Stories

    At their Apr 28 noon meeting, Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians heard a presentation from Shirley Wildler, Director of the Poulsbo chapter of Days for Girls International.  There are more than 1k such chapters around the world, staffed with 50k volunteers.  Their mission is to supply feminine hygiene products and health education to women suffering “period poverty,”  

a condition that results when women of child-bearing age cannot work or attend school because they must stay home for lack money to buy feminine hygiene products.

    Shirley explained this is not just a third world problem in places like Africa, Cambodia, Lebanon, and Nepal.  She said one in ten experience period poverty in the U.K., 26% in New Zealand, and 20% in the U.S.  Scotland recently passed a measure requiring free female hygiene products.

    Days for Girls, the organization, has made and distributed two-million kits worldwide in its twelve years of existence.  The Poulsbo chapter has sent out more than 5k kits. The kits are designed to last three years of use.  They give women of child bearing age their days back.

     Information is available at: poulsbowa@daysforgirls.org.  

    They open and close doors.  They turn lights on and off.  They retrieve dropped items and get the phone in an emergency.  And they alleviate depression.  Summit Assistance Dogs.  Service dogs trained two years before going into service for wheel-chair bound folks who need assistance.  That is the story told by Alice Collingwood to Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians at their Mar 3 meeting.  

    Training takes two years, initially eight weeks with a volunteer puppy raiser, then 18-24 months of advanced training in the hands of prisoners at the Monroe Reformatory.  The final two weeks of training is with the “client,” for whom the dog will work and with whom the dog will bond.  Collingwood said $20-$30k worth of training is involved.  There is no charge, and a two to five year wait to get an assistance dog, mostly a Labrador retriever, sometimes a Golden retriever. 

    Since the year 2000, the mission of Summit Assistance Dogs is to create life-changing partnerships between people and dogs.  

To take on many of the effects of Covid-19, funding is required.  To that end, Kingston North Kitsap Rotary invites you to the Club’s Winter Auction.  On line.  While funds raised will go to support its many initiatives throughout the year, such as scholarships, a good deal of the proceeds will help the Club to implement it’s Covid-19 Action Plan. In one twist on auction item procurement, instead of soliciting some of the auction items from local merchants, the Club will buy some of the auction items with funds raised by the auction. Successful bidders win, and a measure of business insecurity is addressed.  Here are the details on how you can participate in the auction, and support Covid-19 relief efforts right here in Kingston North Kitsap. The online auction begins Thursday, Feb 4, at 5:30 p.m.; it closes Friday, Feb 5, at 5:30 p.m. The live auction is set for Friday, Feb 5, 5:30-7:00 p.m. with Program and Raise the Paddle 7:00-7:30 p.m. For more information, and to participate, go to: charityauction.bid/kingstonrotary2021.  Mark your calendar now.  Feb 4, 5:30 p.m., and Feb 5, 5:30 p.m.

Here is a thought.  Many have recently received a $600 check from our federal government.  Could that be your seed money for the auction?  Or would you consider sending $600 to ShareNet, Fish Line, or Kitsap Homes of Compassion, and skipping the auction.  Either way, you help address needs resulting from Covid-19 impacts here in Kingston North Kitsap.  That’s a good thing.  And your local Rotarians thank you.

The reality of Rotary: find a need and fill it.  Rotary Clubs around the world, from the smallest with a few members to the largest with hundreds, are incessantly in search of the need, whether it is a project or an initiative, in their communities.  Then they go to work to take leadership, bring together other groups, and develop resources to fill the need.  That is what your Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club is about as we begin 2021.

Innocent us.  A year ago at this time, we were reading something about a virus that hit a care home in Kirkland.  As the month of February, 2020 developed, so did information about the virus.  Worst of all fears were realized.  We were dealing with a pandemic. Italy got it bad.  Then Spain.  The rest of Europe.  And here in the U.S.  Here in Kitsap.  Here in Kingston.  Covid-19 was a red light flashing NEED, NEED, NEED.  It took many months to know masks were good.  That it was not necessary to sanitize your groceries after a trip to Albertson’s.  It was better to be outdoors than in.  Social distance.  Stay in your pod.  That’s what we learned.  And thanks to “Warp Speed,” amazingly, vaccines were on the way. 

As vaccines begin to take us to herd immunity, out of the Covid-19 pandemic, a group of Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians, led by the Club’s President-elect, Chris Gilbreath, began researching how best to meet needs created by Covid in our community.  In face-to-face meetings, and digitally, Gilbreath met with dozens of community organizations and businesses.  To hear about “the need.” Food insecurity is a need.  So too, housing insecurity.  There is a need for vaccination support, and vaccination knowledge.  What about the student learning gap?  Homeless youth.  And local business insecurity.  Other needs uncovered were mental health effects of Covid, rental and eviction insecurity, child care, and the safe behaviors of all. 

A recent survey of active Kingston Rotarians weighed their sense of most important needs here.  Not surprisingly, food insecurity was the most cited need, followed by local vaccination support and knowledge, and business insecurity.  The recently completed survey will form the foundation of the Club’s action steps to take a leadership role in Kingston North Kitsap to meet the needs.  Some of the needs, vaccination and information, are short-term.  Some, like food and housing insecurity, are long-term.  As the plan is developed in the next few weeks, like minded groups and organizations will be invited to join the Rotary initiative.  What Rotary does.  Take a leadership role, organize, and take action. 

The omega and alpha - last and first - of the Rotary year is upon us.  June is the last month of the Rotary year; July the first.  It is good.  Those in leadership the past year are ready.  Ready to hand over the reins to the next group who have stepped up, volunteered.  That Rotarian, the one ready to hand over the reins, is Bill Maule.  Some call him “Rotary Bill.”  The group that stepped up, volunteered, is led by Walt Elliott.  He’s been called “Walt the Salt.”

