RotaryGram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

November 1, 2001

"The flag of Rotary International flies in more countries and more territories than any organized religion, any other not for profit organization and in more places in the world than the United Nations itself. When I realize that, I am filled with an awesome pride in Rotary" Richard D. King, President, RI

Our President, Steve Wheeldon opened the meeting with a moment of reflection and lead us in the Pledge. After enduring a little ribbing for being absent at our last meeting and at the Oktoberfest, he introduced guests, including:

Jiri Klubal

LuAnn Kraemer

Bob Salzer

Lynell Corbett

Dan Corbett

Terry Aspin

Puifai San.

Kendall Blanchard

Mary Mykra

Steve then thanked Len Goebel for running the October 18th meeting and acknowledged Paulette and Chessa for their efforts organizing and operating the club's first-ever Oktoberfest. By all accounts it was a success and those that worked the event put in significant efforts as well. Good job!

Steve welcomed two of our newest members, Jim Burpee and Frank Valen and reminded the club to make time to get to know each of them. Welcome again!

District Governor, Bill Tarpley, sent a note to Steve thanking our club for the efforts we put forth at the recent District Conference, thanking us for handling registration and for sharing the Rotary Wheel. Jeannie and Jill, along with another fellow were mentioned in the letter.

Mike Matheson announced that the Christmas Party will be held on December 9th and if you haven't volunteered, be expecting to hear from him. Get you silent auction items together, the dollars earned going to the International Projects Fund.

Tami spoke briefly about the Incubator Program and asked for volunteers to be judges of the presentations next week, Monday - Wednesday at 11:00 AM. If you raised you hand expect to hear from her. She asked that volunteers be available all three days for continuity.

Puifai, our exchange student from Thailand announced that she has joined the Ft. Lewis Concert Choir and this coming Monday night at 7:30 PM she will have a solo at the performance. Call Ft. Lewis for more details. And, she'll sing in English!!

Jill and Burt introduced and then inducted Dr. Kendall Blanchard as an Honorary member of the HNR Club, complete with the 'banana' ceremony and designation by Steve as Mr. November. From the partial list of accomplishments and experience that Burt read, it was clear than Kendall is well prepared for the post of President of Ft. Lewis. His past includes membership in 3 Rotary clubs and participation in Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Kendall told us the he spoke recently in Japan, placing an emphasis on exchanges, which in today's world have never been more important. When asked to hang his banana, Kendall's look of appropriate surprise was easy to see. Good sport!

Steve welcomed Tom Galbraith back, only to be reminded that Tom has been back for two weeks plus. One of those tough accounting seasons.

Steve introduced a troika (look it up, its Russian) of Sergeants-At-Arms, Mike McGuire, Karen L'Argent and Jim Wotkyns. Mike told us of the challenge facing Johnny Taylor, adrenocortical carcinoma, and his family. Katy Olson Co-Chair of Friends of Johnny set a goal of raising a million pennies for Johnny. Thanks to the generosity of all present, HNR Club contributed 10% of that goal by reaching deep for a donation of $1,000.00. The money will help supplement travel expenses to Houston for treatment, drugs and medical costs not covered by insurance. Whatta club!! Steve asked Leonard Gray to handle getting the money to the Friends of Johnny.

Steve then introduced the club's resident biker chick, Mrs. Pam Moore. She and the other members of the Hardly Angels (Steve G., is this a TM or a copyright?) are back from their first-ever international event in Japan. Pam recognized the board for their contribution and hard work and listed all the rallies that the 'Angels' have attended state-side. At one event they helped raise $100k for the March of Dimes!!

Pam recognized Steve Govreau as the 'Angels' first Business Manager, so expect to see and hear more of and about the 'Angels' as the plans unfold! Following the introductions, Pam played a video of the trip to Japan, with a 4 day "jet lag" layover in Hawaii, 'because we could'. Their trip appeared to be an unqualified success, with the group being warmly received and welcomed by their hosts. If you missed the video, see if Pam will arrange to screen it for you, you shouldn't miss it! The enthusiasm of the group was easy to feel and their role as the unofficial ambassadors of Durango will mean good things for the community!! Pam, did you wear your Rotary pin?

Steve presented the Corbetts with speaker thank you mugs, giving Pam another chance to thank them for their support of the Hardly Angels (of Durango).

Tami took the floor to ask for silent auction items for the November 9th fund event for Habitat for Humanity and for businesses that would be willing to display posters about the event. Tami, 375-0342 or tami@banksanjuans.com .

Next week's program will be a Barbershop Quartet. Rumor has it that a club member with the initials of George Litow will be part of the group. Hey guys and gals, if you like what you hear next week, sign up for one of the quartets to serenade your spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend/sweetheart/partner, whatever, on Valentine's day next year. I did it this year. Cheaper than flowers, no calories and the rewards are tremendous.

Steve will be absent next week, with Jeff Brown doing the honors, with Russell will present the vocational service committee's activities thus far this year. Mike McGuire made a special presentation to Jeff for his contribution to the summer camp for at risk youngsters and recognized Terry from Bank of the San Juans for her work as well. From all reports, it is a great interventional project.

Marv asked for more mentor volunteers and indicated that he would visit more service clubs looking for help. Steve R. said that November 6 is the next mentor training opportunity, so now is a good time to make the investment in an young person in need.

Just before Halloween, the Fun Committee adopted the joint UNICEF/Rotary effort to raise money for Polio Plus. Several members placed boxes in their business, with Mr. and Mrs. Jack Walls (good name for an architect) participating with their annual 'Trick or Drink' efforts. With receipts still to come from PCS and BOC, the initial effort has netted so far, about $120.00 or over 1,700 vaccinations. Please bring your pocket change to each and every meeting from now until next Halloween. You can make a difference for 7 cents!

Steve closed the meeting and a great one it was.

Cub

Coming Events:

11/8 Barber Shop quartet

11/15 Club assembly/ Russell Parker, Vocational Service

11/22 NO MEETING

11/29 Ken Fusco... youth exchange

12/6 NO MEETING

12/13 Senator Isgar

12/20 ????

12/27 NO MEETING

1/3 Peace Corps

1/31 Dr. Mary Fuka, Quetzal Biomedical