Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

January 15, 2004

 

    "A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a medieval study hall.:

                                                                                             Vince Lombardi

 

 

 

    President Chessa Gill opened the meeting with a gracious welcome and lead the club in the invocation and pledge.  Guests included Yuta, the club's exchange student from Japan and the Barbershop Quartet, with George Litow.  More guests were present, but I forgot to pick up the sign in sheet.  Sorry hosts and hostesses.

 

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

    Red Ball Express:  Bill Cartwright told us that there is a week to go for ticket sales.  Bring the proceeds from your sales to the meeting on January 22nd or to Wells Fargo Bank on the morning of Friday the 23rd.  The event takes place on Saturday, January 24th at DMR, starting at 12 noon, with red balls rolling at 4:04 PM.  Remember, Rotarians cannot enter, but your family and friends are eligible.  As of the 15th, Rotary club ticket sales were lagging behind last year by about $6k. 

 

    International Fellowship of Rotarians:  The event scheduled for January 24th and 30th.  Please contact Mark Prouty for more information.

 

    Snow Down Gala Tickets to be auctioned:  Bob Chaput and Bud Poe are offering to the highest bidder, 4 tickets to the winter's premier event.  The auction is Thursday, January 22nd during the weekly club meeting.  Bring check books, the minimum bid is $200 bucks and all the dough goes to the club's scholarship fund.  Also see the note from Bob Chaput, via Ward Holmes.  Steve G. has a pair for Friday night to auction as well.

 

    Taste Wine for Open Space:  Steve Wheeldon announced the annual La Plata Open Space Conservancy Benefit Wine Tasting to be held on Thursday, January 29th at Bank of Colorado, 5:30 PM.  $60 each or $80 for a couple, tickets at the door and includes a signed limited edition print by locally acclaimed artist, Karyn Gabaldon.

 

    SnowDown Snowball:  Steve G. reminded us of the annual event held at the DoubleTree Grand Ballroom.  Co-coordinators, Angie Beach and David Ganevsky can provide more details.  Show up for dinner, $35.00,  and feast until 9:00 PM, when the music starts and dance to 1:00 AM to classic rock.  Enjoy the night including a silent auction hosted by the First National Bank of Durango and a costume contest.  Dance only?, get there at 9:00 PM, $10.00.  Steve says some seats (tables) are still available.  Peter Marshall requests more small silent auction items, so look for some treasures at home.  Steve said that the dinner folks may be treated to some classical guitar by Brian Wagner of the Durango Arts Center.

 

    Italian Cooking Lessons:  Dr. Sanders, Susan, is coordinating an Italian cooking evening at Guido's.  Participants, 10 folks, will prepare exotic stuff and then eat it.  She didn't say if they also have to wash the dishes.  Contact Susan for details.  Currently scheduled for Wednesday, February 4th, 5 - 7 PM, $32.00 per person.

 

    Firewood and more:  Past President ('87 - '88) Dr. Bob Volger spoke of the need for help with the firewood project.  He and Bob Foster have identified 11 families that we can help.  Volunteers, call Bob, your choice.  Be sure not to send Dr. Bob any e-mail, he doesn't read very often.

 

    Food Service Experience?:  Chessa called for a show of hands for anyone with food service experience.  Sorry, no details.

 

    SnowDown Spellabration, Live at the Diamond Circle Theatre:  Paulette told us about the event, sponsored by the Adult Education Center.  Theeee one and olny, all-stare spelling show-down of SnowDown.  Wednesday, January 28th at the Diamond Circle.  Check with Paulette for times.

 

    Chessa called George Litow to the podium for a 5 minute recap of his life.  George was born on Christmas day in the "20's".  His college days were interrupted during his senior year by WWII and upon his return finished up and went to De Paul law school.  During the war, George flew the B-24 bomber.  Take some time to thank George for his service!

    George lost his first wife to pneumonia, but had the good fortune to meet his wife Ann and together they have 4 children, one living in Australia.

    George is a member of the Colorado Mounted Rangers, sings with the local Barbershop group and has been know to do some pro bono law work. He said he studied trombone in in high school.  Do you still play?  Thanks George.

 

    The weekly drawing included three chances, Don Freemyer, Ted Robson and Doug Lashley.  There was no winner, with each receiving a certificate for a sandwich at Steve Redding's SubWay near Wal-Mart.

 

    Sergeant at Arms:  David Downs called for birthdays and anniversaries.  Mark P. announced his granddaughter celebrated her 1st birthday. 

    Past President ('86 - '87) David Farmer celebrated his 21 years as a High Noon Rotarian.  Bud Deering challenged table # 3 to recite the Rotary Slogan for 2005.  They did not deliver.  The slogan is Every Rotarian, Every Year, referring to drive to have every Rotarian contribute to the foundation and to become a Paul Harris Fellow.

   

PROGRAM

 

    Chessa asked George Litow to introduce the program, a close harmony singing group made up of 4 members of the local Barber shop Singing group, including George.  As part of the introduction, the leader indicated that there are 30,000 plus active members in their society and that the local group meets on Tuesday nights. 

    They performed a variety of numbers from traditional Barber shop tunes to more contemporary pieces adapted to the genre, Shenandoah to the Beach Boys.  The crowd appreciated their skill and the harmony was very pleasing to the ear.

 

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

 

COMING UP*

   

January 22        Life Source Blood Drive

January 29        RotoPlast

February 5        Durango Postmaster

February 12      Film Festival

February 19      Workshop with President Chessa

February 26      Trails 2000 w/ Bill Manning

March 4            Greg Hoch, County Planning

March 11          Debate Team

March 18          Mercy Wellness Dietitian

March 25         

April 1

April 8              Dr. John Withers, Surgeon

 

*all programs subject to change.