    Bill became a Rotarian at the age of 73, less than two years after the tragic loss of his wife to pancreatic cancer.  He did so at the urging of his cousin Mike, a Rotarian for decades. At almost ninety years of age, most would expect to be stepping down from civic and community activities.  Not Rotary Bill.  He stepped up to become Kingston North Kitsap’s Club President a year ago.  Bill’s career as a State Department Foreign Service Officer had him quite comfortable doing the Club’s International Services work.  Holding its Presidency was quite another matter. 

    As he looks back on his year in office, Bill is proud to have accomplished one of his personal goals for the year, that of building a training fund for Club members to offset fees and travel costs involved in attending Rotary District and International training.  “Oops, the pandemic eliminated those training sessions.  But the money is there, ready to tempt our members when training begins again.”  “As an old Boy Scout, I was pleased that our Club is now the official sponsor of Kingston’s Scout Troop #555 and Cub Pack #555.  I think six of us members who are old Eagle Scouts are especially gratified.”

    Maule’s year is office was challenged like none who have gone before him, except perhaps those of a hundred years ago - yes Rotary was around then, too.  “In my nearly ninety years of life, there has been no time more disruptive of our daily lives, not even those during World War II.  But we were able to continue, holding our weekly Club meetings and our monthly Board meeting via Zoom.”

     In signing off, Rotary Bill states “It has been a great honor to serve as President of the Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary Club for the year just ending.  I can think of no other group that I would prefer to work with.  Our Board and members have worked together harmoniously to follow our goals, to be the people of action doing service here in Kingston and elsewhere in the world.  I retain my view that our Club remains small but mighty.”

    On to the alpha of Rotary’s year, the month of July.  Walt Elliott, a Kingston resident since 1989 and Navy retiree since 2000, is president for the next year.  Walt grew up in the Bronx, in apartments that were a 1940’s haven for families returned from World War II. It was a city kid’s life.  Rockefeller Center with skating, the movies and the Rockettes.  Swimming from the East River docks.  By the 1950’s the family was in Bay Shore, the suburbs, on Long Island. “Bay Shore was like Kingston but flat as a pancake.  Life was messing around with boats.”  And that life was to be continued.  After graduation from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Walt had a career in submarines, retiring as a Captain (O-6 rank).  He served on seven subs, including the USS Henry Jackson, a ship that came with a Scoop Jackson - long time U.S. Senator from Washington state - fan club.  His assessment of what a career in subs means is this: “Two things: quality and responsibility.  What was quality was for me an intimate career with nuclear submarines, the most complex machines in the world.  Responsibility is a unique concept.  If responsibility is rightfully yours, no evasion, or ignorance, or passing the blame can shift the burden to someone else.”

    Walt Elliott, and the other half of Team Elliott-Moore, Bobbie Moore, have been  Rotarians since 2012.  He has served on Kingston’s Citizens Advisory Committee, its Parks and Trails Committee, the state Ferry Advisory Committee, and he served a term as a Port of Kingston Commissioner, campaigning for the office as “Walt the Salt.”  In his spare (?) time, he writes a Ferry column and cartoon for the Kingston Community News.  Bobbie has spent two decades making the Village Green a reality and is a Park District Commissioner.  It looks as if the small, but mighty Club is getting a “two-fer” this coming year.  Walt and Bobbie.  Quality and responsibility. 

     Rotary International is composed of clubs around the world.  The most recent Rotarian Magazine had a piece on global etiquette.  Did you know, when getting off an elevator in Poland, say “thank you” to your fellow riders.  In Brazil, call people by their first name, while in Germany do not address a person who is not a friend or longtime acquaintance by their first name.  In Peru, kiss a woman on the cheek when you are introduced to her by a friend.  In Korea, don’t pick up rice or soup bowls from the table when eating, but in Japan and China, is is appropriate to do so.  Finally, in Japan, bow, don’t hug as a greeting.  And don’t talk on the phone on public transportation.  It is considered rude.

The Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club has postponed its annual Swing for Rotary Golf Tournament to June, 2021.  This was to be the Club’s fourteenth annual tournament to benefit its projects and initiatives in North Kitsap and the world. 

The tournament has been postponed due to uncertainties about life this June, its scheduled date, due to the coronavirus pandemic.  According to tournament co-chairs Breane Martinez and Jackie Wood, “we pride ourselves on providing a first-rate guest experience.  We want our golfers and sponsors to have fun and to feel as if they are involved in a high quality event.  We don’t believe that would be possible this year given questions about social distancing, gatherings of more than a few people, food and beverage restrictions, course restrictions, and so on.” They went on to say, “we hated to come to this decision, as the tournament has been such a success over the years.  Tell all the golfers we’ll give them an extra “gimme” next year.”

This move-in had no pizza and no beer.  Kingston Rotarians, however, were nourished with coffee, cookies, and brownies on a drizzly Saturday, Mar 7, as they spearheaded the effort to move furniture, appliances, and furnishings into Kingston’s new Home of Compassion.  And they were more than nourished knowing their efforts, and those of many others - individuals, Kiwanians, local politicians - led to the opening of a place where five formerly homeless men can call home. 

The opening of this home marks the fifteenth such home in Kitsap County operated by Kitsap Homes of Compassion (KHOC).  Some background might be helpful for those unfamiliar with KHOC.  It was established in 2017 to help eliminate the problem of homelessness in Kitsap County.  At this time they have some 77 residents - formerly homeless - living in deeply affordable, long -term, supportive housing through shared, leased homes.  They emphasize these are not halfway houses for those with addictions.  This is not temporary housing.  It is long-term and meant to provide a worry-free environment that lifts residents from homelessness to the possibility of a normal existence.  KHOC leases three to five bedroom homes with consent from property owners.  The homes must be near public transportation, with places like grocery stores nearby.  Kitsap Community Resources gives KHOC referrals for potential participants who do not have pets or current addiction issues. Each participant must have a steady source of income of at least $700 per month.  Members pay a program fee starting at $500 per month for a private bedroom with cable, internet, and all utilities included. All bedrooms have locks on the doors for privacy, and members share the use of common areas such as dining rooms, living rooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.  

