Durango High Noon Rotary Club

June 19, 2003

"Sembremos las Semillas del Amor"

Jeff opened the meeting by reminding us that a contingent of Rotary Exchange students were in town and at Mesa Verde. He thanked Bud D. for sponsoring the box lunches for the group and Chip Lile for coordinating housing and activities for the kids.

Bud D. gave the invocation and led us in the pledge. Guests were introduced, including:

Dr. Linda Mack, Wynn's better half.

Kenneth Walker, visiting Rotarian from Ardmore, OK

Pamela Maurer, High Noon Scholarship Recipient and daughter of the late Bill Maurer, from HNRC member.

Melissa Sims, High Noon Scholarship Recipient.

Bob Geffe, guest of Scott Mathis

Fred Klatt, guest of Jeff Brown and the 7th President of our club.

Bill Cartwright

Bill Black

Petra Lyon was acknowledged for attending the meeting and she explained the rigors of becoming a middle school teacher, music and drama.

The two scholarship recipients thanked the club for it's support. Pamela will attend Roosevelt University in Chicago, studying theatre and performing arts. Melissa will attend American University in DC and major in Spanish and International Relations.

GOLFERS GOLFERS GOLFERS GOLFERS

Mark your calendars on August 9th for the annual High Noon Rotary/United Way fund raiser. This event is the largest fund raiser we hold and hole sponsors and teams are still needed.

Durango Nature Studies had a HNRC group work crew last Saturday morning, wielding shovels, rakes, hoes and wheelbarrows. Get details this week.

A work day is scheduled for June 28th at Folsom Park. For more info contact Ward, Tom B. and Kevin S.

Mrs. Moore announced a trash pick up for July 19th. See Pam to be part of the effort.

John M. gave a few comments about his experience as GSE Team Leader to District 4790 in Argentina. Look for a presentation to the club and at the district conference.

Program

The day's program was a retrospective presented by 10 Past Presidents of the High Noon Rotary Club. Jeff introduced Fred Klatt to get things going.

Fred Klatt was President in 85 - 86 and a charter member of the club. While serving as club President, he was also Mayor of Durango. As President, he always brought humor to the meeting, treating us to an example.

Bob Volger, President in 87 - 88, told us of the details of his birth and the member's habit of bringing him cheap, ugly ties during his Presidency. Bob established regular board meetings and told us about running the Navajo Trails golf tourney. Bob resigned his membership in Kiwanis over the issue of women as members and Rotary has benefited ever since.

Cathy Crum, President in 92 - 93, got her first Rotary experience as a GSE Team Member to the Philippines. She was sponsored by Roy Crow and remembers making money on the Air Show. When she served as president, it was a 4 year commitment, with a progression through a number of offices. Cathy remembers that a membership cap was discusses and that there was a push for Paul Harris Fellows.

Karen L'Argent, President in 93 - 94, recalls being greeted by Bob Volger sporting a fish tie. She started the red badge tradition, where new members complete a series of tasks, somewhat like an initiation. Karen held an immunization clinic and made people sing at the meetings. At times, she enjoyed being the only woman in the room.

Jim Wotkyns, President in 94 - 95, stopped singing at meetings and admitted to being less organized than his female predecessors. Jim recounted a fund raiser, Pick the Peak, which was tied to the date when the river reached it's peak and a story about 1,500 Frisbees.

Rick O'Block, President in 95 - 96, told us he was organized as president, claiming to be the first democrat to hold the office. He recalls the club growing by 25 - 30 members and that the mission during his year was community and children. He held a retreat where groups were established for projects and restored the club to financial health.

Patty Burkholder, President in 97 - 98, was the club's first Red Badger and admits to being scared to death of becoming president. She tried to bring back singing, but with some help from Fred Klatt, was unsuccessful. Patty was busy as club president and at the same time was President of the Chamber and DIDF, while also serving on the board of United Way. She remembers her time as a rewarding experience and brought back some emphasis on international service.

Petra Lyon, President in 98 - 99, recalls being president as one of her most memorable years and said it was hard for her to give up the job! One of her goals was for everyone to know each other better. She held a "Name that Rotarian" moment at club meetings, with member's secrets being read from 3 x 5 cards, with the members guessing the identity. J.R. Spies interviewed a Rotarian at every meeting, the club hosted it's sister club from Mexico City and she moved the holiday party to the evening so families of members could join in the fun.

Tom Galbraith, President in 00 - 01, was the first president to wear shorts regularly. He listed his goals for and accomplishments of the club, including: holding outdoor activities, 16 endowments, 4 new projects, money toward the amphitheatre at the Rec Center, 9 activities, 3 fund raisers, receiving 3 awards, giving 3 awards, 16 new members, 6 different exchange groups, started the e-bulletin and sponsored 9 exchanges. Shorts Rule!!

Steve Wheeldon, President in 01 - 02, remembered joining the club when Fred Klatt was President Elect. His two goals were to finish the amphitheatre and to have some fun. The big wheel was built during his presidency, one that was challenged with the tragedy of September 11 and the fires that devastated the county last year. Steve pushed the principles of the Four Way Test and lead a membership drive that included his secret of life, the banana. The Buckley Park project was begun and an auction was held for clothing that covered a life-sized photo of the Top Banana.

Jeff thanked all the Past Presidents and closed the meeting.

ps: Thanks to Spencer and Ward for handling bulletin duties while I was away.

John E. Marshall

3005 County Road 207

Durango, CO 81301

970-259-6248 p

970-259-4498 f