Happy New Year

WOW, we had a full house today. King Lion Roger noted that our singing is always better when we have more people. (If he thinks our singing was good, his "tin-ear" needs a tuneup.) Today's meeting was indeed special, not only did we honor our Students of the Month, we awarded the winners of our 63rd Annual Rain Derby their prizes. Having a full schedule today, we proceeded with the business at hand.

Upon completion of the Student awards, Taylor and Brock gave us a demonstration of the proper Soccer kick. (this maneuver will come in handy for inspiring some Lions to participate in our various projects.) Also, HHS principal Jamie Huizinga announced a new "Flex Program" that has been incorporated at the School. (The details of this program will be reported in a later newsletter)

Now to the next important part of the program for today - the awarding of the 2011 Rain Derby prize money.....

Only four (4) people won prizes this year as the Grand Prize winner also had a ticket with a prediction that was within the top 5 predictions so he collected an extra $200. One of the runners-up - Mark Van Warmer - was not in attendance today, so we will have to send him $200 prize.

The Grand Prize was paid off in 1200 gold dollars. (including extra $200 runner-up $)

The Grand Prize (including the extra $200)

Grand Prize Winner Bill Martin and his wife Jan

Norene Johnson

Tracy Woods

With today's presentation, the Hoquiam Lions Club 63rd Rain Derby has been concluded. Thanks to all of the Lions members who gave it their all with their selling effort and the many supporters who bought the tickets, we had another successful year.

Mark Maxfield's name was drawn for the pot, however Mark was not present. (Huge carry-over pot for next meeting)

After the opening ceremonies, and having no guests, we proceeded to old business and announcements.

Announcements: Reminder of our annual Crab Feed to be held on March 2 at the Cosmopolis Lions Club site. Start time is around 5:00 PM. The price has yet to be determined as we have no idea regarding crab prices. ( it will be a reasonable price ).......Also announced: HHS Science Fair starts Thursday at the HHS Library. Several teachers will judge the projects and pick the winner. We, the Hoquiam Lions Club, will award a $1000 scholarship to the winner.

Program: Mike Parker, Supt of School District #28, and Paul McMillan, retired Teacher and Hoquiam City Councilman, spoke of the upcoming School levy. They explained - very thoroughly - the need to renew the M&O levy (that is expiring) and how the money will be used. After explaining the financial accounting, they stressed again that this levy is not new, but rather a replacement of the 2 year levy that is expiring.

Under the guidance of our 1st VP Jerry McFeely, the meeting was opened to a rather small. but lively, gathering of Lions. The only business we had was an application for assistance with eye glasses. The sight chairman reported that the request was worthy and acting as a committee of the whole, the members approved the application. Having no further business, we proceeded to our speaker of the day.

Lion Paul Dean introduced Susan Watts, Owner & President of the Wishkah River distillery. She prefaced her program by reminding us that, in 2008, the State

of Washington made small craft distilleries legal. Susan, having a degree in Chemistry, was intrigued with the idea of blending certain compounds to manufacture a product. (Must run in the family as Susan's husband Sid is the plant manager for Imperium Renewables Grays Harbor bio-diesel plant)

Her Company was licensed September 2010 and started up in 2011. There is a requirement that at least 50% of raw materials used in manufacturing (distilling) are grown in the State of Washington. Wishkah River Distillery exceeds this percentage. At the present time, she employs only one part-time employee and looks forward to such a time as more employees will be needed.

She gave us a very complete overview of her operation and mechanics of distilling the products. Susan brought three samples of her products with her - two blends of Vodka and one "jug" of Whiskey. As they were being passed around, she was inundated with requests to open them for a taste test. She responded by informing the provocateurs that the Distillery has regularly scheduled tasting hours.

Kudos to Susan for a new business start-up and for a very, very good program today.

Note: An excerpt from the Companies website - www.wishkahriver.com : "Wishkah River Distillery is a craft distillery of ultra-premium and small batch spirits that include Washington State themed, high quality, pot distilled Vodkas (neutral and flavored), gin, spirit of honey, whiskey, brandy, and liqueurs."

Surprise, surprise, I know the winner of the pot - Bill Foster. Surprise, surprise, Bill was not in attendance.

Fairly good turnout today and all present were more sedate than normal. (I sure hope that our reserve demeanor doesn't signal that we, collectively, are getting old?) We had three visitors from the Olympia West Lions Club: Lions Terry Johnson, Garth Holmes, and George Horn. They conveyed best wished from their Club and invited us to visit them. Lion Garth Holmes has authored two books and he offered copies for sale. The proceeds from which went to their Club for various projects. (We cut him a little slack and didn't fine him)

Lion Jack Strom announced that there are six outstanding Rain Drizzle ads to be collected and then he can give us a final report on the Rain Derby's financial success for this year......Once again Lion Larry Jones reminded us of the Crab Feed and asked that he be contacted toward the end of February to ascertain what type pot luck side dishes are necessary....This being the end of all Club business and announcements, we proceeded to the program for today.

Tim Gibbs, Executive Director of Greater Grays Harbor, Inc was introduced. Tim explained that the new corporation, Greater Grays Harbor, Inc., was born from combining Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce and the Grays Harbor Economic Development Council. As both individual entities were so closely performing many of the same services, it made perfect financial sense to combine them. He is certain this new corporate entity will serve the Twins Harbors area quite well.

He recapped what new businesses have started up in the Twin Harbors area and other new businesses that are "in the talking stages". He praised the Port of Grays Harbor for their promotion of Port facilities. Tim's presentation was timely and informative.