IN THIS ISSUE:

This Reveille Home Page

A Walk Down Memory Lane ­ A History of BBRC Retreats

Matching Gift Program Announced

President-Elect Reports

Event Hats/Visors on Sale

Man of LaMancha a Fellowship Event

Friday Potpourri

The La Conner Retreat ­ A Recap

Student Of The Month: Oriana Kness

Rotary Foundation Awards Members

Foundation Committee Performs Valuable Service

Steve Goodier: When You judge Yourself

Web Fun

A Walk Down Memory Lane ­
A History of BBRC Retreats

Club Historian John Mix is charged by the Board of Directors to deliver some sort of historical account each year. Mix selected a look at previous club retreats as his topic on the day when the annual Club Retreat was scheduled. The program reviewed each retreat from an historical point of view. Mix challenged his audience to reveal "who it was that proposed the club’s first retreat?" Blank looks met the challenge. Mix responded by saying, “I don’t know who proposed the first retreat either ... I was hoping some of you might know!”

The annual Club Retreat has been part of the BBRC’s fabric since the administration of Dick Clarke. The first retreat was held at Dr. Dan Brzusek’s vacation home on Whidbey Island in May 1988. This was Jim Owens’ retreat, in preparation of his becoming president on July 1, 1988. From the get-go, the tradition of an overnight function held at a site away from the city’s bright lights, mixed with a bit of golf and retail therapy, an awards dinner, ramping up to an evening of friendly card competition, leading to an intense four-hour planning window the next morning has resulted in a formula that’s held true for 17 years. Mix noted that the club “early-on recognized the wisdom of planning ahead and making decisions that might affect the club for years to come.”

A Reveille headline from the May 1989 retreat read “Planning Retreat Near Useless,” referencing the use of the Useless Bay Golf and Country Club’s facilities for the BBRC’s second planning retreat. Visitor Frank Young, ardent boater, acknowledged the “bay looks useless!” The Useless Bay Retreat had Don Deasy in charge.

The third retreat moved all the way from Whidbey to Crystal Mountain, at the behest of Don Chandler. His retreat explored many of the fundamental operational areas inherent to Rotary Clubs such as fundraising, vocational service, programs, fellowship, membership and attendance. Chandler formalized the evening-before activities with a relaxing event called OAAP ­ “Overnight Attitude Adjustment Period.”

Retreat #4 began a long string of visits to Port Ludlow, across the Sound, on the Peninsula. Dick Brown chaired this first “Ferry Retreat” and remembered asking members about their expectations of the retreat. Many said they were “looking forward to getting to know their fellow Rotarians better.”

The fifth retreat was also a Ludlow affair. It’s was Bob Moloney’s turn in 1992. He remembers a poignant time with the late Frank Stillo: “Frank and I went over early together, hauling all of the stuff for the retreat. After we got settled, we had some time to walk down to the Ludlow boat docks. I’m a boat nut and Frank thought he could become one, too! That was a special time we two Rotarians had that afternoon.”

Howard Johnson remembered he conducted a survey of the membership to see what they thought “an ideal membership number would be for the BBRC. The results showed 117, and that’s been just about the highest membership number the club has attained.”

Bob McKorkle remembered his “9th retreat was an ‘easy’ retreat because it was at Port Ludlow and we were familiar with its workings and how we could maximize our stay there.” This was the retreat when Norm Johnson explained one of life’s most provocative questions: Why are all dogs’ lips black? “It’s a question that’s gone unanswered, but it sure did make us sit up and take notice that we were missing some of the more important things in life!”

At the 10th retreat, Chuck Barnes got prepared for his presidential year in 1997, when the planners recommended creation of the New Member Committee. “This has really worked to the club’s advantage, having our new members involved in this activity for a full year after their induction. Sharon Edberg initially met with the "newbies" at Cheers or Hooters or some place like that!” (A burst of laughter drowned out what else Chuck had to say. No wonder the attendance at new member meetings is so high!)

John DeWater’s 12th retreat was like Twelfth Night ­ or at least it felt that long. John recalls the "Battle of the Sexes" game, when the question was posed, "What car is represented by a prancing horse?" Mary Bell answered, “Jaguar.”

Cary Kopkeystoneinski pushed a pin through his thumb while trying to attach the Rotary symbol to a recipient. (Did we get this right? Ouch!) And Steven Goldfarb vividly remembers the poker game when the pot had reached an unheard of level of $200, with Steve Lingenbrink and Mark Esteb going for it all. Lingencards had a full house and was smugly counting his winnings when Mark grabbed two more cards and displayed five aces.

For his presentation, President Brian gave Mix a certificate noting donation of a buk. Our thanks to Peter Stadelman, who monitored the program Friday, with comments from the crowd, as the history lesson played out. There’s no doubt that Peter is a literate person, but his spelling is suspect. What will Mix do with a buk? Ken he reed?

TOP

CLICK HERE
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BBRC CENTENNIAL PROJECT

CLICK HERE
FOR THE WINNER OF THE 2003 RAFFLE!