May 1, 2001

MAYDAY ! - MAYDAY ! - This is not a distress call---just a May 1st opening of the Hoquiam Lions Club. (perhaps King Lion Wes might consider it somewhat stressful as he has his hands full with this bunch)

Lion Paul returns - It was great to see Paul Prichard back in the Den. He says he is getting stronger with each passing day and in a few weeks should be able to give Lion Harold the guidance (?) that he needs.

May Birthdays - Lions Stage, Aiken, Barbo, Schmidtke, deCarteret and Dee Johnson were serenaded today. Three of the six were present. (Wow...50% attendance)

Mint Sales - Lion Sam Coleman reported that he turned in $40.00 from mint sales. He also reported that his wife Darleen was doing much better after her emergency appendectomy surgery... We wish her a speedy and complete recovery.

Christmas in April - Lion Lee Stage reported on the Christmas in April project that our Club participated in. The Lions in the work party were : Lee Stage, Ray Pumphrey, Dean Parsons, Pete Hegg, Wes Harris (and son), Jim Sandstrom, Mike Sand, Dave Wayman, Gordon Lanning, Andy McDougall, Chris Eide and Larry Jones. There were approximately 55 man-hours of "Lions Labor". ...WELL DONE LIONS!!!!

Highway Clean-up - Lion Jerry Erickson announced a highway clean up for Thursday starting at 2:00 PM. Meet at Highway 101 side.

Program - Lion Sue Pieper provided our program today. She told us about the trip that she and Lion Connie Miller took to Rhode Island. With the aid of pictures and memorabilia, she told us of their visit to Mystic Harbor Seaport in Newport, R.I. (I guess that's where it's located. I have a tendancy to talk more than listen.) Sue made their trip sound exciting, educational and certainly a trip for others to consider.

da Pot - Lion Pete Hegg took the pot... everyone else got "diddly-squat" ...J

May 8, 2001

Call to order - In King Lion Wes' absence, 2nd VP Lion Bob "Snakebite" Aiken wielded the gavel. (I must say that there was something Regal in his demeanor. He even had his press agent there ?)

Lost Lion returns - Lion Dee Johnson returned for his annual visit to North America. He kept referring to us as "Gringos" ? I certainly hope that he has enough money left after paying his IOUs, to return to his boat.

White Cane report - Lion Roger Smith reported that our White Canes Days effort generated over $1500. He will have an accurate total at the next meeting. .."Well Done" Roger and crew.

Sadness invades our Den - Lion Jerry Erickson and wife Jan lost their Son to a heart attack. Our deepest sympathies go out to them.

Highway Clean-up - Lion Gordy Lanning reported that he and Lions Gerry Schaefer, Jack Strom, Larry Jones, Pete Hegg and Lee Stage picked up the litter along our adopted highway. ..Good Job Lions !

Installation Night - Installation of Officers for the 2001-02 Lions year will be held on June 14, 2001 at the Cosmopolis Lions Club building. The price for dinner is $14.00 per person. ...BE THERE !!!!!!

Students of the Month - Dave Tobin, Vice-Principal at Hoquiam High School, introduced Ashley Graham and Mathew Patterson as our Students of the Month for May.

Program - Lion Bob Smiley introduced Diane Souron from the Port of Grays Harbor. Diane gave us a very interesting and informative talk about the Airport at Bowerman Field. Not being a native Harborite (nor being that old), I was surprised to hear that the original airport (circa 1920's) was located near where the current Port of GH headquarters is now. The airfield operated until 1935 when it was declared, by the Civil Aeronautics Administration, as unsafe for transient aircraft With the support of the City of Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County and the American Legion's Aviation Committee, the privately owned Moon Island was purchased by the County in 1938. In 1940 the WPA approved the airport construction project as part of the National Defence Program and authorized the expenditure of $443,000 for the construction. Construction began on January 20, 1941. After 13 months and over 1 million cubic yards of dredge spoils, Moon Island was 5300 feet long, 500 feet wide and 18 feet above sea level. By February 13, 1942 a concrete apron had been constructed and lighted and a 5000 foot long by 150 foot wide runway was paved. Immediately upon completion of the runway, military aircraft arrived. For the remainder of WWII the airfield was classified as an outlying field of the U.S.Naval Air Station located in Bend, Ore. Throughout the War, the field was used for practice flights and coastal patrol flights. During 1943 and 1944, additional bulkheads were contructed and dredge spoils were used again doubling it's size to the present size of approximately 1,000 by 6,000 feet. In 1946, under the Surplus Property Act, the airport was transferred to Grays Harbor County. In 1953 the name was changed from Grays Harbor Municipal to Bowerman Field in honor of Lt. Robert C. Bowerman who gave his life in the defense of his Country during the Korean War. ..Effective January 1, 1962 Bowerman Field was transferred to the Port of Grays Harbor as the airport was compatible with the Port's role in the economic development of our area. ...Very good program.

