Rotary’s summer fun-draising

SANDPOINT – Sandpoint Rotary welcomed three new members, and inducted a new president at Wednesday’s meeting.

“We’re blessed to be a part of this community in Sandpoint,” Tyler Ishak, one of the incoming members, said.

Ishak was inducted to the Rotary along with Jason Bird and Taylor Haas, all of whom work at Mike White Ford in Sandpoint.

Guest speaker Mike White, who owns the Ford dealerships in Ponderay and Coeur d’Alene talked to Rotary members about how the financial market crashes effected the automotive industry over the previous decade. He described how the early months of the 2008 financial crisis hurt their ability to make sales, and that a similar squeeze was experienced during March and April of 2020 with the economic impacts of the pandemic. But afterwards, business started to return to a sense of normalcy. White believes the bounce back happened because

“Vehicles are the main symbol of freedom and autonomy in this country,” he said. “The fear people felt got them to buy cars in droves.” White mentioned that sales have become what he considers “better than normal.”

In addition to inducting new members — there are now 106 members in the Sandpoint club, the Rotary also welcomed a new president.

David Keyes took the microphone from outgoing president Ken Wood, who walked away from the stage smiling. While receiving pats on the back from fellow Rotarians, he joked “zero more years” under the applause.

New president David Keyes began his tenure by recapping the Rotary’s goals for the upcoming year.

The Rotary already exceeded its $6,000 fundraising goal for the Village Green Book Trust, an organization that gives books to the school district’s kindergarten classes. One Rotary member described it as a “freeing” feeling for children to receive the gift of reading.

An upcoming event, organized by Rotary member Ashley Holden, is the Stand Up Comedy Show. Scheduled for August 4, the event put on by Idaho Pain Clinic will benefit Kinderhaven, a local organization founded in 1996 that has provided shelter for children who need it. Featuring K-Von Comedy, more information about the event can be found on Idaho Pain Clinic’s Facebook page.

Also in August is the Rotary’s annual Golf Scramble. The scramble will be at the Idaho Club on August 30, followed by dinner and a silent auction.

There are 18 four-player team slots available. The $125 donation per player includes green and range fees, a golf cart, and dinner.

For those who are not golf savvy, admission for just the dinner and silent auction portion of the evening is $40.

Sandpoint Rotary meets every Wednesday at noon in the Sandpoint Financial Center, Third and Church. Those interested in the Rotary or becoming a member are welcome to attend.