JEROME ROTARY: A BOOK OF SURPRISES (7.20.10)

When Tracy Woolman, assistant governor, and I arrived at Jaker’s in Twin Falls to meet the Rotary Club of Jerome on Monday, July 19, we didn’t know what surprises awaited us.

Once the leadership team gathered, Bryan Craig, secretary and past president, represented the club and his brother, Barrett Craig, president, by showing Tracy and me a notebook of pictures of the many Jerome club projects. (The leadership team that night was comprised of Barrett and Rachel Craig, Bryan Craig, Linda Hadam, Gretchen Clelland, Jason and Brandi Peterson, and Jeff Jacobson.)

PAINT MAGIC...A COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

It so happened that when I was in the Twin Falls area several weeks before my Jerome visit, I had taken a picture of the Jerome Paint Magic crew, who posed in a lighthearted manner with Magistrate Judge Tom Borreson scraping Bryan Craig’s hatted head.

MANY OTHER GREAT PROJECTS

The notebook of projects was a notebook of surprises for the depth and breadth of Jerome community involvement. The club engages in many other projects like the following:

1. Posting a Rotary International & Jerome Rotary Club billboard
2. Providing bleacher covers at Gayle Forsyth Park
3. Distributing dictionaries
4. Providing Christmas baskets to 270 families
5. Providing three full tuition scholarships
6. Donating 5 computers to the city public library and 2 to the Jerome Senior Citizen Center and 3 to Jerome Headstart
7. Donating a skeleton to the Jerome School District Talented and Gifted Students

Impressed? Yes, I was.


JOE ROSE (TO THE OCCASION!)

At the club meeting the next day, I had the privilege of awarding Joe Rose a perfect attendance pin for his 42 years. Amazing record. (Joe also attended the RC of Burley meeting on July 6 to honor Jeff Hanssen, club president, who was a Jerome member at one time.)

And this same day when I had I met 92-year old Rotarian Thomas Mahan, gave Joe Rose a 42-year perfect attendance pin, I also welcomed into the Rotary family Matt Jacobson.

WELCOME MATT!

I urged the Jerome Club to share its good work with other clubs at the Foundation and Membership Seminars (either Oct. 2 in the Pocatello area or Sept. 25 in the Boise area) and at the mid-winter assembly (either Jan. 8 in Twin Falls or Jan. 15 in the Boise area).

Clubs can learn a lot from Jerome and viceversa!

Good work, Jerome.

Respectfully submitted by Terry Gilbert

HAILEY: A GOOD CLUB BY NIGHT OR BY DAY (7.22.10)

As district governor, I have the privilege of meeting great people in each club. Such was the case in Hailey where I met a group of Hailey Rotary leaders at Hailey’s Zou 75, a restaurant which features Asian fusion, sushi and seafood selections. Marguerite Sowersby, the club secretary, sat by me and of all things influenced me to order sushi, a delicacy I generally avoid in favor of cooked food, a Western tradition that has kept me alive for years.


Hey, the food was good! So was the conversation as we went around the table trading deep feelings about why we are Rotarians. As we each told our motivations, a warm bond grew among all of us, Rotarians and spouses both. Our stories underscored our service to humanity, both in Hailey and around the world.

From Zou 75, several of us gathered at Leo Stavros and Marcia Mode’s home. Leo started a fire in the pit, the night grew darker, Marcia offered wine and the magic of storytelling began. Stavros is a Greek name and Leo told tales of his long and productive life. (Leo is 85 going on 35 with a personality and vitality that energizes everyone he meets.)   I remember some of his life story: as a youngster he grew up in Idaho Falls working with his father in the family grocery store, at times delivering grocery products to some of the “festive” town ladies when he was a lad of eight. He served his country in WWII.  Eventually he achieved notable success as a businessman, first in Seattle selling insurance, something I learned the next day, and then as the owner of a success grocery store.


AL LINDLEY AND KIDS WITH CANCER

This is a picture taken around the fire of Al Lindley (on the left) his wife, Linda, and Ron Reese, wonderful people all. Al is deeply involved in caring for children who have cancer through the American Cancer Society’s Camp Rainbow Gold. He told touching tales of working with girls as young as six years old who bravely deal with the reality of their cancer and their beliefs about what will happen to them upon their deaths.  It was obvious he is a man with a compassionate soul.

WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO JOIN A FRIENDLY CLUB LIKE THIS ONE?

As you can see, these are charming women all.  There is Marguerite Sowersby on the left, the Sushi Siren, Cassie Jones with her bright and welcoming smile, Nikki Donnelley who said when I pointed the camera at her, "I don't want my picture taken!" (but consented after peer pressure), and Shelley Seibel, the dynamic  and some would say "exotic" president of the club. 

 
WILL DUKE KIDDED SHELLEY SEIBEL ABOUT HAVING BIG HAIR!
 
Usually, I will feature just three pictures per club, but when Will Duke, that great assistant governor, kidded Shelley Seibel about having "big hair," I had to feature this picture of Will with Shelley, Marguerite and treasurer Ron Buzzoto.  I trust you see the irony.
 

