We began this fine day with a cheer. It was the first Thursday of the year and we were back in the fellowship of good Rotarian friends. Petra stated she had but six months to go and it was all down hill from here. Jim Hugins offered our prayer and pledge.
 

With this we met our guests: Spencer Priece, Bif Wiecker, Emile Nagy, Dick Gibbs, Burt Coleman, Gary Ware, Joy Matthis, Gwen Ivy and Margaret Gray. Welcome, Welcome.
 

J.R. has become inventive in his fines, or sneaky. Beware the man with the winning smile. He fined all those who had gotten their names in the paper, whether an ad or some story. He asked the group to be honest in this endeavor. They were asked to pay a buck. The sneaky part was he then fined those who had not been in the paper two bucks. Oh, the shame of it all.
 

Fred Klatt then informed the club about his health status. He has discovered that a condition exists called Post Polio Syndrome. This condition replicates the effects of Polio on arms and legs much as it did at the original onset of the disease. Fred stated that he becomes exhausted about 12:30 each day and he must seek bed rest at those times. He feels extremely frustrated, as you cannot do anything about the condition. One just has to accept it as it is. He, being a person always looking to solve problems, or overcome such things, finds it hard to accept. The good news he had was that Ricky got married on December 26 and Greg Lyman did the honors.
 

Petra then had ten thousand announcements. These are as follows:

Volunteer for the Decorating committee for the Float in the Snowdown Parade. Call Petra.

Dave James has a truck and a place to do the work. Sounds like fun, call Petra.

Valentines Day Dance--Swing your Sweety-- will be on February 13 and we are all invited. The location is the Railroad Museum and Roundhouse. The cost is 100 bucks per couple. There will be a cash bar, hors d'oeuvres, and soft drinks. Jeff Sorens' band will be playing and we will be doing a lot of Swing. William Clark needs volunteers to do the accounting, the bar, set up and all kinds of stuff. Volunteer, call William.

Heidi Schmitt, a Rotary Scholar from our district to England will be the speaker at next Tuesday's evening club meeting. She will give the scoop on life at Oxford and maybe rumors about Bill. If you wish to hear this program, please call Petra.

April 29 is the Mexican Food Feast. A person gifted in accounting is needed to orchestrate the event. If interested in this, call William Clark.

The Bell Ringers this year raised 46,000 dollars. Thanks to all who stood to do the work.

Chessa Gill has scheduled a meeting of the Scholarship Committee for Tuesday the 12th at 5:30 at the Steamworks.
 

We met Bob Volger, resplendent in Durango Formal Wear. He has been a dentist for more than 20 years and has been in Durango about 23 years. He and his wife Laura have three children. The oldest daughter is graduating from CSU and will marry in the fall. The next oldest daughter will graduate this year and his son just entered High School. He has been President, Secretary and Treasurer of the club. He is a Paul Harris fellow.
 

Butch Knowlton was the speaker this day. The story was the Search and Rescue work he does for the county. They responded to 58 calls last year where the average Western Slope County responds to about 20. The folks who need assistance are hikers, bikers, rafters and hunters. Butch feels that folks going in the back country are not prepared for what may happen. He feels that the cell phone has saved lives but it does cause confusion. Seems that at ten thousand feet your call to 911 may end up in New Mexico or Utah. Also Butch feels that the G.P.S. will help, but only if people know how to use it. There was a hunting party of four lost on Missionary Ridge. Three of the hunters had a G.P.S. but did not know how to use it. Butch feels that all those going in the back country should have a hiker certificate, a hunting license or fishing license as insurance in case of a rescue. These items help create a state fund that allows the costs of a rescue to be covered. Also, Butch feels that people should be prepared for the circumstances that may occur out in that wilderness. Thanks Butch.
 

ONE FINAL NOTE: "The outward behavior of a man is at once the sign and proof of the inner state." Gandhi

Bear