In its first in-person event in more than a year, Fidalgo Island Rotary met on the balcony of the Anacortes Yacht Club Tuesday night to honor the 2020-21 board of directors and install the board for the 2021-22 Rotary year. Incoming president Daniel Conrardy was sworn in to lead Fidalgo Island Rotary for the coming year, along with a new board (pictured above.) 

 

 

Members donned their favorite Hawaiian shirts and flowered leis to wave "Aloha!" to the new year for the Hawaiian-themed event. The ever wonderful Val Tibbetts emceed the event, keeping the shinanigans running on time. She managed to keep nearly everyone in line, except Richard Curtis and Dave Sem, who somehow snagged a few moments on the mic to lovingly roast the club's outgoing president, Rosemary Kaholokula. However, other than a few well-aimed jokes about Rosemary's last name and her cats (who made frequent appearances on the club's Zoom meetings), it's hard to find too much reasons to criticize Rosemary, as she gracefully lead the club through an entire year executed completely online due to the pandemic. 

 

 

Awards were also presented during the event. Rosemary presented Richard Curtis with the club's Rotarian of the Year award (above) for his hard work finding speakers and maintaining incredible programs during the pandemic and online.
Foundation chair Jan Vigre presented Paul Harris honors to many first-time recipients, including Jackie Boss, Sarah Davies, Greg Dixon, Kurt Nelson,  Mary Willner and Vickie Winters. Additional members received their next-level Paul Harris honors: Phil Case, Anna Connelly, Linda Dobbs, Pam Estvold, William French, Walter Guterbock, Brianna Hackler, Jeannette Pappadakis, Dave Sem, Lynnette Setmire, Larry Thomas, Cliff Merkel and, of course, Rosemary Kaholokula. 

Two members were also presented with District 5050 awards. Pam Estvold was recognized with the Avenues of Service award for Community Service for her work to continue safe, hands-on service projects for members during her year as community service chair. Peter Martin was honored with the Avenues of Service award for International Service for his work in Honduras during the pandemic, including continuing the International Project Alliance's work, and providing supplies and assistance after a devastating hurricane season.  

Cheers to all who attended the event, and many thanks to the Family of Rotary committee for putting on such a fun shindig! We look forward to being able to meet in person soon in the coming weeks, and wish the 2021-22 FIR board good luck as they embark on what will hopefully be a more normal Rotary year!