Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

April 18, 2002

"'The availability of quality health care is an indicatior of the economic health and vitality of our community."

Mercy Medical Center Health Foundation.........

Steve opened the meeting a Welcome and then said what a good time the Mexican Food Fiesta Fund raiser was, good fellowship and a good result for scholarships for local high school kids. The club recently funded $10k in scholarships.

We then took a moment to reflect on what we get out of being a member of Rotary and.......to remember our mothers. We recited the pledge and got down to business.

Guests were introduced and there were a bunch.

Nicole Smith

Diane Doney

Paul Lee

Peter Marshall

Jim Class

Jan Measles

Cathy Neil

Gordon Hensley

Erika Pray

Visiting Rotarians:

Bill Tarpley, District Governor

Jim Reser

Susan Stresser

Club Service:

Thoughtful Cards: A greeting card to Sam Stites was signed, letting him know of our support as he deals with family medical matters. A get well card for Bobby Estes, known to many Rotarians, was signed as well.

Ward the Wizard: Club members can now have an e-mail address connected to the club's website. Contact Ward and get your: joedoaks@durangohighnoonrotary.com.

Super Sub: Thanks to Spencer Pearse for publishing the bulletin in my absence.

International Service:

Gifts to Mexico: Ted Robson, Justin Bradshaw and Teri Aspin made the trip to deliver donated dental equipment and fixtures and musical instruments. They met by the Governor of Chihuahua and other leaders, including the President of one of the Durango, Mexico Rotary Clubs. From the smiles and photos brought back by the group, the trip was a huge success. Additional thanks go to Bryan Myers, Bert Coleman, Rick Spenser, Past President, Bob Volger, Roger Ptolemy and KRSJ.

Teri was circulating pictures from the trip and it is planned for them to be posted on the club's website.

Exchange students hit town: Plans continue for the arrival on June 18th of 48 exchange students. Most of them have shelter for two nights, but accommodations are still needed. If you have space, call Paulette and put some youngsters up. You will need to pick them up and take them to town.

Vocational Service: No report this week.

Community Service:

Durango Nature Studies Hummingbird Garden: Don't forget the opportunity to get your hands dirty. June 1st, 9:00 AM to Noon, come help with soil prep, planting, building raised bed and drip irrigation and mulching. Take 550 South 12 miles from 160 to CR 310/318, take a left and another immediate left on Rivers End Lane.

Youth Service:

Puifai Scores!: Puifai reported that, as the school year ends, she has qualified as a member of the National Honor Society, is in the upper 10% of her class and is off the charts in terms of English competency. Paulette stood and filled us is her other accomplishments. Puifai announced the DHS choir spaghetti dinner on Friday night, with proceeds supporting the choir, including a trip to Carnegie Hall for some of the members.

Mexican Food Fiesta Fund Raiser: In Mark's absence, Steve reported that the club served a total of 1,282 meals at the May 2nd annual event. The proceeds are put toward scholarships. Paulette reported that the community had raised over $1.5mm for academic and vocational scholarships and that it is wonderful that the High Noon Rotary Club can contribute.

Check the website, http://www.durangohighnoonrotary.com/ for a list of all the kids that received scholarship money from HNR.

We get mail:

Reading to kids: Lisa Barrett sent us a letter of thanks for the participation of a number of members who read to pre-school ` kids. In addition, she thanked Steve Govreau for coordinating the efforts of the club.

Thanks from new club: Chessa indicated that we received a letter of thanks for a new club in Colorado Springs, the Interquest Club, for our gift of a flag banner. A volunteer is needed/requested to formally present the banner to the club on

June 13th.

PROGRAM

Steve introduced club member Jenny Kane and Nicole Smith of the San Juan Mountains Association. Jenny is Executive Director and club member Scott Mathis is President of their board.

She began her presentation with some San Juan Mtn. Association trivia. Contestants included Spencer Pearse, Tom Brossia, DG Bill Tarpley and Jim Burpee. Each won a prize for their answers.

Jenny stated that the mission of the SJMA "is to enhance personal and community stewardship of natural, cultural and heritage resources on public and other lands in Southwest Colorado through education, interpretation, information and participation." They act as a clearing house for volunteers, support service learning projects and generally aim to connect people with the land and develop stewardship through helping hands.

She covered a number of volunteer opportunities available this summer. They include:

Chimney Rock Host/Tour Guide

Durango Mountain Resort Naturalist Programs.

Wilderness Information Specialists

Ghost Riders, horse mounted information specialists.

BLM Wilderness Study Area Monitoring.

Cultural/Archaeological site monitoring.

Adopt a Trail, Adopt a Road.

Colorado Trail Maintenance Day.

Chimney Rock Maintenance.

Trail Crew Leader.

Hunter Information and Dumpster Program.

SJMA Ambassadors, staffing Public Lands Center offices and providing info to visitors.

Office support positions.

Pagosa Hut trail system.

The next volunteer orientation will be held on June 15, 8:30 - 4:00 PM at the Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Ct. Durango. Contact Kathe Hayes, 385-1310: khayes@fs.fed.us.

Concluding her remarks, Jenny indicated that SJMA volunteers have invested 25,000 hours on public lands! Steve said that it is incredible to see the progress that has been made in 14 years and presented Jenny and Nicole with the Rotary speaker's mug. Thank you Jenny, you work sets the standard! www.sjma.org

Laurie Forbes treated the club to her thoughts on 'What is Motherhood'. She offered her memories of numerous 'mothers' that she during her early years and the importance each one was in her life. Among the influential women in her life were her grandmothers, Myrtle, (Grandmother Jackson's cook) and 3 great mothers-in-law. To honor them all, Laurie has completed her Paul Harris Fellowship. Thanks Laurie.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Past President Dick Pearson's surgery went well and he has things under control.

May 23rd is our Rotary Foundation Paul Harris luncheon.

Next week a report on the park project and a presentation on Crow Canyon.

Len Goebel is driving his new race car this weekend.

COMING UP

5/16: Crow Canyon, Audrey Coleman.

5/23: Paul Harris Luncheon

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