The Kingston Home of Compassion welcomed it’s first resident the day after move-in. It is near Village Green Community Center, bus lines, and the Food Market.  As of this writing three residents live there, with a fourth signed up and getting ready to move in.  One bedroom remains available.  This home, the one in Kingston, is for men only.  Others operated by KHOC are for single women, mothers with young children, seniors, veterans, and Olympic College students.  There is no live-in staff in the house, but each house has an assigned KHOC House Manager who visits the home weekly and assists the residents.  Kingston’s KHOC House Manager is Rae Holt, who has been a KHOC volunteer for more than a year.  Kingston’s home was completely furnished by donations from Rotarians, Kiwanians, Kingston Cares, and generous community residents.  Holt said, “everybody was wonderfully generous.  Beds, furniture, printer, washer and dryer, kitchen utensils, pots and pans.  In fact, we had more donations than we needed.” 

Holt said Rotary’s involvement in the move-in was truly amazing.  Organizing the move-in was Rotarian Stan Mack.  He recruited other Rotarians - Doug Hallock, Fredrick Branchflower, Sally Christy, Suzanne Jenny - and Kiwanians such as Dave Wetter, Cub Scout Master John Strand, and community members Ruth Westergaard, Mary Gleysteen and Bruce Williams.  They gathered where items were stored for the big move. Everything was in and set up by noon.  One other member of the community helped, too.  Kitsap County Commissioner Rob Gelder, who had been involved in a “walk and talk” in Kingston that morning.  The walk took the group of residents past the new Home of Compassion. Following the walk, the Commissioner, also a Rotarian, returned to help move things in. 

According to Holt, he is looking for a second place to rent in the nearby community, this one to house single mothers with young kids.  Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club has set aside a grant to help establish such a home.  Holt said, “one of the biggest challenges is finding homeowners willing to rent.” Homeowners who might have compassion to do such a thing should contact Holt at: raesholt@gmail.com.  Regarding that fifth bedroom in Kingston’s new Home of Compassion, Holt said interested applicants should contact the Housing Solutions Center at Fishline in Poulsbo. 

You have done it again.  Opened your hearts and wallets, raised your paddles, and purchased auction items you didn’t really need, to make this a better community.  More than thirty-six thousand thank-you’s  from your Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians.

Over the years, thirteen to be precise, Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club’s Swing for Rotary golf tournament has been an all-day, into-the-evening affair, with a long day of golf followed by dinner and an auction.  It has all been quite splendid.  But it is a long day.  In planning this year’s primary club fundraiser, co-chairs Breane Martinez and Jackie Wood de-coupled the events.  They set the auction up as a separate event, during a down time of year for most people.  Except for Valentine’s day and rain, most calendars can use a little touchup this time of year.  And that is exactly what the Rotary Winter Auction accomplished. (Note to golfers:  the tournament will be held for the fourteenth year, at White Horse, Friday, June 19).

The Winter Auction was well-attended.  A full house.  Attendees enjoyed an elegant makeover of the banquet rooms at Village Green.  The Kingston Ale House catered and masterminded the creation of special event cocktails (thank you to Heritage Distilling and Western Red Brewing for their donations).  Attendees cited The Kingston Ale House for the “amazing catering and service.”  The atmosphere was enhanced by music, provided by the Kingston High School Jazz trio.  The Winter Auction had it all.  Silent auction.  Live auction.  Delicious dinner and beverages.  Heads or Tails.  Dessert dash.  And Raise the Paddle.  One special item on the program was the announcement of this year’s Rotary Club Business of the Year Award, which went to d’Vine Wines.  The best auctioneer this side of everywhere, Clint Boxman, coaxed, cajoled, pleaded, and begged more than $36k in net proceeds from attendees.  Proceeds that will be invested in Rotary projects and purposes in the Kingston North Kitsap community.  Such projects, for example, over the years have included spearheading lighting on the KHS football field, installation of the town’s electronic reader board, and a $100k donation toward the establishment of Village Green Community Center.  Each year the Club awards KHS college scholarships, and this year, a new vocational scholarship will be awarded.  It also supports Food4Kids, Homes of Compassion, and Community Meals.  In short, all the money raised goes right back into the community.

Events such as the Winter Auction would not be possible without the generous support of businesses in the community.  The presenting sponsor was Latitude 48/Ameriprise.  The Kingston Ale House was the Reception and Wine sponsor.  Other sponsors included The Point Casino and Hotel, Haselwood Auto Group, and Poulsbo CPA. As they have done in past auctions, Lambro Construction donated the winners choice of a new deck (300 sq ft) or a new roof (2000 sq ft), valued at $8500, to the live auction action. 

The evening was fun-filled and meaningful. In the words of Bill Maule, Kingston North Kitsap Rotary President, 2019-2020, “Thank you for making this evening a success for our community!

At their last meeting of the calendar year, Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians received an update from Brenda Wall on her Game Changer Project in Somalia, where hygiene kits and educational flip charts are provided to young girls to help with their menstrual needs and female education. Working in conjunction with international organization Days for Girls, Wall’s program has resulted in fourteen women sewing the kits - 800 per month - in Ethiopia for distribution through fifty schools.  To date, 10,314 kits have been distributed, while 13,196 girls have been educated. Wall thanked Rotarians for their past support.  At the conclusion of her presentation Chris Gilbreath, the Club’s International Committee chair, presented a $1500 check in furtherance of her continuing mission.

The featured speaker at Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club’s Dec. 4 meeting is a Club member.  Caleb Summerfelt, while new to the Kingston Club, is not new to Rotary, having been a member since 2015.  Judging by his immersion in Rotary District level activities, Caleb bleeds Rotary blue.  He is on the District Public Image Committee, he edits the District Magazine, and if there is a Rotary need he handles it.  He was president of his former Club, East Jefferson.  Caleb’s heart is in Kitsap having grown up in Port Gamble (how may can claim that?).  He has multiple degrees from Washington State University, including a bachelors, two masters, and a Phd.  Included in his studies was a stint studying and lecturing at a university in Delft, Netherlands.  His interests are falconry, soaring, printmaking and painting.  He owns his own fledgling company, but his day job is Chief Information Officer for a firm in Mount Vernon that designs and manufactures metal solutions. 

