1474 Wenachee Ave.

7 days a week!  (509) 662-9577

Rescue/Protect/Educate/Adopt

Jon Volyn, attorney and recent new member, spoke about PP/PDG Dr. Al Stojowski (age 99) retired thoracic (respiratory) surgeon.  Jon found Dr. Al remarkable, charming, accomplished, humble, and gracious and was impressed that he is an accomplished musician and fluent in 5 or 6 languages depending on whether one considers English.  He practiced medicine in the valley for 40+ years and has been a member here since 1961.  He was married to Alice (a nurse in the Army Nurse Corps for 63 years) before her passing in 2009.  His father was an accomplished concert pianist in New York City and taught at the famous Juilliard School .  His mother was a linguist from Peru, also an accomplished musician.  He was sponsored to our club by his friend Dr. Ed Cadman, and supported the creation of the PolioPlus initiative.  For much more, listen to the 10-min. AUDIO.  

Marriah Thornock, a 2015 member and deputy director of the Wenatchee Valley Museum, spoke about her recent interviews with Jim Wade, our oldest-serving member (1956).  She used a PowerPoint to show photos of him and his history, also a history of the valley.  He attended the Whitman School, WHS, UW and WSU.  He joined the Air-Army Corps and was in training at war's end.  He married Camille Jones in 1949.  He worked at Columbia Fruit and bought an orchard.  He joined the club in 1956 and the new "soft-fruit" classification was created just for him, and later, his son Mike (member 1980-2005).  His first classification talk was rescheduled due to a severe June storm, and later by a district-governor visit.  She stated "It is my honor to give his classification talk for him 63 years later".  He told her of their love of travel and culture; and how they enjoyed hosting exchange students.  The 4-Way Test was very important to him, and loves that Rotarians live by those principles.  For much more, listen to her 10-minute AUDIO.

Judy Conner, 31-year member, first female member and past-president (1994-95) used a PowerPoint to speak about the amazing contributions of the club to this valley and the world.  [She boasted that there are fewer attorney's since she joined].  She described our giving to many causes especially PolioPlus, Youth Exchange and Group Study Exchange, food to Russia, water wells in Ethiopia, schools in Honduras, bicycles to Ghana, water filtration in Haiti and many more.  In 1932 we raised $35,000 to help local schools in financial difficulties.  The list of our giving is extensive and impressive as noted on our club website here.  She focused on WestSide High School (more than $100,000), Washington Park, Lincoln Park play area from start to finish in 5 days ($100,000), and Rotary Park (more than $200,000).  In our 97 years, we have contributed more than $2 million.   There is much more; listen to Judy's 10-minute AUDIO .  

 

The program wrapup included some special thanks to significant donors in attendance

Rich Peters explained some history of Rotary Park, and recognized some recent donations.  But first he related about a necktie received from PRIP Rick King (2001-02) and a powerful emotional story from PRIP Bhichia Rattakul, whose theme was “Sow the seeds of love”, giving a message from Rattakul when he became a Rotarian rather than a Rotary member. 

 

Jill Leonard recognized Beth and Dennis Dobbs on behalf of the Names Family Foundation who have donated substantially to the Rotary Park. The foundation focuses their giving to sports and children causes.    Beth’s dad Tom Names was a Rotarian in Lakewood, WA.   Beth learned through her father the difference giving makes in its community.