Rotary’s Four-Way Test of the things we think say and do:

First – is it the TRUTH?

Second – Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Third – Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Fourth – Is it BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Sequestration…social distancing…isolation.…whatever you call it….it’s awkward and frustrating to everyone, especially to those of us who are gregarious and normally very socially “involved”.  HOWEVER…this, too, will pass….SO …in the meantime we get creative in our ways to communicate with one another.  For those of us who rely on the use of our computers and/or SMART devices, ZOOM has proven to be a very useful tool!  Mike Caruso’s usual generosity has provided us with THAT tool so we can continue our Rotary meeting efforts, albeit at a slightly different level.  Paula has again provided the meeting notes needed to create this newsletter*.  Her invaluable participation and various contributions bring up a point your Editor would like to make.  The May 2020 issue of The Rotarian features a smiling young woman on the cover, with an article title of “WOMEN AT WORK” supportive of the importance of women in Rotary…as THAT has not always been the case.  [BTW – the articles are FASCINATING! Take the time to read them!]  The “younger” [that’s most of you…compared to me!] Rotarians may not internalize “Rotary without women”.  There may be others who remember, but Dr. Stan K. and I have both been in Rotary long enough to well remember when it was “men only”.  Growing up in a “Rotary family”, I full well knew Rotary was a “men only” organization.  But when I joined in late 1968, and, as a young dentist having the privilege of working with a team of very bright/talented women, it seemed to me that Rotary was “missing the boat” by excluding women from being active Rotarians.  THEN…IT HAPPENED!  THAT changed…and a then-bank-branch-manager…Marge….was the FIRST woman sponsored into the Forest Grove Rotary Club!  Marge was a friend then and though long since retired, is still in that club today… and still a friend!  She has ALWAYS been very active, and in multiple roles.  To this day we are like “family”!  And isn’t THAT a main part of ROTARY?  That’s the way ROTARY FELLOWSHIP works!  That’s a major reason I so thoroughly enjoy being a Newberg Noon Rotarian!  SO…as I approach my third year with you, a BIG THANK YOU to all my Newberg Noon Rotarian friends!  Rick Kaufman

*NOW…on to Paula’s meeting notes:

Rotary Club of Newberg Zoom Meeting

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Call to Order

President Corey Zielsdorf welcomed Rotarians and Friends of Rotary to the Zoom meeting at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2020.

Rotarians and Friends of Rotary

Zoom meeting participants: Shannon B., Paula, Mike, Kathie, Corey, Lynn, Dale, Laura, Brandy, Walter, Jim, Judy, Connie, Shannon K., Julie, Geoff, Michelle, Karen, Denise, Om, Auggie, Matt.

Thank You to

Mike for hosting today’s Rotary Zoom meeting!

Rotary Moments

Shannon B.: While Shannon and Mike talked genealogy it seems the two discovered they are “related.” Both have relatives born and raised in the communities of Roy and Verboort.

Auggie was serving in the Rotary Dental Mission to Guatemala when the first case of coronavirus was reported in Oregon. Knowing that Newberg Urgent Care would need to stock up on certain supplies—Auggie doubled the order, however, everything was placed on back order and allotment basis. When Auggie returned to Newberg he determined that Urgent Care would run out of masks in two days. Auggie then made calls out to Rotary dentist friends. Dr. Bergquam, Newberg Noon Rotarian, came up with boxes of masks and gowns which were lifesavers.

Corey: A week ago Corey was walking and social distancing with a friend who had a compromised health issue. Corey reached out to Rotarians Will and Judy. Judy brought two masks for Corey’s friend. Corey’s friend donated $10.00 to Rotary for the masks. The friend was very appreciative as the masks now allow him to participate in daily walks with greater confidence.

Rotary Sharing

Connie: All students are at home and will not return for the remainder of the school year. Part of Connie’s job at Catalyst (Newberg High School’s Alternative High School) is to share careers. Connie is in the process of launching a new pathway—Career Connections with Connie. Connie invites Rotarians to share their careers so Connie can share with students.

Geoff: Geoff’s mother passed away on Christmas Eve last year. In the process of resolving his mother’s estate, Geoff and family cleaned out his parent’s home in Sandpoint, Idaho. Two days after the home was listed, the family received a full cash offer followed by a letter from the buyer—a woman in her mid-80’s who fell in love with the house and who especially liked the garden. She will turn one of the rooms into her daughter’s craft room. She loves it when her daughter comes over and does craft with her.

Geoff wrote back thanking the buyer for her thoughts about how she would use the house. Geoff shared that as a Rotarian he is honoring his mother and father by donating some of the proceeds from sale of the house to advance the children’s library in Sand Point. A fountain will be installed in memory of Geoff’s parents.

Laura’s teenage grandson, who is autistic, was worried about germs in the time of COVID-19 so he is cooking for the family. According to the family, he made the best chicken piccata ever!

Om: Today, April 15th is Thai New Year. Happy Thai New Year to all!

Jim: Geoff asked if Jim could help the mural project at the Library Annex by getting the side of the building cleaned. Jim determined that scaffolding and an electronic lift would be needed. When Jim contacted Reid Rental the owners said they would “just give us the scaffold and the lift when we need it.”

