ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mark Bruce told us that he would be taking his son Adam to UC Berkeley this week. Adam will be majoring in physics. Mark is proud, but he will miss the lad.

Marty Lay of the Southwest Eureka Rotary Club (also a Sunriser Spouse) let us know that his club’s annual Fish Feed is coming soon. The event will take place at the Eureka Elks’ Club on September 11th, and the proceeds will help finance their support for Socks for Soldiers and Backpacks for Kids.

It’s time to look into your future and consider hosting a Rotary Youth Exchange Student. That was the message from Cam Appleton on Friday. Although we have Host Families lined up for this year’s Exchange Student Noemi, the YE Committee is looking forward to the 2012-2013 Rotary Year. Let Cam or one of the other committee members know if you would like more information.

Nicole Gribi of Food for People was a special guest last week. Nicole was on hand to offer thanks on behalf of her organization for our past and continuing support of the Backpacks for Kids program.  The program provides non-perishable nutritious food to disadvantaged students and their families.

CRAFT TALK: CINDY SUTCLIFFE

Cindy Sutcliffe is and experienced “craft talker”, having presented her life’s story to Rotarians two times previously. But the third time was certainly a charm – at least Cindy charmed the Sunrisers in attendance last Friday.

Cindy was born in Sacramento, and graduated from Humboldt State University in 1976. Upon her graduation, she worked for the Employment Development Department until 1981. She then moved to Yreka, where she embarked on a “starter marriage”. Cindy said that there were few complications – “No property, no kids, just in and out”.

Cindy remarried, and that union produced her daughter Sara, who is now almost 29. Cindy returned to Humboldt County and was hired by a small geology firm, where she worked for about five years. In that time, she became involved with Campfire Boys and Girls as a volunteer. Eventually, she was named the agency’s executive director. It was during this period that she joined the Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka, and underwent a second divorce.

A return to school as a graduate student while working full time left little time for other activities, so Cindy left Rotary for a while. Once she received her degree, however, she rejoined the Southwesterners. Cindy has also remarried, and has “two beautiful stepdaughters”. 

RECOGNITIONS

Garrett Perks was recognized for the first time since he became a Sunriser. Garrett recently returned from a trip to Idaho that didn’t begin well. He got food poisoning the morning before he left, and did not sleep well that night. Bob Johnson asked Garrett, “Where in the great state of Idaho were you?” Garrett said that he didn’t know – he knew that he drove for an hour to reach Mountain Home, then another three hours to reach … somewhere. But the pictures showed that it was a lovely, restful location, apparently with untainted food. Garrett said that he has a trip to the desert on the horizon.

 If you saw the Tri-City Weekly last week, you probably noticed John Wesa’s print of Fernbridge on the cover. The piece mimics the style of WPA posters of the nineteen-thirties. The image features a biplane prominently, and John helpfully provided quite a bit of information about such craft. Bob noted that several of John’s works include the “Queen of Bridges”, either as a focal point or as background.

Terri Clark is following the leads of her fellow Sunrisers in celebrating a birthmonth – all of August. The festivities began even before the month began with Terri meeting her sister in San Francisco. Her brother then sent flowers, and she’ll be on the road soon. We should hear about that soon …

Romi Hitchcock-Tinseth’s birthmonth also started early – she and her sister-in-law went Glamping – camping in high style. Romi said that usually campers want to leave no trace behind after camping. Her group decided to “leave no trace at home”. They crammed a trailer and van with all of the necessities for life in the semi-wilderness and headed for Trinity Lake. On the actual day of her birthday, Romi attended a Chamber of Commerce mixer, where they sang “Happy Birthday” to her. So did we.

SPECIAL GUESTS: GSE TEAM MEMBERS
Jillian Yerby and Craig Reed participated in last year’s Group Study Exchange. The exchange was between our own District 5130 and Japan’s District 2620, and it took place last fall.

The team’s first stop was in Shizouka, which was Craig’s favorite city of the trip. The highlights were touring a model robot factory, checking out the local pottery, and visiting a simulated marsh.

Next was Yamanashi, best known as the home of “Hello Kitty” – the Sanrio company is headquartered there. In addition to Kitties, the area is noted for its wineries, which produce very large wine grapes.

The most northern city they toured, Mishima, is close to Mt. Fuji, and the water that flows from the mountain is filtered through porous lava rocks. Nearby is Lake Ashi, which was formed in a caldera, much like Oregon’s Crater Lake.

In Hanamatsu, they stayed on the 43rd floor of the city’s tallest structure. They toured an aviation museum and a snack factory (keep your hairnets on!), and they received a calligraphy lesson from one of the country’s premier calligraphers.

Jillian and Craig said that Rotary in Japan is very different. They saw no women members, the meetings are formal affairs, and there is no fining. They found that the evening meetings tended to be the most fun, and they cited the “Dance, Monkey, Dance Show” as evidence. The GSE team members were given masks with pinholes to look through, and asked to dance. Months later, they’re still laughing … and dancing!