R o t a r y G r a m

November 14, 2002

"The gem cannot be polished without friction,

nor man perfected without trials." - -- Chinese proverb

Guests:

Chip L. introduced Kelsea Ferrato and her mother Christy F., and Bonny McCann and her mom Martha Mayer. These two young ladies are competing to be chosen for the one-year Rotary exchange program representing all the local Rotary Clubs. They would be excellent ambassadors! Arvella H. brought Bess Maisel, a local loan officer, as her guest. Bert C. was proud to introduce a fellow doc Dr. Manuel Pozo-Alonso to the meeting.

Paulette C. bought lunch for Keoki Sears, who among many things in trying to bring fibre optics to our little burg. Melissa C. introduced Duffy McKay while Mark P. treated his staff member Deb Schultz to lunch. Finally, visiting Rotarian from Midland Texas Bill Black couldn't stay away from our fine club again.

Announcements:

Marv C. provided a quick update on the terrific mentoring program for kids at risk from the Durango Youth Services. He asked for volunteers and promptly held a quick group meeting following the program.

Sherry T. reminded us of the Durango Reads! program Friday 11/15th 7:00 pm at the FLC's CSS. Moderated by Duane Smith, the discussion focuses upon Wallace Stegner's Angle of Repose. What! You haven't read it??

Yikes! Do it! It's Great!

Details of our Christmas Party were announced: Sunday December 8, Cocktails start at 5:00, Dinner at 6:00 and Entertainment at 7:00.

Strater Hotel/Diamond Circle featuring Prime Rib and Pecan-Crusted Halibut etc.etc. Petra L. has done the heavy lifting and will be calling us with more details and seeking confirmations.

Jan M. is spearheading a major event for us: the Snowdown Snowball, scheduled for Feb 1, 2003.

Our SofA Len G. found three Rotary ticket "winners" to actually be "losers". The jackpot grows!

The Perfect Program:

Our program featured Arthur Post, Conductor of the San Juan Symphony, and warmly supported by pianist Tom MacCluskey. Mr. Post proved to be very articulate, very entertaining, and very personalable. At the helm of the SJS only since June of this year, Mr. Post has conducted for twenty years (and he's a very young 43!) with the masters Michael Thomas Tilson [you remember him now as the fabulous new leader of the San Francisco Symphony] and Loren Maazel [Philadelphia, New York]. A bass player since age nine, he is a self-described Mountain Freak who is delighted to be living and making music in the Four Corners. His vision for the SJS is to bring imaginative, down-to-earth programming and passionate performances to our area. Great classics and startling new compositions.

This Saturday (11/16, 7:30 PM - FLC's Community Concert Hall/Sunday in Farmington, call 247-7657) he is presenting just such a program: "Image and Imagination". The program includes Faure - Pavane, Poulenc - Gloria, with soprano soloist Gemma Kavanagh [have you ever heard her?

She's glorious!!] and the Durango Choral Society [that's our own Linda Mack], and the terrific Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition. A few tickets are still available.

At the end of February, Mr Post presents another imaginative program called "Groundbreakers", featuring a "bunch of Radicals of their time": Beethoven's Piano Concerto #5, Emperor combined with a rare Duke Ellington piece The River.

Then it was down to business. Mr. Post and MacCluskey embraced their bass and piano and performed a Bach composition marked by simplicity and elegance, followed by an energetic and delightful jazz composition.

Boys and girls, especially John Marshall your Cub, if you missed today, well, you missed a great day to be a member of High Noon Rotary.

Respectfully,

Spencer,

Cub-Sub