R O T A R Y G R A M

 

High Noon Rotary Club

 

July 15, 2004

 

 

Quote:  “Can’t wait to tell the other freshmen that I am here on a Rotary Scholarship”

Emily Sanford

 

President-to-be Steve G. practiced his “Presidenting Skills” today.

 

Guests:

 

Visiting Rotarians included President John Francis from the Morning Daybreak Club, Chuck Davies from San Antonia TX, and good ol’ Kenneth “I’m Back” from Ardmore, OK.  Pat Barrette, from that unknown CPA firm of Wheeldon, Tafoya, & Barrette, joined us today.  On the youth front, Steve Bowen (son of our Pam B.) off to Sweden 7/27 and Yuta from Japan, finishing his grand time in Durango, enjoyed lunch with us.

 

Finally, with thanks to our industrious Sherry Taber of our Scholarship Committee, we delighted with the opportunity to meet our rising leaders.  They are:  1) Aubrey Falconer, from Bayfield HS and bound for Wentworth Military Academy; 2) John Wickburg, also from Bayfield HS and aiming at U. of Denver; 3) Michelle Shave, a graduate from DHS and headed towards Texas A&M; 4) Jason Krueger of BHS going to CO NW Community College (bet you didn’t know that’s in Rangley CO!); 5) Kara Larricq, from DHS on her way to CSU; and 6) Emily Sanford from Ignacio HS.  She snagged the $1,500 Bill Mauer Scholarship and is off to CSU.  If you know any of these great kids, let them know of our pride in supporting them as they move on to bigger and better things.  Clearly, our leaders of tomorrow today.

 

 

Happenings & Announcements:

 

Pam Moore announced the Hi-Way Cleanup crew was scheduled for long-gone Sat. July  17 – they met at Kennebec Café and did their thing – sorry this is after the fact.  Hope you had a good turnout!

 

Pam Bowen is an active part of Dave G’s pillar of Rotary, and has agreed to be in charge of “caring cards” and such – thank you!

 

Ah the Golf Tournament!  As we all know, this is our Major Fund-Raiser in conjunction with United Way.  With much help from Tim and Tina Walsworth, the event will happen Saturday, August 14th.  Patti B. is fronting $5,500 to be a Title Sponsor; President John Francis is also coughing up mucho; DoubleTree Mgr. Peter Marshall is a Hole sponsor and major gifter; Jeff Brown is spearheading the players sign-up, while Tyler Silvernail is rustling up door prizes.  Friends, this is our biggie – and it takes a biggie effort to make it a success.  Call Tim and offer your help.

 

Bart promoted the Music in the Mountains “Big Bouncy Brass Concert”, to be held Monday July 26th 7PM at St. Columba Church. Should be fun!

 

 

 Our Newest Member:

 

HNRC welcomed its newest member, Phil Bryson.  As a visitor to our Club several weeks ago, your scribe described Phil as “polymathic”.   Turns out, that was an understatement.  He is a 12-year resident of Durango and is very involved in our Community:  President of Durango Office Suites (the old Patty B.’s building), Brainstorm internet, and On the Edge Productions; Chairman of our Central Business District Council; Vice Chairman of our Downtown Durango Partnership; and Executive Committee of LEAD.

 

Yikes!  And if you missed his acceptance speech – well Phil was very powerful.  He was supported by his wife Lucy and father Jim, a perfect-attendance Past President of Rotary from somewhere.

 

 

Program:

 

Our program today was a fine presentation by Kirk Dignum, Ph.D., President of the Board of Directors of Mercy Medical Center.  The new Regional Medical Center on 60 acres is a state-of-the-art replacement for the old building built more than 50 years ago (1952).  While we enjoyed the ground-breaking last week, it was quite a joy to see exactly what they are planning!  Remember, they have hired a design firm that specializes in medical facilities, and the construction firm is similarly focused upon hospitals.  Each of the 82 rooms will be private – to promote privacy, more rapid healing, and fewer nasty infections.  The design allows for easy doubling of capacity.  It will be completely wired for the Internet.  And of course they now have their own medical helicopter for that important first-hour window for treatment.  This is going to be an awesome facility.

 

 

 

 

What’s Ahead:

 

July 22: Brad Bartel, President Fort Lewis College
July 29: Music in the Mountains goes to school

 

 

Yours in Rotary,

 

 

Spencer, your Scribe

 

PS:  Your correspondent always welcomes your comments:  mailto:pearse2827@sisna.com