“Heritage Park is an amazing place to take a walk, either with friends, your dog, or alone.  The trails go in many directions and are marked.  Some are steeper than others, but all are beautiful, so bring your camera.”  - March, 2018 Trip Advisor post.  Retired biological science professor Tom Doty, a steward at North Kitsap Heritage Park, spoke to Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians at their meeting Nov. 13.  Doty described the 818-acre park, ten-percent of which is wetlands, as a mixed forest, with a diversity of trees, and more than ten miles of trails.  Thinning of trees is occurring, removing smaller trees to enhance the growth of larger ones.  Many small streams lie within the park.  Why is Kitsap County and its band of about a dozen volunteer stewards building bridges, thinning trees, mapping wetlands, and planning for the future of the park?  Yes, for the outdoor experiences.  But also for the rare fresh-water lamprey, cutthroat, salamanders and salmon found there. 

Who Knew?  We need a lot less “cleaner” than we think. Maybe just a teaspoon.  That’s one of the lessons Rotarian Randy Monlux told his colleagues at their Nov. 20 meeting.  Monlux owns the local Stanley Steemer operation, so he knows a thing or two about cleaning “green.”  Kingston-North Kitsap Rotarians also learned that the most common and most predominate natural cleaner is coconut oil, which is harvested mostly in Indonesia, the Philippines, and India.  Simply defined, cleaning is removing soils from a surface, placing them in suspension, and transferring them to somewhere else.  Four elements are generally present in cleaning:  chemistry, heat, agitation, and time.  Monlux advised Rotarians when buying commercial cleaners to look for the EPA Safer Choice Program label “DfE,” designed for the Environment. 

 Start with a party.  That was the counterintuitive message hundreds of Kingston residents heard Nov. 6 about how to get ready for a major earthquake.  In the event of “the big one,” North Kitsap Fire and Rescue’s Assistant Chief Rick LaGrandeur said,”it was possible emergency services would not be able to get to you,” due to impassable roads and fire stations crunched by the quake. “Therefore, you need to organize to take care of yourself and your neighbors.”

Collin Gomez, Co-President of Interact.    The truck is over half full after one day.  I’ll need another truck tomorrow.

383 halloween cards and 2,718 pounds of food.  What Kingston North Kitsap Rotary’s Interact Club at Kingston High School recently delivered.  Members of the Interact Club created and delivered 383 individual halloween cards, one for each student at Wolflie Elementary School just in time for Halloween.  “It is a labor of love,” Rotarian Advisor Mark Baze said.  “The program started several years ago by creating a few cards for the younger grades at Wolflie.  It is now expanded to include all grades.” 

Nov. 3 and 4 the Interact Club conducted its annual November food drive at Kingston’s Albertsons.  A new record was set this year: 2,718 pounds of food was delivered to the food bank.  Also delivered: many cash contributions from Albertsons shoppers.  Kingston North Kitsap’s Interact Club, and those in need, thank you. 

From left standing: Gabriel Chamberlin, Olivia Russel, McKayla Allnoch, Mat Worrall, Emily Ramirez, Kate Halverson, Kierston Cashman, Clara Kehoe, Connor Nichols, Claire Mo, Collin Gomez.  Kneeing: Tara Advani, Hunter Watkins.

Our District Governor visited Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary Club’s November 6 meeting.  Maureen Fritz-Roberts - ‘Mo’ - described how she and her husband, Dale, were vacationing in California years ago, when they had a conversation about what mattered most to them.  Rotary involvement was in their top five.  She asked, “how can a group known by only six letters be so large.”  She described a trip to Ethiopia to help with national immunization days, which led to a water project that meant women didn’t have to haul water, giving them time to borrow for businesses they started from a micro credit facility she and her Rotary Club spearheaded.  Roberts spoke about the joy it brings to help someone out.  Joy was the theme of her remarks about being a Rotarian.  She pitched the joy of donating to the Rotary Foundation by giving the equivalent of two Starbucks cups a week to reach a Paul Harris level ($1k) every year.  Or, to leave a gift to the Rotary Foundation in a will.  She reminded Rotarians of - and urged them to attend - the Rotary International convention next June in Hawaii, and the District conference and training next May in Victoria, B.C.  She challenged members to be relentless.  “If there is something you want to do or take on, make that what you do this year.”  Finally, she pinned a second Paul Harris award on Stan Mack, a Major Donor Level 2 and a Foundation Champion pin on Caleb Summerfelt. 

Mo presented a second Paul Harris to Stan Mack.

Mo presented a Major Donor Level 2 pin and a Foundation Champion pin to Caleb Summerfelt

Zawadi Leon, Mark Baez, Ian Whitney (Left - Right)

More than 1200 pounds of food was expected to be collected Nov 2 and 3 by the Rotary Interact Club at Kingston High School.  Canned soups, stews, and chili.  Boxed Meals.  Pasta, rice, potatoes, flour and sugar.  Nuts.  Dried fruit.  Cereal and oatmeal.  A few of the items on the list handed to shoppers on their way into Kingston’s Albertsons.  “This is an annual food drive conducted by members of the Interact Club,” according to Mark Baze, the Club’s Rotarian Advisor.  “We have about 30 members on the roster of the Club, about 15 of whom are very active,” said Baze.  They recently created and distributed Halloween cards to all 383 students at Wolflie elementary school in a demonstration of friendship. Interact Clubs at local high schools are a staple of Rotary efforts to teach the value of doing good in communities.  And to do it.

Kingston North Kitsap Rotarian Nancy Martin introduced Miacate Kennedy at the KNK Rotary meeting October 9.  Kennedy, the new Executive Director at Kingston Chamber of Commerce, was, in fact, hired when Nancy Martin was President of the Chamber’s Board. 

