Evening SPECIAL VALENTINE’S CELEBRATION at Social Goods Market, in downtown Newberg.

……with a heart-felt “WELCOME NEWBERG ROTARIANS!” greeting….….PLUS……

…Gorgeous “Valentines” appropriate table decorations by the Party Team….Matt and his three daughters!

[Editor note: As I had a family commitment, and unable to attend this “hoopla”, the format for this newsletter is a bit more “fluid” than usual, relying fully on others’ reporting…with special thanks to Auggie for the supportive photos!]

Prez. Corey greeted us and started the festivities….and thanked everyone for coming!

Excerpts from some of those who attended: ….

“It will be nice to mention Jan and Ken Winder. They are great iconic Rotarians as Spike and Melissa. Jan was a past president. Jan and Melissa have always played the big roles for auction decoration for over 10 years. They will help Michelle for May 9^th auction which is awesome…..” “….

Jan Winder’s guest….Chase….…enjoying his participation in the festivities!

“Matt.. who was the winner of game? The questions were daring… most don’t remember what the other likes since it was more than decades ago. Those brought lots of laughs and connection. The event was so much fun for couple, solo, and kids. Foods were great. Roses and chocolate boosted up the mood. It was a successful night that all credits go toward Matt Stephens and his three daughters who were there setting up. I was a cheerleader. Anyway, we had great teamwork. Most of all, a wonderful Rotary family…” Past Club President Om.

….Om and Kurt….obviously having a good time!

Kathie Byers on the results of the game…..”…I recall it came down to a show-down between Jan and her husband, and Spike and Melissa….”…AND…

“Nathan and I had a wonderful time. Thank you for hosting!! The party was wonderful. It was attended by 15 or 20 Rotary members with the majority of them bringing at least one family member. Matt and Om did a wonderful job providing a beautiful atmosphere with long-stemmed red roses and chocolates. Not to mentioned the amazing hors devours and dinner provided by Social Goods. For me (being a newcomer) it was nice to meet the wider circle of the Rotary family. Matt organized a game for married couples, which was fun, at least for the people playing the game. I met Spike’s wife Melissa for the first time. We exchanged business cards and are looking forward to a golf date in the near future.”…..

Matt Stephens…. “Event started at 5:30p with food, chocolate and socializing upstairs at Social Goods. The venue had a play area for 5 families with youth. At 6:30p we had a great time with six daring couples participating in a Question and Answer game (spin off of the Newly Wed Game) of how well you know your spouse. We had some laughs and know we all have some growth to know about our spouses. There were door prizes (wine, movie tickets, bouquets of flowers & coffee cards). Danny, Robin (Social Goods’ owners) & staff were very accommodating and were a pleasure to work with. We had about 40 attendees (30 adults & 9 youth) and the event ended at 8pm…..and Spike & Melissa Sumner were the winners of the game. “………

.…Spike’s “winning answers”….…and with prize he and Melissa won!

Misc. pictures taken at the party……..photographic evidence that everyone is having a GREAT TIME!

….filling out the game’s questionaires….….Kim A. watching the goings-on….……such intense FOCUS….…Om serving some of Social Goods’ TASTY pizza……..a “group photo”…..with a few of the party’s attendees….

SO…it was yet another Newberg Noon Rotary Club Social SUCCESS!

To “Connect with the World”….we must start at home…and this is one way to do that!

 

Respectfully submitted, Rick Kaufman, Newsletter Editor

Wisdom for consideration: “If you let yourself be blown to and fro, you lose touch with your root.”

~ Lao Tzu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: CHANGE OF MEETING VENUE! Wednesday, February 19, 2020….NO NOON MEETING! MEETING SITE CHANGED TO “SOCIAL GOODS”….500 East First Street, NEWBERG. Time: 5.30-7.30 pm

Food: Our Rotary Club will provide the food (No need to bring anything except yourselves, family and friends)

Drink:  NO HOST bar–beer, wine, soft drinks, specialty drinks, water etc.

Our event is for Rotarians, Friends of Rotary and of course families and friends. Children and friends are welcome!

