Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

January 10, 2002

"I can give you a six word formula for success Think things through - then follow through."

--Eddie Rickenbacker

Steve 'Welcomed' us to the second meeting of the Durango High Noon Rotary Club with a question. How many of you have had the Durango Crud? After most of those assembled indicated that they had, a recovering Len Goebel led us in prayer and the pledge.

Guests were introduced, including:

Bob Geffe

Jeannie Costello

Charlie Kiene

Puifai

Don Kilinski

Bart Cross

Mark Dold

Kevin Schneider

Steve indicated that the Board continually receives requests for funding and that many of them must be denied for variety of reasons. He then gave Ted Robson the floor to appeal directly to the club for money to support a local hockey club made up of high schoolers, which the Board felt, while worthy, didn't fit the scope of the use of HNR funds. The hockey club is going to a national finals tournament in San Diego, CA and needs money for uniforms. The club members present made a combined contribution of $600.00 to help the kids.

Petra announced that she, as part of her requirement to invest 60 hours in school for her teaching credential, is directing several performances of Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs at Escalante Middle School. The play is a hip version of the classic, developed by Sprout Theatre in Seattle, WA and will give the non- athletes an after school activity.

Petra needs sponsors and ad in the program are just $100.00 each. The performances are in March, so get in touch with her and she'll let you know what you need to do from there. Performing arts is an important part of the community and the sponsorships will help offset costs associated with putting on the production.

A much anticipated Fireside Chat will be held on January 26th at the home of Kevin and Jill Bruce at 6:00 PM. Dinner will be served. All new members that not participated in a Fireside Chat need to attend, as it is necessary to meet your new member requirements. Invitations are in the mail.

Jack Walls told us about the $25.000.00 Ambassadorial Scholarship that is sponsored by the District and that candidates for it need to be submitted by early April. Please get with Jack if you have college-age person in mind. It is a great opportunity to spend a year studying abroad in one of more than 160 countries.

There is a 6-week student exchange coming up this summer and Steve suggested that we remember Bill Maurer's kids when we submit names of candidates. The deadline is January 31st to get applications back to Paulette.

Steve asked Bud Deering to introduce the ever entertaining SAA, Carl Clark, who told us a donkey story and appointed Brian Myers to make the rounds with the fine snapper. Jim W. was singled out for being late, even though he and his Search and Rescue colleagues had just dealt with two aircraft crashes and their victims. Thanks Jim, for the work your group does for the community.

Bob Chaput was recognized for the worst joke of the week, winning hands down. Carl let us know that Mrs. Moore will be back next week and that those with birthdays should be ready.

Steve asked Tami, Jill and Terry Aspin to come to the podium to introduce Terry as our newest member. And yes, Steve continued his quest for a calendar commemorating his reign as President, by naming her Miss January.

Tami made us aware that Terry has always been involved in her community. She was named volunteer of the year, was a counselor with the GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program, a Big Sister, rang the Salvation Army bell, worked with special Olympics, spent time in nursing homes over the holidays, reads to the blind and tutors. Terry, if I missed something, please forgive me, but the club has a real sense of your commitment as evidenced by your comment, "It's wonderful to get involved." Welcome!

Committee chairs, have you got her 'involved'?

Terry Aspin Office: Bank of the San Juans

805 Alpine Forest Drive 144 E. 8th Ave.

Bayfield, CO Durango, CO 81301

884-7170 247-1818

E terry@banksanjuans.com

Steve read a letter to our club from the Mayor, the Honorable Amos Cordova, thanking the club for it's contribution to the amphitheater (Rotary Kid's Park) and commented on how it enhanced the Recreation Center. Steve asked Dean B. to find a suitable place for the plaque at the Rec Center.

The amphitheatre will be dedicated in the Spring and is planned to be a club meeting with lunch catered.

The Capital Projects team was introduced, with presenters including Mike M., Tom B., and Brian K. We were given an update on the status of the amphitheater, with in-process photos of various stages of construction. The amphitheater's final cost will be $165k, tripling the investment by the club.

The structure will be the 'primary node' along the trail that parallels the river. While the city cites the club for it's contribution to the canopy structure that cover the performance area, without the club, this important feature at the fairgrounds would not exist. Thanks go to Dean, Tom and Brian for their behind the scenes work with the city.

An update was also provided of Community Service activities. The group is looking for a new fund raiser and is evaluating a means of spreading the workload associated with large events. Tom told us of the Board's agreement to fund a reading program at Needham Elementary and a program called Swing Time, that helps extend the attention span of autistic children and therefore the ability to reach them in meaningful ways.

The club is encouraged to submit ideas for projects, large and small, mini-grants as well as more costly long-term projects will be considered.

The next proposed large Capital Project is the 'rescue' of Buckley Park. The intention is to make it more useful, well lit and a Northern gateway to the historic business district. The preliminary plan calls for the maintenance of current uses, with the proposed addition of a botanical garden to add an educational aspect. The property is owned by 9-R!

The proposal calls for opening up the park with selective tree trimming, the addition of a fountain (that can be covered with a stage). Brick pavers are being considered for the walk ways and they may be offered for sale and engraved as memorials to help finance the improvements.

A trolley stop with a pull-out is under consideration and as Dean pointed out, from his office across the street, he sees people from every corner of the world sitting on a stump waiting for the trolley. A 'bus' shelter, more benches etc. are also being discussed.

Got some more ideas? Get them to Mike, Tom, Dean and Brian. Lot's of work remains to get this from a concept to a reality, including striking agreements with 9-R and the City and to build a coalition of parties to fund the improvements.

There is a consensus among those involved to date, that Buckley Park can become an asset to the community, rather than a place for illicit transactions and a hang out for 'hoodlums' from an adjacent state with yellow license plates. This is a multi-year, multi-dollar and multi-faceted project.

Our President Elect and President Elect Nominee have agreed to support the project in their terms. Due to the size of the project, HNR will provide leadership and planning, as well as raise a portion of the funds.

Steve offered his thanks to the committee for the work to date on the proposed Buckley Park renovation.

Jim Wotkyns participated in the effort to rescue three downed flyers and a military helicopter sent to their rescue. Great work by all and certainly a candidate or two for Hero(s) of the month. Get your nominees to Russell.

Announcements:

In the absence of our President, PE and PEN, Steve Govreau will run next week's meeting.

The Board meeting will be held on January 23rd, send your agenda items to Steve by the 18th.

The club's participation in the Snow Down parade will be discussed next week.

Coming Up!

1/17: Greg Hoch, city planner

1/23: Board Meeting

1/24: Brad Finch - kids in community

1/26: Fireside Chat, at the home Jill and Kevin Bruce. 6:00 PM

1/31: Dr. Mary Fuka, Quetzal Biomedical

2/7: Tina Beekman

2/14: District Governor Bill Tarpley (possible Valentine surprise

2/21: Rick O'Block - Hospital bio-terrorism

2/28: BUSINESS MEETING - No program or program to be arranged

3/7: Scott Stewart - Durango MTN

3/14: Ward Holmes - Web site

3/21: John Gamble and city councilmen

3/28: BUSINESS MEETING - no program or program to be arranged

4/4: Blue grass

4/11: John Piel, Durango Herald columnist

4/18: Hospice / Michelle Appenzeller

4/25: BUSINESS MEETING - or program to be arranged

5/2: no meeting - MEXICAN FOOD FIESTA

5/9:

5/16:

5/23:

5/30: BUSINESS MEETING - or program to be arranged

6/6:

6/13:

6/20: