The Annual BBRC Holliday Breakfast
President Margie required assistance to open the meeting by having a grandchild whack the bell to send us all down a very festive seasonal path.
The Invocation was delivered by Norm Johnson, followed by the Pledge. Joellen Monson introduced Assistant District Governor Ezra Teshome and Past District Governor Rosemary Aragon.Invocation
- Father, bless us today with the lesson that you gave your only son to us. The lesson is that we receive our true gift by giving of ourselves, from our hearts.
- Allow this spirit to last beyond the holiday into the New Year. Also, thank you for allowing us to join in fellowship as the BBRC celebrates this family breakfast. We pray for the continuation of this fellowship and friendship that has allowed us to accomplish so much for this community, the world, and for each other.
- We realize that warm and personal friendship is the cornerstone of every great Rotary club, and that this club will become even better based upon these strong bonds.
- It is in gratitude that we gather knowing that we are truly blessed by being in the presence of such worthy friends. You have allowed us to discover that it is not what we find under the tree, or the gifts that we give, but the spirit in our hearts that makes the season so bright.
- Amen
The meeting was turned over to Wendi Fischer, Co-chair of the Fellowship Committee, for a non-stop session, with the primary focus being on the children and grandchildren.
Five families came forward to describe what the holiday meant to them and what was special. Tim Johnstone and his granddaughter described the special gifts exchanged in their family: they are all handmade by the giver. Kate Fischer made her mama proud by reading a passage from Dr. Seuss on the Grinch (and who doesn't love the Grinch?).
Bill and Garrett Brooks took the mike, and Garrett demonstrated his mental prowess by reciting Luke, Verse 10-11.
Tamara Dean and her daughter Raegan provided their view of the season as well.
Ron Healey thanked the members for their strong support of the Annual Giving Tree. Sue Healey provided a meaningful message by recalling a visit to Frederick & Nelson 25 years ago. Sue's Story:
- Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, about the year 1984, there was a beautiful store called Frederick and Nelson.
- This store at Christmas time was decorated better than just about any other store. Frederick's was the best place to have your Santa picture taken. Children from all over the area went to Frederick's in their holiday best and had their pictures taken. There was music playing, and a magical feel in the air. The Christmas trees were real and put off a smell that could only mean Christmas. The proud parents stood back and took pictures of their beautiful children, and I want to tell you the children looked beautiful, almost as beautiful as all the children are here today.
- It was at this store that I saw what I would describe as a Christmas miracle. I was finished with all my shopping, baking, and decorating, and I wanted to go drink in the atmosphere of the holiday spirit ... at Frederick's. Sauntering through the mall I headed to the Santa department at Frederick's. it was in the middle of the week, in the middle of the day, and all the children were in school ... or most of them.
- As I approached Santa's throne, I was greatly disappointed because there were no children waiting to see Santa. I waved at Santa and he waved back. I was just about to leave when I saw a boy approaching. He wasn't dressed in fancy clothes. His clothes looked well used, and maybe even a bit on the dirty side. the closer he got, you could see that he was handicapped, with multiple handicaps — he had no feet, just stumps covered with socks — and he plodded toward the Santa throne. He was lead by an adult. He had no hair, n
- ot even eyelashes. His body was covered with crusty scales, scales all over his face, ears, lips, nose. Everywhere you could see skin, he had scales. He looked really awful and like something you wouldn't want to touch, let alone take on your lap. As he got up to Santa, I said a silent prayer, and I think Santa said one, too. The adult told Santa that this boy was deaf and able only to see a little bit right in front of his face. And then I saw the miracle happen.
- Santa reached out to the boy and wrapped his arms around him hugging him close and looking at him with eyes of love. Just as if that child was just the most beautiful child in the whole world. Santa shook his sleigh bells in the little guy's ear and signed to him right in front of his face. He sat him on his lap and ho‑ho‑ho'd in sign language. He cradled that boy and tried every way he could think of to communicate his love to that poor little guy.
- I will never forget that day. I went looking for a Frederick and Nelson Christmas fix. what i got was a look into the real meaning of Christmas. Unconditional love for all of God's children.
President Margie then took the opportunity to recognize the Glendale staff by presenting a gift to each. They all gathered at the front: Mario, Marriann, Nancy, Francisco, Frank, Arise, Josh and Enrico.
It was then time for the squirming and fidgety children to gather at the front of the room with Eric Olde and some very animated Christmas songs. From "Wa do ya want fir Christmas," "Frosty the Snowman," "Jingle Bells," and a surprise appearance of Scratchy, an orange cat who appeared to be a more benevolent relative of the Grinch.
