Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

February 12, 2004

 

    "It is better to deserve honors and not have them, than to have them and not deserve them."

                                                                                                           Mark Twain

 

Attired in Valentine Red, President Chessa Gill opened the meeting with a ‘Happy Valentine’s Day!’ gave the invocation and led us in the pledge.  Guests were introduced, including the speaker, Sofia Van Surksum, Executive Director of the Durango Film Festival.  Other guests were; Jeanne O’Dean, Russell Parker’s guest; Mark Donahue, guest of Vern Swanson; Pat Myers, Bryan’s wife; Ashley Berry, Frank’s guest; Pam Bowen, Jeff’s guest and mother of our outbound exchange student; Hannah Hwang, Jay’s daughter; Katie Middleton, Chessa’s guest and Yuta Millmi, the club’s exchange student from Japan.

 

Announcements

 

Judges needed for history day:  R.J. Sulka needs volunteer judges for the history day competition.  Call him at DHS to sign up for the ˝ day on February 20th.

 

Red Ball Express:  Bill Cartwright gave a final accounting of the recent fundraiser.  Through the efforts of the three clubs, revenues were up 62%, with 24 area non-profits sharing $21.5k.  BB/BS was the big winner, earning the $5k grand prize from a donated ticket.

 

ACS Daffodil Days:  Jennifer Simon announced that the local chapter of the American Cancer Society will be selling bunches of flowers for $10 to raise

money.  Contact her at 247-0278.  Flowers will be delivered in March.

 

Measles’ Badge is gone:  Jan reported that here club badge is being held by a

Kiwanian and will be returned only if the club participates in a March 17th parade with it’s now famous Rotary Wheel.  It’s a big undertaking and 5 – 10 Rotarians need to contact Steve O. to help.  247-8487.

 

Pearse and Price Partner to Publish:  Spencer Pearse, Ph.D. and Terry Price, Attorney at Law, have taken over the task of publishing the club bulletin.  Spencer asked for another club member to volunteer as an alternate.  Contact Terry @ 259-0002, Spencer @ 259-2827.

 

Thanks from the club:  Chessa presented John M., outgoing scribe, with a very nice pen and pencil set as a thank you.  No thanks are necessary; being in the company of you fine people are thanks enough.

 

Goddesses Gather to Network:  Jeanne told us of the next gathering, to be held at 4 – 7 PM, lower level of Scoot ‘N Blues on February 26th.  www.goddessgathering.blogspot.com

 

Sergeant at Arms

 

Bill Hermesman and Bud D. shared duties of this high office.  Bill asked for happy bucks and fined anyone not wearing red.  Emil put in some bucks, celebrating 5 years in the club and Bryan Myers chipped in as well on the anniversary of 20 years of his business,

 

 

Durango Credit and Collection Company.  Bud tried to collect birthday money, but his staff had prepared the wrong list.

 

Weekly Drawing

 

This weeks lucky numbers were held by Tim and Steve W. Neither drew the proper card from the deck and the pot rolls over to next week.  Each received a free SubWay sandwich, courtesy of Steve R.  

 

My Life

 

Chessa introduced Tami Coddington and asked her to tell the club more about herself.  Tami was born into a family of ranchers, cowboys and cowgirls.  Reports are that she was a stubborn and independent child, perhaps contributing to her early success in ballet, acting and singing.  She auditioned for the San Francisco Ballet at 12 and was accepted by the Winnipeg Ballet School at 14.  The Jackson Rotary club was her sponsor.  She was a Junior Miss her senior year in high school, receiving a scholarship to UW.  Tami interned in the banking business during summers and holidays, working as a lender. She met husband Rob while in college and came to Durango when he found a teaching job here.  Tami enjoys her work at Bank of the San Juans and makes amble time for community service.

 

Program

 

Chessa introduced Sophia Van Surksum, Executive Director of the Durango Film Festival.  Sophia explained the history of the event and the plans for it to be internationally known.  One goal is to stimulate the local economy and with as many as 350 invitees expected, they will buy lots of meals and hotel rooms.  Durango has been chosen as a showcase city where new documentaries will be screened.  Sophia, like leaders of a lot of other Durango-based organizations, is working to establish a financial base to support ongoing activities.  There are many collaborations, children’s programs and plans to offer monthly screenings.  The Durango Film Festival hopes to attract 10,000 people and is building a volunteer base to support the event.  Go to www.durangofilmfestival.com for more details.  The event runs March 6 – 14 and you can contact Sophia @ director@durangofilmfestival.com.

 

Next week’s meeting will be an open forum and business meeting.  Future events include:

 

February 19      Workshop with President Chessa

 

February 26      Trails 2000 w/ Bill Manning

 

March 4            Greg Hoch, City 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.