All shapes and sizes of current and future Rotarians made quick work of things at our McDougall Garden cleanup on Saturday, May 2.

If you did not make it to our last Rotary Club of Forest Grove meeting, here is what you missed…

This Week: We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday at noon as we return to the Boxer Pause Room in the University Center at Pacific University. This week, we will hear from fellow Rotarian and Pacific University President Jenny Coyle, who will give us an update on the university as well as information on the proposed merger with Willamette University. We will also present our annual check to Pacific for our endowed scholarship fund.

Upcoming Meetings: We will be in the Boxer Pause for our Wednesday meetings through May 27. We will meet at the Forest Grove United Church of Christ on Wednesday, June 3.

Vision To Action Workshop – This Saturday: Help us shape the future of the Rotary Club of Forest Grove. Club members are invited to a Vision To Action Workshop, facilitated by District 5100, on Saturday, May 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Boxer Learning Center in Pacific University’s Stoller Center (athletic complex).

The workshop is open to all Rotarians and is an opportunity to come together and shape the future of our club, Everyone’s voice matters, and this process is designed to make sure it is heard.

Through this session, we will:

• Ensure that every member has a voice in the direction of the club
• Define our shared commitment as members
• Build a long-range plan and three-year master plan
• Create a clear framework for setting goals
• Make the most of our club’s time, energy and resources
• Celebrate what makes our club unique
• Develop a meaningful roadmap for the future

If you planning on attending, please fill out the Google Form so that our executive board and the district’s Vision to Action Team can plan for attendance.

Additionally, a link to a form was sent to all club members via email to a questionnaire with questions about the health of our club. Whether you plan to attend or not, please take time to fill out the questionnaire and provide feedback that will help the direction of the visioning day.

Youth Citizens of the Month: Last week, it was our honor to recognize our April Rotary Youth Citizens of the Month from the Forest Grove School District. Our congratulations to Samantha Mata Barragan of Forest Grove High School, Linda Valenzuela-Alvarado of Tuality Plains High School, and Corra Dawkins of Neil Armstrong Middle School. Read more about our latest Youth Citizen of the Month honorees on our website.

Plates For Passports Coming Up On May 29: It’s the same event, but with a new name and more options. Our annual Steak Feed is now known as “Plates For Passports,” reflecting the event’s goal of raising funds for our involvement in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.

The 68th annual Plates For Passports will take place on Friday, May 29, 5 to 8 p.m., at the University Center at Pacific University. It is a great way to inform the community of the great things that Rotary does in our community, as well as the impact that our Youth Exchange program has not only on the participants, but also our community.

In addition to the traditional New York steak and trimmings, we will also offer a veggie burger option for the first time.

Tickets for the 2026 Plates For Passports dinner are $30 each and are now available online. Click Here To Purchase Tickets. Physical tickets to sell to community members have been provided to club members either at meetings or by mail. Each member received eight steak tickets (white) and two veggie burger tickets (green). If members want more physical tickets to sell, please contact Janet Peters.

And be sure to share our social media posts on the event on both Facebook and Instagram to advertise Plates for Passports to your friends.

Club members are invited to participate in the planning for the event. Please contact Geoff Faris or Jeff Duyck for details.

Click Here To View Committee Work Assignments. If you have questions about your shifts on the day of the event, please contact the committee chair.

Habitat Build Scheduled For May 16 “Rotary Epic Day Of Service”: Rotary clubs across District 5100 and the world are joining together for the Rotary Epic Day of Service on Saturday, May 16. For our project, we will be joining forces with West Tuality Habitat for Humanity to work at their Countryman Estates build site, located at 1514 23rd Avenue. No experience with construction is necessary, only a desire to help work alongside others to help provide affordable housing in our area. All tools will be provided.

This event is open to Rotarians and friends. Fill out the Volunteer Sign-Up Online to register to take part in this great service project.

A sign-up sheet for the build day will be distributed at our weekly meetings. For more information, or to sign up without attending a club meeting, contact Amanda Hartmann.

Hygiene Drive For FGSD Family Resource Center: As part of the Rotary Epic Day of Service, our club is planning a drive to collect hygiene items for the Forest Grove School District’s Family Resource Center. These type of items are important for people and families, but are often not often available at local food banks.

We will be looking to collect donations of shampoo and conditioner, body wash, hand and bar soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, dishwashing liquid, hand lotion, shaving cream, razors, baby wipes, laundry detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, new hairbrushes, pads and tampons, deodorants, diapers, and baby rash cream.

Please bring items to our club meetings on May 6 and May 13. We will culminate the drive with a presentation by Family Resource Coordinator Erika Diaz Tofaeono at our meeting on Wednesday, May 13.

For questions, please contact Janet Peters.

Rotary Youth Exchange Applications Open: The Youth Exchange Committee is currently accepting applications for the long-term and short-term exchange programs. The application deadline has been extended, so please let anyone know that you think might be interested in this exciting study abroad opportunity. Application information is available on the club’s Youth Exchange webpage.

We are also looking for host families for the 2026-27 school year. Families host an international exchange student for about 3.5 months, during which they learn first-hand about another culture and often form life-long bonds.

