Snowball

(12-28-06 Meeting)

Opening

Ward Holmes beckoned us for the pledge and noted that we were having an “intimate” meeting of Rotary since there were only about 40, give or take, High Nooners present.

Jan Measles inspired us with thoughts on New Year’s resolutions and how oftentimes we turn roses into weeds when we don’t follow through.

Guests

Guest (s) Sponsor/Host

J. B. Holmes (2006-2007 Rotary Exchange to Brazil) Dad Ward Holmes

*Hal Green (A 1980s and 1990s High Noon Member Ward Holmes Hal also held Ward’s job prior to Ward’s

Arrival and motivated Ward to get involved

In community or risk Hal’s return)

* Hal was also instrumental in assisting in recruiting the first woman into the HNR club in 1988. The club has been so much better for it since then.

Visiting Rotarians – Ralph Martin, formerly a High Noon member and now serving honorably in the Mililani Club on Oahu as the president-elect.

New Member Inductions -

None

Announcements

Ward Holmes announced the HNR New Year’s Party at the Diamond Circle with entertainment provided by Tim Sullivan for $25 per person. All proceeds will be donated to the High Noon Rotary Club. Ward also mentioned that the Red Ball Express meetings will start up again next week.

Sgt. of Arms

Mark Prouty ably filled in for Chandler Jackson; however, there were lean pickings since only 40% of the club was there. Notwithstanding absences, birthday fines were levied on Brad Bartel and Dan Morgenstern. If those fines are paid, HNR’s coffers will swell by $126, you do the math. Mark showed no mercy for four absent anniversary celebrators: Dick and Jane Pearson (34 years), Jim and Carla Mulkey (31 years), Ellen and Rick Roberts (21 years) and Bill and Kathryn Cartwright (7 years).

Program

The Mikes Two, Mike McGuire (I) and Mike Sandberg, (II) presented the program. Mike I, talked about his recruitment by Charlie Albert to make a trip to Mexico to assist in distributing 276 wheelchairs to impoverished folks in Mexico who would otherwise be immobile. This experience was life changing for Mike I and he has since been committed to doing good works in Mexico even helping other clubs’ projects such as the Alamosa Rotary Club and a Mexican Club on their projects. Mike then described the efforts in helping 300 orphans at an orphanage in Mexico started by one Father Clifford Norman in the 1970s. Mike I presented a video of various activities at the orphanage. One only had to see the expressions on the faces of the children in the video to know that good work is being done in the name of Rotary to make life better for what would be throw-away children. Mike II us gave some background on some gold coins that he came into possession of that are from a $400,000,000 treasure that went down with a ship in 1622. Mike I has decided that since the coins came from the sweat of slave labor employed by the Conquistadors, the value of the coins should be returned to the 21^st century descendants of those slaves from the 17^th century. Accordingly, the coins are being donated by Mike II for a Snow Down auction, proceeds to go to a non-profit in Texas that supports the orphanage. The Mikes Two are demonstrating for the rest of us the good works of Rotary in action. Warm fuzzies for both of them!! Great program!!

Closing

Chief jokester, Bud, gave us a depiction of how retirees spend their time in helping city government generate parking ticket revenue.

Past President, Dave Farmer, reminded us all that religious affiliation plays no role in Rotary’s mission. Dave’s purpose was also to inform young J.B. Holmes that he should remember this tenet while in Brazil.

Ward was able to close the meeting a little early today.

See you next year.