 
-Submitted with affection for the Rotary Club of Hailey by Terry Gilbert, district governo 2010-11

RUPERT OF 7.21.10: THIS CLUB IS STEPPIN' UP!

That’s Maureen Newton, president of the RC of Rupert, standing on the stairs of the refurbished Henry’s at the Drift Inn on the historic square in downtown Rupert. What’s she pointing at? Why the bright future of the Rupert Club, of course.

(In this picture of Rupert leaders, we see Maureen pointing, then Nikki Cannon, Marianne Barker, assistant governor, Kerry Saurey, immediate past president, Charlie Warren, Todd Posey, Rand Fagg and Paul Aston.)

Just as Henry’s at the Drift Inn has been restored by hard work, patience and love, The Rupert Club has launched new fundraising ideas to replace successful but no longer operable past ventures. The leaders are excited about selling breakfast items at the Spudman Triathlon and providing BBQ sandwiches at the Blue Grass Festival, all efforts to raise money for local high school scholarships. The club will continue with Casino Night, as well.


LET'S WORK TOGETHER!  WHAT A GREAT IDEA FOR ROTARY CLUBS!!

And, who should walk in to the Rupert Club meeting on Wednesday, July 21 but the Burley president and past president, Jeff Hanssen and Paul Lyons. (Note: I addressed the Burley Club on July 6, my first club meeting. Jeff and Paul had to disabuse me of my first notion that they had come to hear my speech because it was so good. But, no, they were there to solidify an agreement between the Burley and Rupert Club to sponsor Road Apple Roulette.)

VISIONING SEMINAR IN TWIN FALLS ON 7.17.10

BETTER SEE VISIONS OR YOU MAY RUN INTO THESE TOUGHS!

Advice: Don’t meet these Rotarians in a dark alley. On the left is Pierce “Buff-Tough” Murphy. In the middle is Hal “Rude-Dude” Rumsey, and on the right? That’s Charles “Fluffy Fisted” Weymouth. They are part of the District 5400 Visionary team who met with Kathleen  Simko, DGN, other Visionaries, Assistant Governors and me on Saturday, July 17 in Twin Falls to prepare for the new visioning year.

Who are Visionaries? They are Rotarians energized about helping Rotary clubs discover, organize and implement the passions of their members to serve humanity in their communities and internationally and to fulfill our motto, “Service Above Self.”  Interested in Visioning for your club or serving as a District 5400 Visionary?  Contact DG Gilbert at 695-9262 or write to him at glennsson@msn.com.


Perhaps by pure chance, I was able to catch the Visionaries actually seeing a Vision outside the motel where we met. Here is the amazing photo.   (Front row:  Scott Record (Twin Falls), Marti Monk (Boise Sunrise), Pierce Murphy (Boise).  Second row:  Hal  Rumsey (Meridian), Charles Weymouth (Boise Metro), Mary Reiman (Boise Metro),  Joel Phillips (Pocatello-Portneuf), A.J. Balukoff (Boise Sunrise) and Jeff Hatch (Boise East).

THE DISTRICT ASSISTANT GOVERNORS WILL WORK WITH VISIONARIES THIS YEAR.

Eight of District 5400’s superb assistant governors joined the Visionaries on Saturday. In the picture below, I caught the AGs pointing at the Visionaries and exclaiming, “You Visionaries are great, and we want to work with you.”   (One wag said this picture shows the AGs making monkey sounds while they posed, but I have checked the sound on my camera, and I could hear nothing of the sort.)

ROTARY CLUB OF RIGBY: ON TRACK ... READY TO ROLL!

See the gentleman and the marvelous train set in his basement? That’s Laine Eckersell, assistant governor and member of the RC of Rigby, who displayed the train set you see in the picture. It’s a symbol of the Rigby Club, too: “We’re on track…we’re ready to roll.”


HERE ARE THE TWO CONDUCTORS!

Randy Stone, club president, draps his arm around Justin Tawzer, immediate past president, and prepares to give him a handsome plaque thanking him for his service in 2009-10. “We have a small but good club with lots of unity,” Randy said to me in a phone call before my visit of June 9, 2010.

Stone wants his club to brainstorm ideas for projects, including international efforts like the one they teamed with Idaho Falls for clean water and sanitation. Local projects have incuded immunization of children in partnership with the District 7 Health Department and providing carseats for infants and helmets for older children.

GOODING: THIS CLUB IS 'SMOKIN!"

WHAT A HANDSOME GROUP

Kneeling: Dave Buechler (Chaplin), Ray Rausch, Joe James.  Row two: Jim Schoettger, Heather Williams, Rick Basterrechea, Steve France, John McLaughlin, Larry Robertson, Leo Sanchez.  Row three: Marg Brockman, Holly Sabala, Bill Oakley, Dale Butler, Kelly McCool, Claude Scanlon, Ray Goodman, Matt Kent, Phil Brown.

