Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

February 13, 2003

"Citizen diplomacy is something I think works and something that is

underheralded as a way of increasing understanding."

Arthur Jones, Rotary Scholar........

Jeff opened the meeting, asking Jay to give the invocation and to lead us in the pledge. Guests were introduced, including:

Bonny McCann and Lindsey Ash of DHS, EPYCS

Anna Anderson, Cynthia Stengel and Cheryl Blackwell of Annie's Orphans

Jay Gill, spouse of PE Chess Gill

Bill O'Brien of Owens - Corning

Jan Bedor, PCC student and son of Wayne

Jeff made a call for announcements and there were plenty.

Announcements

Red Ball Express: Tom B. brought us up to date on planning etc. This was followed the next day the announcement that the event had been postponed until Saturday, February 22nd at 4:03 PM or so. Please read the note that you received from Ward for details and contact Tom for any assignment changes. To sell tix at Wells Fargo, contact Jeff.

DHS EPYCS: The young ladies announced that the El Pomar Foundation contribute $9k to their projects if they raise $500.00. Now that's leverage.

Southwest Colorado Destination Imagination: Andy McGruerer made a call for volunteers to be judges at the April 5th (Saturday) competition. Destination Imagination grew out of Odyssey of the Mind and promotes critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills. 50 - 55 people are needed, with training in late March and a limited edition T - shirt for your investment in our youth. Andy would like a Rotarian presence.

Ted Robson on the mend: Jim Burpee told us that Ted was recovering from surgery and a get well card was circulated. Come back real soon, Ted!!!

Club Service

Best Maisel, 105th member inducted: Jeff invited Jill, Arvella and Beth Maisel to the podium for Beth induction into the club. As her sponsor, Arvella introduced her to the club as a business owner who already lives by the 4 - Way Test. She says Beth has heart and 'gets stuff done'.

Beth told us that she will be a two-year resident this coming June, relocating here after working her way up the corporate ladder to Assistant General Manager in the cable business. Her company is hired by cable operators to market them to residential customers. She and staff develop campaigns, manage the projects and deliver customers to the cable companies that use her services.

Beth is ready to do the work of Rotary. Welcome Beth! Jill gave her a Rotary 'starter kit' to the welcoming applause of the members present.

Peter Marshall is Blue: Having met the requirements of membership, Jill presented him with his blue membership badge.

Sergeant At Arms: Past President, Dr. Robert Volger, with the kinder and gentler chairside manner he is known for, announced that there would be now fines at the meeting. Paulette and Wayne drew cards for the pot, to no avail.

Community Service

Snow Down SnowBall: If you bought an auction item at the dance, see Jan Measles with your check or cash!!!

Rotary International Annual Report

Jeff asked Immediate Past President, Steve Wheeldon, to review the RI annual report and to present a summary to the club. Steve reported that $91 million is available for projects, even though there was a loss of $7 million due to reduced securities value. Rotary International is healthy and made a $1.8 million investment in projects supporting Afghan refugees.

By 2005, an additional $500 million will have been spent on Polio Plus efforts, with a total of 2 Billion children vaccinated since 1988.

Program

Jeff called Burt Coleman to the podium to introduce the program, Annie's Orphans. He introduced Ann Anderson, the founder of the no-kill dog and cat shelter that she started in 1985 with some 5 - day old puppies. Located on CR 214, Annie's Orphans is organized as a 501 C 3 non-profit.

Annies' takes in abused, abandoned and starving dogs and cats, with the goal of rehabilitating them and placing them in good homes. Adoptees must sign a contract the requires the adoptee to bring the pet back to Annie's if there are ever unable to care for them.

To raise money for her effort, Ann started a jewelry business with items for dog lovers. She says the shelter has a bright future, in part due to her new associates, Cheryl Blackwell and Cynthia Stengel. Over the years, she has used volunteers to care for the pets and donated materials to build newer, better enclosures. Until 1992 many dogs were still restrained with chains, but no more. Some of the elder residents even have heated and padded houses to help ward off the aches of old age.

It is clear that her residents get lots of love and good care from two local Veterinarians that also are able to help with food. Cynthia joined Ann a year ago and spends part of her time writing grants to support the kennel. Donations are always welcome and they have received money from the LPEA 'round up' program.

The future includes the construction of a heated isolation unit for new arrivals to help reduce the spread of disease among the animals. And, Annie's Ark, a vehicle to take pets to the homes of adoptees is in the works. They have also bought an old bus from Tammaron to use in case of fire and the kennel has to be evacuated. One of last year's lessons.

Emphasis will be placed on education to reduce the number of pets that come to Annie's, with presentations to community groups and a continuing effort to promote spaying and neutering. Annie's has a good relationship with the Humane Society, which often supplies food and blankets.

We are a better community because of Ann Anderson and her unselfish efforts.

Jeff closed the meeting reminding us that we shouldn't forget our Valentines.

Coming Up

Feb 19 Board Meeting, 7:00 AM, Double Tree

Feb 20 Rocky Mt Chocolate Factory

Feb 27 Leadership La Plata

Mar 6 Buckley Park Project

Mar 13 Prostate Health

Mar 20 Durango Children's Chorale

Mar 27 After the Fire - Missionary Ridge

Apr 3 Cuba Trip Alexii Carey

Apr 10 Club Assembly

Apr 17 Insights to Balding

Apr 24 Colorado Open Space

May 1 Mexican Food Fiesta

May 8 OPEN

May 15 State Farm Fraud Unit

May 22 Dgo High School Business Incubator

May 29 OPEN

Note: Meetings on Feb 27, Mar 13, and May 22 will be from club members.