Newsletter

(5-11-06 Meeting)

 

Opening

Steve Govreau opened the meeting and led us all in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a short inspirational quote from Winston Churchill as read by Dave Ganevsky, “A Pessimist sees difficulty when presented with an opportunity whereas an Optimist sees opportunity where there is difficulty.”

 

Guests

The following guests were introduced and welcomed to our meeting:

           

            Guest                      Representing                  Sponsor/Host

            Paula Watson          Wolf Refuge                    Burt Coleman

            Dan McGinn             Wolf Refuge                   Burt Coleman

          *Christy McGinn      La Plata Youth Svs       Nils Bruno   

            Paige Coleman        Burt’s Daughter

            Robin Coleman       Burt’s Granddaughter                                            

Bill Rimsky                United Way Director   Tim Walsworth

Clint Jaworsky        Acordia                         Leanne Jaworsky

Scott Bjorlin                                                   Chandler Jackson  

        **Rochelle Davis          Interact                          Peter Marshall

 

*Christy gave a short presentation on the La Plata Youth Services program which High Noon has supported for a number of years.  Christy is trying to recruit volunteers for LPYS to participate in mentoring and reading to kids in the 9R school system.  About ten High Noon Rotarians are already doing this community service.    

 

**Rochelle is competing to be a three month exchange student to Belgium and is being sponsored by High Noon Rotary.                                       

                                    

Visiting Rotarian

 

Ray Nash, Sheriff (and a Rotarian) of Summerville County in South Carolina was teaching a law enforcement class at Fort Lewis today in which Mark Dold was a student.  Trooper Dold, know for his quick thinking, invited Ray to our meeting today and spread the fellowship and good will of Rotary to our southern brethren.

 

New Member Induction

 

Monte Bjorling, a banker, was presented by her sponsor Chandler Jackson.   Monte and her husband Scott, who was in attendance, have three children.   Monte learned about public service from her parents who ended up starting the largest food pantry in Wisconsin.  Monte’s parents were always involved in public service and taught their children how important it is to the community.  Monte has already volunteered for the golf tournament committee, one of our most important fundraisers.  Monte was enthusiastically welcomed by the members.

 

Announcements

The meeting on May 18, 2006 will be held at the Doubletree.

Past President Tom Galbreath, of the High Noon’s Caribbean Chapter was announced by President Steve.

President Steve presented Dennis Hanson, the business and marketing editor for the Durango Herald, with a certificate of Appreciation for assisting us in putting together the recent Rotary insert in the paper.  Without Dennis, it just wouldn’t have been the fine product it turned out to be.

 

Sgt. of Arms

Ward Holmes filled in for Mark Prouty.  Bill Hermeson fined himself $.50 to tell us a sad story about embezzlement of $35k and made a promise to himself to improve internal controls.  Steve Osborne will provide consulting services.  Dr. Bob Volger (Ret) and Howard Wilson fessed up to skipping the May 6th Durango Nature Studies Weed and Beer Festival after committing to helping out.  They both forgot about this important HNR project but they voluntarily fined themselves.  Are these guys good Rotarians or what!

 

Program

The program was introduced by Burt Coleman and presented by Paula Watson, Director of the Wolf Refuge down near Ignacio.  Paula has been running this service for about 10 years.  Its sole purpose is to protect wolves and wolf hybrids and occasionally a dog that looks like a wolf.  It is strictly a rescue operation and none of the rescuees are ever introduced to the wild.  There are no paid staff and all donations go toward supporting the program.  Paula introduced us to a variety of her charges including one alpha female that reminded Bud of one of his former wives.  The Refuge has an excellent working relationship with the Humane Society as they work together to save these unfortunate animals who are frequently victims of human abuse.  Wolves have little in common with dogs and coyotes and they consider dogs to be “challenged” cousins.  This was truly and intriguing and interesting program and the membership clearly enjoyed it.

 

Closing

Bud had a sad joke that helped to close the meeting.