This was a day to recognize the successes of Tom Galbraith s year and the laying of the foundation for the year of Steve Wheeldon. Steve began the meeting by informing the club of his trip to San Antonio and the International Convention. He told of trading his hat for a scarf and how it was to associate with so many Rotarians. These folks represented one hundred and thirty one countries and more persons than the population of La Plata county. Steve has joined the Rotary Posse and this small event raised over one hundred thousand dollars for Rotary. Steve asked each of in our own way to open the meeting in silence and thankfulness for being part of an organization such as Rotary.

We did open the meeting by recognizing our guests. We had Joy Mathis join her husband Scott for lunch. John Higby joined his wife for lunch, Arvella. Ay Barter had the privilege of having lunch with her dad, Wally Fisk. His wife Stanna joined Tom Galbraith. Two faithful guests were there this day, Kenneth Walker from Armore Oklahoma and Doyle Pickett from Shreveport, Louisiana. Walt Parks also joined us for lunch.

We then began a series of observations about what Tom has accomplished this past year. Two of the more memorable are as follows. Carl Clark read the following:

His name is Tom, He served us well

Did he love this job, He ll never tell

He led his troops with a certain flair

And the decisions he made were for the most part quite fair.

His goals were simple and he had success

And we all loved Tom, well more or less

He wore shorts on days that would make a penguin sneeze

And good grief but the man had awful knees.

I do not like long pants he said

I ll only wear them when I m dead

I do not like long pants at all

Lets all wear shorts, come on Y all

We all know well his sailing craft

though most of us don t know fore from aft.

I can see him now on the seven seas

With his captains hat and those boney knees.

These sailors all are a very strange lot

Their left is port and a mile is a Knot

So, if starboard is right and you sail with the wind

Then stern must be aft, and bow the pointy end.

When he used to work, he was a real estate man

Now he just worries bout keeping his shorts clear of sand

This is sailor who lives fifteen hours from the ocean,

And will be gone as soon as he can get his body in motion.

I do not like long pants he said

I ll only wear them when I m dead

I do not like long pants at all

Let s all wear shorts , come on Y all

So here s to Tom our passing pres.

See we mostly wore shorts, just like he says

Yea we all wore shorts just him to please

Oh good grief, we all have boney knees.

This year has been good and we all have had fun,

And the new year with Steve and his group has begun

Just a word from the troops come on Steve, please, please, please

No more shorts and no more boney knees.

I do no like short pants this author has said

When my knees are exposed, looks like I m already dead.

I do not like short pants at all

Cause they didn t have any 44's at the mall.

I m glad our new pres is again this year a man,

For this shorts president thing is a very bad plan.

If the new pres. Was a woman, my very best guess is

Next year at this time we d all be wearing dresses.

THANKS, TOM

Steve Govreau read the following:

There was a young man named Tom,

Who ran Rotary with steadfast aplomb,

When asked about shorts,

He replied with a snort,

Thank goodness it s summer or I d be numb.

He laughed as he made this reply,

Upon his dyslexia we could rely,

To cover the breach,

With a fast-thinking speech,

Our Tom could make it apply.

A land-locked sailor is our man,

Islands call him with their sand,

But he has been proud to serve,

Without any reserve,

To make our club the best in the land!

Tom was given his chance to address the club. He held up a book that he thought crony but proved to be a valuable heart touching story of having Rotary in you. The title was Frank Talk by Frank Develyn our Past President of Rotary International. Tom learned that

Frank was fogged into an Airport and he decided to take a train. During the trip he spoke with three people who all ultimately wanted to join Rotary. Frank was given a chance to present an award to the chairperson of the United Nations for helping to cause a cease fire to allow Rotary to immunize 1.3 million children. The Chairperson turn the tables and stated it is the United Nations that needs to recognize Rotary who helps thirty thousand people per day with the nearly one point two million members. Tom also learned that Rotary stated UNESCO and other non profits including help in starting the United Nations. World understanding one person at a time. Tom said he has achieved his goals this year. They were have Fun, get Rotary in to each of us, get more involvement in activities and get new members involved. He has done all these and lead us in much more. Tom said that we received the Blaine Community Immunization grant during his term as president. Tom will be emulating our founder Paul Harris as he will be planting a tree at Rotary Park with a plague identifying the Board. Thanks for the great year Tom.

The plans for the next two weeks will be to hear

ONE FINAL NOTE: The road to success is marked with many tempting parking spaces. BEAR