Kennedy, moved here from Spokane, where she graduated college and went on to a career mentoring businesses and consulting in IT.  Along the way she worked extensively with Microsoft products.  After vowing to cut her $200 monthly cable bill, she cut the cord and began reading business books.  Hundreds of them.  She has been a writer and media consultant for several large companies.  She moved to Kingston with this background ideally suited for her Chamber duties, and to be closer to her mother, who lives at Village Green.  Although she has only been on the job 30-days, things that stand out about Kingston: Village Green, Stillwaters, the Point, Port Gamble, Downpour.  “Kingston is amazing,” according to Kennedy.  Her biggest goal is to make the Chamber a strategic partner. 

Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians celebrated their alpha and omega - beginning and end - of the Rotary year June 28 at White Horse.  Led by outgoing president Breane Martinez and incoming president Bill Maule, a group of approximately fifty members and guests celebrated the year’s accomplishments.  Dan Martin and Helen Ralph were celebrated for their more than twenty-five years of Rotary membership.  Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Sondra Peters, Sally Christy, Fredrick Branchflower, Bill Maule, De’ MacKinnon, Mark Baze, Shaun Stephenson, and Ron Carter.  A special award was presented to Michele Fujii for establishing and leading the newly formed Satellite Club.  Chris Gilbreath was the recipient of the Rae Mowry Fellowship Award.  The Presidents Service Award was presented to Karen Gibson and Alice Amas for their years of toil on the perennially successful Swing for Rotary Golf Tournament.  Martinez created and presented a new award, the Distinguished Mentor Award, to Doug Hallock for his coaching and counsel during her term.  And the Rotarian of the Year  (drumroll please) was Helen Ralph, for her many years of “always being there” for any need of the Club.  In a clever way, incoming president Bill Maule introduced his cousin from New Mexico, whom he credited with getting him into Rotary.  Looking ahead, Maule said he’s looking forward to a smooth Rotary year.   

Your Title Here

	Helen Ralph received the Rotarian of the Year Award.
	Alice Amas and Karen Gibson received the President's Service Award.
	Passing of the Gavel from Breane Martinez to Bill Maule, officiated by Assistant District Governor Meredith Green

The typical young woman in South Africa will spend an average of 60 days a year managing her menstrual cycle.  While doing so, most are sheltering in, missing valuable time at work or school, falling behind.  This is the information shared with Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians at their final meeting of the year, December 19. 

Fundraising for Coffee Oasis.

Diane Tandy (l) and Tony Fyrqvist (r)

On November 21^st, at our regularly scheduled meeting, we welcomed Deanne Jackson, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator for the Kitsap County Dept. of Human Services.  The program known as the Kitsap Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, is more than a job for Deanne, it is her passion.  The Coalition is a partnership of state agencies, counties, schools and local prevention coalitions supporting communities in preventing alcohol and other drug abuse and its negative consequences.  One of her favorite quotes by Mark Hyman sums it up:  “The power of a community to create better health is far greater than any physician, clinic or hospital.”

Deanne discussed the need and importance of educating both youth and adults on underage substance abuse prevention.  Some examples included the use of Vapors (an alternative to smoking cigarettes) at schools.  Until recently, Vapors were not classified as an illegal substance on school premises. However, thanks to the continued efforts of the coalition and other agencies, by providing resources that included health studies on its dangers, Vapors were finally banned from school premises.  Another example and hot topic affecting our youth is the illegal use of prescription drugs.  How many of us have had prescribed pain killers from an old injury or an operation and we forgot to discard them?  The Coalition teaches that properly disposing of prescription drugs eliminates access by youth and at the same time can protect the environment.

If you would like to learn more or to get involved, the coalition meets on the second Monday of the month at 1:00 p.m.  For details on the location of the meetings and any other activities of the coalition, contact Deanne Jackson at 360-337-4878, or by e-mail at dmontgom@co.kitsap.wa.us.

There are 529 Rotary Districts worldwide.  Leading one of the geographically largest of those, District 5020 (all of Vancouver Island and western Washington), is Craig Gillis, who visited the Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary Club October 17. Gillis is a teacher by profession.  He “educated” club members on what he called the heart and science of service.  The heart is why we do it.  The science is how, the body of practice we learn as Rotarians.  As Rotarians, he said, we are connected by invisible strands…the stories we tell each other.  This is why it is a goal to bring in more new members.  He said the future is youth.  “Whatever we can do to support youth, keep on doing it.”  Gillis left members with two homework assignments. First, “move the needle forward in whatever way you like.”  Second, take a blank note card home and write to someone who’s made a difference in your life.  A note of appreciation.  Put something in their “shoebox of life.”

North Kitsap Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Rick Lagrandeur spoke to Kingston-North Kitsap Rotarians at their October 10 meeting.  The Chief explained the November 6 ballot measure, Proposition 1, which would increase NKFR’s revenue $1.6m annually 2019-2022.  If passed, Proposition 1 would replace a 1999 Capital bond measure, and a 2014 maintenance and operations levy.  NKFR’s Prop 1 materials state that it cannot continue to maintain current levels of service without the additional funds to pay for increasing operational costs and capital needs long deferred due to revenue limitations. 

Lagrandeur said the current district is the result of four districts combining in three mergers over the years.  Their motto is “Proud to serve in the protection of lives and property.”  There are four stations in the district, with a minimum of nine firemen on duty at all times.  All personnel are cross-trained in both fire and EMT.  Interesting statistics:  NKFR responded to 3052 calls in 2017.  Only three percent of those were for fires.  64% were for medical. Not stats were given on “cats in trees” calls.

