RotaryGram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

November 29, 2001

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters comparted to what lies within us.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Steve opened the meeting with a moment of reflection and led us in the pledge.

Two members were recognized, both fathers of barely week-old baby girls. Congratulations to Steve Govreau and Bill Hermesman and their wives Lisa and Susan.

Steve thanked Jeff for running the last meeting and Russell for his presentation on vocational service. Steve said he and Jeannie had a great time sailing with Joe Brown and that certain photos, no they will not appear here, were in existence.

The November Board meeting was held yesterday and Steve encouraged all members to attend a meeting. Once a month, usually the third Wednesday, 7:00 AM at the Double Tree.

Guests were introduced, including Perry Moyle of the American Heart Association who made some brief remarks and thanked the community and Rotary for their support. Shawn Osthoff of the evening club invited us to buy tickets to their spaghetti lunch/dinner, December 15th, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM at the Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall. $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for children. Hey, it's the Holidays, who has time to cook!!

Additional guests included:

Ken Fusco

Justin Bradshaw

Patty Spellmeyer

Puifai

Walt Parks

Terry Aspin

Bob Salzer

Brian Myers said that Puifai is ready to learn to snowboard, needing only boots and Petra showed us how easy it is to serve by offering to see that Puifai gets boots. All you have to do is raise your hand.

Jenny Kane announced the San Juan Mountains Association Benefit Day, December 7th, at Durango Mountain Resort. $10 bucks gets you a lift ticket!! There will be a raffle, skiing of course, guided snowshoe treks, live bands, prizes to the first 1,000 ticket buyers, a beer garden and educational displays. More info? 385-1210 or go to www.sjma.org. Purg is getting some good dumps, so tell us how much fun you had when we see you at the Christmas Party.

Steve gave President Elect, Jeff Brown, the floor to describe the process of selecting nominees for the next PE. The nominees will be chosen at the December 13th meeting. Mike Matheson indicated that the club will apply for a Community Assistance Program (CAP) Grant from Rotary International. This is not a capital/bricks and mortar project, so submit your ideas to Mike and Tom B. right away. Deadline to apply is January 31, 2002.

Steve G., Petra and Jeannie announced the Christmas party, December 9th @ the Double Tree, details in a separate note from Steve. Remember, no regular meeting next week. Petra reminded us that the silent auction proceeds go to toward the breakfast program for pre-school kids outside Mexico City, in conjunction with the La Villa club.

Jeannie asked for a Santa Claus, Mr., Mrs., or MS. So warm up your lap and give her a call. Decorators are also needed as well as someone to take presents to the Project Merry Christmas folks.

December 3rd is the sign-up deadline for the dinner!!!

Steve told us to contact John M. for details of the RYLA program. See me or Sherry Anne Taber.

A copy of Steve's letter to the Amos Cordova, Mayor of Durango, presenting our check for $50k for the construction of Rotary Amphitheater was on each table for review.

Rotary is planning to buy a number of solar ovens that will be sent to Afghanistan and the Board committed HNR to a $300 contribution. The ovens will eventually find their way into the hands of war widows that will establish baking co-ops after the war.

HNR will sponsor Donna Williams, Ft. Lewis grad and employee of Stuart's of Durango, as a Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team member to Sweden in May 2002. Go see her at Stuart's!

At 11:30 AM this coming Saturday at Centennial Plaza, HNR will donate over 100 blankets to be distributed to Durango families in need. Russell will bring them from you know where to the location and the event will be broadcast on local radio. Good pub for Rotary!!

Jay Hwang and Jill Bruce conducted the induction ceremony for our newest member, Clifton Callicot . His wife Briana and father Roger were guests. Welcome Clifton, with the distinction of being the youngest member of the club.

Missy Rodey received he blue badge, having satisfied all of her new member requirements.

Steve introduced today's speaker, Ken Fusco of Ft. Lauderdale and more often Durango. Ken is a 25 year Rotarian and for much of that time involved with the exchange program in his home district. To impress upon us the importance of youth exchange, he played a video of a young girl relating her moving experience as and exchange student in the Netherlands.

Ken indicated that the youth exchange program is the only Rotary exchange in which children of Rotarians can participate. Host families are part of the program and make a commitment of 3-4 months. Students pay their own airfare and bring $500. The host club handles the rest. Rotary Exchanges are fundamental to our existence.

Steve announced that Jack Walls will have a presentation on December 13th about the exchange program. He will have to compete with Rep. Larson and Senator Isgar, so the suggestion was that he should speak first!

Carl drew the lucky ticket, presenting Russell with the coveted Rotary International pen. He then took the opportunity to provide us with a little humor.

Steve reminded us again that their is not meeting on December 6th. Jill and Kevin Bruce will host a fireside chat for new members, January 26, 2002 in their home. Committee chairs will make presentations of the Four Avenues of Service. Red badgers and board members are invited.

Announcements included an invite from Wynn to attend the Traditional Family Christmas concert at the Fort, Sunday December 2nd, performances, 3:00 and 7:00 PM. Wynn will be eternally grateful if you attend. Missy had United Way literature on the tables and Kiwanis may still need bell ringers for the Salvation Army and has RMCF candy for sale. Nominations for Hero of the Month need to be turned in to Russell P.

Welcome back Steve and Jeannie, great meeting lots of spirit.

12/6 NO MEETING

12/9 Christmas Party and Silent Auction

12/13 Senator Isgar, Representative Larson, Jack Walls

12/20 ????

12/27 NO MEETING

1/3 Peace Corps

1/31 Dr. Mary Fuka, Quetzal Biomedical

1/26 Fireside Chat, at the home Jill and Kevin Bruce.