Sathy Naidu endeavored to enrich us tried to make us rich via raffle tickets, John Kelley greeted us, and the reception desk team of Michael Dunton and Carol Callahan checked us in. Karl Schroeder led the invocation and, Vonna Husby led the pledge, and Julie Scott led the group in song, after Larry Baker belted out a brief but stunning Springsteen rendition of "Born in the USA" in honor of the Tanana Valley Fair theme. Joining us were Fairbanks Rotarians Randi Carnahan, Emily Drygas and Mary Rutherford.
 
ROTUNDRA for August 2 THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM: "Rotaract Update" presented by Rotaract President Alicia Childs. Come hear how these young professionals are channeling their energy into great projects! SEEN AND HEARD AT LAST WEEK'S MEETING: Sathy Naidu endeavored to enrich us via raffle tickets, John Kelley greeted us, and the reception desk team of Michael Dunton and Carol Callahan checked us in. Karl Schroeder led the invocation and Vonna Husby led the pledge. Julie Scott led the group in song, after Larry Baker belted out a brief but stunning Springsteen rendition of "Born in the USA" in honor of the Tanana Valley Fair theme. Joining us were Fairbanks Rotarians Randi Carnahan, Emily Drygas and Mary Rutherford. Vera Alexander introduced her guest, pianist Anita Swearingen, and Larry Baker introduced his guest, Fairbanks Police Sgt. Jeremy Lindhag. Jeremy is raising funds for the Alaska State Trooper Adventure Relay. This 500-mile relay (which includes running, kayaking, rafting and a railroad handcar) will raise money for the Wish upon the North Star program for terminally ill Alaskan youth. (Go to www.alaskastar.org to contribute.) Other guests were two outbound Rotary exchange students. In the weeks ahead, Robin Lockwood will be going to a village of a thousand people in Germany, and Sidney Chaves will be going to a city of twelve million people in Brazil! We'll look forward to their e-mail updates. President Kerynn Fisher noted that the Board is pursuing having a bench or tree at the botanical garden dedicated to the memory of Nancy Johnson. Members signed a card that will be sent to Nancy's family. Ron Bergh thanked Carol Callahan for 17 years of Rotary service, and provided a handy reminder to Michael Dutton of his wife's upcoming birthday. Cheryl Keepers is happy that blueberry season is here. Kerynn noted that hosts have been found for the Swedish Friendship exchange visitors August 17-19. She encouraged all to help with (or participate in) the Senior Games 5k on August 18, and start collecting make-ups for the new Rotary year now. (If you time it right, you can join the Swedish Rotarians at a potluck at Barb Hompesch's later that night.) Kerynn reminded the Red Team that they will be on duty for August. We're invited to participate in the Rotary Golf Tournament on August 5th. The Golden Heart club (13 members strong!) has taken over organizing this event and they need your sponsorship and your golfing sportsmanship. There are LOTS of prizes for golfers, and you'll also be benefiting Rotary by participating: proceeds will be parlayed into a Rotary matching grant. Call Valerie at 388-0272 or e-mail vmtherrien@gmail.com General Manager Randi Carnahan presented a program on new and reprised events at the Tanana Valley Fair this year. The Fair continues to reinvent itself as it prepares for its 80th birthday next year. The future looks bright. Happily, last year the fair made enough money to pay its expenses (for the first time in several years) and now Randi is building reserves to prepare for a rainy day (or a string of rainy days during a future fair!). The management of various fairs in Alaska meets each year and work together in a spirit of cooperation that has not always been present. (Previously, fairs used to vie for the title of "Alaska State Fair." Now they've decided that the state is big enough for Fairbanks, Southeast, and Palmer to each call themselves "Alaska State Fair!") This year, the winner of "Fairbanks has Talent" will proceed to the championship round at the Palmer fair, along with contestants from other fairs. "Dancing with the Stars" is back this year, along with a Mattress Ranch dance competition to benefit Cystic Fibrosis. Also returning this year (with a political twist) is the Celebrity Showmanship event which pairs the animals of savvy 4-Hers with a political candidate who will be quizzed about the animal. Mum's the word as to who will get assigned the turkey and who gets the pig. The opening night of the fair August 6 will feature a candidate's forum at 6pm. Calypso Farms is overseeing a sheep-to-shawl event, where wool will be sheared, spun and knit into a garment during the nine-day fair. The Bake-Off is returning to its prominence of years past, with a new stove as the grand prize, and an exhibition kitchen in the works. Speaking of food, what's new to eat? Flaming baked Alaska, which will be flameless by the time it reaches the customer. There's also a spiral potato chip on a stick. Hundreds of entries are expected in divisions such as Education Showcase and Vegetables (with our own Cynthia Steiner as co-superintendent with Michelle Hebert). There are staggered entry days depending on what is being entered; www.tananavalleyfair.org has details. Larry Baker expressed interest in judging baked goods, and Randi reminded him that "you have to take the good with the bad!" There will be a newspaper insert this Sunday, August 1 with more information about the fair. Randi drew Mike Dutton's name to win both a season pass and the $34 50/50 proceeds, and Sathy Naidu also won a season pass. (Here is firsthand evidence that helping with College Rotary meetings brings good luck during door prize drawings!) COLLEGE ROTARY CALENDAR: 8/2 College Rotary Meeting: Rotaract President Alicia Childs--Rotaract update 8/9 College Rotary Meeting: Jim Sampson--Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center 8/16 College Rotary Meeting: Program TBA (Board meets after the meeting) 8/18 Senior Games 5k volunteering, with Swedish Friendship Exchange potluck at Barb Hompesch's home 8/23 College Rotary Meeting: Montean Jackson--School District services for at-risk youth 8/30 TBA 9/6 Happy Labor Day holiday 9/13 TBA 9/20 Rotary District Governor Jane Little, Board meets after the meeting 9/27 TBA