The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting at The Woodmark Hotel on July 12, 2021. Rotarians attended in person and online. It was an outstanding start to the new year.
President Dave DeBois rang the bell at 6:30 p.m., calling the club meeting to order.
Margie Glenn led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attending were George Anderson, Bob Auslander, Gail Auslander, Scott Becker, Bella Chaffey, Gary Cohn, Terry Cole, Dave DeBois, Don Dicks, Jim Feek, Margie Glenn, Brandon Honcoop, Mike Hunter, James Meniketti, Amy Mutal, James Nevers, Rick Ostrander, Joanne Primavera, John Pruitt, Steve Shinstrom, and John Woodbery.
Guests:
President Dave and several Rotarians introduced guests Shellie Gehring (former member of the club), Rebecca Schlager (a nurse), Dennis Pierce (an executive coach), and Laura Loomis and Chuck Loomis.
Announcements:
President Dave called on Head Duck Amy Mutal and Scott Becker to remind Rotarians of upcoming key Duck Dash events. Tickets will be available at the July 19 meeting. If you cannot get your tickets at the meeting, they can be picked up at Steve Shinstrom’s office, Dave DeBois’ office or Amy Mutal’s office (Shinstrom Insurance, Kirkland branch of Banner Bank, or Prevail Wealth). Ticket sales will occur at the Kirkland Wednesday Market, July 14 and July 21, from 3:00–7:00 p.m., and at the Kirkland QFC on various days between July 12 and September 24. The Lake Washington High School Dance Team will once again be assisting with the ticket sales. The Branding Party will be September 20 at 5–7 p.m. the Lee Johnson Auto Family site on 85th. Rotarians are needed for ticket sales, for the branding party, and for support on race day, September 26. Rosters are available for Rotarians to volunteer time. Amy is making arrangements for online sign-up as well. The race is Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Marina Park during Kirkland Oktoberfest.
Program:
Bob Betz gave us an update on Washington’s wine industry. Bob spent 28 years with Ste. Michelle Estates in a variety of functions. In 1997, his wife and he founded Betz Family Winery.
Washington is blessed with all the ingredients for producing exceptional wine. We have long daylight hours during the growing season, warm days and cool nights which allow the grapes to mature slowly, and proper soil. Because our vineyards require irrigation the growers can apply just the right amount of water at the proper time to produce quality grapes. Washington is the second largest wine producing state in the nation. Only California produces more. Fifty years ago, we had no wine industry. The success of Chateau Ste. Michelle has been critical to the growth of the Washington wine industry.
Bob mentioned some problems facing the industry: grapes have been over-planted; consumption habits have been changing toward more hard liquor; and it is a continual need to promote the quality of Washington wines.
A question was asked about the effect of wildfire smoke on the production of wine. Bob indicated that grapes that have been exposed to heavy smoke will not produce quality wine. The wildfires of last year will cause a reduction in the available wine from Washington.
President Dave DeBois rang the bell at 7:30 p.m. and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted
Rick Ostrander – Acting Scribe