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Vol. 18, No. 11, September 12, 2005
IN THIS ISSUE: The Friday Program: The Miracle of Rotary First Harvest (David Bobanick) | Katrina Hurricane Relief | BBRC Gets a New Steve (Szirmai) | Cletus Has Own Raffel | Alert! Patient Missing | Major Gift to Hopelink | BBRC Family Hike | Volunteers Needed for a Taste Testing Study | Friday Potpourri | Web Fun
The Friday Program:
This quotation says a lot about Rotary First Harvest and how it got its start, Bobanick observed. “In 1982, two members of University Rotary, Norm Hillis and Mike Stranahan, came up with the idea to urge citizens to plant an extra row of vegetables to be earmarked for the needy in the community. For 23 years, this project has blossomed, to become a model for Rotary Clubs and districts everywhere — how to gather, transport and deliver perishable food to food banks, something that Rotary First Harvest has done with much success. This project has resulted in the collection of over 100 million pounds of produce these past 23 years. It’s the Miracle of RFH!” READ MORE Members and their families and friends also participated in a Rotary First Harvest Work Party this past weekend, packing hygiene kits to be shipped to Katrina victims down south. The Officers and Board of Directors wish to thank the membership for showing once again how ready you are to help your neighbors in need.
Steve Szirmai will be number Eight Steve. Brian introduced him as a former colleague at Boullioun Aviation, where he served as Corporate Treasurer. Steve was born in Germany, has a Hungarian background, and has both U.S. and German citizenship. He graduated from Canisius College and has spent 25 years in finance and operations as a controller. He’s served in Hong Kong and other foreign ports of call. With the induction pep talk by Lingenbrink, Steve Szirmai was greeted as the BBRC’s newest member with a standing ovation. Welcome Steve! The skit served to highlight the BBRC Raffle is gearing up for a run to the World Serious in “A League of Their Own.” The American league, managed by Nick Paget, has an early edge with $6,492 runs scored, followed closely by their National League counterparts — managed by Curt Cummings — with $5,740. Wendi Fischer’s American League “Giggling Marlins” have the team lead with $2,890, with Jenny Andrews' National League “Raffle Rousers” a close second at $2,790. So far, a total of $12,232 has been turned in to Raffle Headquarters. The Raffle continues to the first of November, with announcement of winners made at the club’s 20th Anniversary Dinner on Friday, November 11.
Ruben Ladlad was called upon for the invocation and the pledge to the flag. On the occasion of the 191st anniversary of the writing of the words to the Star Spangled Banner, the National Association of Music Educators is promoting an emphasis on students learning the words and the music to our National Anthem. Your editor, surviving almost 71 years on this planet, had never seen the words to Stanzas II through IV until this past Saturday. See the complete and unabridged work of Francis Scott Key at right — you provide the music
Dr. Dan Geare greeted four visiting Rotarians: Marchione, Bobanick, Heimbigner and Vincent. Lindsay Powers, daughter of Jay, accompanied her dad to breakfast.
Doug Cameron is back from rest and recuperation at Curlew Lake, a gaited community. Doug is working hard to regain his range of motion on the right knee, after replacement surgery. If you don’t like to hear gruesome things, tune out this next sentence. Doug was really having problems getting the motion back in the knee, so the Dr. suggested “crunching” the poor appendage. This called for a general anesthetic and an overnight stay in the hospital. They “crunched” the knee to relieve it from the abrasions that were binding the knee’s freedom of movement (Ouch!). The saga of the replaced knee continues. Brian Heimbigner, recently displaced to a new job in Georgia was caught visiting from Cumming, a community north and east of Atlanta. He’s a new member of the Cumming Rotary Club. He was in town for the wedding of his daughter last Saturday. His work is involved in managing water systems around the country, including the Duvall Pump Station for the Seattle Water Department. He said the company also controls the system in Jefferson Parish, New Orleans. Obviously, they have their work cut out for them there. Brian reported that the week of Katrina’s landfall spawned a batch of tornadoes, particularly in the area of his new home. “We spent some time dodging tornadoes and keeping an eye out for their presence.” Brian Evison returned to meetings, showing off pictures of his totaled, 18-month-old Mercedes, caught by another driver who’d raced through a red light. He was not a happy camper.