Please contact Sarah Barbour, Youth Exchange Committee chair, at 503-597-9355 or ForestGroveRYE@gmail.com for an application form or to inquire about hosting.

RYLA Applications Open: Do you know a young leader age 19 to 32 who could benefit from a weeklong inspiring leadership experience? Applications are now open for the 2026 District 5100 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), which takes place July 11-17 at the Menucha Retreat & Conference Center in Corbett. For seven powerful days, participants dive into immersive leadership training, relationship-building, and personal growth that has sparked countless Rotary journeys. It’s not just a program—it’s a launch pad.

To learn more about the impact of RYLA, read the recap of our Mar. 11 program presented by Mallory Hiefield, who attended RYLA last year. If someone is interested in applying, please contact Andrea Stewart, astewart@pacificu.edu.

Membership Committee: The club’s Membership Committee meets the second and fourth Tuesday, 4 p.m., in the conference room at the Forest Grove/Cornelius Chamber of Commerce. Its next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12. For more information, or to get involved, please contact Evelyn Orr or Bruce Cummings.

Concours d’Elegance News
Concours Committee Meetings: Club members are invited to take part in the weekly online meeting of the Concours Committee, which takes place each Friday at 9 a.m. (note the change in time and frequency of meetings). The Google Meets link to the online meeting is available for club members in our email newsletter, the Rototeller.

Concours Sponsorships: Sponsorship procurement for the Concours is well underway. If you have leads on potential sponsors, please direct those leads to Amy Tracewell, Janet Peters or Stephanie Magoulas. Learn more about sponsorships, including partnership levels and benefits, On The Concours Website.

Merchandise At Willow & Ash: Are you interested in some Concours merchandise, like a poster, a coffee tumbler or a hat? Willow & Ash is offering some Concours merchandise available year-round! Current selections include Concours posters, hats, coffee tumblers and keychains. Items can be purchased online on the Concours website or purchased at Willow & Ash at 2036A Main Street, Forest Grove. Sorry, no shipping is currently available. Items purchased online will need to be picked up at Willow & Ash.

For More Information: If you have Concours-related questions or are interested in opportunities, please contact Concours Chair Bruce Cummings.

Service Opportunities
Share Your Volunteer Opportunity With The Club: Are you aware of service opportunities in our area that our members might be interested in? We can advertise those here! This space is not limited to club-sponsored activities but to any service opportunity in the community. To promote the service activity, please send a detailed description of the project, the date and time, contact information and a link to register to Rototeller editor Blake Timm, blakertimm@gmail.com.

West Tuality Habitat For Humanity: West Tuality Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers to assist both with construction projects at its Countryman Estates build site on 23rd Avenue and at Habitat’s ReStore. The construction site is open most Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The ReStore is looking for both single volunteers and pairs of volunteers Monday through Saturday.

If you are interested in volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, please visit their online Volunteer Application. You can also visit Habitat’s Website for more details on the opportunities available. If you are already registered as a volunteer with West Tuality Habitat for Humanity, visit their Volunteer Calendar to see what shifts are currently available.

Questions? Please email volunteer@westualityhabitat.org or call 503-359-8459.

Centro Cultural Volunteer Opportunities: Centro Cultural, located in Cornelius, is in need of volunteers for some ongoing projects.

Centro Mercado Volunteer: Centro Cultural’s Mercado is a free food pantry set up like a grocery store, providing the community a welcoming and dignified space to get free, fresh and local food. Volunteers are needed during the Mercado’s open hours, Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m., and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., to help staff and maintain the pantry. The Mercado is located at 1216 E. Baseline St., Cornelius. Visit SignUp Genius To Register & See Available Shifts.

Volunteers for Centro Cultural must sign-up for opportunities through SignUp Genius and must be pre-approved before the event. Walk-up volunteers are no longer allowed by the organization. Information on how to register can be found on those pages or by contacting Evelyn Orr, eorr@centrocultural.org.

Around District 5100
Hosts Needed For Upcoming Short Term Exchange: For the past several years, District 5100 has hosted exchange students from multiple districts who provide their students with a three-and-half week railway tour starting in Los Angeles and ending in Washington D.C.

The students will arrive in Portland on Amtrak on Friday, June 19, and leave Sunday, June 21.    The students must get on the train on Sunday in Portland or Vancouver.

The district is looking for families who can take at least two students for two nights. The makeup of the exchange group is 25 students, 17 females and eight males.

This is an opportunity to meet and spend time with young people that quite often becomes a lifetime relationship with the students returning on their own to visit or the hosting family traveling to visit them in their home countries.

For more information, please contact Terry Mohr with District 5100 Rotary Youth Exchange at 503-319-0369, or tmohryeo@gmail.com.