RSVP: https://signupschedule.com/noonrotary

We had a SPECIAL MEETING TREAT today! We met at Social Goods/Family Market, in downtown Newberg! Hosted by Owners Danny Sikkens and his wife, Robin.

Paula was our GREETER…and Prez. Corey opened the meeting. Since we had no flag…someone pointed out that there was one at City Hall across the street west….so we did our “pledge” facing that direction… imagining the flag we could not see! As this was NOT our usual meeting site, and the “format” of the proceedings was also “customized” to fit the locale….this newsletter will not follow the usual protocols, either! Fortunately, Auggie has provided an excellent panoply of photos that do a GREAT job of telling today’s Rotary story. This was “serve yourself” from the house offerings… with the usual drinks, salad and freshly-baked PIZZA!

Special recognition for Rotarian of the Year was given to Geoff Gilmore for all he does for the community and Rotary.

Not having The DUCK….a cup was used instead…with today’s collection only $21.25…

On to the presenters….”WHAT IF….?”….most entrepreneurial ventures start with that question up front…..Danny & Robin Sikkens’ answer is “Social Goods”…”Welcome….We Are Social Goods Market….From the beginning, Social Goods set out to be a company that values charitable giving, community, families and amazing beer, wine and toys. We celebrate the pub feel with a safe environment for families. We’re known as your living room away from your living room. Removing that bar stigma and replacing it with a place for community. History was built on community and great beers and wines. Come and see what Social Goods has to offer, you’re welcome here!” We Rotarians got a good feel for that ambience when Newberg Noon Rotary met there on February 12. For even more insight into “Social Goods”…check out their website…..simply enter their business name as the Internet “search” word….and VOILA!…more background information including some great photos!

NEXT….and yet another example of “What if…?” at work…with fellow Rotarian [Newberg Early Birds] Kristen Stoller giving us an in-depth

…”What if we tackle this subject head on?”….look at the often “touchy” …and difficult to talk about….subject of SEXUAL HARASSMENT….and what we can do about it. Quoting a 1 – in – 10 societal rate of occurrence in our population, Kristen did an EXCELLENT job of presenting ways to recognize signs & symptoms…..as well as what to do…AND…what NOT to do….in coping… dealing…with this kind of behavior.

Thanks, Kristen!

REMINDER….it is now serious AUCTION ACTION time! If you do not have an assignment yet…get one! The Club needs EVERYONE on board for this… our primary fundraiser for the year…to be the success it needs to be to continue to adequately support the philanthropic projects/programs that rely on us. QUESTIONS? Shannon Buckmaster is 2020 Auction Chair.

ALSO….For an in-depth “look-see” at the Club’s “Board Briefs”….go to the website…where you can additionally get a look forward at up-coming programs, and meeting locations.

See y’all at the Feb. 19 EVENING [!] Social at SOCIAL GOODS MARKET…to celebrate Valentine’s Day!*

Respectfully submitted, Rick Kaufman, Newsletter Editor

*Yes…Valentine’s Day…and a few snippets of humor to celebrate THAT! Note: A fellow Forest Grove Rotarian friend shared these with me…so he’s to blame if you think these are just too “punny”! 😉

 Girl: I can’t be your Valentine for medical reasons. Boy: Really? Girl: Yeah, you make me sick!

Q: What did the stamp say to the envelope? A: I’m stuck on you!

Q: Why is lettuce the most loving vegetable? A: Because it’s all heart.

If it is not Valentine’s Day and you see a man in a flower shop, you can probably start up a conversation by asking, “What did you do?”

Q: What did one oar say to the other? A: Can I interest you in a little row-mance?

A Cub Scout found a frog that said, “Kiss me and I will become a beautiful princess.” The boy studied the frog, then put it in his pocket. “Hey,” the frog croaked, “how come you didn’t kiss me?” “I’d rather have a talking frog than a princess any day!”

Q: What’s the best part about Valentine’s Day? A: The day after when all the chocolate goes on sale.

Two antennae met on a roof, fell in love and got married. Their wedding ceremony wasn’t fancy. The reception, however, was excellent.