            At their October 3 weekly meeting, Kingston-North Kitsap Rotarians heard a presentation from Dr. Laurynn Evans, North Kitsap Schools Superintendent.  Evans, whose weekend passion is Puget Sound diving and underwater photography, talked about the renewed focus on learning in all eleven district schools, with the idea students get through school, to a place after high school. She advised that 58 new certified teachers joined the ranks this school year.  On arrival in July 2017, her challenge was the number 537.  That is how many kids left the district to get educations elsewhere because there was not enough variety in the programming at NK to meet the needs of all learners.  From that challenge resulted Choice Academy and STEM Academy which were created to find ways for students to achieve learning in ways more suited to their individual talents and abilities.  A guiding theme has been developed among the district’s educators:  Every student is known - students are known as people and students are known as learners. 

            Dr. Evans touched on a focus of the district this year, school safety.  She also spoke to the problem of having two relatively small high schools in the district, which limits its ability to offer expansive programming.  To counter that problem they are looking at the two buildings as one, resulting in a much larger universe - 1696 students - and opportunity to deliver more programs.  For example, a Kingston High student might identify as a Buccaneer, but attend a horticulture class at North Kitsap High. 

            Finally, Dr. Evans announced strategic plan community meetings next spring. She invited attendance and public ideas at those meetings. 

At their September 12 meeting, Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians heard from one of their own.  Walt Elliott.  Elliott is a member of the Kingston Washington State Ferry Advisory Committee.  The State Department of Transportation recently released it’s long range (2040) draft plan for WSF.  It details how WSF intends to improve reliability, customer service, growth management, sustainability, and resilience across the fleet.  Elliott said the Kingston-Edmonds route operates at 116% profit, while the system as a whole is at 78%.  On that route the draft plan calls for three mid-sized boats.  The Ferry Advisory Committee suggests it is more cost effective to run two jumbos and one mid-size ferry.  The plan also calls for converting two of the jumbo’s four engines to rechargeable electric, with plug-ins at the Kingston dock.  The Ferry Advisory Committee suggests this is risky as it has not successfully been accomplished any place else in the world.  Their preference would be to design and build all-electric boats from the keel up.  Elliott also touched on a reservation system for Kingston-Edmonds that, in the plan, anticipates, Saturday-Sunday only reservations, which attacks only part of the waiting problem.  Residents wishing to comment may make their thoughts known at WSF’s open house, October 11, from 6-8 p.m. at Kingston’s Village Green Community Center.  The plan’s entirety may be viewed at: www.wsflongrangeplan.com. 

$135 million is spent each year on Rotary International service projects that change lives, both close to home and around the world.  That is what was explained by Howard Svigals to Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians at their May 23, 2018 luncheon meeting.   Svigals is the fundraising chair for Rotary Foundation in the state of Washington.  The Foundation, supported solely by contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation, exists to generate funds necessary so that “every minute of every day Rotary feeds someone, houses someone, medicates someone, performs surgery on someone, helps someone, cares for someone, provides clean water to someone, and on and on.”  On average, twenty global grants, some as much as $300k, are dispersed each week by the Rotary Foundation.  Ninety percent of the funds collected go to projects and programs. CNN ranks the Rotary Foundation one of the top ten in the world. 

            Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians meet each Wednesday, 11:45 a.m., at Kingston’s Village Green Community Center.  Visitors are welcome any time.  No invitation necessary. 

At our May 9 meeting Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians heard an update on the soon-to-be opened Coffee Oasis in the former Kingston Community Center. 

One in thirty high school students in Washington state is homeless.  The mission of Coffee Oasis, through it’s unique business model, is to change the world for homeless youth in Kitsap County.  Proceeds from the front-end coffee shop business fund back of the shop programs, including providing a safe place to be, job training, and internship programs with local businesses.  It was reported 100% of interns had a job within six months.  Additionally, homeless youth is provided showers, washers and dryers, and clothing.  Coffee Oasis operates a transitional house for women in Poulsbo, one for men in Bremerton, and the county’s only youth shelter in Bremerton. 

The meeting included Coffee Oasis personal testimonials from Jet Woelke and Gage Foley.  At the conclusion, Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club president Doug Hallock presented a $2k check from the Club to Daniel Kluth, Coffee Oasis’s Regional Development Director-North Kitsap.  Kluth reported work remains on the building, including siding, subfloor, drywall, and painting.  He hopes for a September opening for the Kingston Coffee Oasis.

Kingston residents, North Kitsap residents, and Olympic Peninsula visitors and residents will soon notice a major change at the intersection of Highway 104 and Lindvog Road in Kingston.  Ground was broken Wednesday, Oct 25, for an electronic community reader-board on the southeast corner of that intersection.  Although it has taken nearly ten years to bring the project to fruition, those behind the project believe the effort has been worth it.  Kingston Rotary Club’s Jon Sole, the sign’s driving force, saw that with the advancement of technology there was an opportunity to build a sign to announce community events, welcome visitors, and serve as a “community water cooler.”   Kingston’s Rotary Club took on the project, spearheaded by Sole and former Rotary Club President, Clint Boxman.  They enlisted community partners to get behind the project including Port of Kingston, Kingston Citizens Advisory Council, and Kingston Chamber of Commerce.  According to Sole, “this is a clear example of what can be done by building partnerships in a great place like Kingston.”

About half of the sign’s total cost of $40k is being supported by the Port of Kingston, which will operate it and provide maintenance and insurance.  The sign will be for community use.  It will not be commercial or political. 

23rd District State Senator Christine Rolfes was the featured speaker at our first meeting in October.  Her topic was the recent Legislature’s efforts to bring K-12 school funding in line with requirements of the State Supreme Court in it’s McCleary decision. In that January 2012 decision, the Court ruled the State Legislature failed to fulfill its paramount duty to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders. 

Senator Rolfes told Rotarians that half of the latest budget, passed June 30, goes to public school funding. These funds are allocated to the 295 districts in the state, districts as small as the six-student Stehekin District to as large as the Seattle District, with it’s 54,000 students.  The result is the state provides more maintenance and operations money for each student in each district, and limits the amount districts can raise through school levies.  The net impact in North Kitsap District will be an increase of thirteen-million dollars, almost ten-thousand dollars more per teacher.  Most of the funding will be for teacher salaries.  To fund the increases, the Legislature will increase property taxes across the state by seven-billion dollars. 