THE GOODING CLUB:  ENERGY WITH COMBINED WISDOM

Look at the picture of the club members who attended on July 9. One sees a combination of older and younger professional, business and community leaders from young Joseph James, president, and president-elect Leo Sanchez, to venerable members such as secretary and mentor Larry Robertson who joined Rotary in 1967. Three other notable members for longevity are Claude Scanlon, Bill Oakley, and Don Simis, all of whom joined in 1959. 


THIS CLUB IS 'SMOKIN!'

The club must have one of the most unique fundraising projects in the district, a “Boxing Smoker.” The 5th District High School Rodeo Club lines up the fighters in weight categories. They fight 3 three minutes rounds at the high school gym in a ring rented by the club from CSI. The winners receive trophies. The club charges admission and the money collected is donated to the high school track program and the rodeo club. No, attendees who pay admission do not smoke cigars at the “Smoker,” which is just a figure of speech.

In addition, the club participates in a golf tourney, the dictionary project, Adopt-a-Highway and many social activities. Yep, this club is ‘smokin!”

BUHL: A FUN LOVING CLUB COMMITTED TO SERVICE ABOVE SELF

THE BUHL CLUB - A COMMUNITY BUILDER WITH A SPIRIT OF FUN

I asked the leadership team to pose for a picture when I met with them on July 7. Well, okay, I asked them to mug for a picture. What did I get? A classical shot suitable for a painting by Michaelangelo, perhaps. Yes, I am exaggerating but only a wee bit. (Front row: Rick Lauda, Gloria Morse, president, Michael Aland. Back Row: Larry Ford, Chuck Lehrman, Tracy Woolman, D5400 assistant governor and Buhl member, Stephanie Wells, Terry Kramer and Jim Barker.)

WHEN I WAS THERE, THEY "TIED ONE ON!"

Note that Gloria Morse is wearing a loose fitting tie as I present her with the flags from RI president Ray Klinginsmith and my flag bearing a picture of Mt. McGown by Stanley Lake in the Sawtooths. The picture below of Kattie Wonenberg features her in a tie, as well. An enterprising Rotarian who attended the Sun Valley Rotary Conference saw the gag between now-PDG Kevin Learned who cut off my naked lady tie (nymphs). That Rotarian brought ties for every Buhl member to wear the day I was there.  What fun!  You can review that bit of hilarity between Kevin and me by going to Youtube and doing a search (Rotary Sun Valley + Kevin Learned). 

ROTARY CLUB OF TWIN FALLS - STAY FIT OR "DEATH BY CHOCOLATE" ... OR BOTH

(From left to right front row: Leadership team of Michael Becerra, president, Wiley Dobbs, president-elect, Jody Tremblay. Second row: Will Duke, D5400 assistant governor, Jill Skeem and Kevin Bradshaw.)

Yes, the Rotary leaders in this picture look harmless enough. But, the club has been trying to kill people in “Death by Chocolate” for years, a major successful fundraiser.


STAY FIT ON THE ROTARY TRAIL!

The irony is that the RC of Twin Falls is justifiably proud of the “Twin Falls Fitness Trail” on the campus of College of Southern Idaho. The trail has enhanced the community of Twin Falls for years. In fact, when I lived in Twin Falls in the 80s, I used to run the trail and work out on the devices on it. Soon, the trail will expand to the canyon with the help of Rotary.  (In the picture above, Michael Becerra and I, pose by the marker proudly containing the Rotary Wheel.)

KMVT ATTENDED THE NOON MEETING

Thanks to the work of the District PR chair, Merilee Marsh, KMVT was alerted to my visit and attended my presentation where I challenged to the club to "Promote Ethics - Pursue Peace - Provide for Children."    One can view the TV coverage by searching on Google for "Twin Falls Rotary + KMVT."

THE ROTARY CLUB OF BURLEY – GREAT HEART, GREAT POTENTIAL

I visited the Burley Club as the first club of my governorship on July 6, accompanied by Tracy Woolman, assistant governor, and Marianne Barker representing The Rotary Foundation. What a treat for me.

Jeff Hanssen is the newly-installed president of the Burley Club, following the leadership of Paul Lyons. A club with a great heart – 35 Paul Harris Fellows and two benefactors – Jeff (right) and Paul (left) presented me with a check for $100 to be given to the Idaho Academic Decathlon.


The Idaho Academic Decathlon

The Decathlon is celebrating 27 years of providing outstanding academic competition for high school students. Over 500 students participate statewide in the IAD annually, but this year it is in financial trouble. I have asked clubs to consider a gift to the Decathlon rather than to me as DG. I don’t need a gift, but Idaho students need the Decathlon!

Two Outstanding Contributors to The Rotary Foundation

In the picture above two esteemed Rotarians, Lex Kunau and Jim Roper, join the Paul Harris Society, pledging to give $1,000 annually to the Annual Programs Fund and/or polio of The Rotary Foundation. Here Marianne Barker, immediate past chair of the Annual Programs Fund, presents them with ribbons to hang from their Paul Harris pins, representing their commitment. Thank you, gentlemen.