|
||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
Vol. 18, No. 30, JANUARY 23, 2006 |
||||||||||||||
The Friday Program: A Rotary Treasure – Phil Smart, Sr. | Friday Potpourri | News From Norm | Computers for Slovakia Set for Take-Off; Need More | Hype for RI Convention from Mike Montgomery | News About Ernie | Student of the Month: Julie Kuoch | Community Service Project a Wet, Sloppy Success | Web Fun |
||||||||||||||
The Friday Program:
“I’ve never met anyone who has 25 or 23 hours to use each day. We get 8 hours for work or retirement or school, 8 hours for rest, which leaves 8 hours of discretionary time – the Third Eight. “What are we gonna do with those eight hours?” Zul Alibhai gave the Invocation, while Roger Allington led the Pledge of Allegiance, greeted several visiting Rotarians, and orchestrated introduction of guests of Rotarians. Zul received his blue badge from President Lingenbrink after performing the invocation, his last obstacle to retiring his Red Badge. Congratulations, Zul! Thanks to two talented people, the transition from one Treasurer to another in mid-term was accomplished, as Margie Burnett handed the reins to Steve Szirmai. And, all of this occurred while Steve was accepting a new job with Microsoft, which has him traveling all over the world. With that in mind, Steve said he’d be out of the country beginning the end of this week and asked that members requiring reimbursement use the Web forms available and get them to him before Friday. No sir, no moss grows under Steve Szirmai! Sergeant At Arms Chris Ballard came bearing a copy of the New York Times with a complimentary article about Kemper Freeman. It so happens that Kemper was making up on Friday, so he became “fair game” for a little tail-twisting. The article focused on Kemper’s new Lincoln Square project and resulted in a fine of $20 for all that space taken by the article. Kemper was a good sport, as always, and happened to have a $20 in his wallet. Ballard also hyped the Rotary Community Day happening the next day by unveiling a special work uniform for Rourke O’Brien. The device was made up of a life preserver, two long and visible flags on high poles, and some flashing lights. The last time the club had a tree planting exercise, Rourke fell in the Sammamish River. Now he’s ready for any eventuality while tree planting on Bear Creek. Computers for Slovakia Set for Take-Off; Need More
After Jeff announced they still need computers, a few of you stepped forward saying you can help. The need is for working Pentium III, 600MHz or faster. Monitors are optional and must work. Individual machines are fine, and if you know of anyone (your company perhaps) that can donate 5-10-50 or more similar machines it's even better. Hard drives are wiped clean. Tax donation receipts are available. The best situation is if you can take the computers to Newport. You can call Jeff at 425-456-7533 to make arrangements. John Martinka will bring a vehicle Friday that will hold quite a few computers. If you prefer to bring them to the meeting, let John know and he will coordinate. Thanks to all BBRC members for your support and help. The project is 90% of the way to its goal of at least 150 computers, and there are about two more weeks before it's time to ship. Hype for RI Convention from Mike Montgomery
Beginning his Rotary career in 1991, Mike quickly rose to become president of his club and later performed as Assistant Governor. He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and a graduate of the District Academy. “It’s hard to describe the excitement that comes with attending a Rotary convention,” Mike said. “The first-ever convention that will span two countries takes place June 11-14 at Copenhagen, Denmar,k and Malmo, Sweden. The two are connected by a stunning bridge. My first convention was an epiphany. I found a Rotary I’d never seen before. You can discover this pride of Rotary by planning to attend this year. Next year, the convention moves back to North America – to Salt Lake City – changing from the previous site of New Orleans.” With the damage done to the Big Easy by Hurricane Katrina, it became apparent that things would not be back to normal by June of 2007, principally taking away all of the activities of Rotary Clubs who would have a major role in the convention. It was determined best to find another city to host the convention before finding a new date to return to New Orleans. Mike showed pictures of what a Rotarian could expect by attending an International Convention. You may find out more by contacting Mike. Student of the Month: Julie Kuoch
For her part, Julie said she was mindful of the opportunity to study in the United States. “Things are totally different here than in Cambodia. I tell myself every day that I must believe in myself and I will do what I need to do to be successful.” At this point, this young lady lost her composure, telling Rotarians that even after five years, she was homesick all the time “for my family and my familiar surroundings. My family has had to work so hard to help support me, and particularly my brother. I owe them my thanks.” The BBRC thanks Principal Bill Saystrom of Bellevue Christian, who has perfect attendance when accompanying his school’s Students of the Month! Community Service Project a Wet, Sloppy Success Twenty-six BBRC Rotarians pulled on their high boots and rain slickers to battle the elements during Saturday’s Community Service Day. Rotary Clubs throughout District 5030 responded to the call to tackle a project in their community. The BBRC chose to return to its Preserve Planet Earth roots and plant some trees and clear away invasive plants in a site just off Avondale Road in Redmond.