da Pot - Lion Rudy Spanich's name was drawn....the Club was ready for this possibility and paid Rudy in his native currency.....Kuna..........J

(sorry to be late with this edition)

May 15, 2001
(Guest Editor - Lion Roger Smith)

Meeting Called to order by King Lion Wes Harris   Usual opening led by Lion Harold Smidtke  

Guest:  Dennis Hulin from Salem, Oregon  

Announcements:    Lion Sam Coleman announces donation of a total of 22 eye glasses and $25.00 in Mint Sales     Lion Roger Smith announces that a total of $1,612.00 collected for White Cane Days.  With the club matching the donations, a total of $3,224.00 will be forwarded to the Lions Eye Bank.

Installation Banquet:  Will be held on June 14, 2001 at the Cosmopolis Lions Club House.  O'Briens Catering will be providing the meal. Social hour begins at 6:00 PM with the meal being served at 7:00 PM    

Special Board Meeting:  Lion Bob Aiken announced a special board meeting is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 22nd at Bob's House.  Meeting to go over committees for 2001-2002 year under Bob's guidence.  

Program:     Les Bolton, representing the Lady Washington gave a program covering the history behind Aberdeen becoming the sponsoring city of the Lady Washington, the benefits of the Tall Ship being an ambassador to the State of Washington and the other educatonal benefits the program offers youth.  

The "Pot"     Al Moller nearly peed down both legs when his name was pulled from the pot.  Congradulations Al.  

May 22,2001

Opening - King Lion (elect) Bob, with the help of Lion Harold, opened the meeting. There was NO Lions business to conduct this day.

Attendance - (Editorial comment) : There are 69 members of this Lions Club and we struggle to get 18-20 Lions to attend on a regular basis. Perhaps it just my Indiana naivete, but I would think that at least 75% of the members could attend at least ONCE each month. Those who do attend regularly should make a few phone calls and see if we can stimulate attendance.

Program - Lion Bob Smiley introduced the program, Tom Foster President of the Puget Sound Pacific Railroad. Tom's last visit was 4 years ago when the new railroad was just starting. At that time they were hauling 7-8 loads per day from Grays Harbor. Now (after 4 years) they are hauling 40-50 loads per day. Tom explained how the Railroad attracts and takes care of new business. The routes that they serve extend from Hoquiam south to Centralia and north to Bangor. (and all points in between) The new rail extension in West Hoquiam will make the Port of Grays Harbor property (at the old Rayonier site) much more marketable for attracting new business. Tom briefly mentioned something about passenger service, but there is nothing planned in the near future. Very enlightening program and nice to hear about a successful business on the Harbor.

da Pot - Lion Teresa Nichols' name was drawn....but NO Teresa............L

May 29, 2001

At the Bell - King Lion Wes gaveled a fairly well attended meeting to order. (as near to order as the "Northeast Club" allowed)

Announcements - June 2, 2001 - YMCA tour for contributors 9-11 AM. (as our Club was a contributor, all Club members are invited) The "Grand Opening" ceremonies scheduled for 1:00 PM ....June 9, 2001 - 90th Birthday celebration for Lion Helge Erickson at the Hoquiam Methodist Church ..2-5 PM...June 14, 2001 - Installation of officers for the coming year. Cosmopolis Lions Clubhouse...August 1, 2001..Rain Derby ticket sales begin

Program - Our program for today (arranged by Lion Larry Jones) was Tammi Garrow, CEO, Grays Harbor Public Development Authority. Tammi reported on the current status of the Industrial Park at Satsop and told us of the new businesses that are soon to arrive. She reported that there are now 15 tenants in the Park and those tenants employ 300-350 people. On June 13, 2001, there will be a "ground-breaking" ceremony for the newest tenant, Duke Energy. Duke Energy will build a gas-turbine electric generating plant that will take approximately 2 yrs to complete and upon completion should ease the current "energy crunch". When asked about the current financial status of the PDA she said that they are breaking even. ...Very good presentation.

da Pot - Lion Ken Miller's name was drawn (now perhaps he will STOP gripeing....NOT !!!)

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