Welcome to the Sunrise Spirit –
the Weekly Newsletter of The Rotary Club of Arcata Sunrise
We hope that you will attend one of our lively Friday meetings,
whether or not you are interested in joining Rotary.
Usually, we meet on most Fridays at 7 am in the Plaza View Room
at Arcata’s historic Jacoby Storehouse,
however, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are meeting online.
Please visit the RCAS Website for the meeting links.
Rotary Vision:
Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change
– across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
The Calendar …
RISE: “Rotary Involvement Strengthens Everyone“
- April 16-17 – District 5130 Training Assembly
- June 12-16 – The 2021 Rotary International Convention – Online!
- November 11-14 – The Zone Institute, tentatively scheduled for Tuscon, Arizona
- June 4-8, 2022 – The 2022 Rotary International Convention in Houston, Texas.
Service and More
President Maggie informed us that we donated over 100 books to local school libraries as part of the local NAACP chapter’s book drive. The funds for our contribution came from Maggie’s birthday fundraiser, sales of “Masks With a Message”, and contributions by individual Rotarians. Thank you all for your support of BIPOC youth!
Lisa and Chris Hemphill were the heroes of the week, picking up and packing the Backpacks for Kids. Please be sure to check the SignUpGenius to help soon. And President Maggie thanked all of the Sunrisers and others who participated in the weekend’s hands-on activities – Saturday’s Adopt-a-Highway cleanup and Sunday’s Garden Project at Jacoby Creek School! Maggie also noted that volunteers are needed for upcoming vaccine clinics at Mad River Hospital. Let her know if you can lend a hand.
Jeff Stebbins told us that the Steve Brodhag Memorial Golf Tournament is coming up on Friday, June 11th. Our Club has sent many teams to this fun tournament in the past, and we hope to continue that tradition! If you want to participate – which will likely include a drink or two with former Sunriser (and all-around delightful person) Rina Brodhag – let Jeff know soon. We also learned the date for our own golf event – the Sunrise Scramble (also a delicious breakfast treat). We will be teeing off on Saturday, August 21st. For more information, contact Brandon Kakitsuka.
President-Elect Ian Schatz provided an update on Rotary Youth Exchange, starting with the disappointing news that Rotary International has decided to extend the current suspension of the program through June 2022. But Ian noted that we are looking at ways to continue to engage Exchangers, both past and future. Nick Torres said that this year’s Camp RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) event will be held virtually from April 30th through May 2nd. Our Club plans to send at least four students who will be in leadership roles during the 2021-2022 school year.
Gratefulness and Recognitions
A bunch of Sunrisers told us several things that they were grateful for, including Brandon Kakitsuka, Craig Newman, Romi Hitchcock Tinseth, Karen Burgesser, Dustin Littlefield, and Tami Camper. We also heard an update on the Gregg Foster Pie Competition (better known as the RCAS Health Challenge). Gregg better get to work on them thar pies!
And President Maggie displayed more pre-pandemic photos, including the RCAS group photo on the Plaza from AJ’s year as Club President, Charli Murphy’s art exhibit, Tamra James at work (and/or play?), Jamie Anderson delivering a check, Charli Murphy at work (where she is better known as Crystal Perez), and Rebecca Crow helping the Raven Project.
Foundation Final Friday Festivities!
RCAS Foundation Chair Terri Clark congratulated and thanked Howard Stauffer for his continuing support of the Rotary Foundation, noting that he is a three-time Paul Harris Fellow! (Well, Terri always encourages us not to stop at one!) She also noted that, despite the pandemic, we are still doing well with polio vaccinations. And she said that many Sunrisers have signed up for monthly contributions to end polio via Rotary Direct and other venues for donating to the Foundation.
And many Sunrisers donated to the Foundation last Friday as well – either by providing items for the Fantastic Foundation Final Friday Auction and/or purchasing the items listed below:
- Pat Knittel is the owner of Wrangletown Cider Company and North Story Wines. She was kind enough to donate two bottles of hard cider from her establishment. One was purchased by Lori Breyer, and the other is now the property of JOYC (the Justice Of Your Club).
- While she was picking up the aforementioned bottles of hard cider, Terri Clark purchased (and subsequently donated) a bottle of Wrangletown Pommeau (apple wine). We heard that this promised to be delicious, even straight from the bottle! Who’s gonna find out? Ed Christians will …
- Terri Clark also donated a gift certificate for the Griffin – a very fine establishment and saloonery. Lori Breyer once again cast the winning bid.
- What? Terri wasn’t done??? Evidently not! She offered another certificate – this time for Soul to Soul Spa. This was purchased by Sarah James. But wait! Charlie Jordan also won? Yes, indeedy! Terri said that she would donate a second gift certificate. Perhaps Sarah and Charlie will visit together and talk about the Rotary Foundation during their mani-pedis.
- A marvelous Outdoor Adventure Basket was on the auction block, courtesy of Carol Vander Meer. Although JOYC was the winner, auctioneer Brandon Kakitsuka expressed a strong desire for a special cap that was part of the package. JOYC allowed him to offer a little extra to the Rotary Foundation for the chapeau.
- The next item was billed as “Dinner by Jose”, but that’s not quite accurate. It should have been pluralized, because Jose Zapata donated several certificates and two bottles of Parducci wine! The winning bid was entered by Brother Bob Johnson.
- Rebecca Crow wanted the winner of her “Diversity Basket” to be comforted, and she wanted to honor local businesses, so she included chocolate bars from Cacao Cocoon, blackberry-sage bubble bath from Bubbles, rainbow candles, and more. Craig Newman will be munching and soaking for quite a while!
- Our last package was “Amy’s Tempting Treat Basket”. This was packed with Humboldt Bay Coffee, a vintage HSU mug, lavender in a carnival glass vase, Hum Yum caramels, Dick Taylor chocolates, a gift card for Brio, and a brushed-gold kettle. This was another win for the ever-generous JOYC!
When we added it all up, we were able to raise another $1,205 for the great work that the Rotary Foundation does for our community and our world.
Remember, you don’t have to wait for an auction – click anywhere on this line to donate now!
– Click here to view the complete meeting –