I can’t wait for Valentine’s Day because I get to make cupcakes for a special someone…..and that special someone is……me!

Q: What did one pickle say to the other? A: You mean a great dill to me.

Q: What do farmers give their wives on Valentine’s Day? A: Hogs and Kisses!

Q: Why did the banana go out with the prune? A: Because it couldn’t get a date.

Q: Why should you never breakup with a goalie? A: Because he’s a keeper.

Boy: Do you have a date for Valentine’s Day? Girl: Yes, February 14th.

“Rotary Connects the World” – Mark Mahoney, RI President, 2019-2020

Denise Bacon was Greeter.

Club Prez Corey Z. opened the meeting at the Chehalem Cultural Center, having Denise also lead us in the Pledge.

Guests: Kyle Dickinson [sponsor: Kim Abraham];

Danny Sikkens [sponsor: Jim McMaster]; GFU Mural interns [guests of Geoff Gilmore]: Bryce Heimuller, Madie Vinje, Amanda Bays…..and Skylar Walker, was Rachel Huber’s guest. [Skylar is marketing director for Avamere in Newberg]. …and Mike Tilrico [Laura’s husband]….

Mike Caruso gave us a “Rotary Moment”: “I touched on the fact that, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our IS [International Service] Chair, Laura, Newberg is currently one of the most active Clubs in D5100 insofar as participating in the RI Global Grants Program what with our current TWO Global Grants with The RC of Kathmandu, Nepal. Also due in large part to the diligent work of our Club members Paula Radich and Patrick Banke.”

Announcements: Rachel Huber: The “Diaper Drive” for The Family Place has now exceeded 35K diapers! That’s a LOT of much-needed “coverage”!

NOTICE: Meeting on February 12 will NOT be at CCC…but rather at Danny Sikken’s business, “Social Goods”, at 500 E. First Street…downtown Newberg… with parking available on the street or in the City Parking lot. This program is courtesy of Vocational Service & Jim McMaster.

REMINDER! February 19 – no noon meeting…instead we will have an evening POT LUCK “Valentine” SOCIAL at the home Fred and Viola Gregory (743 SW Red Hills Road, Dundee) 5:30 – 7:30… Bring an appetizer dish or your favorite drink.  Please click on the link below to sign up.  In the “comment” column please list the appetizer or drink you plan to bring. https://signupschedule.com/noonrotary Please enter guests in the “name” column.

Ralph Koozer said he missed last week’s meeting because he had attended a highly-informative seminar on “stem cell research”.

DUCK TALES – Geoff Gilmore canvassed the room with The DUCK in hand….[$111.00 was generated today!]….starting with another recognition of his late Mom’s life… “Continued my Mother’s recognition story: Pet Rooster [one-legged ‘Roosty’] ….Mom was Valedictorian (20/class size) goes to Ohio State (15,000 students), smarty to humble…then from rural Ohio to Territory of Hawaii taking job after one hour interview, sight unseen, 2 day propeller airplane to trip.”

Judy Robinson related very positive kudos/comments from her Rotarian daughter…applauding the meeting she attended here recently!

Allen H….. “When my dad died my mom left his greeting on the tape so people calling didn’t know she was alone.  When mom died in 2001 my brother took the answering machine with the tape still in it.   Just last Fall my brother digitized my dad’s greeting and texted it to all of us so I saved it on my phone to carry a piece of my dad with me. “

Matt Stephens…very proud to have three daughters involved with basketball..

Denise B. shared this: “My ‘borrowed grandma’ passed away on Monday. PATRICIA ALPHIN (“Peaches”)- she was an actress in the 40’s telling stories of Hollywood at that time, and it was fascinating and I loved listening to her.”

Tony L…..”Once a year I do a 24 hour fast. I use this as my ‘buy in’ to a 2 week cleanse period. My point with it is, do a 24 hour fast with a purpose. Appreciate the feelings of hunger and use this period of discomfort to drive you and motivate you to be more aware if what and how much you are eating and drinking on a daily basis.”

Todd E…..”Just thanking Michelle and Lisa for a great service day at Senior Meals!”

