Volume XIII, Issue 17: October 30, 2015

Coming Distractions …
Nov 7 RISE EVENT – Arcata Interfaith Gospel Choir’s “Harvest Concert” at the Arcata Presbyterian Church – 7 pm
Nov 14RISE EVENT – Foundation Dinner North in Ferndale – “An Evening in the Enchanted Forest”
Nov 19A Taste of the Holidays at the Arcata Community Center  
Nov 20(?)RISE EVENT – Enjoy the Living Rooms (with Sunriser Bob Johnson) at Chapala Cafe (date may need to be corrected …)
Dec 5RISE EVENT – Christmas Caroling for Arts Alive in Old Town Eureka
Dec 10-12 – The Jerry Paul Arcata Invitational Basketball Tournament (AIBT) at Arcata High School 


Sunriser Shorts  

  • Participants in our Transitional Youth Program took another field trip last week – this time Sunriser Ron Sharp hosted the group at the North Coast Coop. Ed Christians was on hand, and he said that the tour was great, and the young people were enthusiastic. 
  • The Foundation Dinner is almost upon us. It will take place at the Ferndale Firemen’s Hall on Saturday, November 14th. If you plan to go, please let President Howard know, as he will be reserving one or two tables for Sunrisers, depending on the turnout.
  • Just a reminder – A Taste of the Holidays will be here before you know it. Please sell those tickets, and get your raffle items in by this Friday’s meeting! 
  • Elsa Dearth has been working as the server at our Friday meetings for quite a while, but she is moving on. She will be focusing on her massage and yoga practice, so please look her up when you have aches and pains or to get in shape!
  • Sunriser Carol Vander Meer provided an update on our upcoming SWOT Project to renovate the Samoa Family Resource Center. The facility is now under the management of the Redwood Coast Montessori School, which met with Steve Bohner of Alchemy Construction. Steve assessed the building, and came away very enthused about the project, and he wants to help us. Carol noted that we will need help in many different forms as we move forward – we hope to tap into our sources for donated and/or low-cost building materials, for example. There will be opportunities for everyone, with details coming soon. 
  • We finally overcame technology issues last week, and we were able to view the video for “The Shoe That Grows” – a project that our World Community Service Committee has taken on this year, at the suggestion of Sunriser Brenda Bishop. If you missed the video (or to see it again), click here.

Sophia’s Stories  
Our Exchange Student from Sweden, Sophia Waern-Bugge, told us that she had spent the previous weekend with her friend Sarah. During that time, “I taught myself to play the ukulele”. Sarah and her parents also took Sophia to a concert, which was “really fun”. 

The AHS Cross Country team lost their last league meet of the season, as they were missing some of their top runners.  Sophia did well, which was a nice consolation.

She said that she was planning to be at the Lost Coast Rotaract’s “Spirits & Spirits” that evening, and she invited all of us to come. [Editor’s Note: Sophia didn’t just attend the event, as you will see at next Friday’s meeting.]

Final Friday Foundation Auction Results  
Our Final Friday Foundation Auction for October took place last week, and the first items on the block were the entries from our Pumpkin Carving Contest. Here are the descriptions of the ghoulish gourds as well as the other items that were donated and purchased:

Craig’s and Janice’s Entries …

Pumpkins

  • The first entry was a jack-o’-lantern that apparently partied a bit too much. Romi Hitchcock Tinseth made it, and she didn’t want to part with it, so she purchased it as well.
  • The Rotary Motto “Service Above Self” was carved into the next pumpkin by Craig Newman. Lisa Hemphill cast the winning bid.
  • I named Janice Newman’s entry “Jack the Rotarian” – it was a jack-o’-lantern with a Rotary pin attached. Craig Newman purchased it (maybe to keep the pin in the family?).
  • There was a two-fer offered by Kyle Visser – a big pumpkin accompanied by a smaller one. The bigger one had special effects lighting included, and Ceva Courtemanche snapped up the duo.
  • Kate Breyer crafted a beauty with bug eyes and a rather prominent nose. Tami Camper took that one home.
  • Tom Tellez went big, incorporating a pumpkin into a mini bar. Like Romi, he didn’t want to let it go, so he submitted the highest bid.

Other Items

  • Susan Jansson donated a HealthSport Energizing Package full of gift certificates and HealthSport swag. Joyce Hinrichs was the winner.
  • Chris Jelinek constructed a lovely succulent garden, suitable for hanging on a wall; it was purchased by Susan Jansson.
  • An Adult Hallowe’en Treat Package was offered by Dick Johnson. It included snack items, a bottle of Zombie Zin(fandel), and Dead Man’s Ale. The high bidder was Jeff Stebbins.
  • Susan Jansson provided a second package – this one with an HSU theme, but providing treats for a pooch. Ray Noggle will soon be spoiling his pup, since he won that item.
  • Courtside seats to an upcoming HSU game along with a gift certificate for a fine dinner were in the package donated by Mark Burtchett. Visitor Terry Kramer provided the winning bid.
  • Bob Johnson offered gift certificates from the Sushi Spot and Redwood Coast Acupuncture as the next item. Lisa Hemphill won that grouping.
  • A box containing Italian liqueur, wine, coffee, and glasses was donated by Gregg Foster. Tami Camper will enjoy those items, since she had the top bid.
  • Scott Heller provided two sets of three bottles of very fine wine for the auction. The first set was purchased by Tom Tellez, and the other went to Lori Breyer.
  • A festive holiday lantern was donated by George Cavinta, and Dick Johnson was the winner.
  • Two bottles of wine made by Rotarians in another part of our District were offered by Maggie Kraft. The first bottle was purchased by Maggie herself, and the second went to Lori Breyer.
  • Lisa Hemphill donated a Thanksgiving-themed basket of goodies, which was won by Joyce Hinrichs.
  • The final item – a massive albacore and salmon feast – was provided by Craig Newman. Ceva Courtmanche cast the high bid, outlasting several other contenders.

Thank you to all who donated, purchased, and bid up the prices. This time, the auction garnered $2,080 for the Rotary Foundation! But you don’t need to wait for the next Foundation Auction to contribute – just click here to donate!