President………………….………………Jennifer Bliesner Directors: Randy Beehler Kevin Good President-Elect…………………………....John Baule Sheri Bissell David Lynx Immediate Past President………………....Eric Silvers Kelly Gasseling Darlene Picatti Secretary/Treasurer………………………..Brad Hansen Bob Gerst Mina Worthington Executive Director……………………...... Carolyn Flory email: [email protected] website: www.yakimarotary.org PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF YAKIMA P. O. BOX 464, YAKIMA, 98907-0464 OFFICE: 1104 LARSON BUILDING, TELEPHONE 452-8332

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 SEE THE PROGRAM ONLINE AT YAKIMAROTARY.ORG Rotary Opens Up CHARLES ROSS Opportunities HOW ELECTIONS WORK

Charles Ross was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and moved to the Yakima Valley at the age of 3. He grew up in Naches and makes his home there today with his wife, CarriAnn, and their 2 sons, Vincent and Lucas. He graduated from Naches High School in 1990 and served in the from 1990-1994, including duty on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk during the Persian Gulf War.

He received an Associate’s degree from Yakima Valley College and an Associate’s degree from Mount Hood Community College in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science. Charles is a licensed funeral direc- tor who worked in the funeral home industry in Yakima for 18 years before winning the 2014 election to be your Yakima County Auditor. Before becoming the Yakima County Auditor, he was a member of the Naches Town Council from 1997-2006, Mayor of Naches from 1999-2006, and served as a State Representative representing the 14th District from 2007-2014.

His involvement in the community includes serving on the Board of the Yakima County Health District, a member of the Naches Lions Club, and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 379.

He was awarded the 2010 and 2012 Guardian of Small Business by the National Federation of Independent Business; named the 2008 Legislator of the Year by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs; awarded the 2007-2012 Cornerstone Award by the Association of Washington Business; and recognized as the 2016 County Auditor of the Year by the Washington Sec- retary of State.

FOR THURSDAY’S MEETING FUTURE PROGRAMS Greeters – Chuck Stillwaggon, Chip Topping November 19th – Robert Dugoni, The Magic of Writing Music – Doug Rich November 26th – No Meeting, Happy Thanksgiving Invocation – Tim Melhorn December 5th – Rod Nelson, Climbing Routes on Mt. Stuart Sergeant-at-Arms – Deb Sterling December 12th–Cheri Marusa, Life Support I-90: Traveling Program – Kelly Gasseling Snoqualmie Rotarians Are Going Places – Connie Falon

LAST CALL FOR A FEAST FROM WEST TO EAST Don’t forget to reserve your spot for our “Feast from West to East” virtual dinner next Friday, November 13th. Chef Shawn Niles of the Fat Pastor has prepared a fabulous dinner. The cost is $90 a person and includes a bottle of Gilbert Cellars Rotary Centennial wine. The deadline to send in your menu choices (see below) is Monday, November 9th.

Salad Elote Street Corn Salad, Lime Crema, Cotija Cheese on the side (Vegan without adding the cheese)

Sides (choose 1) Option 1 – Steamed Farro with Dried Cherries (Vegan) Option 2 – Charred Carrots with Toasted Coriander & Cilantro (Vegan)

Mains (choose 1) Option 1 – Oven Roasted Salmon with Brown Sugar Bourbon Balsamic Option 2 – Crisp Duck Breast with Cherry Molasses Option 3 – Irish Death Braised Beef with Pickled Red Onion Vegan Option – Crisp Quinoa Cakes with Tomato Chutney

Dessert (choose 1) Option 1 – Grasshopper Pie (Oreo, Crème de Menthe, Crème de Cacao, Marshmallow Crème) Option 2 – Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake Vegan Option – Lemon Almond Raspberry Bars

The pick-up location is The Lab located at 910 Summitview Ave. Ste 7A from 4:30pm to 6:00pm. A zoom presentation with Chef Shawn and Justin Neufield of Gilbert Cellars will be held at 6:30pm to share how the menu was created and paired with our wine. All proceeds go to benefit Yakima Rotary Charities. I can’t think of a better way to stay home and safely celebrate Friday the 13th. SCHOOL SUPPLIES You still have an opportunity to donate school supplies to support 150 students in a rural school in Columbia. The World Community Service Committee in partnership with the Armenia Palma de Cera Rotaract Club to provide supplies for stu- dents 9 to 12 years old to participate in a drawing contest in which the kids will reflect through art how they see themselves in the future after overcoming this pandemic period. The supplies will be delivered at no charge to us by a community mem- ber who is traveling to the region at the end of this month. If you wish to participate you can buy any or all the listed supplies in as large as a quantity as you wish. Please deliver to John Baule’s home at 3513 Highview Dr. by Tuesday, November 10th (or call John to arrange a pick-up).

