Another Rotary Pancake Breakfast is in the history books! Kudos to all who volunteered for and/or sponsored this much-loved community event. Detailed report to come…..

Since it’s the time of year for fairs and festivals, we were treated to a visit from representatives of both the Old Fashioned Festival and the Yamhill County Fair last week.

Leslie Lewis of the Yamhill County Fair Board introduced two of the three Fair Ambassadors–Tatiana DeHart and Abigail Berhorst. (Elsie Duyn was called into work and couldn’t make it.) Leslie indicated that each Ambassador is awarded a $1000 college scholarship.

Tatiana is a 2017 graduate of Country Faith Christian Academy in Newberg, and stated that she has looked forward to being a Fair and Rodeo Ambassador for several years. “I am incredibly thankful for my seven years of involvement in 4-H and the Yamhill County Fair. Preparing for the annual County Fair has inspired me to try new things, create goals and to chase my dreams.” Tatiana is headed to Oregon State to become a large-animal veterinarian.

Princess Alexis will be a senior at NHS this year, and said she is “looking forward to dedicating the summer to bettering our community, alongside Allyvia and Brooke.” She enjoys helping the community as a team captain for Relay for Life, and has over 300 hours of community service.

Princess Allyvia is 17 years old and a junior at NHS. She loves to read and enjoys working with kids. “The Old Fashioned Festival is very important to me because I’ve gone ever since I was born,” she said. “It has always been place for family and the community.”

Princess Brooke moved to Newberg in 2006, and the first event her family attended was the Old Fashioned Festival. She said she “fell in love with the parades, carnival and princesses,” and aspired to be a princess herself one day. She just graduated from NHS and will attend Portland State in the fall to study nursing.

AWARDS

On behalf of President Todd Engle, Om Sukheenai presented Al Herriges with a “10 Years of Service” Award. Congrats, Al!

Om also presented a Special Recognition Award to Grant Gerke for his years of service as a chair of the annual auction. Thank you, Grant!

GUESTS

Rotarian Rick Kaufman, who plans to transfer to our club, joined us for the second week in a row.

Fred Gregory‘s guest was Jekabs Bikis, the new dean of the College of Business at George Fox. (BTW, Fred will be missing a few meetings….he’s heading off to visit his wife’s family in Uzbekistan.)

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

A general discussion was held at the end of the meeting to come up with some ideas for a future community service project for our club. Past President Leah Griffith plans to get a committee together to work on this. If you would like to participate, please contact Leah.

CORRECTION

Marge O’Connell actually had emergency surgery for a detached retina, a very different and much more complex surgery than the cataract surgery we reported last week. Sorry for the misunderstanding. According to Marge, “Recovery is a matter of several months–vision return is 2 months on average; driving will probably be about 4 months.” Best wishes to Marge for a complete recovery.

A PEEK AT UPCOMING PROGRAMS IN AUGUST
8/2- The Newberg Heritage of President Herbert Hoover–Sarah Munro
8/9- The Upcoming Solar Eclipse
8/16- Mike Pollock Classification Talk; Marketing Plan by Dominique Thibault, our George Fox University summer intern
8/23- Shannon Buckmaster Classification Talk
8/30- District Governor Renee Campbell visit

Special thanks to Auggie Gonzales for the great photos. So glad our photographer is back from Mexico City, where he was able to welcome his sixth grandchild!

Here comes the Old Fashioned Festival and our annual pancake breakfast fundraiser! Yes, this weekend! There’s still time to volunteer to help out (if you haven’t already).

Past president Jeff Lane kicked off our program last week with some background on the breakfast:

• It started 40 years ago as a service project for the community
• It’s a joint club project, and Janet Bleck from the Morning Club and Jeff are co-chairs
• Spike Sumner coordinates sponsorships
• Grant Gerke coordinates rental equipment
• Curt Walker is in charge of the ticketing
• Lots of great volunteers from both clubs really make it happen
• Between 3000 and 3500 meals are typically served
• The Newberg School District provides all the chairs
• Hours are 6am to noon on Saturday; 7am to noon on Sunday

“The goal is to get as many from the community to attend as possible,” Jeff said.

Our club maintains a storage unit for equipment such as grills, etc. Friday is transport and set-up day. Saturday starts early (4:30 am) for Jeff and Grant, getting the grills and coffee going. Volunteers start arriving about 5 am, and there’s lots to do–put on tablecloths, hang signage, ready the condiments, etc. After it’s all over on Sunday, there’s tear-down and cleanup. All in all, quite a production for a beloved community event.

This year: A special auction package

Mike Caruso‘s wife, Amy, was the winning bidder of a special auction package this year which will feature a unique pancake breakfast experience–with a special tent, linen tablecloths, real silverware, china, and a dedicated waiter. Hmmmm….might want to bid on that next year….

