DG Diane has been on a whirlwind of tours of our clubs in District 5010. Her adventures have been fast-paced and very eventful!
These are photos of Governor Diane visiting the pavilion (a District matching grant project) on the Homer Spit at the start of the Kachemak Bay Water trail.
From left: RC if Homer - Kachemak Bay President, Bernie Griffard, Rotarian Dave Brann, project coordinator and master mind for water trail, Gov Diane, and PDG Clyde Boyer.
DG Diane is entertainingly introduced to the Anchorage Rotary club by Lt. Gov. LaMarr Anderson. President Leah Boltz awards over 15 new Paul Harris’ including Past District Governor Harry Kieling for his Major Donor award. Some major projects completed by the Anchorage Rotary Club with their partners are The Justice for Victims Park, the fully accessible Cuddy Park, the Karl Eid Ski Jump, and the Planet Walk along the Coastal trail.
The Russian Vocational Training Team from Yakutsk , Russia visited to learn about follow up care for cancer victims. Thank you PDG Ted Trueblood, Penny May and the Anchorage Int’l club for hosting them and making sure their visit were full of helpful meetings and knowledgeable professionals.
The Clubs of Homer Downtown and Katchemak Bay ensured a sunny welcome for DG Diane that included a garden party at the Olson’s lovely house with Inbound Exchange Student Claudia and many members. Presidents Bernie Griffard and Jane Little showed off projects which included a Little Free Library by Homer Downtown, Park upgrades, Waterway Boardwalks, covered Pavilions for picnics and moveable mats for fully accessible beach trips by Homer Katchemak Bay – not to mention their 35th YEAR of HEALTH FAIRS! Homer is definitely healthier and more literate because of our clubs! That must be why 4 Past District Govs. still live there.
Kodiak Morning President “Nitro” Mike Hjorstorp, President-Elect Richard Lantz, member Tom Solenberger and Kodiak Noon President Elect Trent Dodson showed off their Emerald Isle of BIG machinery, FAST boats, Beautiful parks and Sunny weather – who would think they need all those big Wind Turbines?
President Dave escorted DG Diane on a trip around Kenai including the future dog park. The Club visit included discussions about attracting even more new Young Professionals to join up, perhaps at an evening meeting?
Way up North in Utqiagvik, the Barrow-Nuvuk club is used to dealing with wild creatures – no not President Judetta who is a calm, dignified teacher at the adult learning center of Ilisagvik . They work with their community to put on a wildly successful fair for the entire town and finish it off with a welcoming Little Free Library at the Airport. Be sure to visit when you travel to the northern reaches of our District.
Soldotna President Dan Nelson and Asst Gov Matt Pyhala toured DG Diane to their Kenai River fishing area which was made fully accessible by the Soldotna club. Allowing those with lesser mobility to fish in the world famous Kenai shows caring to the community members who may then continue to live a full life – Inspirational indeed!
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The Kenai River Club encourages all to live a healthy life. This means exercise so they measured, paced off and built trails to track the requisite 10,000 steps per day. Past President Bill ensured that DG Diane could actually walk those 10,000 steps – success! President Rachel
Nash’s library houses art drawers and allows community members to experiment with their 3D printer – now that’s community involvement and enterprise!
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In the lovely Matanuska-Susitna Valley - Wasilla Sunrise President Janet Kennedy and past Pres Dan Kennedy hosted DG Diane overnight in their dedicated Youth exchange room -to ensure she wasn’t late to their lively, energetic 7AM meeting. The Kennedy’s have hosted how many – could it be 17, 18, 19 or more exchange students – likely a record! As the successful parent club of the new Rotary Club of Wasilla Sunrise-Sunset satellite club, Wasilla Sunrise members show off their skill in attracting new members by social gatherings at the local brewery. Their many projects include the Wasilla Freedom Park, the Wasilla Sunrise Newcomb Park Playground, and Bell Ringing at Christmas, Scholarships, Career talks at middle school and Youth Exchange, of course!
The Rotary Club of Seward, not to be outdone under President Jake Collins hosted a great barbecue and the weather was gorgeous. Jessica their exchange student from Indonesia brought an Indonesian dish that you assemble on the spot – it was fantastic! The tour of the Seward Gazebo for rainy day picnics included a discussion of a potential art project on previously installed piers. This might incorporate the inland water feature and the rising/falling tide as part of the art – great concept!