Working with the City of Redmond, PPE Chair Chip Erickson made arrangements for the work crew to join with others to refurbish this spot first planted about eight years ago. In addition to the 26 members and guests, District Governor Sally Gray, Assistant Governor Bill Ptacek, and District Project Coordinator Roger Martindill popped in to plant a tree in one of the muddiest spots on the Eastside. Augmenting the Rotary work crew were a half-dozen members of AmeriCorps and another half-dozen from the general public. After three hours of digging in new bushes and tree stock, the work party adjourned to a lunch of pizza provided by the BBRC. It was a wet, cold, typical January day, with the ankle-deep mud challenging the work force. Peter Holte of the City of Redmond was appreciative of the work accomplished by the crew. So, kudos to Chip Erickson for his leadership and to Sayoko Kuwahara for making the event ring with fellowship with the pizza party after the work ended. The attendance sheet showed the following members in attendance: Chuck Barnes, Doug Cameron, Chip Erickson, Brian Evison, Andrew Face, Alan Forney, Larry Gill, Tom Harrelson, Howard Johnson, Kevin Jewell, Sayoko Kuwahara, Steve Lingenbrink, Shelley Noble, Rourke O’Brien, Jim Owens, Alex Rule, Kim Shrader, Peter Stadelman, Hal Teel, and Jim Young. Also attending was Jim Carney, who will be inducted as a new member any time now (and his son Tristan) and Elena Howell, whose name will soon be placed on an application for membership. COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY SCRAPBOOK
The Friday Program:
“I’ve never met anyone who has 25 or 23 hours to use each day. We get 8 hours for work or retirement or school, 8 hours for rest, which leaves 8 hours of discretionary time – the Third Eight. “What are we gonna do with those eight hours?” On each table and at each place setting, Phil had placed a business card. There were letters and numbers, front and back, and each had a message. “There are eight areas of social pain,” said Smart. Across the top of the card were four letters: H, H, H, and U. “That stands for hurt, hungry, homeless and unemployed.” At the bottom of the card were four more letters: Y, O, I and D. “These stand for young, old, illiterate and drugged. These letters pretty well tell of the areas of social pain, not only in Seattle, but around the world. I’ve taken but a small piece and devoted my time to easing that social pain,” Phil explained.
Precious said, “Give it a whirl.” Phil related that it wasn’t long before he was calling the hospital the “Miracle House, because of how it’s changed my life with the Wednesday night visits. I have learned from the bedside of terminally-ill kids ... they are my teachers.” That was 44 years ago. “Then, 26 years ago, another call came, offering me another job at the Hospital. Would I be interested in a job that took only one day a year? What would that be? They had in mind I would be Santa Claus. After all, the sickest kids are there at the hospital over Christmas. I asked for my manual, not sure what the job entailed. They told me I didn’t need a manual ... 'the kids will teach you.'” It didn’t take long to be taught, Phil observed. Connor was a patient who sent a letter to Santa. In addition to his love for chocolate chip cookies, Connor let it be known that he was writing to “the REAL Santa Claus.” His letter said three things: #1) I want out of this hospital; #2) I need a home; and #3) I need help with my aggression. There was a PS – I believe in you, Santa. “That’s when I learned that I was the REAL Santa Claus.” Phil told the story of 12-year-old Kathy, “with a K.” Kathy had a severely severed spinal cord at the neck from a wayward rifle bullet. “She was one of the long-term patients at Children’s. I visited Kathy once a week for her 10 years in the hospital. She was on a breathing machine 24 hours a day. Near Christmas time one year, I came into her room and there she was with a paint brush in her mouth. She told me she was painting a card which she was going to enter in the fair. ‘How much will they give me for my picture?’ she asked. The story continued. “In August of 1972, Kathy got a check for her entry in the fair. She said she wanted the money. I told her she must endorse the check. She didn’t know what that was, but I gave her a pen for her mouth and she signed the check. So, she wanted the money. I cashed the check for her ... it was for 60 cents. I happened to have the exact change and put it in a cup. She told me, she knew it wasn’t much, but she’d do better the next time.” Four years later, at age 16, Kathy painted a most beautiful card showing Joseph leading Mary on a donkey on the way to Bethlehem. The Hospital reproduced the card and sold 45,000 that year, which raised many dollars for the Uncompensated Care Fund, the one that takes care of kids who don’t have enough money. “Kathy told me that she could see that the three of us would walk together, me, Kathy and Jesus. It was much later that Kathy passed away, after bringing joy and learning to me and other volunteers like me for 10 years. Kathy was something else.”