Dan….”gave a few bucks and commented about fatherly humility when my mother was in town visiting for the week and that my 2 year old chose grandma to do naptime and bedtimes all week instead of me or my wife.“

Walter W…..spoke about learning from Grand kids. Granddaughter…at his mom’s funeral….that she went to college free after winning a national biscuit baking contest.

Kathie Byers….”As for my friend… Erica Cox passed away on Thursday, January 30^th at the age of 44.  She was an employee at First Federal in the Sheridan branch for 18 years and a member of the Sheridan community for almost 20.  Long before we were coworkers, we did a lot of volunteer activities together, and I considered her a friend.”

Mike Caruso….”For the ‘Nepal Every Woman Treaty Peace’ Global Grant, we currently have about $15.5k of the $35k total needed, leaving us about $20k short. Regarding the Nepal 911 medical Global Grant, I believe Laura may have an update on that.”….so….

Laura Tilrico….”Our Newberg Club is working on two Global Grants with the Kathmandu, Nepal RC. One is the training of women peace  advocates for preventive measures for violence against women and girls. We are working with Peace Fellow and Rotarian Erin Thomas of the Albina RC. We are finalizing the RI Global Grant online and in the process of raising funds for the Grant. We still need about $20,000. Erin is going around  to clubs and making presentations. I am getting in touch with Rotary Clubs that have supported us in the past and those we have supported as well. Our Clubs Foundation is supporting us with $8,000. Albina RC $1,000, Portland RC Peace Committee  $2,500, Beaverton $1,500, confirmed.  Total Grant about $120,000. Second (Nepal Dispatch Center…a 9-1-1 system), which started a year ago, but has had some set backs, is back on track due to the help from Paula Radich.  Paula has great writing skills and has been interviewing us and getting the Global Grant 6 Questions answered to secure our first step of securing funds from our District. Then after approval from the District we go to the RI site and answer all their questions, too. Budget is being developed for about $100,000. Two great humanitarian projects, which we sometime take for granted in our country, just don’t exist in Nepal. We are doing a great humanitarian service.”

Lisa Salmons gave kudos to Todd Engle for his helping out with Senior Meals!

Auggie….”I was happy to present a check for $43 to the Newberg Rotary Foundation!  It represented one dollar for each year of marriage.  Maureen and I celebrated 43 years on February 5, 2020.  We are so grateful for this blessing!”

Today’s Program – “Be Scam Smart” – presented by Newberg Noon Rotarians, and First Federal bankers – Angel Aguiar and Kathie Byers:

Scams and Identity Theft are too-common occurrences today. Kathie and Angel gave us a quick overview of the types of scams…principally targeting the vulnerable elderly…. but not exclusively…as we ALL are prospective “victims”…and provided us with printed materials listing #BeScamSmart Resources…such as the Federal Trade Commission, the IRS, the Social Security Administration and others to call if/when you have concerns that you have been a visiting of identity theft…or are getting suspicious phone calls. The VALUE to those who perpetrate these scams is in the BILLIONS of dollars annually, so they keep trying…and succeeding …so… remember that ….your bank…or credit card company…or Social Security…do NOT contact folks by telephone….AND…if you have concerns/doubts about a call….get the number….and name provided/claimed of the caller….hang up and call the number of the “purported” entity that made the call to authenticate [or NOT!] their contacting you. IF/WHEN you find the call to be a hoax/scam …contact the Federal Trade Commission [1-877-438-4338] and report the call you received…and all pertinent information about it that you can….and/or contact: ftc.gov/PassItOn OR…another contact to make a report to: FTC.gov/complaint 1-877-382-4957

Thanks, Kathie and Angel!

Respectfully submitted, Rick Kaufman, Newsletter Editor

Memory challenge: Can YOU recite Rotary’s “Four Way Test” without “looking”? If not, why not?

RI President, Mark Maloney’s, theme for 2019 – 2020: “ROTARY CONNECTS the WORLD!”

Paula Radich was GREETER today.

Club President Corey Z. opened the meeting at the Chehalem Community Center having Jim McMaster lead us in the Pledge.

