decreasing the trek from two hours to a mere forty five minutes.
And the new drill found water!
Along came the rainy season that stopped even foot traffic to the village. Before leaving for the season our colleagues taught the villagers to cut and glue the wa-ter main so the work continued. (Look carefully in the background - the old system of water supply contin-ued in the meantime.)
Page 8March 2012
Graham Creek, continues:
Before leaving for the season, our colleagues
had installed a small solar powered pump to supply just a couple of water taps. When rains ended the hard-work-ing crew returned to hear great news - just that amount of clean water had had its effect. School absenteeism sig-nificantly decreased, probably due to fewer cases of water-borne disease, and perhaps because kids had to spend less time hauling water. Overall, absenteeism decreased by 48% during the first three months of available safe water.
Now it was time for the larger pump and solar panels:
At long last it was time to celebrate! The school kids lined up to watch the grand opening with the ceremo-nial first cup of water. Graham Creek now has its source of clean, healthful water!
I think the Rotarian shown may be Gary Bloombaardt, our best source of information. He was the author of the excellent narrative report from which I stole the photographs. I suggest that those of you who did not receive that fascinating narrative e-mail me and I will e-mail a copy to you.
Let’s give the last words to Gary:
“A heartfelt thank you to our funders and supporters: the Ro-tary Club of Kingston-North Kitsap, along with The Rotary Foundation and Plenty Belize, for making this project possible.”
Page 9March 2012
Upcoming Duty Roster:Date Greeters Thought for the Day
03/14 Gene Medina Nancy Martin Thorn Percival03/21 Don Hutchins Breane Martinez Jennifer Carrier03/28 Skip Peters Rea Mowery Fredrick Branchflower04/04 Helen Ralph Suzanne Jenny Jerry Tellinghuisen04/11 Jozef Rura Thorn Percival Jennifer Carrier 04/18 Rae Mowery Sondra Peters Suzanne Jenny04/25 Breane Martinez Tom Lamar Nancy MartinPlease remember: if you can’t fill your assigned duty as
Greeter or Thought for the day, you should arrange your
own swap.
Plan ahead:
Speaker/Event Schedule:As if there were any incentive needed to make it to meetings - here’s a sample of the
interesting speakers and events we’ve got on tap in the next few weeks:Date Speaker/Event Topic/Notes03/14 Lauren Silver After Care03/21 Bob Doane Accupuncture, Alternative Medicine 03/28 Rick Jones NK School District04/04 Club Assembly - no Speaker 04/11 Betty Herman Martha & Mary/Village Green 04/18 Linda Fyfe Chamber of Commerce04/25 Walt Elliot Port of Kingston All of this of course subject to change - but we’re sure your interest is whetted! Club members who have identified potential speakers should contact Isaac Anderson to
work them into the schedule!
Happy Birthday, Rotarians: EvaMonlux-March2nd JozefRura-March24th