|
|
Next Meeting:
Monday, September 23rd, 2024
Lunch at 11:30, meeting at Noon
BI Rowing and via Zoom
Guest Speaker:
Denise Stoughton
Discover the heartwarming stories behind "Meet Me at the Mailbox," a celebration of the quirky, creative, and heartfelt mailboxes that dot our community and the connections they inspire. In this talk, Denise Stoughton will share her journey from facing homelessness as a child to finding healing and hope through the simple yet profound expressions of creativity within her community. You'll also learn about the Kindred Spirit Mailbox Project—a unique initiative she spearheaded, placing a mailbox filled with journals at Fort Ward Park and the History Museum, inviting neighbors to share their thoughts, dreams, and stories. Whether you're familiar with her work or hearing about it for the first time, this talk will offer fresh insights into the power of shared experiences, the beauty in the unconventional, and how a humble mailbox can become a symbol of unity and understanding in a fractured world. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about how ordinary objects can foster extraordinary connections.
About Denise
Denise Stoughton is a New York City native who now calls Bainbridge Island home, where she's been weaving creativity and community together for the past seven years. With a rich background in art, design, and marketing from the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as advanced writing studies at The Writers Studio, she spent 15 years in New York’s fast-paced home products industry before trading skyscrapers for the serene beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
On Bainbridge, Denise established a successful interior design business, bringing her keen eye for detail and passion for creating spaces that tell a story. However, her recent focus has shifted toward her latest project, a book titled "Meet Me at the Mailbox," which celebrates the quirky, creative mailboxes of her community and the connections they inspire.
Deeply involved in the local arts community, Denise Stoughton is known as a connector, bringing people together through shared experiences and creative endeavors. When she’s not working on her latest project or dreaming up new ones, she’s doting on her two beloved Chihuahuas, Tula and Milo, who she happily admits to obsessing over. Balancing expertise with a warm, human touch, Denise continues to inspire others with her passion for creativity, community, and the little things that bring us together.
https://www.kindredspiritbainbridge.com/
| |
|
09/30/2024: Development Committee Updates
10/07/2024: Activities / Dinner
10/14/2024: No Meeting / Indigenous Peoples' Day
10/21/2024: Health Panel
Check our Club Calendar for more details and committee meetings.
| |
|
Coffee & Careers
The Coffee & Careers Program is a great service opportunity that allows you to help high school students explore careers of interest to them before they graduate. Once during the school year, you will be invited to spend 90 minutes with up to three students on a Monday afternoon sharing information on what you did/do in your career, your career pathway, and your education background. Very importantly, you will hear about their career interests and answer questions.
Sessions are scheduled to occur on the last Monday in October, November, January, February, and March, and the first Monday in May. The venue will be the high school Commons. Please sign up today!
If you have any questions, please contact Tom McCloskey.
| |
New Member Profile Featuring Steve Keller
Please tell us your name and where you are from.
Steve Keller. Born in Manhattan, lived in CA for 27 years before moving to Bainbridge Island 23 years ago.
Please tell us about your professional history or educational background.
My college studies were in neuroscience, my vocational/professional path has been in the visual arts, frequently using a camera. I produced documentary films for about 12 years. Today I’m a portrait photographer.
What would you like to include about your family?
My wife and I have raised two amazing offspring, Milo is 23 and Zinnia is 19.
What would you like to get involved with in the club? Any specific committee interests?
I’m still doing my research!!
Please let us know an interesting detail or two about you: hobbies? favorite book? secret skill? any other fun facts?
I’m a bit of a gym rat, I love cycling, I play a little tennis, hiking, running and anything outdoors (except in Dec-Jan). Favorite book? Hmmm, maybe “The Road” or everything Vonnegut. Favorite movie is definitely The Big Lewbowski.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’m looking forward to seeing what comes of this adventure!
| |
Announcements
Activities Committee - Looking for members to join our committee and / or help with the holiday party. We're a lively group of party planners excited to welcome anyone who loves to have fun and get the party started. Contact Heather Church for more details or join via the link on DACdb.
Greeter Committee - Looking for someone to cover admin duties and collect the meal money. Contact Norman Lenz or Tracie Waxman.
Literacy Committee - Looking for members to help bring reading opportunities to Bainbridge children ages 4 - 8. Contact Carol Hogan.
Nominations for 2025-2026 - Contact Ann Marie Kimball to nominate someone for one of next year's open positions:
- President-Elect (2-year term)
- Community Service Director (3-year term)
- Trust Treasurer (3-year term)
- Auction Co-chair (2-year term)
| |
|
Greg Abell - Celebration of Life
September 28th at 2pm
Rolling Bay Presbyterian
Greg's Obituary has been posted, and a Facebook event has been created with details on his Celebration of Life.
| |
|
2024 Electrification EXPO
The Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island joins in thanking all the other sponsors and attendees of the 2024 Electrification EXPO held on September 14 at Woodward Middle School.
