HIGH NOON ROTARY—
February 4, 1999—
Petra opened the meeting with a smile and an enthusiasm that has not been seen since last week. Her words were "How about them Broncos." She asked Carl to lead in prayer but he left the room. Mike McGuire then returned "Thanks." Petra informed the club about Bill and his health problems. We all signed a card. Guests were introduced to the club. We had Denise Ariens Gautell , David Brooks, Jill Bruce, and Margaret Gray. Mike Matheson then raised a point of order about our recent float and an offensive sign. The club was not setting an example that it should and in fact the sign bordered on the obscene. The other complaint was that it sent a wrong example to the children who watched the parade and then fined the club for this message. Fifty Bucks was the call. Brian Meyers was then fined for the press coverage and it was doubled as he was not present last week. Brian did say we gave away some 3,000 Frisbees during the event. Petra thanked all who built, walked, rode or tore down the float. It was said that some of us do not have enough fun anymore. If you want fun, build a float, walk in the parade or, better yet, help decorate for the Swing Your Sweetie Dance. Jim Jennings is arranging for lessons for the coming dance. Tuesday the ninth from 5:30 to 7:00 eight couples can learn to swing. This will be at the Durango Arts Center. Twenty-five couples from the club will be attending the function. There are lots of tickets out so we need to get these sold. A few bartenders are needed and a few decorators are needed, so get involved. Call Robin (bartender s), Susan Sanders (deco rating). Joe Williams then stated that the District Governor will match our $3,750 and $10,000 grants for our efforts in Mexico. Congratulations Club.
THE MEETING ON THE 18th WILL BE AT THE CHILDRENS MUSEUM. THIS WILL BE A LUNCH ON YOUR OWN EVENT. Fireside Chat from the days of Roosevelt will happen on the of February at the Sanders home. Dinner will be served for the Red Badges and those invited to attend. Interact Fund Raiser the night of February from 5 to 7 at the High—School. Tickets are on sale at the door. We inducted three new members this day. They are Jill Bruce, Margaret Gray and Mark Prouty. Margaret—is a Texas gal who has abandoned her adult children to Texas. There are three: one son is ú a student working the other a scholar at North Texas, and the daughter is a mom expecting a child. Margaret is into Fly Fishing and has learned the art of Zen Fishing. She brought her husband with her and he is a computer whiz. Jill Bruce was our next inductee. Seems this young woman works three part time jobs to support her husband Kevin. Her husband has gotten her into driving race cars. She has been in Durango for five years and, in truth, she works all those jobs to allow her daughter to stay in college. Kevin and Jill met on a blind date and were married about a year ago. The final inductee is Mark Prouty who manages SOS temporary services. He comes from Craig, Colorado where he was a Rotarian. He brought his Badge with him void the Durango Red Badge His wife is teaching in Grand Junction and looking for work here. They—have three kids. One, a twenty-one year old, a fourteen year old, and a Freshman in College. Mark is staying with his mother in law while he awaits his wife’s move to our fair town. The question of the snappy game called Name that Rotarian was "Who was known for being a Curator of a Insect Museum in a past life?".
It was Jill Clark and she was made famous as the first person to have a successful mating and hatching of Praying Mantises. We then met with Julie Righter, a stroke survivor. During recovery from her stroke she lost the gift of speech. While she was in the hospital she noticed that many people had a similar speech problems. She then began to use her artistic talent to draw pictures that allow those without speech to speak. There are alternative communication aids that cost thousand of dollars and are not available to most people. Also, insurance and Medicaid and Medicare do not provide funds for these devices. Julie wants to start a method of speech that is not costly but does allow those without speech to communicate their needs. Thanks Julie. Oh, by the way, many folks jump up to help. Ah, Rotarians service above self. ONE FINAL NOTE: Do you wish people to speak well of you? Then do not speak at all of yourself.