Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

April 18, 2002

"Imagination is the highest kite you can fly."

Lauren Bacall..........................

Steve opened the meeting with comments how grateful we all should be to our service men and women. He indicated that his business had no complaints about the size of their tax bills, perhaps remembering that Freedom has a price and it's not free!! After a moment of reflection, Steve lead us in the pledge.

Immediate Past President, Tom Galbraith was spotted in the crowd and volunteered to tell some seafaring tales to those who were interested. He has stories and photos of his 4 months away.

Guests were introduced, including:

Puifai

Michelle Appenenzeller, our speaker

Troy Ralston, incoming President of the Cortez Rotary Club

Dr. Ralph La Varta

Cathy Neill, AAA

Peter Marshall, new GM of the Double Tree

Howard Wilson

Steve XX, a visiting Rotarian from Honolulu, who presented his club's banner.

District Governor, Mr. Bill Tarpley

Members of the DHS Interact Club, including: Tristin, Song, Holley, Patrick, Candace, Chelsea and Brett.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

International Service:

Puifai Went to Denver: Puifai reported on her day in the capital as a guest of Jim Isgar and Mark Larson (alphabetical order!). She summed up her experience with the observation that it was a bunch of old f-rts debating bills and fighting. Very perceptive according to most of the comments from the crowd. Evidently her eye exam and other services at the hands of Robin Jackman allowed her to get the most from her trip.

Ted and Justin's excellent adventure: Leaving May 4th (?) for Juarez, Mexico, these fellows and other volunteers will meet representatives from the Durango, Mexico Rotary Clubs at their District Conference. From there, they will travel to Durango, MX to deliver a trailer load of dental equipment for use in a local clinic. The donation of the equipment was coordinated by the dental professionals in the club.

DG, Bill Tarpley, told us that many rural people move to Durango, MX and end up living in and picking through the dump to survive. The local club has a drive to provide some of the kids with donated musical instruments and the Dental Diplomats may have a few on board with them.

Club Service:

Mexican Food Fiesta: Mark Prouty reported on the Mexican Food Fiesta status. One disappointment is that we missed the deadline to apply for a license to sell beer by one day. However, the event will be welcomed by the community as always. Everyone received a packet of tickets to sell, $4.00 for kids, $7.00 for adults. Mark invited the members of the DHS Interact Club present, to assist with the Fest. The event is Thursday, May 2nd at the Fair Grounds. Don't forget your assignments and get your ticket money in early.

Spencer Pearse to publish next week's bulletin: John M. will be visiting family in AZ and CA next week. Thanks to the Spencer for agreeing, again, to serve in my absence.

Board Meeting: The meeting of the Board of Directors of the High Noon Rotary Club will be next Wednesday, April 24th, 7:00 AM in the lounge at the Double Tree.

Community Service:

Reading to Preschoolers: Steve Govreau indicated that all is set for volunteers from the club to read to local preschool kinds on April 24th.

Local Radio plug for High Noon Rotary: Russell Parker reported on his interview on AM 930 radio. According to Russell and those who heard the broadcast, many of the community oriented activities of HNR (trigger locks, etc.) were covered. Thanks to Russell for his ambassadorial work. Bud Deering thanked Russell for all the good work that his business, the W-store, does for the community.

Hummingbird Garden to be created: Puifai will lead the effort to create a Hummingbird Garden at Durango Nature Studies. Club members are asked to be at DNS Saturday, June 1, 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Dirt will be prepared, plants planted etc. Green thumbs are encouraged to apply, along with strong backs. See last week's bulletin for directions. Hey, you've got more than a month to figure out how to get there.

Rotary/United Way Annual Golf Tournament: Missy Rodey announced the 7th or 8th annual joint Rotary/United Way Golf Tournament to be help on August 17th. As always, hole sponsors are being solicited and you can contact Missy, Walter or Melisa.

Vocational Service:

Nothing to report this week.

General:

Hardly Angels Fundraiser: Pam Moore invited one and all to the Hardly Angels fund raiser at Scoot 'n Blues last Thursday night. It wasn't clear how the money raised was to be spent, it was very clear that it would be a good time!

Incoming President of Cortez Club: Joining us for lunch was incoming President Troy Ralston. He indicated that he has some challenges with only 14 members attending his last meeting. His club is working on a Little League park and hopes to name it Rotary Park. Troy indicated that he would make it a point to visit our club often.

Melisa Caskey Celebrates: On the first anniversary of her marriage, Melisa announced that she made the move to Bank of Colorado, where she is in training to become part of the mortgage department. She has a banking background and is excited about the move.

5 members to meet: Pam Moore drew tickets to assemble a group of 4 Rotarians to meet and discuss what Rotary means to them and what they want to get out of and put into being a Rotarian. Having missed his first opportunity, Jeff Brown was invited to join this group on May 7th @ 5:00 PM at the office in the Strater Hotel. Nancy Richmond was appointed the Team Captain.

PROGRAM

Rick O'Block and Ellen Roberts shared the introduction of Michelle Appenzeller, our speaker for the day. Rick is employed at Mercy and Ellen is Vice Chair of the Board, both with wonderful things to say about the work of this area native as head of Home Health and Hospice at the hospital.

Michelle focused her remarks on Hospice Care, referring to it as end of life care issues. Her group provides service to La Plata, Archuleta and Montezuma counties. Her staff starts work with patients as soon as possible after they are referred for hospice care, usually the last 12-18 months of life. Hopeless to hopeful is a term she used to describe the care.

About 18 months ago, a pain and symptom management program was begun. It includes not just physical pain, but the social, psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects. Hospice patients and their families can chose where the would like to reside during care. Nurses, the Chaplin, rehab specialists, Certified Nurse's Assistants and social workers make home, hotel, nursing home and hospital calls.

Michelle indicated that there are lots of volunteers from the community involved in hospice care. They supplement the time that paid staff spends with hospice patients.

Another aspect is bereavement counseling, to assist remaining family with 'grief work' after the loss of an hospice patient. Groups are divided by age, including a grief camp for youngsters 8-13 years of age. A special teen group has been operating for the last 3 years. Families are also helped.

Medicare pays $100 per day, per patient toward hospice care. But, as Michelle points out, it is not enough and they are 'always broke.! Mercy Medical Center provides the resources for much of the balance of the care

Michelle invited us to call Mercy if we know of someone that needs hospice care and encouraged us to find out about volunteer opportunities. They run training sessions for volunteers.

Steve presented Michelle with the Rotary Speaker's Mug as thanks for her presentation and for her contribution to the community. "Someone needs to invite her back as a guest." sayeth our leader.

NEXT WEEK Kalen Grigg, FLC Center for Service Learning.

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

4/24 Board Meeting (not the 17th)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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