EVERETT ROTRY LOG
July 20, 2021
LEADING OFF
President Greg Lineberry rang the bell at 12:07pm, calling to order meeting #5406 of the Rotary Club of Everett, and the third meeting of his presidency.
He then led the club in the pledge of allegiance.
The thought of the day was presented by Sean Kelly, with some thoughts on the COVID vaccine and while it may have seemed like an overnight success, it actually took a lot of research and science.
VISITING ROTARIANS & GUESTS
Will McMahan introduced his guest, Mark Johnson from Snohomish County Hospice. Anna Marie Laurence introduced her sister-in-law, Sonya Laurence Green.
ANNOUCEMENTS
Neil Angst updated the club on securing a permanent meeting location. He will have some information in 2 weeks, and hopefully the club will have a new home by Labor Day.
Will McMahan announced that the membership committee will have a meeting on Zoom next Monday at 5:00pm.
HAPPY DOLLAR$
Jim Staniford was $20 happy to have received blood recently.
President Greg was $100 for a great retirement party.
Eric Ireland was $56 for the Everett Chorale restarting in September.
THANK YOU PAST PRESIDENT JOHN
President Greg then presented a plaque to John Olson, PP, for his service as club president. Kari Petrasek then presented a bag of thank you presents to John.
Past President John Olson presented Anna Marie Laurence with the Rotarian of the Year award.
MORE ANNOUCEMENTS
Barb George announced via Zoom that she is looking for people to serve on the board of the Everett Museum.
AUCTION
President Greg auctioned of some Aquasox items. Will McMahan won tickets to an Aquasox game for $100.
Kelly Shepherd and Kari Petrasek each won a Felix Hernandez Funko doll for $150.
Kay Phinney won a Webly Funko doll for $60
PROGRAM: It’s a Whole New Ballgame
Kari Petrasek introduced today’s speaker, our own Danny Tetzlaff with the Everett Aquasox.
Danny updated the club on what is happening in minor league baseball and the Aquasox organization. Major League Baseball and the minor leagues have had a partnership for many years. There are many minor league teams scattered across the country.
Recently, MLB has reduced the number of minor league teams for each major league franchise from 6 to 4 teams. As a result, 40 minor league teams were eliminated. The Everett Aquasox are now a High A team, a move up of 2 levels. The team is really good and players on the roster keep moving up to higher minor league divisions.
The Aquasox season was also expanded from 38 games to 60 games, with 66 games set for next year.
Danny mentioned that there are still some upgrades to the stadium needed in order to become MLB compliant. A locker room upgrade is one example. The Aquasox survived the pandemic last year and opened the stadium with limited capacity.
On June 29th they were able to allow larger crowds. The fireworks shows have been moved off of the field in order to preserve the new turf. Danny mentioned Funko Fridays, where every attendee receives a Funko Pop. Danny then entertained questions from the membership,
MORE HAPPY DOLLAR$
Zoom attendee, Barb George had $100 for her son, who survived a cardiac event two years ago.
CLOSING
President Greg thanked the members, Zoom participants, guests and Bell Ringers. Meeting Adjourned.
Submitted by
Clayton Browse
Photos By
Tammy Dunn
NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAM
Second Chance Scholarships, presented by Jason Cockburn, introduced by Brenda Bolanos-Ivory