At the conclusion Senator Rolfes answered questions, the biggest of which is whether the Legislature will be found in compliance when the State Supreme Court revisits the matter later this month. 

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• Total Registered Whole Blood Donors: 41 people  
• Units of Whole Blood Collected: 34 units
• Apheresis Donors Registered: 5
• Apheresis Units Collected: 4
• Lives Saved: Since each whole blood donation can save up to three lives and each apheresis donation can save more than 3 lives, your collective donations will help save more than 114 patients in our community. 
• We welcomed 10 first-time donors.

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Members of the Kingston business community will join in a roundtable discussion to talk about their experiences and challenges during the Kingston Citizens Advisory Council meeting which takes place 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2 in the Village Green Community Center, 26159 Dulay Road, Kingston. The public is invited to attend and learn more about the local business community.

Colleen Carey, executive director of the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce, and Dave Wetter, representing the Kingston Stakeholders, will moderate an informal discussion with business owners including Cameron Fletcher, who recently purchased the old Kingston Lumber site; Micki Monroe of d’Vine Wines; Amy Anderson of Cup & Muffin; and Johnny Walker of Almost Candid.

Meet Maeve Boon and Brennan Jacobson, seniors at Kingston High School.  They get up early, way before most of their high school mates to attend meetings twice weekly.  What motivates them?  Donuts.  Donuts are a big draw, but once there, it’s the food drives and other community activities that motivate Maeve and Brennan to contribute as many as ten to fifteen hours each month to their community.  They do so as members of the high school’s Interact Club, sponsored by Kingston North Kitsap Rotary.  The KHS Interact Club has almost 40 members this school year, and is one of the largest clubs at the school.  The club’s purpose is to help get high school students involved in their community and support other local non-profit groups.  The club conducts a multitude of activities during the year, including trail maintenance, food drives, hygiene drives, helping out at Rotary events, and fundraisers to help other groups.  Most of the ideas for projects are brought to the club by students who see something they want to change in their community.  Maeve said “I chose to join Interact Club because I wanted to find a way to reach out and help my community.”  Her favorite part about Interact Club is the food drives, noting “it is awesome to watch the food pile up, but nothing compares to seeing all the food we collect as a club at the end of the drive.  Dropping it off at the food bank is an amazing experience, feeling like I participated in something that will help a widespread amount of people is amazing.”  Brennan, who is co-president of the club said he’s involved “because my freshman year a couple of my friends encouraged me to join.  I really enjoyed being a part of the club and have stayed on ever since.”  He claims his favorite part about the group is how members are willing to tackle any issue.  “No matter how large or time-consuming a project might be there are always students ready to lend a hand.”

There are all kinds of students in Interact, with participants in all four grades, according to Brennan.  But according to Mark Baze, Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club Interact advisor, “these kids are the cream of the crop, high achievers.” He says “Interact Club members are much more together, more mature, than I ever was.”  Mark’s role is to facilitate what club members want to do. One of their efforts that impressed him was a Halloween project last fall - Ghost Train - in Port Orchard, for the enjoyment of grade school students.  He says “the real value of Interact is not just what members are bringing in and contributing.  It’s that they are learning how to reach out, make connections in the community.”

While food drives are part of their activities, as noted earlier, food drives the club.  Asked what would surprise people about the club, Maeve responded, “the massive role donuts play.  It’s such a nice way to keep everyone motivated and alert at early morning meetings.”  The club meets twice weekly.  Brennan, the co-president, said “I want people in the community to know that Interact wants to make sure Kingston is a great place to live for everyone.”  Who could argue that?

Local Rotarian Bill Maule has travel plans.  He’s heading to Atlanta in June for Rotary’s 108th Annual International Convention.  Few institutions, civic or otherwise, have survived 108 years.  Rotary has.  And for good reason.  Rotary brings together a global network of volunteers dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.  Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries.  Their work improves lives here in Kingston North Kitsap, across America, and internationally. 

In Atlanta, the keynote speaker will be Bill Gates, co-chair, of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  The Gates Foundation and Rotary International have an ongoing match of 2:1 to support polio eradication efforts up to $35 million a year.  The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a public-private partnership includes Rotary, the Gates Foundation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.  The incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year in 1988 to just 37 confirmed in 2016.  Rotary, including matching funds from the Gates Foundation, has donated $1.6 billion to polio eradication. 

Calling All Golfers/Save the Date

            Friday, June 16, 2017.  That’s the date to save for this year’s 11th Annual Swing for Rotary Golf Classic at White Horse Golf Club.  You want to do good in our community?  Save the date.  You want to have fun with friends?  Save the date.  You want to play golf and enjoy a fabulous dinner at White Horse?  Save the date.  This is a terrific tournament.  As White Horse pro Bruce Christy said before last year’s 10th year celebration, “most of these don’t last more than three or four years.  That this one is marking ten years is testimony to it’s quality and value to our community.”

            Your $150 entry fee includes lunch, dinner, and golf, including cart rental, range balls, Mulligans, and tee gifts.  Put a team together - it is a scramble format in teams of four players.  It would be a great way to introduce family and friends to our very special community.  And to have fun and do good, too. 

            For more information - or to register now - go to: www.knkrotarygolf.net.  Or to get answers to your questions call 360-286-5178.  Do it now!

submitted by Ron Carter

Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club is pleased to announce our annual Swing for Rotary Golf Classic on June 16, 2017 at White Horse Golf Club.  Save the date.  And save a place in your community sponsorship budget. 

We are now seeking sponsors for our 2017 event, which will fall on the heels of the most successful tournament ever in it’s 10-year history.  This is the time of year annual budgets are pulled together.  Please set aside monies to help us stage this exciting event.   Last year we were able to help fund Food4Kids (donating nearly $10,000), providing meals for kids in need during weekends, vacations, and holidays when they are not in school.  Also, we were able to continue financial support for the Village Green Community Center, organize bi-monthly blood drives, and provide KHS scholarships. 

