HIGH NOON ROTARY
January 4, 2001
Steve Wheeldon opened the meeting. The story goes that our President is off sailing across the Atlantic with Joe Brown. Joe has a boat that is being crewed by seven sailors. The Captain is French and he is a great cook, so says Tom. They have twenty days of provisions and fourteen crates of wine. Steve was reading from an E-Mail he received from Tom.
Steve did open the meeting by asking Carl Clark to lead in Prayer and Pledge. Steve then told of his great Christmas with the kids and family. Steve then challenged the club members to play a game. The game was to name the theme of the float that Rotary had in the Rosebowl parade. He then asked about the characters on the float and to name the prize the float won. The theme was "Building Tomorrows Leaders." The characters were Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. These kids could be helped by a Rotary mentor is the idea. The prize was for a volunteer float thirty five feet and under. Chessa won ten bucks in describing the theme and the rest of us whiffed on the other stuff. We also paid five bucks each to play.
Steve noted the return of Roy Crow and Bill Maurer from their recent hospital stays. These men are the pictures of health. They both thanked the club for the cards and help they had received. Great to have you back guys.
We then met the quests we had with us this day. The visiting Rotarians included Pam Taylor, Joe Colgin and Roger Ptolemy from the evening club. The Rotarians from out of town were Doyle Pickett from Shreveport, Louisiana, Kenneth Walker from Ardmore, Oklahoma, Jack Walls from Queensland, New Zealand, Roman Bohachevsky of Richmond, Texas and Ken Fusco from Florida. We had John Beekman and Laura Mc Sparra from Durango also attend the meeting.
Len Goebel then read an E-mail from Dan Bowser about how he injured his neck. Dan did figure out a way to blame Susan for this disaster. Steve asked if we wanted to do a Snowdown parade float. We did not respond, so no float. Steve pointed out that Bob Volger needed to be noted for his helping a person with a tooth problem the day after Christmas. This is a display of "Service Above Self." Kevin was also thanked for his "Service Above Self" for assisting Steve's office to open the E-mail.
Mike Schafer won the chance to win the cash. He was asked which of the three Florida football teams lost in the New Years Bowl games. He guessed Florida and Florida State. He was right. Kevin then fined Jim Jennings for no luncheon badge and pin. Kevin stated this was a kinder and gentler fining approach and he allowed Jim to set his own fine. Kevin did say something about Red Badges needing to suck up to the Blue Badge members. Kevin's other note that needs to be included in next week's prayer is that Tom will return to replace Steve as acting President. Tom Brossia paid a fine for his birthday. Chessa paid to brag about her son.
Charlie Albert then updated the club on our Honduras International Project. Charlie will be going there on the 18th to go shopping for an ambulance. The grant has been approved by Rotary International and the local club has the two thousand they need. We will also be paying the shipping cost for sixty computers to be sent to Honduras. These monies were raised at the Christmas fund raiser. Great work Charlie, and compliments to the club.
Jill Bruce then was given the chance to present Vern Swanson with his Blue badge. Vern has completed all the steps necessary to move from the Red Badge status.
Wayne Bedor then introduced our guest speaker of the day; Doctor Andy Guilliford. This man is the Director of the Center for Southwest Studies. This Center began with a gift from the Ballentines in 1964. The collection includes artifacts, rifles, books, materials and textiles. They have the oldest known Navajo textile, a dress that was completed in 1750. This was before the massacre that occurred in Canyon De Chelly. They also have an Inca shirt that is an ancient textile. The center has a shawl from the Anasazi that has not been unrolled in 800 years. It contains hair from the weaver which may be helpful for further study. The crown jewel of the collection may well be the "Durango Collection" that contains many textiles given by the Ballentines and others to the Center. This is the finest collection of Navajo blankets, rugs and textiles known. These collections and other will be displayed in the new 48,000 square foot building at the north end of the campus. The upper floor will contain offices and classrooms while the lower level will be public space for displays and conferences. There will also be 24,000 square foot space of reference materials in the building. These can be used to do research of the area. Dr. Gulliford wants the Center to draw the focus of Southwest Studies to Fort Lewis and he sees this new building as the key to unlocking that opportunity. Thanks, Dr. Gulliford.
IMPORTANT DATES:
June 24-27 Rotary International Convention in San Antonio
October 5-7 District Convention in Telluride
PROPOSED NEW MEMBER:
Sherry Taber is the Director of the Durango Public Library, a position she has held for the past year. She is a mentor with the Studies Buddies 9R Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Jill Bruce is her sponsor. Any comments talk to Jill or Tom.
One Final Note: "He who has not learned to obey cannot be a good commander." Aristotle
2000 - 2001 DIRECTORS
Pete Sanders - Past President
Steve Wheeldon - President-Elect
Steve Govreau - Club Service
Chessa Gill - Vocational Service
Jeff Brown - Community Service
Tom Brossia - International Service
Charlie Albert - World Service Projects
Jill Bruce - Membership
Marv Collentine - Programs
Joe Thompson - Club Bulletin
Kevin Bruce - Sergeant at Arms
Ward Holmes - Public Relations
Steve Redding - Director
Mike Matheson - Director
Paulette Church - Director
OFFICERS
Tom Galbraith-President
Steve Wheeldon-President-Elect
Margaret Gray-Secretary
Mark Seiter-Treasure
NEARBY
ROTARY CLUBS
Durango: Tuesday, 6:30 P.M.
Strater Hotel
Cortez: Monday, 6:30 P.M.
Elks Lodge
Dolores: Tuesday, 6:30 P.M.
Ponderosa Restaurant
Farmington: Thursday, 11:45 A..M.
Holiday Inn
Pagosa Springs: Thursday, 11:45 A.M.
Pagosa Lodge
Telluride: Monday, 6:30 P.M.
Lyons Club
Bear