Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka
June 11, 2012
President Greg Pierson reminded us this would be his last meeting at the podium, and Papa Hank promptly reminded us the President’s birthday is today. So, we bravely sang happy birthday to outgoing President Greg. Keeping it a family affair, Sharon Pierson led the pledge of allegiance. Then, Eric Bergel gave the invocation, praying for us to “live and let live, forgive and forget.” Eric then led us in what is commonly known as a prayer of St Francis.
Visiting Rotarians
Eric Smith of Old Town, Jane Schwalbe of Arcata Noon, Jim
Seiler from Fortuna, Jacqueline Debets from Arcata Sunrise, Sharon Cissna of
Arcata, Kristin Zeller of Southwest, John Stocum from Old Town and Brandi
Easter of Arcata Sunrise.
Guests of Rotarians
Paul Hagan’s mother who is here to attend the graduation of her granddaughter (Paul’s daughter is graduating from High School).
Exchange student Tonje Sorum played her guitar for our
club. She played and sang well
(albeit softly).
Richard Förster-German exchange student.
Special guests
Zeynep Ertürk, Filiz Büyükavcilar, Mete Eroz, Ilkay Eker,
and Ulkem Basdas: all from District 2420 Turkey.
Birthdays
Dean Christiansen (6/1), Mike Downey, Greg Pierson (6/11),
Gregg Foster (6/13), Greg Seiler (6/15), Keith Crossley (6/9), Frank Jager
(6/5), Aaron Tilch (6/21) and Eric Bergel got the birth hammer from President
Greg.
Anniversaries for June
Sally and Phil Arnot (6/1), Tim and Marilyn Gallagher (6/3),
Don and Barbara Leonard (6/7), Dan and Karen Price (6/5), John and Jackie
McBeth (6/17), Matt and Heidi Messner (6/16), Mandy and Tom Nash (6/14), Wendy
Purnell and Terry Dickinson (6/6), Don and Cecilia Smullin (6/14), Jim and
Shirley Davis (6/9). There were a
lot of long term marriages celebrated in June, but Al and Marjorie Crnich took
the anniversary cake at 63 years of marriage (6/12)!
Well known local musician and teacher, Don Moehnke died on
Saturday and his Memorial Service will be Sunday 24th of June at
2:00pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Eureka.
Past President Carlton has worked hard with regard to
membership and has been recognized by Rotary International for his efforts.
Receiving a certificate of recognition worthy of framing he was fined $10.
The program was interrupted by a trio of birthday singers
from the Montessori school who sang
a non-traditional version of happy birthday to the President and were
cute enough to avoid a fine.
Jack Rieke is our newest Paul Harris Fellow. Eric Smith has
been a friend to Jack all the way back to elementary school and praised Jack as
a business man. Jack got his start with Payless. In 1995 Jack bought Shafer’s
Hardware and has been working hard ever since. He is an avid golfer who has
been in Rotary since 1992 and is president of the Henderson Center Merchants Association.
Jack has been generous with the community on many levels. Pat Folkins reminded
us what it takes to become a Paul Harris sustaining member.
We thanked Maria and her team from Ms. M’s Catering for
providing meals for us during the year.
The drawing was for money and a valuable prize, heartily
advertised by President Pierson.
Aaron Tilch was caught with a Halibut and a big boat, that
he claims was just a ‘write off.’ It cost him $100. When asked how much it
weighed--the fish not the boat—re said “Forty pounds.”
Then a gold Harley appeared in full color. It belonged to
Steve Justus. Steve put $350 toward his Paul Harris Fellowship.
Mete Eroz was caught skim boarding by our photographer; the
judges liked his skim board ride, and he was promptly fined 90 Turkish Lire.
John Bartholomew announced that Humboldt Regional Occupation
Program (HROP) has asked club members to serve the students and potential
future employees of our community by representing our respective professions to
their classes. Your real time professional experience and knowledge may be
invaluable to the career path these young ones will choose. Please sign up (many did sign up, but if you missed the
meeting I’m sure you can call John).
Saturday June 30 join us on the Madaket. Departure time is
6:45pm and cost is $20.00 per person. Seats are limited (it’s not the Queen
Mary), so contact Mike Cunningham soon at 441-1111 or mike@cmmtax.com.
Rick Littlefield introduced our GSE team from Turkey, who
are slowly working their way north (by skimboard?). Rick thanked the host
families. Rick spoke very highly of our GSE students’ English and their
character, then introduced team leader Ilkay Eker. She lived in the US for a
while then returned to Turkey. She has two children and her family company
produces re-bar and steel products. Ilkay told us about the regions of Turkey
and described what Rotary was doing in her country.
Mete Eroz showed pictures of his family. He works for Vodafone a British hi-tech
company. He has lived all over
Turkey and in Kansas City. He
currently lives in Istanbul and enjoys all sorts of outdoor sports except
playing soccer (it’s not easy to be a Turkish guy and not play soccer).
Ulkem Basdas was born in Izmir. Her sister got married and
produced a niece recently. She is majoring in engineering and is a PhD student
in finance. She works at the Istanbul Borse and likes outdoor sports and
travels widely from the looks of her pictures and fluent English.
Zeynep Ertürk has moved all over the many regions of
Turkey. She is also well traveled and likes Rotary.
Filiz Büyükavcilar was our next guest. She at first said she
was 60 years old; when we were about to ask where she had found the fountain of
your, she then revised her age to 36 and disclosed her marital status of 13 years.
She has children, teaches math and loves to travel.
Several of our guests had fathers who were in the military
and they were asked if they were paid in dollars because they were part of
NATO. Answer: yes and no.
The next question was about Islam and freedom of religion in
Turkey. The answer: While 85% are Muslim in
Turkey, there is freedom of religion in Turkey.
Turkey, there is freedom of religion in Turkey.
They were asked about Turkish holidays. The guests mentioned
two big holidays: the first is religious holiday celebrating the day they
became a Republic and another holiday for celebrating youth. This reporter did
not catch the names of these holidays. But they hastened to add they don’t have
as many holidays as we do in America!
Ilkay and others gave club banners to President Greg and
pinned him with a talisman that would protect him from evil, envy and jealousy.
President Greg then presented the GSE team with our club banners as well and
then ran one short, taking the brunt of the embarrassment, and compensating by
giving them each an official tape measure.
Upcoming Meetings
Next week, June 18, will be St. Joseph's Hospital on-site
tour and a map will be sent to each member by e-mail.
The following and final week is June 25, 2012, President's De-Bunking! July 2nd will be Nancy Dean’s first meeting as our new president.
The following and final week is June 25, 2012, President's De-Bunking! July 2nd will be Nancy Dean’s first meeting as our new president.
President Pierson thanked the club for the privilege of being
president this past year and adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dan Price
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