Despite the rain, we had a handful of Rotarians present as well as lots of fascinating speakers and vendors who shared state of the art technology that is dramatically changing EVs, basic household appliances and heating and cooling systems. For those attending, we even got a close up look of the Tesla Truck both inside and outside.
Rotary plans to sponsor this EXPO again in 2025 and we hope you will join us then as we learn more about new technologies transforming the way we live in a time of climate change.
Thank you to Mike Cox, Co-chair of the Environmental Committee for managing the EXPO.
| |
|
There are several important initiatives on the November 2024 ballot. One of particular importance is Initiative 2117. The initiative would repeal the Climate Commitment Act (CCA).
In 2021, the Washington Legislature passed the CCA which establishes a comprehensive, market-based program to reduce carbon pollution and achieve the greenhouse gas limits set in state law (https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/climate-commitment-act/cap-and-invest).
The CCA caps and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from Washington’s largest emitting sources and industries, allowing businesses to find the most efficient path to lower carbon emissions. The program started on Jan. 1, 2023, and has generated over 2 billion dollars in revenue for a host of programs.
The organizations who want to maintain the CCA (No on 2117) argue that it will: end protections for our air, water forests, and farmland; devastate our transportation and infrastructure programs including ferries; and limit our ability to meet our state climate goals (https://no2117.com/).
There are over 450 organizations who want to maintain the CCA including several local non-profit organizations: BI Land Trust (lead), Islandwood, BI Parks and Trails Foundation, Sustainable Bainbridge, Climate Action Bainbridge, EcoAdapt, Housing Resources Bainbridge, Great Peninsula Conservancy, Friends of Little Manzanita Bay, Suquamish Tribe, and the City of Bainbridge Island
The organizations that want to repeal the CCA (Yes on 2117) say that the CCA has done nothing to cut carbon emissions; has increased gas prices by nearly $0.50 per gallon and driven up energy costs by 40%; and spent more money on government planning than wildfire
prevention programs (https://letsgowashington.com/#I-2117).
If you are interested in additional information about Initiative 2117 feel free to reach out to Mike Cox or Winifred Perkins.
| |
Save the Date for OysterFest! | |
|
OysterFest is hosted by the Shelton Skookum Rotary Club in Shelton, WA. Entering its 42nd year, this two day event attracts over 12,000 seafood enthusiasts and their families each year with activities, entertainment, and delicious foods provided by local non-profits and volunteers.
OysterFest: October 5th & 6th
Opening Party - OysterFUNK: Friday, October 4th
5K Run/Walk: October 6th
Read more here: oysterfest.org/
| |
PEACEBUILDERS ACTION GROUP | |
|
This is the third in a series of informational articles from Nancy Houghton about the club's new Peacebuilders Action Group.
Positive Peace
What if we started thinking about Rotary as more than a collection of service clubs and started thinking of ourselves as a global peace building force? Just imagine, Rotarians building a world beyond war. What if we Wage Peace?
Rotary has partnered with The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) to create educational and informational resources for Rotarians and others. IEP is a non-profit, non-partisan think tank dedicated to promoting a better understanding of the cultural, economic and political factors that create peace. IEP has created the Global Peace Index (GPI) to measure the trends and economic impacts of peace.
Positive Peace is derived through statistical analysis of datasets, indices and attitudes with the GPI. Positive Peace provides the optimal environment for human potential to flourish. The eight Pillars of Peace are:
- Well Functioning Government (or governing)
- Sound Business Environment
- Equitable Distribution of Resources
- Free Flow of Information
- Good Relations with Neighbors
- High Levels of Human Capital
- Low Levels of Corruption, and
- Acceptance of the Rights of Others
Rotary holds that everyone can be a peacebuilder through our service in empowering the grassroots systems, structures and attitudes that enhance the ecosystems of Positive Peace.
To join this powerful movement, consider taking the online course through the Rotary/IEP Positive Peace Academy. The self-guided course consists of five modules and can be done on your own time, for free! Once completed, send your certificate to Carol Reitz and join our Peacebuilders Action Group.
Positive Peace Academy: www.positivepeace.academy/rotary
| |
Rotary Peace Shirts - Locally Printed! | |
|
September 21st is International Peace Day. We encourage you to show your support by purchasing a peace t-shirt from the Rotary Club of Poulsbo.
Rotary Club of Poulsbo has created a fundraiser for their club and Rotary International called 1905 Gear. They worked with Rotary International to design stylish attire that might speak to a diversity of audiences. After being approved as an official Rotary International vendor, RC Poulsbo is now promoting their fun and powerful Rotary messages on t-shirts (both long and short sleeve) and on sweatshirt/hoodies. Rotary International received proceeds from every shirt sold, with the remaining funds going to our neighbor Rotary Club in Poulsbo. So, ALL profits go back to support the work of Rotary.
