Members and guests were welcomed by President Elect Mark Anderson to the Point Defiance Park Pagoda, where the meeting was held. A catered lunch of hamburgers, chips and salad was served, accompanied by carrot cake honoring the birthday celebrants donated by Rick Olson.
An interfaith invocation was presented by Past President Kathleen Olson, Salishan Association. This was followed by an a capella singing of the National Anthem led by Jan Brazzell, Advancement Consulting. She was also the meeting sponsor and she gave her time to Bryan Flint, Greater Metro Parks Foundation, who introduced the newest Metro Parks project, the Eastside Community Center that will start construction this year.
Greg Rolsma took the mic around so that guests could be introduced.
Andrea Smith, President of the Metro Parks Commission introduced the speaker, Roger Stanton, who had been the architect on the extensive remodeling project for the Pavilion when he was with BCRA architectural Firm.
Pt. Defiance Park, being home of Pt. Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Fort Nisqually, Owen Beach, Five Mile Drive, an extensive trail system, gardens, viewpoints and play and picnic areas, sees some three million visitors annually. Several major construction projects are underway, funded by the 2014 tax bond, but park remains open with some adjustments for boaters and visitors to provide continued access.
Roger is the Metro Parks Tacoma Project Manager for the Destination Pt. Defiance Waterfront Phase 1 currently under construction. This includes an 11-acre park on the peninsula, improved boat trailer parking, the missing link trail connection between Ruston Way and Point Defiance Park and a pedestrian bridge with overlook and a series of slides and steps down the hillside from the bridge to the marina.
Other projects in progress include a new Pacific Seas Aquarium, the Environmental Learning Center at the Zoo housing the Tacoma Public Schools Science and Math Institute (SAMI) and a roundabout at the park entrance. These projects are expected to open over the next 24-30 months. Details are available online at www destinationpointdefiance.org .
Club anniversaries recognized included: Chris Serface - 3 years, Anthony Chen - 8 years, Mark Anderson - 14 years , Peter Carlstrom - 16 years , Ross Hjelseth - 21 years and Jamie Will - 42 years.
Alex Trettin, Travel Leaders, asked birthday celebrants to share their favorite travels. Cynthia Darland and Kathleen Olson were present to receive gummy bears as a gift and share their most memorable vacations. Honored in absentia were Bill Baxter, Shon Sylvia and Bill Pickles.
Sign ups were available for the annual Galleyside on June 29th. Six boats will be available to transport club members to the Dockton State Park following the Turnover Day meeting.
Members could also sign up for Rotary at the Rainiers on July 13th starting with tailgate party and including ballpark meal, program and video board recognition. Cost is $18 per person and tickets are available from the Rotary Office. There is also an opportunity to participate in an EFN repack project on July 8 from 12-230. There is something for everyone!
We had some fun true confessions; George Pilant invited us all to help him send best wishes to his wife on their 4th anniversary, Dan Bogart is finally ready to move into a new house, Donna Haynes paid for her cell phone going off, Jim Boardman is glad to be back and not travelling as much for work and looking for his next new opportunity and Steve Smith announced that he is the new Executive Director of BESR. We also wished a fond farewell to Luis Rico who is leaving for home on Friday morning.
The June 15th meeting will be held on the fifth floor Rooftop so that we might catch a glimpse of the Tall Ships as they sail into Tacoma. The speaker will be Captain Skip Anderson of Flagship Maritime.
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