Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

May 8, 2003

"Service above Self"

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

Regan Bach, Director of the La Plata Youth Services Diversion Program

Melinda Malone, R.N.Travel and Childhood Immunizations

Andy Mac Gruer, Destination Imagination.

David Down

Jan Morgenston

Ryan Phelps

Jon Bedor

Jeff recognized Bart Cross, returning to the club after an absence for back surgery. Mike Sandberg's challenge to match $1000 in donations from the club was met, with 5 members stepping up for the $100 challenge, with David Farmer completing the challenge.

Community Service

Destination Imagination: Andy thanked the members of the club that volunteered as judges, noting that 150 kids participated, along with 80 judges. Photos were circulated of the judges in all manner of attire. A team from Miller MS earned a award for outstanding creativity, while another took 2nd in the state and will go on to the 'Global' Tourney in Knoxville, TN. Andy was also soliciting for some financial help.

Blood Drive: Tami announced a blood drive to be held on May 20th at the Bank of the San Juans from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Your donation will be on behalf of Sarah Lupton who recently underwent surgery.

Recipes: Pam Moore asked for bread and soup recipes for the Manna Soup Kitchen.

Due to a last minute cancellation by the scheduled speaker, Jeff used the meeting as a bit of a recap and a club assembly.

Jeff asked Tom Brossia and Dean Brookie to bring the club up to date on a number of projects. Dean reviewed the progress and status of our Centennial Project, the renovation of Buckley Park. He indicated that one of the firms, G.E. Johnson, involved in the remodel and new construction of various 9R facilities has agreed to act as construction manager for the project at no charge. This was arranged by Frank Valen.

There is still the issue of the Excell School playground and Dean expects it to be resolved soon and to not be part of the design of the park or Civic Plaza to use his term. The budget for the renovation is estimated to be $500k, with a pledge of seed money in the amount of $25k from the club, the balance coming from fund raising efforts.

It appears that the library will move to the Bank of Colorado building and that the Herald is pleased with the project. The city has said that it will maintain the new Civic Plaza.

Tom Brossia reported on some of the club's efforts in the last year, including the leadership of John Anderson as co-chair of the Disaster Recovery Coalition. The club provided $10k to the effort, with an additional $2k coming from Rotary International. Tom recognized Rick R., Mark Dold, Teri Lee and Bob Chaput for their contributions of time and expertise.

Mini Grants in the amount of $6k were made to various groups, including 9R, the Children's Chorale's trip to NYC, the Durango Latino Education Coalition, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and After the Fire. There were more grant recipients and Tom will have a complete list.

Opportunities for service include a June 21st Durango Nature Studies activity to build a Prairie Dog Trail from 9:00 AM to noon.

Bob Salzer is bike riding for 4H and is accepting pledges. The Red Ball Express raised over $27k for community needs and Tom indicates that next year the amount should triple. The annual Golf Tournament yielded a total of $23k, split between the club and the United Way. The Octoberfest netted $5k and the Mexican Food Fiesta receipts are still being tallied.

This year's Mex Fest numbers include 1,900 meals served, deposits as of the meeting of $6,400, with about 50 ticket envelopes full of cash yet to be turned in. The net as of last Thursday was estimated at $3,500.

Jeff saluted a number of Rotarians for their efforts at the Mex Fest, with special thanks to Mark Prouty for another fine job. Mark sent me this update: "I collected an additional $1500.00 Thursday . We still have 37 members who

have not turned in their tickets. Next week is free. The week after there

will be substantial fines, per our beloved President."

The scholarship committee, header by Sherry Tabor, received 37 applications, interviewed 30 candidates and selected 9 high school seniors for awards. Sherry thanked the committee for it's work and gave a special nod to Nancy Hammond for the sign displayed at the Mex Fest and to Ward for the P.R. and the printing of the certificates. Bud Deering was recognized for his financial backing of the vocational awards.

Cinco de Mayo. Paulette thanked several club members who hosted one or more of the young people from Durango, Mexico, that were in town to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. In fact, between the three clubs, Rotarians hosted over 25% of the participants. Hosts from our club included Dave Ganevsky, John Marshall and Gordon Hensley.

Jeff asked Past President, Dick Pearson ('81 - '82) to tell the members a bit about himself, but not before recognizing Bob Griffith as one of only two charter members still in the club.

Dick thanked his folks and told us he was the class clown in school. He served aboard ship in the U.S. Navy and sailed into all the ports on the East Coast, including in Cuba and Puerto Rico. While serving, his ship hosted than President Lyndon Johnson.

Dick took advantage of the G.I. Bill to get his education, has been married to Jane for 30 years and announced that a 'Rotary' baby is on the way, a product of the union of his son and Charlie Albert's daughter, or perhaps the other way around. Didn't quite get the facts.

Dick gave flowers to another Past President, Karen L'Argent ('93 - '94) and bananas to PP Steve Wheeldon ('01 - 02). Ask Steve if you don't know why. Somewhere along the trail, Dick got the nickname Mr. Whipple, due to his resemblance, as some claim to a certain tv toilet paper pitchman. Legend has it that the name was bestowed on him by Pat Murphy and Chuck Lile, 1st President of the club ('79 - '80). Dick's special badge was made for him by PP Bob Volger. ('87 - '88)

Doing extra duty, Dick served as Sergeant at Arms for the day. Steve Redding announced his 37th wedding anniversary and Teri Lee drew a card, but not 'big' one.

With nothing more for the good of Rotary, Jeff closed the meeting.

Coming Up

May 15 State Farm Fraud Unit (Sponsored by Jay Hwang)

May 19 Outbound GSE Team leaves for Argentina

May 22 High School Business Incubator (Sponsored by Tami Coddington)

May 29 U.S. Representative Scott McInnis

Jun 5 State Senator Jim Isgar and State Representative Mark Larson

Thanks in advance to Spencer Pearse for assuming bulletin duties for the next month.

John E. Marshall

3005 County Road 207

Durango, CO 81301

970-259-6248 p

970-259-4498 f