Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka
June 25, 2012
Hank Pierson led the flag
salute and past president Carlton Nielsen prayed for the survival of President
Greg Pierson on this day of his debunking. Lightening did not strike, but
judging by the looks of the bay, box, and large crane outside, that was the
least of President Greg’s worries.
Visiting Rotarians
From Arcata Sunrise, Lori
Breyer who is a past president.
Guests of Rotarians
With us on the final day of
the Presidency of Greg Pierson was Greg’s wife Sharon, his aunt Ann Pierson,
mother Donna McGowan and “other” Dad, Darrel McGowan, father (and past
president) Hank Pierson and his wife Cathy. Samantha Hovis came with her
grandfather, Dave Dillon—perhaps also hoping to see the debunk-dunk.
Exchange Students
Since school is out there
were no exchange students present. But, two students are headed our way: one
young man from Chile and another from Germany will arrive here in August.
Birthdays
Al Abrahamsen (7/13), Michael
Brown (7/10), Diane Cipperley (7/26), Jason Eads (7/22), John Harper (7/7),
Dennis Hunter (7/8), Gary Philp (7/10) Hank Pierson (7/27), Carol Rische
(7/11), Tom Schallert (7/26) Lisa Slack (7/8), Don Smullin (7/15), Fred
Sundquist (7/21), Ziggy Ziegenfuss (7/10). Put ten dollars on your table if you
were born in June and not at the front table, said ex-president Carlton.
Anniversaries
Brian and Angela Papstein
(7/9), Steve and Patty McHaney (7/9), Russ and Dianne Harris (7/10), Fred and
Tina Griffith 7/31), Diane Cipperley and Rod Goodbrod (7/4), Charlie and
Deborah Bussman (7/4), Bert and Susanne Campton (7/31).
Announcements
The Rotary Club of Southwest
Eureka and Rotary Club of Eureka are co-sponsoring a Trinity River Rafting Trip
on August 18th from 10:00am until 3:00pm. Cost is $81.50. Sign up at
tables during our meetings or contact Mike Cunningham at 441-1111.
Rotary Night on the Madaket!
Saturday June 30, 2012. Leaves the dock at 6:45pm. Excursion lasts one hour.
Embark from the Foot of C Street. Cash bar will be open. Only 40 seats
available, first come, first serve! $20.00. Contact Mike Cunningham at 441-1111.
President Greg, looking very
debonair in bathrobe and cravat, expressed his joyful anticipation of
retirement from Rotary – from the Presidency that is. He drew our attention to
a sheet of paper on the table that listed the many Club Projects for 2012-2013.
We have donated over $111,000 and a lot of time this past year. We gave
ourselves a hand.
The District conference went
well, held recently in Fortuna. And our Rotaract Club was voted Rotaract Club
of the year in the district and Rotaract leader Jennifer Kiniken was Rotoractor
of the year. Our former youth exchange student, Jamie Carrol, was speaker, as
were Greg Gardiner, Steve Justus and WW II veteran Gordon Redtfeldt from honor flight.
Thanks to Nancy Dean for
putting together some great award applications. This year our district
recognized many services we are providing with some nice awards. We won a
community service award for a variety of projects: among them, Backpacks for
Kids, Cloney Field, etc.
We also won a Distinguished
Rotary Club of the year award. (Not best, but almost best club).
Greg Gardiner, Pat
Folkins, Keith Crossley and Jason
Eads came forward to receive the Innovators Award for Honor Flights. We
received this award for our creativity in solving a problem within our
community--veterans who had not seen their war memorials. The guys listed above
stepped up and used our 1923 funding raising 245,000 dollars with the result of
sending 168 veterans to Washington D.C. The four received a standing ovation
from our club.
Greg Pierson showed us a
phone that had been taped to the podium at the June 11th meeting and
started to auction it off. He began at $5 and eventually sold to John McBeth
for $50. Thanks Kurt Barthel for the donation of the phone. During the annual
fundraiser, Greg forgot to thank Tom Schallert for the giant boxes of Monitor
Wipes and Oreo cookies. Tom admitted, “They’re different.” Greg was pleased to get the hammer back
from Southwest Club. He again thanked us for allowing him to serve as President
and praised us for being a great club.
“Enough of all that,” said
Carlton Nielsen stepping back to the podium. He then said hello and, “Nice to see you,” to Peter
Pennekamp who recently celebrated his 60th birthday and sort-of
retirement. Peter got his tape measure and a hammer.
Raffle ticket winners
Dan Heinen and (aptly) Sharon
Pierson.
Program and debunking
Next: the power point
presentation featured the wit of Hank Ingham at President Greg’s expense. “The
Presidency of Greg Pierson, a Short Story,” was recited by Hank, and then a
funny video produced by Chuck Edwards.
The debunking of President Greg Pierson
was completed in daring fashion by his being raised in a Harry Houdini like box
over the rocks and down into the bay. He seems to have survived the stunt much
to the relief of all – especially the soggy ex-president, his wife and mother.
Respectfully submitted,
Dan Price
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