Andrea Johnson, Judy Robinson’s daughter, from the Tigard Rotary Club was our lone Visiting Rotarian today.

Geoff Gilmore sponsored the following art students from George Fox University as key participants in the Rotary Mural Project: Corie, Carla, Natasha, and Megan.

Skylar Walker was Rachel Huber ‘s guest.

Rotary Moment: Although Prez Corey did not have an official “Rotary Moment” contributor scheduled for today, Jim McMaster stepped up to praise the many local projects involving trails, playgrounds, etc…. reinforcing the ongoing legitimacy of Rotary in our community!

Non-Revenue-Generating Announcements:

Brandy P. – NBHS Interact is very active with lots of activities/projects going on! AND….Our family is growing by one this month! We are hosting the international exchange student from Thailand, Inarm. We are excited to open our home and share our culture!

Jim McM. – Don’t forget, on Feb. 12, we meet at Social Goods–across from City Hall, courtesy of Vocational Services.

Krohn’s Appliance’s collecting of diapers for A Family Place resulted in over 23K diapers! That’s really “cleaning up”!

Om S. – Feb 19th, Rotary meeting…”date night”…an evening “social” at Fred’s home…plus…it is RYLA applications time, so check w/ Om, Lee or Aaron with any names of potential RYLA candidates.

Auggie – Per Auction, check w/ Laura re $$$ tickets/sponsorships, etc….he also provided a Rotary check to Love, Inc., as part of our support of their important missions.

Laura – Thankful for our Newberg Foundation ($300) for supporting home schooled Junior, Kyla Riddle’s “Tie Blanket” project for homeless kids partnering with Michael Pollock’s “Helping Hands”. Also thankful for Paula Radich for helping with her grant writing skills with our (911) Dispatch Center Nepal Global Grant. Thank you, Paula!

DUCK TALES – Walter “played” the room with The Duck….but netted only $34 toward Polio Eradication this time…with your Editor getting some of the “tales” but not all…sometimes just the names…and he started off with this: “When Marge announced we were going to be neighbors and that property values were going down, I bet five people that it would not happen. There were no sales and property values actually went up as I joined other Rotarians. That was the money I won in the wager.”

Paula then countered when she claimed that property values went up in Walter’s former neighborhood when the news got out that he was moving! Ouch! 🙂

Kathie Byers – related to us in some detail about the psychological aspects of her being a “first responder” to a recent car accident.  For greater detail, ask her personally!

Dale Welcome – Eldest son’s wife is expecting their 3rd son…to be named “Walter”….hmmmm…..

Om S. – “Thai people are ‘cool’ relevant to Brandy having a Thai youth exchange student, and she was so excited about it.”

Ray Hillman glad their son is returning from the Philipines.

Geoff Gilmore said “I will be honoring my Mother over the next few weeks by telling stories about her. Two weeks ago it was her pet one legged Chicken ‘Roosti’. This week it was ‘Smarty Pants’ being valedictorian of 20 class and 600 hometown then going to Ohio State U. with 15,000 students (25 times bigger than hometown) – not so smarty after all!”

Kim Abrahams – “I wanted to add to Kathie’s story because I have been the person on the other side of the accident. I was in a rollover and the people that stopped to help were like angels to us. They were the ones that helped me out of the car, wrapped us in blankets, and called the ambulance. We were in so much shock from the accident we didn’t know what to do so their guidance helped us tremendously. Always stop when you see something and offer to help because you don’t know what the other people are going through.”

Judy Robinson proud to have her “fellow Rotarian” daughter join us today!

Yours Truly had been treated by my daughter, Kimberly, to the new movie, “Ford vs. Ferrari”…with historical focus on an automotive legend, the late Carroll Shelby…for this race car buff it was TERRIFIC!….Side bar: Carroll had been Senior Judge at the Forest Grove Rotary Concours d’Elegance years ago…and I got to meet him personally …and YES…he WAS quite a character!

Today’s program presented by Love, Inc.’s Executive Director, Yvette Heyford…with an update on her organization…..