End Of Year Celebration — June 3: In lieu of a district conference, District Governor Suzanne Holmberg plans to visit each region in the district for an evening to celebrate our clubs over this Rotary year. The End of Year Celebration for the Western Region (clubs in Beaverton, Forest Grove and Hillsboro) will take place the evening of Wednesday, June 3, 5:30 p.m., at Rood Bridge Park in Hillsboro.
The event is a family-friendly picnic-style event. Food will be provided Bring yourselves, your family, and maybe a friend who is interested in Rotary. We will have food, games, a short presentation by District Governor Suzanne Holmberg and some awards. It’s a great opportunity to get to know fellow Rotarians from clubs across our region, which includes Rotarians from Beaverton, Columbia County, Forest Grove and Hillsboro.

A sign-up link was provided to all club members via email. The registration deadline is Thursday, May 28. For questions, please contact Area Governor Blake Timm at 503-320-3915 or blakertimm@gmail.com.

Last Week’s Program: Elle Griego, History Of Ballad Town USA
Last week, we were joined by Elle Griego, a senior at Pacific University majoring in history and French. Griego has spent part of her Pacific career researching and gathering oral histories about two former large-scale events in Forest Grove: The Gay 90s Festival and the All-Northwest Barbershop Ballad Contest.

Griego grew up in a military family, was born in England and lived in many places across the West. Everywhere she has lived, she has been very interested in the local history. Since coming to Pacific, Griego has become involved with Friends of Historic Forest Grove and has worked in the Pacific University Archives.

In her work at FHFG, Griego became aware of the Gay 90s Festival and the Barbershop Ballad Contest through binders of folders and other publications. Since that time, she has done some writing about the history of both events. She has also collected 16 oral histories from people, which can be found on the Washington County Heritage Online website.

Held from the mid 1940s until the early 1990s, Forest Grove’s Gay 90s Festival included a weekend full of activities, including contests, storefront displays, dance revues, a parade and the All-Northwest Barbershop Ballad Contest. The weekend often culminated with a Gay 90s Revue, a show put together by Pacific University professor A.C. “Hap” Hingston.

The barbershop contest was first held in 1947 and was hosted by the Forest Grove Gleemen (the group still exists, but is now known as the Westside Singers). The show was devised in a meeting at Ralph Shumm’s home, who called a group of community leaders together to come up a town activity.

By the 1950s, the Barbershop Ballad Contest had earned Forest Grove the nickname “Ballad Town USA.” The contest and festival drew many out of town visitors. The contest itself was also featured nationally on radio and television. The widespread volunteer effort featured a lot of comical fun, including groups of men staging “robberies” at local businesses and on trains arriving with passengers coming to town.

Contrary to what some people may believe today, the Gay 90s Festival had nothing to do with LGBTQIA+ people. It referred to the early 20th Century meaning of the word “gay,” which was happy, and was a nod to a romanticized view of what life was like during the 1980s in the U.S.

Griego also pointed out that barbershop music, according to her research, was not mainstream in the 1890s. In fact, Barbershop harmony began as an African American song tradition. The style of music was referred to as “barbershop” in reference to a barbershop being a gathering place for men in the early 20th Century. Barbershop music as a style did not reach the height of its popularity until the 1940s and 1950s, the era when Forest Grove’s contest began.

Over time, the enthusiasm for the festival waned and the last Gay 90s Festival took place in the early 1990s when the woman who coordinated the parade moved out of town. The Westside Singers hosted the All-Northwest Barbershop Ballad Contest until 2012, when it was taken over by the Tualatin Valley Harmony Masters. The contest last took place in 2018.

Some physical reminders of Forest Grove’s reputation as Ballad Town USA still remain. The Ballad Town Center is the shopping center that includes Safeway and Dollar Tree. The “world’s tallest barbershop pole” is planted in Lincoln Park adjacent to Pacific University’s athletic field, Hanson Stadium.

Club Calendar
Wed., May 6: Weekly Meeting, Noon
Boxer Pause Room, University Center, Pacific University
Program: Pacific University President Jenny Coyle

Friday, May 8: Concours Steering Committee Meeting, 9 a.m.
Online

Sat., May 9: Club Vision To Action Planning, 9 a.m.
Boxer Learning Center, Stoller Center, Pacific University Forest Grove Campus

Tues., May 12: Membership Committee Meeting, 4 p.m.
Forest Grove/Cornelius Chamber of Commerce, 2417 Pacific Ave.

Wed., May 13: Weekly Meeting, Noon
Boxer Pause Room, University Center, Pacific University
Program: Erika Diaz Tofaeono, Forest Grove School District Family Resource Center

Thurs., May 14: Executive Board Meeting, 7 a.m.
via Zoom

Fri., May 15: Concours Steering Committee Meeting, 9 a.m.
Online

Sat., May 16: Rotary Epic Day of Service – Habitat Build Project, 8 a.m.
Countryman Estates Build Site, 1514 23rd Ave.

Thurs., May 21: Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
Zesti Food Carts, 2131 Yew St., Forest Grove

Thurs., May 21: Monthly Social, 6:30 p.m.
Zesti Food Carts, 2131 Yew St., Forest Grove

Friday, May 29: Plates For Passports (Steak Feed), 5 p.m.
University Center, Pacific University Forest Grove Campus
Website | Order Tickets

Sunday, July 19: Concours d’Elegance
Pacific University Forest Grove Campus
Website | Order Tickets