Attorney Tom Smith gave his condolences to the Huskies, having been defeated by the Air Force Academy. Tom’s greeting came as his position as the Retired Air Force Ambassador. Bob “Husky Bob” Holert rose to challenge Tom’s message, saying, “We can have your law degree suspended, you know!” The Friday Program: David Bobanick, Executive Director of Rotary First Harvest, came by to give an update on District 5030’s premier project. He quoted Alexis de Tocqueville with this observation about America and Associations: "Americans of all ages, all stations of life, and all types of disposition are forever forming associations ... in democratic countries, knowledge of how to combine is the mother of all other forms of knowledge; on its progress depends that of all the others." This quotation says a lot about Rotary First Harvest and how it got its start, Bobanick observed. “In 1982, two members of University Rotary, Norm Hillis and Mike Stranahan, came up with the idea to urge citizens to plant an extra row of vegetables to be earmarked for the needy in the community. For 23 years, this project has blossomed, to become a model for Rotary Clubs and districts everywhere — how to gather, transport and deliver perishable food to food banks, something that Rotary First Harvest has done with much success. This project has resulted in the collection of over 100 million pounds of produce these past 23 years. It’s the Miracle of RFH!”
“It has not happened over night, nor was it easy forming alliances,” reported Bobanick. “A network of farmers was formed. Now, how to transport the food back for distribution. Up steps Oak Harbor Freightlines. Ed Vanderpol, a Kent Rotarian, President of Oak Harbor, noted that his trucks often came back from Eastern Washington empty. Here was a way to transport the produce at little or no cost. Next, came the partners. How would First Harvest get the product to the food banks for distribution. First, they had to identify the system of food banks. So, partnerships were formed with Northwest Harvest, Food Lifeline, Emergency Food Network and Second Harvest Inland Northwest. Rotary First Harvest acts as a non-profit food broker in the scheme of things.” RFH model has spread to other nearby states, including Arizona, Oregon, Montana and Idaho. Sharing First Harvest is an outreach to other states which has had success in growing programs in such far off places as Florida, California and connections with America’s Second Harvest. Rotary First Harvest is governed by a 55-member board of directors — one person from each of the District’s 55 Rotary Clubs. Howard Johnson currently serves as the BBRC representative. Last year, RFH processed a record 11.4 million pounds of produce, with potatoes, onions, corn and apples leading the list. Funding for RFH comes from individuals and Rotary Clubs, corporations and Foundations and Tribute cards. “Our administrative costs for our 2-1/2 person office is .4%. We’re very lean and this goes back to the original model. It also matches how Rotary International manages its various funds, including the Rotary Foundation.”
David closed his presentation by saying, “One simple idea led to 100 millions pounds of food. It’s our project and Rotary First Harvest is the main source of fresh fruits and vegetables to the state’s food banks.” David Bobanick received a gift of literacy for his fine presentation. A book has been donated in his name to the King County Library system in recognition of Rotary’s emphasis on improving literacy throughout the world. Howard Johnson wrapped up the discussion by proposing that ALL member of the BBRC volunteer for at least one day of service each year for Rotary First Harvest. The second Saturday of the month is designated as the RFH Work Party, held at Pier 91 in Seattle. Howard is proposing that each member sign up ahead of time and give that time to RFH. Families with children over 12 are welcome. "I feel so miserable without you, it's almost like having you here." - Stephen Bishop "He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." - Winston Churchill "A modest little person, with much to be modest about." - Winston Churchill "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." - Clarence Darrow "He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway) "Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?" - Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner) "Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." - Moses Hadas "He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others." - Samuel Johnson "He had delusions of adequacy." - Walter Kerr "He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know." - Abraham Lincoln "I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." - Groucho Marx "They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge." - Thomas Brackett Reed "In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily." - Charles, Count Talleyrand "If the writing is honest, it cannot be separated from the man {or woman} who wrote it." - Tennessee Williams "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain "His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." - Mae West "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go." - Oscar Wilde "He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends." - Oscar Wilde "I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play, bring a friend ... if you have one." - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill "Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second ... if there is one." - Winston Churchill, in reply "Interpreter! Interpreter! How do you say the opposite of Vive Le France?" - Winston Churchill, on Charles de Gaulle "A sheep in sheep's clothing." - Winston Churchill, on Clement Atlee "There but for the grace of God, goes God." - Winston Churchill, on Stafford Cripps "He occasionally stumbled over the truth, but hastily picked himself up and hurried on as if nothing had happened." - Winston Churchill, on Stanley Baldwin THIS WEEK'S EDITOR THIS WEEK'S PHOTOGRAPHER(S) |
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John DeWater, 15 years Margie Burnett, 11 years Peter Powell, 11 years Shelly Noble, 7 years Tom Miller, 2 years
Administrators at Overlake Hospital and Medical Center in Bellevue, Washington issued an announcement this afternoon that Norm Johnson, a patient in the care of the Cardiac Care Ward was missing. An Overlake spokesperson, who requested anonymity when asked for a name and position, stated that, "A Mr. Norm Johnson was admitted on Thursday, September 8 for the 4- to 7-day stay that is normally associated with a Thoracotomy, or removal of a lung. His absence, after only a 3-night stay, is unprecedented. If the general public ever discovers the benefits of his healthy life style and good physical conditioning, it will have a major economic impact on not only Overlake, but hospitals nationwide. That would result in a 57% decrease in hospital occupancy!" Mr. Johnson was discovered missing at approximately 2:30PM on Sunday, September 11. It is believed that a hospital employee abetted his departure by pushing "Skippy" (the little blue cart that could) loaded with flowers, plastic disposable items and spare clothing, to the front lobby. Mr. Johnson was walking casually ahead of Skippy and did not appear to be a departing patient. An attractive woman driving a light blue SUV pulled up, the contents of Skippy were transferred, and Mr. Johnson simply got in and was driven off. He appeared just a bit loopy, but that was no doubt a result of effective utilization of pain medication."