Eric's last song with the children was "Santa Claus is Coming To Town," and what do your imagined happened? The jolly ol' guy appeared as if by magic. Actually, Santa appeared to be very well versed in time travel, for he appeared as his younger more agile self. Then, two elves appeared with a large gift bag and allowed Santa to hand out the cell phones, TV's, lap tops and one Benz to the anxiously awaiting children. Actually, to save space, Santa handed out a variety of stuffed toys representing the gifts. Good job, Santa!
The last gift given, Santa departed, and President Margie adjourned the session by striking the bell.
Special thanks to the Social Committee, Wendi Fischer, Sayoko Kuwahara, and Andrew Face for making this such a special meeting.
PS: Greeters Norm Johnson and Joellen Monson were ably assisted by Carolyn Johnson and ghost of BBRC past John Mix.
Rotary First Harvest Work Party
Howard Johnson
Saturday, December 12, was another very successful BBRC turnout at the Rotary First Harvest work party. The 43 members and friends of BBRC who showed up at the work party broke an all-time record for our Club. The previous record was 41. The group of workers on this particular day packed both carrots and pears, with the food scheduled for delivery to the recipient food banks within a week's time.
Several members had guests with them; hence the total of 43 total participants credited to the BBRC. The prize goes to John Smolke, who brought 20 employees from his accounting firm of Peterson-Sullivan. Congratulations, John!
Rotary First Harvest overall is experiencing increased giving this year and appreciates the extra level of support, especially in this time of economic downturn. Thanks to all who gave of their time on December 12 to help with an important cause this holiday season.
The annual BBRC "Golfing with the Elves" will be held on Thursday, December 24th, with a 9:00 AM tee time at Mt Si Golf Course. Greens fees will be $19 if you bring an unwrapped stuffed toy or non-perishable food items for the Mt. Si Helping Hand Food Bank.
Take a break from the sound of the holiday with some fresh air and fellowship as we celebrate the Winter Solstice. Guests and family members are always welcomed.
RSVP to Norm Johnson.
Proposed Member: Christine Addison
Christine Addison works for KITH in Kirkland as Development Director in charge of fundraising, PR, and community relations. If her name sounds familiar to you, you are not imagining it. She was once a very active BBRC member and is now making a comeback!
Christine lives in Bellevue with her husband and daughters. She is active in Bellevue Business and Professional Women, CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), and Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. She is a "volunteer barista," too. Her sponsor is Celia Morant, and her proposed classification is Non-Profit Development.
Contact Membership Committee Chair Chris Rasmussen with any questions or concerns regarding this application.
Courtesy of John Mix
"I dug deep into the Keepers File for this 1999 Christmas list from Martha
Stewart. I recycle it to you! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." — John
- Martha Stewart's Holiday Calendar
December 1- Blanch carcass from Thanksgiving turkey. Spray paint gold, turn upside down
- and use as a sleigh to hold Christmas cards.
- December 2
- Have Mormon Tabernacle Choir record outgoing Christmas message for answering
- machine.
- December 3
- Using candlewick and hand gilded miniature pinecones, fashion cat-o-nine
- tails. Flog gardener.
- December 4
- Repaint Sistine Chapel ceiling in ecru, with mocha trim.
- December 5
- Get new eyeglasses. Grind lenses myself.
- December 6
- Fax family Christmas newsletter to Pulitzer committee for consideration.
- December 7
- Debug Windows 2000.
- December 10
- Align carpets to adjust for curvature of Earth.
- December 11
- Lay Faberge egg.
- December 12
- Take dog apart. Disinfect. Reassemble.
- December 13
- Collect antique dentures. They make excellent pastry cutters, particularly
- for decorative pie crusts.
- December 14
- Install plumbing in gingerbread house.
- December 15
- Replace air in mini-van tires with Glade "holiday scents" in case tires are
- shot out at mall.
- December 17
- Child proof the Christmas tree with garland of razor wire.
- December 19
- Adjust legs of chairs so each Christmas dinner guest will be same height
- when sitting at his or her assigned seat.
- December 20
- Dip sheep and cows in egg whites and roll in confectioner's sugar to add a
- festive touch to the pasture.
- December 21
- Drain city reservoir; refill with mulled cider, orange slices, and cinnamon
- sticks.
- December 22
- Float votive candles in toilet.
- December 23
- Seed clouds for white Christmas.
- December 24
- Do my annual good deed. Go to several stores. Be seen engaged in last minute
- Christmas shopping, thus making many people feel less inadequate than they
- really are.
- December 25
- Bear son. Swaddle. Lay in color coordinated manger scented with homemade
- potpourri.
- December 26
- Organize spice racks by genus and phylum
- December 27
- Build snowman in exact likeness of God.
- December 31
- New Year's Eve! Give staff their resolutions. Call a friend in each time
- zone of the world as the clock strikes midnight in that country.
