In 2002 Etta Turner, a Rotary Youth Exchange Student, was on her way to horseback riding in the mountains of Bolivia.  The bus she was in drove off a cliff.  She died.  To honor her life and legacy Tacoma-based Etta’s Project was born in 2003.  This is what Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians were reminded at their noon meeting, Sep 1.  Each year the Kingston Club invests $3k in the Etta’s Project cause.  

    Etta’s Project works in Bolivia, the poorest country in South America. In rural areas of Eastern Bolivia, the current service area, the majority of families live without adequate water, sanitation and access to health care. In 2012, only 24% of rural Bolivians had access to improved sanitation. Studies show that the provision of safe water coupled with proper sanitation facilities can reduce deaths from diarrhea and water-related illnesses by 65%, and improve overall childhood mortality by 55%.

    Speaking by Zoom on behalf of Etta’s Project, Pennye Nixon told Rotarians how their investments contributed to new water systems, including a river diversion system where it was not possible to dig a well.  They have also helped build ecological composting latrines, and weekly training on facilities maintenance.  Projects like this around the world, and community projects here in North Kitsap.  Rotary matters.

    As August turns to September, the “other” new year begins.  Fall and winter are upon us.  Days are shorter.  Boats and bats are stored.  Books are dusted.  Device time increases.  All of which brings us to a good spot.  A time to review spring and summer activities of your local Rotary Club:  Flower baskets, Scouts, Bombers, Golf, Ale House, Ale Trail, Beer/wine tent, 4th of July parade, School backpacks, Command changes, and Pie.  Name it.  Rotary hands are “on it.”

    Flower baskets.  Thanks to the “organizing” of Rotarian Kris Libby, those colorful flower baskets have flown high from light poles around town all summer.  Scouts.  Restoration of the local Scout Hall has progressed to near completion with a series of Sunday morning work parties, due to the “organizing” of Rotarian Doug Hallock.  Bombers.  Rotarians David Winn and Chris Gilbreath led the efforts on fourteen individual “gang dining” events with Rotarians and their friends “bombing” local restaurants - total estimated economic impact $10k.  Golf.  Under the leadership of Jackie Baker Wood, Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians staged their 14th annual Swing for Rotary Golf Tournament at White Horse, successfully raising more than $25k.

Ale House.  Rotarians named Kim Francisco Clark and Tony Clark’s Kingston Ale House their Business of the Year, based on the Ale House coming to the rescue of the food insecure during Covid-19.  Ale Trail.  Rotarians “restored’ their Kitsap-Olympic Ale Trail after withering blows from Covid-19.  Beer/wine tent.  Late August saw restoration of another Covid casualty, re-opening of the Rotary Club’s wine/beer tent at Mike Wallace Park during concerts in the park.  4th of July Parade.  Rotarians proudly marched alongside Rotarian of the Year Chris Gilbreath as a unit in Kingston’s parade.  School backpacks.  Rotarians are teamed once again with their friends in Kiwanis and ShareNet to provide backpacks for local kids this fall.  Command changes.  The Rotary year, July-June, meant a new Club President, Chris Gilbreath, and thanks to the Immediate Past President, Walt Elliott.  Pie.  Pie, what’s not to like.  Rotary hands were all over the “pie dough” at Village Green’s annual fund-raiser.  Pie in the Park is the brainchild of longtime Rotarian Nancy Martin.  Rotarian Clint Boxman is its auctioneer.  Rotarian Bobbie Moore is President of Village Green Metropolitan Park District Board. Numerous Rotarians were in the crowd to score a pie at the Aug 12 auction.  

    With all the aforementioned activity, the Club resumed in-person meetings at both its Noon Club and its Satellite Club.  Meeting speakers included the Executive Director of Olympic College’s Foundation, Kitsap County’s Interim Sheriff, a UW member of that school’s Rotaract (Rotary Clubs at colleges and universities) Club,  the Coffee Oasis Development Director, the Program Director at Stillwaters Environmental Center, and our District Governor, among others.  

    Which brings us to the big ask.  Does any of this interest you?  As the “other new year” begins, would you mind/like getting your hands dirty?  Being in Action.  Being involved.  Hearing updates from local leaders and officials.  Research shows Rotarians are involved because it makes them feel good.  Feel as if they have a hand in making their communities and their world a better place. Connecting. Contributing.  What Rotary is about: Contributing.

    Your Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club welcomes visitors - a great way to sample - and new members.  You have two options.  Our Noon Club meets at Noon each Wednesday at Village Green Community Center in Kingston.  A delicious buffet is served, Club business is conducted, and Members hear speakers from local public and civic organizations.  Our Satellite Club meets monthly in the evenings, more conveniently for those with challenging calendars.  The Noon Club and the Satellite Club are jointly involved in all activities Rotary around here.  

    We invite you to “sample” our pie that just keeps growing.  The best way to do so is to contact Julie Fox, one of the nicest people around.  She can connect you with either Club, as you like.  Email Julie at:  julesafox@gmail.com.