Guided by Naturalist Peter Holte Preserve Plant Earth Committee and the Fellowship Committee invite you to have fun! Saturday, September 24th, 9:00am, Anti-Aircraft Peak on Cougar Mountain (Cool name, don't you think?) Bring your own munchies. Bottled water will be provided. Get exercise, enjoy fellowship and learn about the Northwest natural environment from Naturalist Peter Holte. This is an easy trail for everyone: 3.7 miles or 2-3-hours round trip. (You’ll get back home in time for the UW/ND football game.) Everyone who can walk — including your dogs (on a leash) — is welcome. No park usage fee or parking fee. It's FREE! Sign up on September 16th. We will provide the directions to the park later. Questions? Contact Sayoko K. • Volunteers Needed for a Taste Testing Study Rate the taste of different foods prepared by our research staff and find out information on your Metabolism, Daily Caloric Requirements, Dietary Intake, Taste Preferences and Taste Sensitivity, Physical Activity, Personality and other Psychological Characteristics, and Body Composition. The foods contain typical ingredients and have a wide range of nutrient contents. Study Location: Study Schedule: Time commitment:
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David Bobanick, Executive Director of Rotary First Harvest, came by to give an update on District 5030’s premier project. He quoted Alexis de Tocqueville with this observation about America and Associations: "Americans of all ages, all stations of life, and all types of disposition are forever forming associations ... in democratic countries, knowledge of how to combine is the mother of all other forms of knowledge; on its progress depends that of all the others."
Not being aware that we were running out of “Steves” and that we needed more of them, President Steve Lingenbrink proudly inducted one of his own at ceremonies Friday. Our lucky new member is Stephan “Steve” L. Szirmai (Zur-may). Steve’s sponsor is Brian Evison. Other members brought in as mentors and advisors include Cyril Faulkner, John Smolke and Margie Burnett.
President Lingenbrink called the meeting to order, with an update on Norm Johnson’s surgery of Thursday, the 8th. Norm’s wife Carolyn reported that the five-hour surgery removed Norm’s offending lung and the doctor’s prognosis was optimistic. Biopsy of the center chest lymph nodes revealed no spread of the cancer with a final pathology report due out Monday or Tuesday. At the rate that Norm is convalescing, he may be allowed home by Sunday. 
Sayoko Kuwahara and Chip Erickson reminded members of the September 24 Family Hike, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The hike is set for Cougar Mountain, and details of location can be extracted from 
Stranahan was Chief of Police at the UW when First Harvest began. That first year, the gardens produced a plethora of zucchini. Mike thought there might be other surplus food out there, so he sent an APB to all the Sheriff's office in Washington, asking them if they could identify producers who might have such surpluses. A couple of farmers and packers responded and Rotary First Harvest was born. Today, RFH mobilizes hundreds of Rotarians annually and the project has been named one of Rotary’s Top 100 Projects.
David described a project that first occurred last harvest when Rick Alderson, owner of a family farm surrounded by the city of Yakima, had a surplus crop of Red Delicious apples. Rotary First Harvest found Susan Putnam of Inland Fruit Company who had access to picking crews, and in just six days, they picked 16 truckloads of apples. Some of this bounty was shared with Arizona, who reciprocated with a like amount of surplus grapefruit. “Having abundance and sharing that with our partners is what is making First Harvest such a significant statement in this important area — feeding hungry families.”
This photo of Mr. Johnson was received this afternoon. It does not appear that he will be returning to Overlake anytime soon. That is due in no small part to the excellent care that our surgeons, nurses, nurse techs, and staff provided during his brief stay."
One of the BBRC’s close community partners is Hopelink. Back when they were the Multi-Service Center on the Eastside, the club joined to support many of the agency’s projects. The partnership continues, with the BBRC once again supporting a major grant to Hopelink. Doreen Marchione, Executive Director of Hopelink accepted the $15,000 donation indicating the funds will establish an important short-term case management system. “This will give us the capability to offer our services to help keep families stable during periods of instability,” Doreen declared. Will Einstein, of the Major Gifts Committee, presented the check.