High Noon Rotary Club of
Durango
District 5470
Club 1161
Meet at Doubletree Hotel
Time: 12:00 Noon
Thursdays
Newsletter:
September 11, 2008
Fellow Rotarians:
- Tami started the meeting with the pledge and a moment of silence
for 9/11 2001 victims. When introducing guests at her table, Tami was
drowned out by prattle from our seniorsÕ table; however, Bud Deering
stepped into the breech and with his best Marine Corps commanding officer
voice bellowed out "quiet" and all was quiet. Good on ya' Bud!
- Tami introduced Charmaine Summers and her colleague Jed from the
Department of Human Services. Exchange student Boon was also introduced
and she told about her last week's activities which involved
observing Native American dancing, talking to another Thai
Exchange Student and attempting to acclimate to the newly
arrived cold weather in Durango. For what itÕs worth Boon, it won't get
any warmer until about May 2009! Bob Over, formerly of the Conifer,
CO Rotary Club was introduced. Richard Halleck, retired University of
Arizona professor and 22 year part time Durango resident, from one of
the Tucson Rotary Clubs was introduced. Scott Flyte, potential HNR
club member was introduced by Nancy Bennet. Paul and Jill McQueary of
the San Juan New Mexico Rotary Club were introduced as the program by Rick
Routh. Finally, Britny and Katie from the Rotaract club were introduced as
Interactors by Justin Osborne who immediately paid a fine for
misspeaking. Justin is quick on his feet! Britney and Katie were
there to talk about their upcoming "Meet and Greet Event" which
will help them become a community based organization versus being FLC
based.
- Tami announced that our 9/18 meeting next week will be held at the
Fairgrounds in support of Kiwanis' annual Pancake fund raiser. Bob Over
announced the recruitment of students for the Òmaking a differenceÓ
classes at FLC. Scholarships are available. Bob also announced that
he was bringing Flash Cadillac to town. Tami then
turned the mike over to Bud Deering (an act that normally strikes
trepidation into the hearts of the HNR membership) who gave us a poignant
commentary on his appreciation to the club for helping him get from age 70
to age 80. Bud also announced that he was increasing his annual donation
to the San Juan Vo-Tech from $1,000 to $1,500 annually. Bud not only talks
the talk but walks the walk!
- Bill Cartwright reminded us of the October 25, 2008 Habitat for
Humanity Rotary Build day. No
skills required, just a willingness to work to help alleviate the housing
problem for one deserving family in La Plata County.
- Charmaine
Summers from the CountyÕs Human Services Department presented the case for
folks volunteering to be foster parents as there is a dire shortage of
them and the need is great. The program on universal methamphetamine abuse
explains that meth abuse is part of the reason for the shortage.
- Two bright
and articulate young Rotaractors, Britny and Katie, pled their case for
High Nooners joining them for their upcoming ÒMeet and GreetÓ event at the
Recreation Center. This event is to aid the Rotaract Club in becoming a
community based club of young professionals rather then FLC based. Rotarians are invited to the
meeting to possibly act as mentors for the group. Please support them.
- Anniversary
Fines: Bob Salzer and Bob
Chaput. Bob C. enlightened us
on how to stay married for 50 years (to the same woman), advice he
apparently had given to Bud.
In brief, Òfind a soul mate and say yes dear frequently and keep ones
mouth shut.Ó Sounds easy
enough. Bob C. also announced
the overwhelming success of the ÒThree Cups of TeaÓ fund raising project
in the community which has topped $49,000 on its way to the goal of
$50,000. Other Fines: Dick Pearson ended up sitting alone and all other
Rotarians were fined for not ensuring Dick enjoyed some fellowship during
lunch. Dick said he sat alone
so he could meet new people unlike some folks who sit in the same chair
each Thursday and always with the same people. Mark Donohue was fined
($10-$100) for having his cell phone disrupt the meeting, not once but
twice. Dan did not cut Mark any slack because of MarkÕs recent election as
the grand pooh bah of the local realtorsÕ organization. WeÕre confident
Mark did the right thing as regards the fine. Wayne Bedor paid 20 happy dollars for the privilege of
announcing his recent engagement to Gayle Vandermast. Now that he has Bob
ChaputÕs sage advice on how to make a marriage last 50 years, he can
proceed with the weddingÉmaybe in December.
- PROGRAM
Paul and Jill McQueary of the San
Juan County New Mexico Rotary Club gave an excellent presentation about their
clubÕs efforts to help eradicate methamphetamine abuse in New Mexico. There is a community meth abuse epidemic. It wrecks people, individuals and
families alike. Forty two per cent of abusers experimented with meth the first
time when they were high on alcohol, marijuana or some other recreational
drug. Eighty two percent of
abusers became addicted on the second use of the drug. Abuse in the community
has overloaded mental health and social services systems and judicial systems. The earlier brief presentation on
becoming a foster parent by Charmaine Summers of our County Human Services
Department attests to that situation here in La Plata County. Meth distributors
are going after children with the drug by giving it away as bubble gum and
candy in particular on reservations. Once on the drug, abusers have no desire
for food, love, sex, or anything else but their next fix of meth. Anecdotally, Hitler used the drug as a
way to keep his soldiers motivated.
Paul and Jill then went on to tell how their Rotary Club has decided to
take this problem on as a major club project budgeting $$35,000 to take
action. Paul said that they have
had no problem raising money in the community to support their efforts. He is
on the stump to encourage and motivate other Rotary Clubs to do the same. It was an inspiring presentation.
The Four Way Test in
everything we do and say:
Ÿ
Is it the truth?
Ÿ
Is it fair to all concerned?
Ÿ
Will it build good will and better friendships?
Ÿ
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Yours in Rotary,
Editor
Wayne Bedor
waynebedor@yahoo.com