WWURA NEWS
Welcoming retired WWU Faculty and Staff and others
July 2021
President’s Notes
WWURA Reopening Special: Two days ago the WWURA Board held our first face-to-face meeting in over 16 months…and it was great as we sat in a circle on my back patio. ZOOM works but we are a “human focused” organization and that means in-the-flesh. We are planning our first event…what I’m calling the WWURA GALA (which you may remember as the Annual Meeting/Picnic) on August 24, 11AM-2 PM outside at the Fairhaven Park Picnic Shelter. Please mark your calendar as we’ll be connecting with other members…perhaps meeting some new faces, sharing food, and seeking input for our fall activities.
One particular topic we’ll be seeking input on is the Informal Dining program which I just found out started as a formal Gourmet Dinner. We’ve had lots of suggestions about different timing, concerns about in door dining, formats, etc. I love this activity which allows for spirited conversation and great food with interesting people.
I look forward to your thoughts at the GALA. I’ll see you there…
Kevin
(360) 733-8145
For Your Calendar
GALA PICNIC
Tuesday, August 24th
11AM-2PM
Fairhaven Park Picnic Shelter
Chicken and Ice Cream provided.
$5 (bring a pot luck dish) or $10 (no dish)
Bring prospective new members!
Board Planning Retreat
August 5th, 10am -12pm at Kevin Majut's
Travelogue
And MORE
As WWURA resumes in person gatherings we hope to again use the meeting facilities at the
Squalicum Yacht Club [SYC] on the Squalicum Harbour waterfront.
Directions
- From Roeder Ave, turn South on Coho Way [Between City Mac and Lummi Fishery Suppy]
- Go about 500 feet and turn right. Follow the street about 100 feet and turn left before the fence
- About 300 feet ahead, you should now be facing the front door of a single story white building on the waterfront
That is the SYC. Lots of parking spaces
Interest Groups
BOOK GROUP
We will meet July 20th at 2:00 pm on Zoom to discuss Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, discussion leader-Barb Evans. Lina will send a link.
- August’s book is The Poison Squad by Deborah Blum, discussion leader-Barbara Davidson.
- September’s book is White Too Long by Robert Jones, discussion leader-Mary Jo Lewis.
Donna Moore
360-733-5769
INFORMAL DINING
OPERA GROUP
Seattle Opera starting in October—La Boheme, January—Orpheus at Eurydice (sold out), March— Blue, and May— Marriage of Figaro.
Vancouver Opera (from July 9 to August 20) free series of lively and whimsical opera performances featuring mezzo-soprano Melanie Kruger and soprano Elena Rezlog, ballet dancer Stanislav Galimkhanov and pianist Irina Konstantinova.
Metropolitan Opera: Opera on CBC Radio every Saturday at 1 pm with Ben Heppner.
Radio broadcasting of operas: the following stations offer opera each Saturday: CBC Radio 2 at 105.7 (starts at 1 pm with Ben Heppner).
King FM (98.1) at 10:00 am (try computer if your radio/stereo does not connect).
Note: Metropolitan Opera 2020-2021 season is cancelled.
Evelyn Ames
360-734-3184
WRITER'S GROUPS
The first writer’s group of six (five at present) has an opening for one writer. We have decided to keep our group all female. We meet on second and fourth Thursdays from 2p.m till about 4 p.m. If you would like to be part of a supportive group where your writing can be heard and receive feedback, as you wish, at every meeting, we welcome hearing from you.
Contact
360 -738-8900.
A second writing group has started and is accepting new members. Unlimited gender. Usually meets twice a month, but recently has had one meeting every three weeks.
Interested?
Contact Bill Smith
billsmith1545@yahoo.com
360-920-5390
COOKING FOR ONE (OR TWO)
This month’s recipe has its beginnings in some very devoted TV binge watching. My son and I had become fans of Midnight Diner, a three-season, half-hour Netflix series imported from Japan. After recommending it to my friend Makiko, I wondered when I would see her again. Like Matt and me, she fell in love with the show; however, she immediately settled down to some serious binge watching, not coming up for air until she had seen all 30 episodes.
One unique aspect of Midnight Diner is each episode’s closing scene in which 2 or 3 minutes demonstrate how to prepare whatever the diner’s customers have been eating during the past half hour. Season 3, episode 5 includes a popular Japanese summer salad that Makiko remembered well from her childhood spent in Tokyo. A bit of reminiscing eventually led her to Haggen where she easily found the necessary ingredients for making it. As a result, her version of glass noodle salad has played an important part in this summer’s hot weather suppers.
- Suzanne Krogh
Makiko's Glass Noodle Salad For One
1/3 package Dynasty brand Saifun bean threads (see Haggen’s Asian section)
¼ cup carrots, sliced julienne style
¼ cup cucumber, sliced julienne style
¼ cup thinly sliced ham (or substitute cooked shrimp or crab)
For the dressing, mix:
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
¼ teaspoon sugar
½ tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
- Place 1/3 package of bean threads in a pot of boiling water. Turn off water and soak bean threads for 20 minutes. Drain, cool, and cut threads in thirds or fourths.
- Mix carrots, cucumber, and ham with drained and cooled bean threads.
- Mix dressing ingredients. Just before serving, mix the dressing with everything else.
Tips
- This recipe can be made more complex by sprinkling sesame seeds on top or by adding edamame or seaweed.
- If you subscribe to Netflix, give Midnight Diner a try, if you haven’t yet. We like that it’s only a half hour long and find the characters wonderfully entertaining. And how many TV shows do you know that conclude with a “cooking class”?!
About Western Washington University Retirement Association
Email: mal.iaap@clearwire.net
Website: https://www.wwu.edu/wwura/
Phone: (360) 733-6052