Supply List Per Child

Colored pencils (24 box) Sketchbook (1) Sharpener (not electric) Square grid lined notebook (2) Erasers Regular lined notebook (1) Elmer’s school glue Round-tipped scissors Colored fine or medium tip markers (24 pack) Ruler with centimeter markings Unisex bag for supplies

- review - Bob Gerst shared his gift of gab and warm smile as our Rotary greet- ports, the Shali Center at McChord Field, and Camp Lewis Center at er. Our music, chosen by David Rogers, featured Sunnyside graduate . Three nights a week at Sea-Tac there are flights going out Jim Cornelison singing a beautiful rendition of Danny Boy honor- to either Mainland Japan, Okinawa, or South Korea. Out of the 225 ing wounded veterans. Jan Luring followed with a reminder of how USO throughout the world, they are only one of 8 that is open 24/7, fortunate we are to be able living where we are and the benefits from 365 days a year. Encompassing 8,600 square feet, they offer TVs, the freedom it affords. Casey Corr wrapped it all up with a presi- comfortable seating, and showers. The flooring is from the deck of dential themed sergeant-at-arms while sitting at the virtual White the USS commissioned in 1918. When it was taken apart House. Our virtual dinner “A Feast From West To East” is next Friday, at the US Naval Shipyard, the Boeing Company was able to grab the November 13th. The deadline to reserve your menu selections is teak wood decking. The saved it for over 50 years. When the USO Monday. Tuesday is the deadline to purchase and deliver school sup- built out the Center in 2015, the Boeing Company gifted it to them. plies that will be donated to a rural school in Columbia. See above for the list of supplies. Holding up $26.50, John Cooper shared that The Shali Center serves soldiers going on deployment for 6 to 9 while it was not a lot of money for us, it was a huge amount in 1917. months. The USO is the only non-profit organization that takes care What does it represent – it was the amount of the very first donation of these individuals as they wait until it is time to leave. The Center to The Rotary Foundation. In its 100-plus history since then it has also host a “No Dough” dinner for families just before payday at the received contributions totaling more than $1 billion dollars. Novem- end of the month when money is often tight. The newest center is ber is Rotary Foundation Month, a time to reflect on the value of the Camp Lewis opened in 2018. It serves as a place between appoint- Foundation and encourage all Rotarians to donate. The Foundation ments to relax, eat, and use the computer. The Portland Center takes transforms the gifts they receive through giving into projects that care of military in Southwest Washington and Oregon. The Portland change lives close to home and around the world while also using the Center sees 20,000 military and family members a year. In compari- gifts of Rotarians time and expertise to tackle the problems such as son the USO Center at SeaTac sees 150,000 military and familymem- illiteracy, poverty, malnutrition, and disease with sustainable solu- bers a year. USO Northwest also has a Mobile Canteen Program. tions. They are not able to have centers at every base; the mobile canteens allow them to travel wherever they are needed. They have been at Visiting Rotarian, Cheri Marusa had the honor of introducing our the Yakima Training Center many times to provide a meal and grill program speaker, Commander Don Leingang. A Washington native, hotdogs (they go through 10,000 hot dogs a month). his 24-year Naval Career included 2 flying tours with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron in San Diego, as well as other operational Covid-19 has changed the way they are able to provide services. The tours at the Naval Academy, Commander Carrier Group ONE, the Sea-Tac Center is not able to be open 24/7. Because of the inability Pentagon and as Commanding Officer of Navy Recruiting District to meet in person, services are being offered virtually. Soldiers who Seattle. His journey serving in the military began when a high recently returned from a tour aboard the USS Nimitz were required school counselor suggested joining the Navy. It began as a 4-year to quarantine for 14 days. The USO organized virtual concerts by plan and ended up being 24 years. The pattern repeated itself when Trace Adkins and Alexis Taylor. With donations by Girl Scouts, the USO came knocking. He planned on taking the job for a couple Coke, Starbucks, and Tim’s Cascade Chips, they have been deliver- of years – that was 13 years ago. Why did he choose the USO? While ing the 4 C’s – cookies, chips, coke, and coffee – to military units on active duty in 2005 he was aboard a plane that upon landing at throughout the Northwest. They have also provided dinner in a bag Chicago Midway Airport went through the runway and ended out with drive-through pick-up thanks to the support of Chick-Fil-A and on the street. When they were finally allowed into the airport after actor Gary Sinise. spending 1 ½ hours in the snow, members of the USO volunteers were there to greet them. They had heard about the crash and walked Commander ended his presentation by sharing two additional pro- to see if they were okay. He never forgot it. grams provided by Northwest USO, the Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program and the Helping Hands Program. The Bob Hope Legacy The USO was founded in 1941. The U.S. was on the verge of war and Reading Program allows military members oversees to record read- President Roosevelt was concerned about the morale of our soldiers. ing a book to their children that is delivered to the family along with The Salvation Army, YMCA, YWCA, National Catholic Commu- the book. The Helping Hands Program is unique to USO Northwest nity Services, National Travelers Aid Association, and the National and provides local military and their families with funding assistance Jewish Welfare Board stepped up to take on the task. The six stars to help support recreational and morale building activities. Last year on the USO logo represent those organizations. In 2008, the USO they gave out over $75,000 to more than 99,000 local area military Northwest served 146,000 military members and their families; that and family members. This February is USO’s 80th Anniversary. number has grown to over 800,000 annually. It is a volunteer driven Why do service members and their families visit a USO Center? organization; last year over 600 individuals donated 52,000 hours 1941- 45 the reason they went to the USO was to eat, sleep, rest, of service. It is not part of the government and does not receive any relax, write a letter, or take a shower. This holds true today except government funding. They rely solely on the generous support of instead of writing a letter, they are Skyping and emailing. donors and partners. 92 cents of every $1 donated to the USO North- west goes to support their programs and services. The topic of this week’s Rotarians Going Places was perfectly timed as Connie Falon, paid tribute to 31 Yakima Rotary members that OSU Northwest has USO Centers at the Sea-Tac and Portland air- have served in the military. NEw DATE MARCH 27, 2021

THANK YOU TO OUR ROTARY AUCTION SPONSORS

Platinum

gold

silver

bronze

For more information on how you can get your company’s name added to the list, please contact the Rotary office at [email protected] or 961-9242.