Laura’s middle son, who lives in California, came down with all the symptoms of COVID. Laura called fellow Rotarian Judy for advice about how to administer the inhaler. Laura said she trusted fellow Rotarian and nurse, Judy, with advice.

Lynn: Now that we know schools will not be in session, we will go through our scholarship process virtually—perhaps arrange for Zoom interviews.

If schools don’t open in the Fall—is there a contingency plan for scholarships? If colleges are not in session, funds would be returned to Foundation. It is likely most colleges and universities will continue with online learning.

Judy: Thanks to Lynn for staying on top of the scholarships. Judy also thanked Will who was unable to participate in our Zoom meeting as he’s too busy giving out mask kits. A connection was made with a Rotarian in McMinnville who is initiating her own mask group. Today The Mask Force reached a milestone of 2,000 masks!

Brandy: If Rotarians know someone who is a parent and/or teacher—try to connect with them—maybe provide a meal or some other support.

Denise reports there fewer Interact members participating in the recent Interact Zoom meeting while some participants were new. For the most part, students were upbeat and reported that being on the Zoom call was helpful. Students know that people are there for them and listening. Interact continues to move forward with their garden project. Denise will continue to bring Interact together. The Ford Family Foundation is paying for student lunches to be Door Dashed.

Dale: Auggie owes a fine for having Newberg Urgent Care as background in Auggie’s Zoom picture. Dale noted that Newberg is a wonderful community. Dale’s neighbor has two young boys who are learning online via Chromebooks loaned by the Newberg School District. Dale gave a “shout out” to Joe and the entire school district for doing an amazing job taking care of our kids.

Presentation: Inarm Jitiang, Thai Exchange Student, Hosted by Rotarian Brandy and Family.

Inarm “Arm” came to Brandy’s family in January. Arm was with the family for about three weeks and then the coronavirus arrived! Brandy reports all are still alive and thriving during this time!

The following are excerpts from Arm’s presentation:

  • School is seven to eight hours per day. Students remain in one room and teachers move. Arm’s school has an assembly every morning where students sing the national anthem, and wear school uniforms at both public and private schools. Arm attends a private school.

  • Thai students focus on academy and not sports. Sports are played for only a few days—around December where there are parades, marching bands and cheerleading and students can play the sport all day.

  • Great Thai Foods: Tom Yam Kung (Spicy Ship Soup), Khantoke, Thai Mango Sticky Rice Dessert, Yellow Curry Chicken and Thai Fried Noodles

  • Seasons: Thailand has three official seasons: hot, cool and wet. The hot season runs from March through June with April and May the hottest months of the year. The monsoon season is usually accompanied by heavy rains and rough seas. In the cool season the temperature can be 55 degrees in the morning but can rise to 80 degrees later in the day.

  • Attractions: Thailand is known for tropical beaches and a modern cityscape.
  • There are floating markets in Thailand.

  • Loy Krathong is a Thai Festival. Loy Krathong is known as the “Thai Festival of Lights.” Loy Krathong is held annually all over the country and in parts of Laos and Myanmar.

Q. When will Arm Return to Thailand?

A. Arm is expected to return to Thailand July 7th.

Q. Was there an experience of culture shock when you arrived in Oregon?

Arm was surprised at the meals in Oregon—in the United States different foods are generally served at breakfast, lunch and dinner. In Thailand all foods are eaten regardless of the meal.

Future Rotary Programs

Shannon and Brandy will collaborate in scheduling Rotary programs. Future Rotary Programs include: A Family Place, George Fox University mural artists, Trudy Sharp, Boy Scouts of America etc.

Meeting Adjourned 1:00 p.m.

THANKS, PAULA!

As the Rotary year unwinds, and in spite of “social distancing”, Rotarians are still, and increasingly so, following the RI President, Mark Maloney’s, theme of….

“Rotary Connects the World”!

Respectfully submitted, Rick Kaufman, Newsletter Editor

AND…HAH! Gotta have some humor & wisdom….especially under these “isolation” circumstances:

HUMOR:

– I suppose I should get out of bed or I’ll be late getting to the living room….

– In case you lost track, today is March 97th…..

– Day 7 at home and the dog is looking at me like…”See, this is why I chew the furniture…”…..

– I’m kinda starting to understand why the pets try to run out of the house when the front door is opened….

– Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender yelled, “Last call!”….

– I swear my fridge just said “What the hell do you want now?”….

– Happy hour is starting earlier and earlier….If this keeps up, I’ll be pouring wine in my cereal!

– Today’s Weather?  Room temperature……..

WISDOM:

– “Nature is pleased with simplicity. And nature is no dummy.” ~ Isaac Newton

– “Every thought we think is creating our future.”  ~ Louise Hay

– “You don’t need strength to let go of something. What you really need is understanding.” ~ Guy Finley

– “He that’s content, hath enough; He that complains, has too much.” ~ Poor Richard

– “If you let yourself be blown to and fro, you lose touch with your root.” ~ Lao Tzu

– “I’ll lean on you and you lean on me and we’ll be okay.” ~ Dave Matthews  

– “The first wealth is health.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson