On February 1, 2021, Wenatchee Rotary officially completed our first 100 years of service to the Wenatchee Valley and the world. Our tribute on January 14, was the first of several planned celebrations.
Erica is the Manager for the Walk to End Alzheimer's here in Wenatchee but also manages the Yakima, Walla Walla and Tri-Cities Walks. Joining Erica is Geoff Gatewood, Financial Advisor for Edward Jones. Geoff serves on the Wenatchee Volunteer Walk Planning Committee as the Walk Chair. Some of their PowerPoint images are shown below.
Walk to End Alzheimer's is held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The Alzheimer's/Dementia Rotarian Action Group is a proud National Team of the Walk to End Alzheimer's!
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the 3rd leading cause of death in Washington State. Alzheimer’s and dementia impacts individuals AND their families, often requiring years of caregiving and expenses. The disease not only steals memories and moments, but whole identities and then ultimately, lives.
This isn’t just their fight, it’s everyone’s fight! If you remember one thing from the presentation, it should be this: Alzheimer’s is not normal aging. There are some risk factors that you cannot control like age, genes or family history. But some risk factors can be controlled such as Cardiovascular disease, education, social and cognitive stimulation and traumatic brain injury.
The Alzheimer’s Association is a global organization working to advance care, support and research across the world! The Alzheimer’s Association has been instrumental in advocating for increases in federal funding of research from $448 million in 2011 to over $3 billion today.
Alzheimer’s/Dementia Rotarian Action Group (ADRAG) has partnered with the Alzheimer's Association and is now a Gold Level National Team who encourages all Rotary groups to join their local Walk to End Alzheimer's event by creating a club Walk Team. You can register your team here: www.alz.org/rotarianactiongroup and track your club's fundraising versus all other clubs across the country! The Walk to End Alzheimer's is the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research.
The next Walk is September 25 in Wenatchee. Sponsorship and Volunteer opportunities are also available through the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Please feel to reach out to Erica Grissmerson (509) 552-7026 emgrissmerson@alz.org or Geoff Gatewood (509) 470-8226 geoff.gatewood@edwardjones.com for more information.
The meeting was opened and led by president Kory Kalahar, as he welcomed all members and guests. It was good to see Al Bridges again, and Jay Smith who was celebrating "Clowning Around at Work Day".
Announcements.
Matthew Michelson. has agreed to step up and replace Trisha Johnson on the board and to complete her term, ending in 2023. Thanks Matthew.
May 12th. - Foundation Event - virtual fundraiser for Rotary led by Robin DeRock! This is a meal event; more to come.
Sue Rose. Ten things you Don’t Know About a Fellow Rotarian. See below.
School Levy. Ken Robertson gave a reminder to vote "YES" before the deadline.
A Toast. A celebratory toast to Wenatchee Rotary for 100 years of service to the Wenatchee Valley, surrounding communities, and the world. Please join Wenatchee Rotary as they celebrate their Centennial in style with a virtual toast. We will meet at 6:00 for a few choice words from President Kory Kalahar and a toast to celebrate the past accomplishments and the next 100 years
Michelle Shermer - BHAG announcement. Michelle has formed a Peace committee to participate in Rotary's focus on promoting peace. She believes this club can be a force for peace in our valley, especially as we move into February, Rotary's month dedicated to peace and conflict resolution. She spoke eloquently and passionately about this excellent BHAG project. Some of her exhibits are pictured below. WATCH VIDEO HERE.
Rotary Peace Forum. Kory followed up with a related story. February is Rotary's month for Peace/Conflict Resolution. Here is a message from Rob Edwards and the Rotary Climate & Peace team. The quarterly Rotary Climate & Peace Forum is an activity delivering on Rotary’s new focus of sustainability. Nearly 400 people registered for the first two and many more are expected in February. More than half are non-Rotarians and we want to direct them to clubs near them to consider joining Rotary. Please add your club to this page and we will promote you - it is a simple, no cost membership opportunity: https://climateandpeace.com.au/clublist/ The list is a new idea, but 100 clubs have already listed, 10 in the Americas. And the next forum is timed to suit your time zone and has two renown US speakers. Listed clubs: https://sustainablesocial.org/cpclublist I am on the committee and emcee the event. A strong focus of mine is getting new people, particularly young ones, to join Rotary. Please forward to this mail to other Rotarians you know - near and in other countries.
Not so stupid. Kory shared how he is glad that he got involved with Wenatchee Rotary back in 2011, when he learned about the great people and projects of the club, and how it was helping WestSide HS.
Ten (or more) things we didn't know about Sue Rose.
1. Judy Conner and I were dorm mates at CWU summer of 1967.
2. I played Field Hockey at Central.
3. I have attended 8 RI conventions and participated in 6 international projects.
4. I can stand on my head and did so when I was 8 1/2 months pregnant.
5. I was Glenn Issacson's first girl singer when we were in the North Central Washington High School Stage band under the direction of Don Lanphere.
6. I taught dancing for ten years. Emphasis on tap dancing and tapped danced in the last Follies.
7. I have received my 1st dose of COVID vaccine.
8. I've been married for 52 years.
9. I rode the Rotary float in the Apple Blossom parade 3 times.
10. I am a proud member of the WHS class of 65.
Next meeting - PP Judy Conner. These members have already told their story :
Kory Kalahar
Leonard Singhose
Jil Leonard
Raz
Laurel Turner
Tom Ross
Rich Peters
Gary Provo
Linda Parlette
Dawn Davies
Gene Anderson
Alicia Nakata
Dorry Foster
Claudia DeRobles
Ford Barrett
Tom McNair
Mark McCants
Sean Cooper
Russ Speidel
Andy Petro
Pete Van Well
Frank Clifton
Sue Rose
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
FEBRUARY 04 - CLASSIFICATION TALK
With Kelli Scott
Our newest member will tell us about herself, her career and family. All new members are asked to make this presentation, and these are the favorite programs for many members. Kelli joined the club January 21, 2021, sponsored by Russ Speidel. This has to be a club record for time between induction and classification!
Kelli was formerly a writer for the Wenatchee World and other newspapers, a political lobbyist, and is now serving as Central Washington Manager for Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08). Her husband, Brett, is also a former Capitol Hill staffer and a government affairs consultant. Kelli’s father was a longtime Rotarian in Tacoma. We can hardly wait for her classification talk! Read about Kelli's amazing dog BarkleyHERE.
Her induction and charge was covered in a recent APPLESEED.
Classification talks originally planned had to be re-scheduled due to availability conflicts.
FEBRUARY 11 - WENATCHEE VALLEY
MUSEUM/CULTURAL CENTER
What a Year! With Keni Sturgeon
Keni Sturgeon is an experienced nonprofit and arts & culture leader with a background that includes more than 14 years of experience in senior and executive management. Prior to joining the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center as its Executive Director in November 2018, she was with Pacific Science Center in Seattle, as their Vice President of Science Engagement and Outreach.
Keni received her graduate degree in cultural anthropology from Arizona State University in 2000, and earned a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Illinois in 2017. She serves as a Director on the Western Museums Association’s (WMA) board of directors, is a Trustee for the Icicle Fund, serves on the AppleSTEM Network’s Leadership tTeam, is a member of Our Valley Our Future’s Equity and Inclusion Working Group, and is a community advisor to Cultural Access Washington/Inspire Washington.
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
Our current sponsors are those who generously sponsored
SPEAKERS. Are you thinking of sponsoring a speaker? Complete the new online info FORM. Guidelines are posted on our website under the main menu. Or click here.
End Polio Now: Our goal this Rotary year is $7500. As of this December 9, we have donated $5200 (#1 in District 5060*), 70% of our goal; this amounts to $15,600 (with the Gates match! ) This equates to 26,000lives potentially saved to date!
70%
Note: We continue our 10-year relationship with the Gates Foundation. Since 2013, they have matched each dollar with $2 toward polio eradication. * District donations total about $51K.
The speaker was introduced by Britt Dudek. 
Alzheimer’s and dementia impacts individuals AND their families, often requiring years of caregiving and expenses. The disease not only steals memories and moments, but whole identities and then ultimately, lives.
