Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

April 11,2002

"We British and you Americans believe in equity and fairness, traits not shared in Europe."

Margaret Thatcher..........................

Steve opened the meeting with a 3 banana welcome and told us of the loss of two friends the previous week. We were reminded that there were just a few days left until April 15th, an important event in the life of our President.

Calling for a moment of reflection, Steve asked us to think of the important people in our lives and then lead us in the Pledge.

Asking for the introduction of guests, we were greeting by Lisa Barrett of the CO Association for the Education of Young People. April 24th is the day to read to area pre-schoolers and Steve W. 'locked the doors' until enough dedicated Rotarians came forward to be among those privileged to serve our youngest citizens.

We had in our midst, John Mac Morine, involved citizen and a member of the Durango Rotary Club. Guests included:

John and Judy Peel

Kiera Sheehan

Puifai

Gordon Hensley

Mike Sandberg, for the last time

John Jordan

Pat Carlson

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Buckley Park Project: Tom Brossia and Mike Matheson reported that their (the Committee) presentation to the 9-R Board last Tuesday night about HNR's proposal to renovate Buckley Park was well received. Tom said that Mary Barter helped by setting up a positive environment for the meeting. Go to http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/news020410_6.htm to see what the Herald reported on the meeting. On April 25th the more specifics, including a preliminary budget will be presented to the Board. Humming Bird Garden: Jeff Brown announced a work day at Durango Nature Studies, June 1st, 9:00 AM to Noon. It involves installing a Hummingbird Garden. Tasks include: soil preparation, making raised beds with rock from the Fairgrounds original grandstand, planting plants that attract hummingbirds and that are xeric, installing drip irrigation and mulching. To get there, take 550 South to Bondad. Turn left at the bottom of the hill at the road to Ignacio. Durango Nature Studies is on the left immediately after the turn. Come on all you green thumbs, call Jeff!! After Prom Party: Doug Lashley gave us an update on the After Prom Party at the Community Recreation Center. Chaperones and 'staff' (card dealers, etc.) are still needed. Please call Doug and get involved. Double check, but I think the date is Saturday, April 20th. There is an open house at the Rec Center from 10:00 PM to 12:00 PM for the public. INTERNATIONAL SERVICE: Puifai goes to Denver: Puifai will fly (flew) to Denver as the guests of Jim Isgar and Mark Larson for a day. Dental Equipment to Mexico: Justin Bradshaw and Ted Robson are heading up the effort to transport used dental chairs and other equipment to Mexico. Those interested in helping, please contact either on of 'Los dos Amigos'. Sounds like a road trip, some fun negotiating at the border, with a warm reception in the city where the equipment is destined. Justin, Ted, where is all this stuff going?

VOCATIONAL SERVICE: No report this week. CLUB SERVICE: Mexican Food Fest: Mark P. brought us up to date on planning for the fund raiser. A new and improved burrito will be served this year, complete with a green chili sauce to keep them soft. Tasks still need to be covered, so get yourself signed up now so Mark won't have to fret and worry. It's the club's fund raiser!

YOUTH SERVICE: (the unofficial 5th avenue of service) 48 Rotary Youth to Visit in June: Paulette announced again that 48 kids will pass through Durango, staying two nights, starting on June 18th. A pot luck will jointly hosted by HNR and the evening club on Tuesday night. On Wednesday the group will tour Mesa Verde, departing Durango on Thursday. Host families are still be sought. Call Paulette and offer you best scalloped potato recipe and a bunk for a couple of nights. Bud Deering offered to buy the kid's lunches for the trip to Mesa Verde. Thanks Bud! GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Mike Schafer retires: Cake and Coffee was served at the Bank of Colorado last Friday to honor Mike for his years of service. I showed up, great cake, coffee, but where was Mike? Ward Holmes and Four Corners Broadcasting: His company dominated the Station of the Year awards, garnering 18 of the 24 awards, competing against 36 other stations. Quality programming and content, another reason to be proud of the region and an example of a community oriented Rotarian. Hats off to Ward and his crew!! ON THE TABLE: (yeah, I pick up that stuff you leave on the table.) Sign up sheets for Mexican Food Fest: Did you put your name by a task?

NEW MEMBER

Steve asked Jill to bring Wayne Bedor and Mike Sandberg to the podium. Wayne, Mike's sponsor, introduced us to the newest member of the High Noon Rotary Club. Mike comes to us from Arlington Heights, IL, where he was a founding member, 1988, of the breakfast club.

Mike's career has included time as a lineman and a police officer. He is particularly interested in Rotary's Polio Plus campaign, having a boyhood friend spend 30 years in an iron lung. Another of Mike's special interests is auctioneering for charities and our club will certainly offer him the chance to do good work! Mike has already helped raise $5,200 for the soup kitchen and $48k for Adaptive Sports.

Mike moved a ranch in the county, with Jim and Sue Kolb joining him as ranch managers. Welcome Mike!

PROGRAM

Steve gave the floor to Chessa, who then introduced the day's speaker, Mr. John Peel of the Durango Herald, who was accompanied by his wife Judy. Chessa told us that John is a service oriented fellow, volunteering his time as a Big Brother. Below

Beginning his remarks, John said he approaches a speech with the same feeling he gets when he stands at the top of a double black run and looks down the mountain. He enjoys his role with the paper, helping to do the job of keeping the community informed. He turns out his well written columns with what he calls a small amount of time to learn what he is to right about. Judging from comments from the crowd, John's work is well received!

Does the Herald have a hidden agenda? John says no, that they pick on just about everyone and try to stay in the middle of things. He indicated that there is no bias in the newsroom, citing at least two Republicans in the group.

Before Durango, John, a Colorado guy, lived and worked in Ohio, Laramie, Ft. Collins and Florida, before coming to Durango in 1990. Like many, he worked a number of jobs and became the Sports Editor in 1993. After 4 years he joined the news department. With tongue in check, he characterized our dear community as including ranchers, retirees, fun-hogs and flakes. He says that we all should do something to make it a better place to live.

We must keep a sense of community in the face of growth and in that regard, John spends time talking to the 'old timers' and getting their stories. John likes that fact that he get's to write about 'the good stuff'. Stories come from multiple sources and if we have ideas, send them to him. Get his e-address from the bottom of his next column.

John ended his remarks by saying that he cares about the future of Durango. Reading his work in the Herald, his dedication is obvious. Steve presented John with the Rotary azure java jug to commemorate his presentation and challenged a member to invite him back for lunch. Lots of hands were waving.

WATCH WHAT YOU WISH FOR

To close the meeting, Steve asked Jeannie for a story. Seems that there were these two lads adrift in a boat. Up washes a bottle and one of them plucks it from the ocean. The other, hoping for the best, rubs the bottle and, yup, out pops a Genie. (no, not the garage door opener, the kind with veil and the wishes)

Says the Genie, "I'm a bit cranky today and I'll grant you only one wish." The lads look at each other and one says, "Turn the ocean into Guinness." Boom, it's done. The other lad is not impressed. "Now we're going to have to pee in boat", he says.

With nothing more for the good of Rotary and with groans echoing around the room, Steve closed the meeting with a Peel of the Rotary bell.

COMING UP

4/18: Hospice / Michelle Appenzeller

4/24: Community Service project, reading to pre-schoolers.

4/24 Board Meeting (not the 17th)

4/25: FLC Center for Service Learning, Kalen Grigg. (thanks Bob)

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 Steve Wheeldon as President