So, only one week to go to the rare, historic total eclipse of the sun…….and now the weatherman says it might be cloudy…even rainy….and we might not be able to see it?  OMG. Let’s hope they’re wrong……

….because our speaker last week, Elaine Keiler, CEO (Chief Eclipse Officer) of The Big Eclipse, provided such great information –and even viewing glasses–that I’m sure we’re all looking forward to this event.

Elaine said she learned about the 2017 total eclipse a few years ago when she was in Iceland watching an eclipse.  She wondered who was going to talk to families in the U.S. about this event. She thought it was a great opportunity to teach kids about nature and science and to get people off their cell phones. She decided to publish a book for kids, and to focus on Oregon–because other parts of the country, like the South, have weather issues like thunderstorms, etc.

The book is called “The Big Eclipse.” It is by acclaimed children’s author Nancy Coffelt, and introduces a cast of charming animal characters as they follow the path of the 2017 eclipse across America.  It features a hippo, because kids suggested that an eclipse “is big and unusual like a hippo.”

She noticed 6000 people leaving the airport in Iceland in one day after the eclipse there. She said we should expect lots of visitors, and many to stay 6 or 7 days and combine eclipse watching with a vacation. She also predicted traffic could come to a virtual standstill.

This eclipse is different because it will go over the entire U.S.A.  It should start getting darker in Newberg at 9:05am, she said, and should last 1 minute; 56 seconds.  Newberg is not quite in the path of totality.  She stressed that you need to protect your eyes and not look directly at the sun.  You can make a solar viewer from a paper plate, like you did as a kid.

Need some ideas as to where to watch? Elaine had some ideas…a three-day festival Aug. 19-21 at the Polk County fairgrounds, or a  “Wine Country” Eclipse at Eola Hills Wine Cellars featuring music, wine tasting, arts and crafts, seminars on wine, food, astronomy and more. For more info, go to winecountryeclipse.com.

Let’s hope we get a chance to see it…the next one isn’t till April 8, 2024, and it’s not coming to Oregon.

PAUL HARRIS AWARD
Mike Caruso, left, and President Todd Engle, right, presented Jim McMaster with a Paul Harris award for his contributions to the Rotary Foundation.  Congrats, Jim.

EAT DESSERT FIRST

The “Eat Dessert First” clublet was back in session last week….Some of the members, including, left to right, Paula Radich, Grant Gerke, Becky Ankeny and Geoff Gilmore, were seen scarfing up chocolate pie and chatting before lunch. If you’re interested in a little more social time, come a few minutes early and join the fun.

GUESTS

Mary Lynn Thomas from the Newberg Library came to thank Rotary for the summer reading program grant. She had a long list of things the grant enabled her to do, from purchasing things like books for kids, kindles, and browsing bags to providing materials for the upcoming “Get Set for School” program. She said over 2000 kids benefitted from the grant.

Also joining us for lunch were Paul Jellum‘s wife, Chris, and Laura Tilrico‘s sister-in-law, Marni Tilrico.

THERE’S A GOURMET CHEF IN OUR MIDST

Denise Bacon‘s skills and talent as gourmet chef were touted by both Jeff Lane and John Kerekanich last week.  Jeff bid on the ravioli-making class Denise donated to the auction, and said he had a fantastic time and enjoyed really delicious food.  John is on the Police Foundation Board and attended a party for which Denise prepared the food.  “The food was professional quality and amazing,” John said.  Denise also donates her time to Peace Village each June to prepare meals for the children for the week-long camp.  Way to go, Denise!

VARIOUS AND SUNDRY

  • Laura Tilrico reported that our club is applying for three District grants…one for the “Random of Acts of Kindness” Day promotion for Sept. 21, one for the “Dream It; Be it” event in conjunction with the Soroptimists, and one for the upcoming Peace Pole Trails brochure
  •  Interested in golf for a wonderful cause? Our club foundation is a sponsor for this year’s  Toy and Joy golf tournament on Sunday, Sept. 10 at Chehalem Glenn Golf Course. Please contact Spike Sumner for more info.
  • The Morning Club could use some help with a service project on the Tuesday after Labor Day from 11am to 1pm.  Newberg High School is having a special day to welcome freshmen that day and help is needed over the lunch hour

CALLING ALL COOL CATS AND DAMES!
Rachel Huber from Avamere Newberg is inviting us to a fun event on Sept. 1 from 10am to 6pm at their facility at 730 Foothills Dr. There will be:

  • A car contest
  • Live music
  • Food/drinks
  • Games and face painting

Reserve your spot now. RSVP to Rachel at 503-554-0767.