Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

April 4, 2002

"If it is to be, it is up to me."

Mike Sandberg.......

When you life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When you get bananas, make..............? Banana pancakes? Banana daiquiris? Banana bread? Our President's secret of life was in abundance today, thanks to Dick Pearson. Each of us was presented with a ceremonial banana, for no particular reason, other than it is a 'two banana season' according to the prez.

We all took a moment of private reflection, followed by the Pledge. Steve, wanting a hot meal for a change, turned the meeting over to Past President Bob Volger, who introduced our special guests for the day, the Blue Grass Band, Down the Road. The group played a number of familiar Blue Grass tunes, heads bobbed and toes tapped. At the conclusion they reminded us of the upcoming Blue Grass Meltdown, starting Friday night April 12th. Lot's of bands, lots of venues, lots of fun. The group received a 'standing O' from the club and a quartet of mugs.

GUESTS INCLUDED:

Robert Soto

Jean Bruscia

Lee Van Winkle

Gordon Hensley

Puifai

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Read to Pre-Schoolers: April 24th is the day to invest an hour reading to kids at area pre-schools. Get in touch with Steve Govreau for details and to sign up.

Mexican Food Fiesta, May 2nd: Mark Prouty had sign up sheets on the tables for us to sign up for a task at the fundraiser. New members with red badges were 'encouraged' to sign up for the burrito rolling party. Rumor has it that adult beverages will be available. All is on track for a great event again this year. Parking lot attendants and inventory control positions will be added this year. If you didn't put your name down for a task, e-mail Mark at

sos074@sosstaffing.com. Let's get the slots filled so Mark has the support he needs.

Locks for Life: Brian Myers announced that he found a donation can from last year's Lock for Life giveaway and in it was over $400.00. Brian and his group gave away 5,000 trigger locks!

Volunteers of America: Steve read a letter from the group, thanking the HNR club for our donations to the shelter and cited examples of the families that were served.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE:

Dental Chairs for Mexico: Jack Walls announced that the effort to provide dentals chairs is succeeding. Bob Volger put the arm on his Albuquerque-based distributor for two used chairs, and he personally donated enough general equipment to outfit an entire operatory. Volunteers are needed to help get the materials to the boarder, perhaps to their destination. See Jack if you can help. El Club nececita su ayudo!

VOCATIONAL SERVICE:

No report this week.

CLUB SERVICE:

Directory Photos: Last week, Bob Chaput asked newer members to get their photos taken for the directory and offered to take new pix of any member that wished to have same. This week he charged the batteries repeated the process.

District Leadership Seminar: Chip Lile reported on the Seminar, which he, Melisa and Jeff B. attended. He attended sessions on International Service (remember, he's a former exchange student), fund raisers and treasury duties.

YOUTH SERVICE: (the unofficial 5th avenue of service)

Puifai goes to Denver: Representative Mark Larson has invited Puifai to travel to Denver and to be introduced on the floor of the House. She'll see the wheels of government turn. Thanks to Mark!

48 Rotary Youth to Visit in June: Paulette announced again that 48 Rotary Exchange Students, who have been hosted this school year in the Central U.S. and Canada, will pass through Durango, staying two nights, starting on June 18th. Host families are needed and a pot luck is a real possibility at Rotary Park. Sheets were on the tables for us to sign up to host the traveling exchange students. Got some extra room for a couple of nights, call Paulette! 385-4354 w or 250-2143 h.

Say Yes For Children: This is the answer to the question I couldn't provide last week. It was in last week's bulletin. Unicef, a Rotary International partner in the fight to eradicate polio, has a new campaign. The ten point rallying call includes: 1. Leave no child out. 2. Put children first. 3. Care for every child. 4. Fight HIV/AIDS. 5. Stop harming and exploiting children. 6. Listen to children. 7. Educate every child. 8. Protect children from war. 9. Protect the earth for children. 10. Fight poverty: Invest in children. Unicef is asking for support from NGO's (non-governmental organizations), world and government leaders.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Importance of Rotary: Rotary made headlines last week, after our presenters were quoted in the Herald. Evidently the Herald's take is that it's important enough to address the HNR Club, it's important enough for the community.

Tax Returns: The prez reminded us that returns were due in 11 days.

Sergeant at Arms: Pam Moore and Carl Clark recognized those with recent birthdays, encouraging them to disclose their secrets of life and to make an investment in the mission of Rotary. Some secrets are: Cathy Crum, moderation in all things, except laughter. Jenny Kane, make time for things that are important. (her engagement to Will was announced in the paper). Chip Lile, don't drink downstream from the herd, drink at El Ra....... Tami Coddington, you get out of life what you put into it. Members with special events included Jeff Brown celebrating 21 years of wedded bliss, Scott Mathis announced Quetzal Biomedical's successful early stage testing of it's treatment for congestive heart failure, Rick Routh reported on the get together he had with Kevin Bruce and Spencer to discuss Rotary.

E-mail address up-date: Please write your preferred e-address on a piece of paper and give it to John M. at the next meeting.

ON THE TABLE: (yeah, I pick up that stuff you leave on the table.)

48 kids: Paulette left a hand-out, reported above.

NEXT WEEK

Steve reminded us that next week we will hear from John Peel, columnist with the Durango Herald.. With nothing more for the good of Rotary, Steve adjourned the meeting.

COMING UP

4/11: Durango Herald columnist, John Peel.

4/18: Hospice, Michelle Appenzeller.

4/24: Community Service project, reading to pre-schoolers.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

4/25: FLC Center for Service Learning, Kaylin Grigg.

5/2: No meeting - MEXICAN FOOD FIESTA

5/9: San Juan Mountains Association, Jenny Kane.

5/16: Crow Canyon, Audrey Coleman.

5/23: Fisheries Biologist, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Steve Whiteman.

5/30: Teen Issues, Deb Duncan.

6/6: Director of Tribal Education, Arnold Santistevean.

6/13: Club Round up, no program.

6/20: Park Dedication, no program

6/27: Final meeting for President Steve Wheeldon