Petra welcomed us all to the grand event. She was excited and filled with enthusiasm. She greeted Dave Farmer as he entered the room late. Joe lead the prayer and pledge. Bill Mauer was mentioned in the prayer as he has begun chemo.
 

We introduced our guests for the day and again there was a slew of them. Pam Taylor of the evening club was there. She was joined by Dave and Katherine Eppich of Fort Lewis. Dr. Burt Coleman, an orthodontist, was there as was Lee Williamson of Durango Police Department and Janet Briggs from the Sports Club. The guest of the day was Jenny, the daughter of Dick and Jane Pearson. She has graduated from CSU and is soon onto a job in Denver.
 

J.R. found another way to praise the members of the club and club some members. He read the list of members who had 100 percent attendance. There were more than one third of the club who did this last quarter. He then fined all those who did not attain this lauded goal. A fine was levied on a State Trooper who was caught processing coffee on the side of the road on Red Mountain.
 

William Clark presented the sign up sheets for "Swing Your Sweety." He wanted everyone to state yes, no or maybe as to attendance. He then searched for volunteers. He needed someone to do tables, chairs and china...Chessa Gill. Someone to do the liquor license....Don Freemyer. Someone to buy the stuff...Nancy Hammond. Someone to do the tickets..Kevin Bruce.
 

Joe Williams informed the club that the trip to Mexico is off until April. There are too many loose ends to get fixed between now and February. He is on his way to Salida to learn more about what is happening on a District Basis with our project. Petra stated that our grant was given the number 1384 out of 3000 grants requested from National. The grant is for $25,000 to help with a Dental Van. Jan Williams stated that she had been in touch with Alex Wittington in regards to Rotoplast. They are planning four trips this year to South America to do soft tissue palate repair. They are in need of medical supplies and Steve Redding is working on developing a method to fulfill this need. Petra mentioned the Snowdown parade float committee will be getting underway. Margaret Landrum is looking for prizes for the San Juan Science Fair. She has a sign up sheet. Chessa Gill is looking for help with the Scholarship committee. Get involved.
 

ATTA BOY GIVEN: Mike McGuire gave a thank you and paid a fine to compliment Ward Holmes and Four Corners Broadcasting for all the announcements on Safety Seats for kids, Drunks on the Road, and other buckle up announcements.
 

Dave Farmer was the person selected for J. R. live. Dave has been in Hawaii where he does sit on a board. He deals with the exporting of Queen Bees to all parts of the country. He also has begun to raise coffee on his land. The sales of vegetables, and now coffee, help to pay for his trips to the Big Island. He is knowledgeable about bees, vegetables, coffee, sports medicine and a thousand other sundry things.
 

Dave Eppich was introduced to talk about our Regional Telecommunications and Economic Development Needs. The front range of Colorado has exploded into Telecommunications. US West has the need of 800 persons to fill their information technology jobs. There are 7000 unfilled jobs on the Eastern Slope. What is obvious is that any industry wishing to keep up with the times will need to become more dependent on Telecommunications. Big cities will be first, and ten years later the systems will become available in La Plata County. We will lag behind because we do not have the population numbers. If you are interested in this subject, give Dave a call at Fort Lewis. Thanks Dave.

ONE FINAL NOTE: "It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something." F.D. Roosevelt and Bear.