Jeff’s wife, Jackie, was actually our guest speaker. She told us about Soroptimist International and the local club’s “Dream It, Be It” career support program for girls.

The mission of the organization, which started in California in the 1920s, is to transform lives through education, empowerment and by enabling opportunities. The vision is helping women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential.

The Soroptimist club in Newberg started in 2009, and has done a number of career-oriented community projects, especially in conjunction with Chehalem Youth and Family Services.

Last year, the club sponsored a full-day seminar for high schoolers in Newberg and Dundee. It featured sessions on discovering dreams, exploring careers, creating achievable goals, rising above obstacles, turning failure into success, balancing stress and putting dreams into action. It also included a professional mentor luncheon, with career guidance talks by a college professor and a jewelry designer.

Rotary provided a grant to do the seminar. “Thank you for the $500,” Jackie said. “Thanks for being the ‘wind beneath our wings.'”

PAUL HARRIS AWARDS

 

Well-deserved Paul Harris recognition awards were given by Mike Caruso and President Todd Engle to LeRoy Benham, Jack Czarnecki, Ray Hillman, and John Kerekanich for their contributions to the Rotary Foundation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GUESTS
It was a day for spouses! Laura Tilrico‘s husband, Michael, joined us, as did Denise Bacon‘s hubby, Chris Moore. And of course, Jeff’s wife, Jackie Lane, was our speaker. Local businesswoman and Soroptimist Sally Dallas was also Jeff’s guest.

New member Rachel Huber brought Jay Lazaro, the business office manager at Avamere Newberg. Rachel also invited everyone to an event Avamere will have on September 1st, from 10am to 5pm, featuring a BBQ, games, face painting and other fun things.

Dr. Rick Kaufman, a Rotarian from Jacksonville who has moved to our area, indicated he will be transferring to our club.

AROUND THE WATER COOLER

Bill Dolan said that the St. Paul Rodeo set a new attendance record this year–52,800! Thanks to all the Rotarians who helped out.

Paula Radich said she will miss next week’s meeting as she is going on vacation to the Oregon Coast with her 98 1/2 year old mom and 25 of her closest relatives!

Laura Tilrico reported that Marge O’Connell is recovering from cataract surgery. Best wishes, Marge.

 

Scholarships: “Rotary Making a Difference”

What a treat it was last week to hear from some of the winners of our scholarship program. Dave Parker, scholarship committee chair, arranged their visit, and as Denise Bacon pointed out, their amazing stories are a reminder of why we fundraise–especially at our club’s annual auction. Can’t think of a better cause–these talented kids represent our future! And what a difference a Rotary scholarship makes in their lives. Here are some excerpts from their talks……

 

 

 

Heather McNutt-Kaestner, recipient of The Larry Bohnsack Scholarship. This scholarship is for a junior or senior in college majoring in mass media. It is designed to be a financial “boost” when students need it later in their schooling. Heather confirmed that junior year is a time when more funds are needed, and thanked us for the “financial relief.” She said she likes to stay busy and she sure demonstrated that….she is also minoring in Spanish, and currently working as a student career specialist at Linfield College. She was a resident advisor in a freshman hall last year, and will do that again this year. She has performed in a couple of plays, and participated in the concert choir. She is also a publicity assistant at KSLC radio at Linfield. AND she is currently an intern at the “Make A Wish” Foundation in Portland. On top of all that, she volunteers at the World Affairs Council. Heather said looking ahead 10 years is “scary,” but she wants to pursue story telling as a way to evoke positive change. She interested in possibly working in the tech industry or in global affairs.

 

Marcos Cazares, recipient of The Ray Simonsen Scholarship. This scholarship is for someone pursing a college education and demonstrating/pursuing “service above self.” It is awarded to someone interested in showing kindness and compassion in their work. Marcos will attend Linfield College this Fall and plans to be a neurosurgeon. He plans to study biochemistry and microbiology. He loves science, and said he knew he wanted to be a doctor at a very early age. At college he hopes to be an achiever, be active, and help his community. He wants to help at Providence, and to write a scientific article and have it published. In 10 years, he figures he will be finished with medical medial school and will be in residency. When he’s in his 60’s, he wants to take all his learning from his career and be a teacher. Marcos received multiple scholarships.

Alyssa Derania, recipient of The Joan Austin Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to girls who want to demonstrate how education can be used to achieve dreams. Alyssa graduated in June and had enough credits to be a sophomore in college. She is an Interact member, a track and field coach, a gymnastics coach and works at a bakery! (If you need any scones, see Alyssa.) She loves to volunteer, with over 1000 volunteer hours under her belt– 4H, the Dundee Women’s Club, and the Camellia Run, among others. “I am excited to be involved and to give back,” she said. She is going to Oregon State to major in computer science. She hopes to help improve people’s lives that way.

