Jan., 2010 As far as we know, Bristol, Connecticut is known for two notable events, the hometown of ESPN and the birthplace of one of our best known members, Brian Lavoie. When ESPN was created, we can't say. But, on November 30, 1973 our own Brian Lavoie, owner of Hermiston's Roy & Venita's Restaurant and caterer of our club's weekly meeting lunches, was born. Brian says "that makes me 36, although it is quite obvious to most people who know me that rarely do I act my age". "I'm in no hurry to grow old." Brian has lived in various regions of the country, but has been in Hermiston for the past 13 years. He and June have been married 7-1/2 years, their anniversary coming up on July 20. Brian says he met June while working for her parents 12 years ago. June and Brian are raising a daughter, Nicole (17), and sons Dustin (15), and Devin (12). It's no secret that Brian's life, skills, special interests, work, and family are consumed by his culinary skills. He and his wife, June, have owned and operated Roy & Venita's Restaurant for more than 7 years. "God has given us a purpose and passion for service through food, my motivation coming from my tumultuous childhood and often going hungry as a child", says Brian. Brian says "my hobbies include anything culinary, especially eating". He enjoys sports and generally anything competitive. Brian will be pursuing an Associates of Applied Sciences Degree in Culinary Arts this year in Walla Walla. He is a graduate of Leadership Hermiston (Class IX), Rapport International's Leadership Breakthrough program in Las Vegas, and has been involved in various groups such as Chamber Ambassadors and Tumbleweed Toastmasters. "I am generally self-educated", says Brian. "I believe through hard work, diligence, and determination we can accomplish anything we want and should not use our past as an excuse not to succeed". "We are not judged by how we start in life, but by how we finish." "I intend to finish strong." Brian says "I joined Rotary about two years ago while briefly working with the Hermiston Chamber Of Commerce". "I wanted to join a service group and found Rotary to be the most involved ,diverse, and influential in our community and abroad". "We became the regular caterer shortly after I joined", says Brian. "I am proud to be a Rotarian and have enjoyed tremendously my experiences with the group" My family and I are members of Living Faith Church in Hermiston." "Fellow Rotarian Pastor Dean Hackett has been my greatest spiritual influence."

Photo: James R. Brantley ABOUT THE CAKE “I developed this Pecan Butterscotch Cake in honor of the Phillips’s 90th Anniversary because I wanted to create something that represents one of the many ‘truths’ that exist in both art and food. Like many great artists, my work in the kitchen requires talent, skill, and precision…but we’re all still a bit nutty.” --Chris Kujala ABOUT THE CHEF Chef Kujala brings over 20 years of experience to his current role as executive pastry chef for Stir Food Group. He manages all pastry and artisan bread productions for Zola, Zola Wine and Kitchen, Spy City Cafe, and Potenza. He takes pride in selecting the finest fresh ingredients and considers the art of simplicity in making the most exquisite items. He is the 2005 winner of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s “Pastry Chef of the Year” Rammy Award. Chef Kujala received his Associate of Arts degree in restaurant and culinary skills from Baltimore International Culinary College and has a Certificate of Achievement in European culinary arts from a six week training program in Dublin, Ireland.