“That’s what you do with your Third Eight. You put it to work for the things and people you want to help.” So says Phil Smart, Sr., our Rotary Treasure who knows what he’s talking about. He’s been there and done that. Thanks to Steve Goldfarb for his introduction. A book was donated in Phil Smart’s name to the King County Library System recognizing Rotary’s program to improve literacy.
An old farmer named Clyde had a car accident. In court, the trucking company's fancy lawyer was questioning Clyde. "Didn't you say at the scene of the accident, 'I'm fine'?" asked the lawyer. Clyde responded, "Well, I'll tell you what happened. I had just loaded my favorite mule, Bessie, into the ..." I didn't ask for any details," the lawyer interrupted. "Just answer the question. Did you not say, at the scene of the accident, "I'm fine!'?" Clyde said, "Well, I had just got Bessie into the trailer and was driving down the road ..." The lawyer interrupted again and said, "Judge, I am trying to establish the fact that at the scene of the accident, this man told the Highway Patrolman on the scene that he was just fine. Now, several weeks after the accident, he is trying to sue my client. I believe he is a fraud. Please tell him to simply answer the question." By this time, the Judge was fairly interested in Clyde's answer and said to the lawyer, "I'd like to hear what he has to say about his favorite mule, Bessie." Clyde thanked the Judge and proceeded, "Well, as I was sayin', I had just loaded Bessie, my favorite mule, into the trailer and was drivin' her down the highway, when this huge semi ran the stop sign and smacked my truck right in the side. I was thrown into one ditch and Bessie was thrown into the other. I was hurtin' real bad and didn't want to move. However, I could hear ol' Bessie moanin' and groanin'. I knew she was in terrible shape just by her groans. Real soon, a Highway Patrolman came on the scene. He could hear Bessie moanin' and groanin', too, so he went over to her. After he looked at her, he took out his gun and shot her between the eyes. Then the Patrolman came across the road with his gun in his hand, looked at me, and said, 'How are YOU feeling?' "Now, what would YOU have said!?" |
Telling his audience “in our business, it’s nice to be invited anyplace,” Phil Smart, Sr., took the BBRC down the path of “What are you going to do with all that time on your hands?” At 87, Phil Smart is one of the few people who has an answer to that question, as he invited his audience to explore “The Third Eight.”
Friday Potpourri
For those not present last Friday, Jeff Mason, the teacher from Newport, and two students were at the meeting to announce that their fundraiser generated over $1,000 for the Computers for Slovakia project. This will go towards the matching grant. They also thanked us for donating $300 for food for the video game fundraising party on January 13.
It’s not too soon, nor too late to make plans for an event of a lifetime – no, not the Super Bowl, but Rotary International’s Annual Convention! District Governor-Elect Mike Montgomery, a member of the Edmonds Daybreakers Club, stopped by to give a brief invitation to Rotary’s biggest show.
An emotional presentation by Julie Kuoch, a Bellevue Christian senior, highlighted the Student-of-the-Month award ceremony. Larry May introduced Julie, who is a native of Cambodia. “She is an outstanding student, a member of the National Honor Society and has been an inspiration to her classmates,” said Larry.
Telling his audience “in our business, it’s nice to be invited anyplace,” Phil Smart, Sr., took the BBRC down the path of “What are you going to do with all that time on your hands?” At 87, Phil Smart is one of the few people who has an answer to that question, as he invited his audience to explore “The Third Eight.”
One day, the phone rang at Phil’s office. “It was Children’s Orthopedic Hospital calling, giving me an ‘opportunity’ to be the hospital’s first male Ward volunteer. It would take three hours, one night a week. I told them I’d need to talk to Precious ....we’ve been together 64 years now, and I don’t do anything without checking with her!”
“I have a story about Angels, a subject of a new book. I hope you can invite me back and we’ll talk about giving. I’ve shared my story with 82,000 people ... and the numbers on the card, 121, mean that you do all of this One To One (121). On the back of the card is the number 296. That represents the number of social agencies found in the Seattle phone book. That’s where to go to sign up to volunteer. Find your spot and begin making a difference; and you’ll learn more than you ever thought possible.”
Clyde and the Car Accident