The link is http://www.1905gear.com/
| |
|
International Day Of Peace
September 21, 2024
We invite all our members and readers to share their plans and activities for International Day of Peace! Whether you’re organizing an event, participating in a community initiative, or engaging in a personal act of kindness, we want to hear about it. Your efforts inspire others and contribute to a global movement towards peace. Send us your stories and plans, and let’s come together to promote and celebrate the diverse ways we are making a difference.
Let us know your plans at contact@rotaryactiongroupforpeace.org.
| |
Park Conservation Work Parties | |
|
Join the Park District and the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation, every second Saturday this fall at Strawberry Hill Park! Volunteers will pick up where others have left off, removing invasive scotch broom, ivy, holly, and more, across the park including in the site of the new mountain bike park.
More info: biparks.galaxydigital.com/
| |
Annual Day of Preparedness: September 21st | |
|
Saturday, September 21 from 12 - 4 PM Woodward Middle School
At our annual Day of Preparedness event, you can gather information, talk to experts, and even enjoy giveaways (while they last) of emergency supplies, including water pouches and water purification tablets, refurbished fire extinguishers, freeze-dried food, hand-sanitizing wipes, rain ponchos, dental hygiene kits, and pocket LED flashlights. We will also be raffling off a Jackery portable generator.
Each year, we offer something a little different to help prepare our community; this year, we’re bringing demos and learning opportunities covering the following range of topics:
- Gear Bags
- Communications and Tech
- PSE
- Back-up Power
- Fire Preparedness
- Water
Join us for a day of learning, safety, and community resilience. See you there!
| |
Book Fair for Bainbridge Schools Foundation | |
|
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 - 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
Eagle Harbor Book Co. is proud to host a Book Fair benefiting the Bainbridge Schools Foundation. During the fair, Eagle Harbor Book Co. will donate 20% of all sales to BSF. So come to the fair and purchase those new titles you've been dying to read, and perhaps a few of Eagle Harbor Book Co.'s famously curated gifts that you can't find anywhere else — knowing that your purchases are supporting the kids in our community!
| |
Bainbridge History Museum 80's Prom! | |
|
Saturday, October 19th, 7:00 PM 10:00 PM
Stan Pocock Rowing Center
Learn more and purchase tickets: www.simpletix.com
| |
From the September 16th club meeting; photos and captions by Cindy McGregor. | |
|
Candidate Forum Sept 16, 2024
Two candidates, each hoping to fill US Representative Kilmer’s position, participate in the 6th Congressional District Candidate Forum. Both are currently state senators. Time is given to share family background, experience, and the most pressing constituent needs as seen by each.
After the introductions, the format was question and answer. Seven questions were answered with considerable differences of opinion between the two candidates. The questions concern Initiative 2117 (repeal of Washington Climate Commitment Act), how to promote compromise across the aisle in the US Congress, immigration reform, the health crisis in Kitsap including the results of the Navy decision that greatly narrowed the population served at military medical facilities, ways to increase future medical personnel being trained “in the pipeline,” Title 9, and how to control medical monopolies.
| |
|
Emily Randall, Democrat
Senator Randall attended South Kitsap HS in Bremerton. She is a first-generation college graduate and speaks of her Chicano heritage. She focuses on expanding Medicaid, increasing financial aid in colleges to “open doorways of opportunity”, housing availability, and reproductive rights.
| |
|
Drew MacEwen, Republican
Senator MacEwen is a member of Shelton Rotary Club. He is a US Navy veteran and a businessman. His emphasis is on the needs of working families in the District. He speaks of the importance of good civil discourse to “quiet down the rhetoric”, to “govern from the middle”, and the need to reform the ways we do business at the Federal level.
| |
Dan Hamlin is inducted. Tom is his sponsor and Winifred is his mentor. | |
Phil Toohey gives an update on the 2025 Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale. He introduces Brian Marks as Auction Co-Chair. Sale Day will be Saturday, July 12. | |
An advantage of this timing is that we gain an extra day such that we will have three days to polish and price. | |
Rosemary Shaw announces that the Community Grants Committee provided grants to 35 diverse nonprofits this year. One of these is KidVantage. | |
Helen Banks Routon of KidVantage informed us about the 1,245 children that the organization helped from their Bremerton Hub last year, in addition to many others via community partners. Our grant went to the Safe Sleep Program for children up to age 5. | |
"If by chance I have omitted anything more or less proper or necessary, I beg forgiveness, since there is no one who is without fault and circumspect in all matters." - Fibonacci | |
|
Director of Club Communications: Lisa Erickson
Editor of Communiqué: Evelyn Wilder
Photographers: Lisa Erickson, Cindy McGregor
Proof-Readers: Lisa Erickson, Allen Ferris
Reporters at Large: Vicki Browning, Lauren Groves Charles Averill
Social Media Lead: Jessica Perkins
| | | | |