…..Founded in 1997 Love INC.’s Newberg chapter has been serving our community since 2004. It’s core purpose, Transforming Communities by Mobilizing the Church, has become so much more over the years. Love INC now behaves more like a command center coordinating police, medical, food, and financial relief. Before Love INC people in need had to church hop seeking the help they needed. This is a poor model for those in need AND those wanting to help. When one lives in a state of perpetual crisis simply getting to those resources is just another barrier. When a church family has resources and desire to offer assistance, they have no choice but to find the right balance of stewardship and mercy. No giving soul likes having to ask someone presenting a need to prove it. But if they squander their resources on frivolous opportunities they won’t be in a position to support truly dire needs. The other problem is that people want to help, but don’t always know how. Love INC exists to fill this void with clearing house, relational, shelter, and “gap” ministries. The Clearing House function is the first line of support taking and screening calls, verifying need, and referring requests to best fit resources. Transformational (relational) is an offer of mentorship to those in chronic need with training and life skills. Kind of like the adage, “give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach him how to fish and feed him for a lifetime.” “Would you be willing to “get in the mud” with someone?” You will not only change another person, you will also change yourself. Twenty five mentors have already stepped up. Shelter speaks for itself. While not in the national charter, Newberg’s chapter supports a women’s shelter that began as an emergency shelter. The emergency shelter required 30 hosts for 30 nights every month. A daunting model to maintain. It has since be restructured as a transitional shelter with an end goal of independence and employment. “This year we graduated 18 homeless into their own places.” It takes time to heal from abuse, neglect, and drugs. The house was donated by a local church with utilities and staffing covered by Love INC and its volunteers. Gap isn’t an acronym. It is a ministry to fill the gap. Local Love INC helps churches that have a desire and the means to build ministries “fill in the gap”. Local Gap ministries include: Bus Passes, Clothes Closets (3), Community dinners, Diapers, H.U.G.S.S. (Hats, Umbrellas, Gloves, Scarves, Socks), Kitchen Set-up, Linen Closet, Non-Food Pantry, Over the Counter Meds, Shear Joy Haircuts, Firewood Ministry. Love INC’s most frequent request is money to pay bills. While they have no means of giving cash they can, a) direct someone to where they can get immediate help, and b) offer to lift the burden of necessities so that person’s cash can be redirected to bills. Side Note: I learned a term new to me, generational and situational poverty. One woman called during the coldest day of the year. Their trailer’s propane tanks were empty. They had scraped together enough to fill them, but the attendant was not allowed because the tanks were too old. A Love INC donor met that need and the couple survived the cold snap. “Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.” – Isaiah 58:10-11 …Leadership and Business Development Coach/Career Discovery Coach – “Impacting engagement & organizational success one outstanding leader at a time”…Thanks, Yvette!

Remember, Rotary’s “Four Way Test” is a PROVEN successful way to interact with others and live one’s life….AND…Think AUCTION ACTION!!!!

Respectfully submitted, Rick Kaufman, Newsletter Editor

…with a few snippets of humor/wisdom….

IF MY BODY IS EVER FOUND ON A JOGGING TRAIL JUST KNOW THAT I WAS MURDERED SOMEWHERE ELSE AND DUMPED THERE.*

RESPECT YOUR ELDERS. THEY GRADUATED FROM SCHOOL WITHOUT THE INTERNET.*

I’VE DECIDED I’M NOT OLD, I’M 45 — PLUS SHIPPING AND HANDLING.

BEHIND EVERY ANGRY WOMAN STANDS A MAN WHO HAS ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT HE DID WRONG.

IN MY DEFENSE I WAS LEFT UNSUPERVISED.

MY DECISION-MAKING SKILLS sometimes CLOSELY RESEMBLE THOSE OF A SQUIRREL WHEN CROSSING THE ROAD.*

SOME THINGS ARE JUST BETTER LEFT UNSAID — AND I USUALLY REALIZE IT RIGHT AFTER I SAY THEM.

CAMPING: WHERE YOU SPEND A SMALL FORTUNE TO LIVE LIKE A HOMELESS PERSON. *

and…finally….I THOUGHT GETTING OLD WOULD TAKE LONGER.