Special thanks to last year’s primary sponsors including The Point Casino, Liberty Bay Auto, CHI Franciscan Health, Les Schwab, and Windermere Real Estate. 

For more information, and to learn about how your company can get involved in this big community event, contact:  Breane Martinez at 360-286-5178 (breanemartinez@hotmail.com) or Alice Amas at 425-949-9773 (aliceamas@gmail.com).

Amazon shoppers – please use Amazon Smile. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-2960627

For each purchase you make through Amazon.Smile – Amazon will donate .5% of eligible sales to Kingston-NK Rotary.

It’s a fundraiser that does not require any of your time!

• CPR/First Aid (at fire stations, Red Cross)
• Kitsap DEM website: http://www.kitsapdem.org
• American Red Cross website: http://www.redcross.org/
• Washington Emergency Management Division website: http://emd.wa.gov/
• FEMA website: www.ready.gov

Do you shop on Amazon?

 Have you heard about Amazon Smile? https://smile.amazon.com/ it’s quite simple, log into Amazon using the smile amazon link, sign up for the Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Foundation as your supported charity and Amazon will pay .5% of your sales to our club. Everything on Amazon Smile is the same as the standard Amazon link, pricing, Prime everything …. So the question is why not use www.smile.amazon.com? It’s work free money to our club!

THANK YOU to Gale Kirsopp for this excellent tip! 

(Port Orchard) -  The Kitsap Public Health District will present information on pollution investigation efforts in the Kingston community at the next meeting of the Kingston Citizens Advisory Council that takes place 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1 in the North Kitsap Fire & Rescue Paul T. Nichol Headquarters Station, 26642 Miller Bay Road NE, Kingston. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

 Shawn Ultican, Senior Environmental Health Specialist at the Kitsap Public Health District, will report on activity in the area including monitoring the health of local streams, marine water and shellfish with the Pollution Identification & Correction program that focuses on finding and fixing sources of bacterial pollution. He will also share on research the Health District has been doing with the University of Washington on new methods for detecting pollution from human activities.   

 For more information on KCAC, www.kitsapgov.com/boards/CAC/kingston/kcac.htm .

Our rotary club awarded a grant to the KHS debate team to help fund trips to three national tournaments.  Five students have already competed at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN in the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions. Seven students also traveled to Chicago over Memorial Day weekend to compete in the NCFL Grand National Tournament; and, two students will compete at the NFL National Speech and Debate Tournament in Overland Park, KS in June.  KHS Debate is a member of the exclusive National Forensic League's "Top 100 Club".  Congratulations and WELL DONE KHS Debate Team!

 Many of you will remember Simon, at that time a Junior at Kingston High School.  Not satisfied with just being a star soccer player, he was an honor student and served as co-President of  the KHS National Honor Society. Not to shun the arts, he is also a self-taught pianist and was studying digital graphics.

 But what has become of him?  He told us when applying for the exchange that his dream was “to see the world.”    We have just heard from him and learn that he is still pursuing that dream.  He is now finishing his second semester at the University of California at Berkeley, but will soon be heading abroad again. If all goes well he will  spend his summer in South Africa  studying at the University of Cape Town. His two courses are on social injustice and community development. In his words, he is “really excited to get to work with the local community.”

 Now listen up, all you Kingston High students.  Simon writes, “I hope more kids are getting involved with STEP. It was an incredibly eye-opening experience”. That is what Rotary exchanges are all about.

Submitted by Al Abbott
Rotary Club of Gig Harbor
District 5020 Public Image/Public Relations Chair

As you all know by now this year's District Conference is in Whistler BC at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler on May 2-4, 2014.  Join District Governor Pete Taylor in Whistler to celebrate the accomplishments of the year!  2014 District Conference will offer a diverse roster of excellent speakers focused on Engaging Rotary to Change Lives.  You’ll have a chance to rub shoulders with other Rotarians, enjoy fellowship and be inspired.
 
While you’re in Whistler looking for Pete, take some time to enjoy a round of golf, relax at the resort spa, or take in the beautiful mountain scenery and enjoy the great outdoors.

If you're planning to go, better act fast.  The Chateau has very few rooms left at the preferred $139 rate, so Now's the time to get that Conference Registration and book your room.

You can take care of all of this easily by visiting the District Website: www.rotary5020.org  It's on the home page.  It's simple so even I could do it...

See you in Whistler.  We'll all be looking for Pete Taylor.  First on to find him gets a prize.

Thank you for making Rotary a part of your life,

The Village Green Foundation playground installation is April 17 and 18.  The 17th we will be doing concrete work to build the curb and the 18th we will finish the curb and spread the chips.  We will meet at 0900 and a lunch will be provided. Contact Matt House with questions matthwpp@gmail.com 

Engage friends and family:

Invite friends, family members, and neighbors. Blood donation at your drive can

be an easy, meaningful service opportunity for high school and college students

out on break. Involve young adult volunteers who can help recruit new donors.

Meanwhile, here's a great story to illustrate just how important YOUR donation is:

HANNAH MAE’S New Heart

On May 18, 2012, Jon and Jennifer Campbell celebrated the birth of their first daughter, Hannah Mae. Their joy turned to worry with the discovery that Hannah’s heart was enlarged and beating too fast. She was transferred to Children’s Hospital in Seattle where her heart seemed to stabilize. Her doctors were feeling positive that she would outgrow her heart problems. The Campbell family felt hopeful as they brought Hannah home from the hospital. However, fear and uncertainty soon took over after a routine cardiology appointment sent her straight back to Children’s for more tests and intensive care. The summer was a roller coaster of bad news, blood transfusions, surgeries, xtensive tests, and hope for a fix. Tests showed she had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy— a combination of heart conditions that no other patient had ever survived before.