Scott Friedrich, recipient of The Ken Austin Scholarship. Similar to the Joan Austin Scholarship, only awarded to boys. It appeared that Scott was already being offered job interviews after his talk! He told us about his dream of completing college in Montana, and establishing his own CNC machine shop. He would like to do prototyping and small production runs. He envisions growing the shop enough that he is then able to help the community. He is currently doing an internship, and plans to major in mechanical engineering. He loves to get outdoors when he has free time, and appreciated Rotary’s support.

 

 

 

 

Guests:

Om Sukheenai’s guest was Gail Watson, who is with Resolute Printing Company.

Jake Ramirez joined us again after a hiatus. He is the owner of Water Bear Cleaning and Restoration.

Dave Parker introduced Derek Brown, the new Director of Assessment and Testing for the Newberg School District, who is interested in Rotary.

Lynn Derania, Alyssa’s mom, and Louisa Durant, Marcos’ mom, joined us, too.

Spike and Auggie Stay on Foundation Board

Spike Sumner reminded us that our club’s Foundation board is comprised of six members, and two members’ terms expire each year. This year, Auggie Gonzales and Spike’s terms are up. Spike asked if anyone was interested in running for the board, and no one came forward. Luckily, Spike said both he and Auggie were willing to serve again. A motion to reelect these two passed unanimously. Thanks for your service, Spike and Auggie!

How fitting that Todd Engle‘s first meeting as our new club president was held at Friendsview. The staff always does such a nice job when they host us. Thanks to all, and congratulations, Todd!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST COMING RIGHT UP!

Promotional materials for this July 29 and 30th Old Fashioned Festival event at Memorial Park are now available for you to use. See Jeff Lane to get fliers or rack cards, and help promote this important fund raiser for our club. The results help us do good work in the community. Please see Curt Walker if you don’t have your tickets yet. There are still some unfilled volunteer slots, so sign up via Paula Radich‘s recent email if you haven’t already. Please contact Spike Sumner if you are interested in sponsorship.

BUT FIRST, THERE’S BREWS AND BBQ

 

 

This fun event, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, has a new date this year–Friday night, July 21st from 4 to 10pm and Saturday, July 22nd from 12 to 10pm. Location is First Street and Howard. Admission is $5, or VIP entry for $15. Please contact Sheryl Kelsh at the Chamber for more info: 503-538-2014.

Insider tip: Sheryl says there will be a BBQ competition next year, so get those recipes out for testing…..

AND EVEN BEFORE THAT,

THERE’S TUNES ON TUESDAYS!

Newberg’s summer concert series starts tomorrow night, July 11 at 6:30pm with Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts. Grab your lawn chair and come enjoy a fun summer evening. Weather is supposed to be great. And be sure to mark your calendar for July 25, when our club teams up with the Earlybird Club to sponsor the concert featuring Dancehall Days. Should be a blast.

A representative from the Tigard Noon Club visited our meeting to let us know that their Foundation is helping to sponsor “10 Pianos; 10 Pianists” featuring Michael Allen Harrison and host Bill Schonley. This unique outdoor concert benefits music education and will be on Sunday, July 30 from 6 to 8:30pm at the Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club in Aloha. Order tickets online at http://tengrandsonthegreen.com or call 971-238-7442.

MEETING GUESTS:

We were honored to have a visit from the new president of the Earlybirds Club, Gary Stewart.

Curt Walker introduced Warren Good, a Rotarian from McMinnville who worked for Providence, and is a licensed realtor in both Nevada and Oregon.

Our summer marketing intern from George Fox University, Dominique Thibault, also joined us.

SPEAKER:

Andy Comfort, a 2016 George Fox grad with a B.S. in Global Business, shared his story of working with a nonprofit agency to help the community of Masatepe, Nicaragua. According to Andy, who comes from a family of missionaries, one important goal is to serve the children, and 550 kids have been helped so far. “The nonprofit believes in ‘food, freedom and forgiveness,'” he said. “We bring people together, and we work alongside the invisible.”

Especially notable are efforts to build preschools and the “One Egg” program, which provides an egg a day to every preschooler in the community to provide nutrition.

The teams working with the nonprofit have also have been involved with creating an alcohol rehab center, a “Girls Night In” program to provide youth group fellowship, and they have created both egg and pig farms to provide food. To try to get some type of economic activity going, “Beto’s Bistro” was created. Not only does it provide a coffee house, but it addresses what had been a lack of neutral community gathering space. A Chamber of Commerce was started two years ago, and they are working to attract members, and develop programs and activities. You can support these efforts by buying products through Betos.org.