High Noon Rotary Club of Durango

District 5470

Club 1161

Meet at Doubletree Hotel

Time: 12:00 Noon

Thursdays

Newsletter: January 8, 2009

PROGRAM: January 15, 2009. Jack Llewellyn with Durango Chamber’s Activities and the LEASD update.

Fellow Rotarians:

• After the Pledge of Allegiance, Tami asked Jim Bolen from the Salvation Army Board of Directors to give us the results of the Holiday Season bell ringing. Rotary out rang Kiwanis $2,800 to $2,100. Rotary was posted at the north entrance to Wal Mart consequently had to shake a whole lot more to stay warm compared to the Kiwanis bell ringers posted in the banana belt of the south entrance. Overall, the Salvation Army bell ringers and individual donors raised $102,000 in 2008 which is about the same as 2007.

• Guest Introductions: Rick Routh introduced our program speaker, Mark Pearson, from the San Juan Citizens’ Alliance who also has an environmental column in the Herald. Robin Jackman introduced Dr. Lee Ann Hogan who happens to be taking over Robin’s partnership with Mark Rahner. Robin touted the quality of their services while Sgt. of Arms Tom Crabbe listened intently. Ward Holmes introduced Mark Tucker of Durango Rafting. Tami asked Boom to give a report of her last three weeks’ activities which are far too many to be listed here. She did lots of snowboarding, partied hearty for New Years Eve and enjoyed soaking in the waters of Trimble Hot Springs to name a few of her activities. Boom gave a great demonstration of her confidence in speaking to a large group of people as well as showing her prowess at mastering American teenage speech patterns. Hard to remember way back in September when she spoke timidly to our group. As a long ago advertising ditty once stated, “You’ve Come a Long Way Baby!!”.

• Announcements: Niles Bruno reminded us that the Red Ball Express is only four weeks away and everyone should get involved at one level or another. A sign up sheet was on each table. One gets a whole different perspective working with fellow club members as we attempt to fit too many square poles into round holes when putting up the tents. It’s a lot of fun with a beautiful view of the West Needles as a back drop. Usually there is time for some skiing with club members as well. Chip Lile is going to organize two Rotary ski Teams and Justin Osborne is working on getting four door prizes that are worth at least $500 each. If you can help in that regard, please call Justin. Jill Carithers is pushing tickets and asks everyone to pick up theirs to sell. Jill also mentioned that someone turned in $100 in cash today and the wrong half of the ticket. Please get in touch with Jill whoever that might be otherwise there will be absolutely no chance of the ticket holder to win. Niles also mentioned there was a glitch in ticket numbering whereby every 50-60 tickets there was no number on the ticket. Again get in touch with Jill to rectify the situation. Cathy Crum said that if anyone brought a guest to the HNR Christmas Party, please remit $30 along with your November and December bill which was distributed today. Bill Cartwright paid to announce that Wells Fargo’s is sponsoring its 17^th Economic Forum tomorrow, Friday, January 9^th at 7:30 AM at the Community Concert Hall on Fort Lewis Campus. Dick Sullivan announced that the Dave Spencer Ski Classic will be held on March 6^th and 7^th this year. Chip Lile is looking for hosts for 11 boys and 13 girls that are out of town Interactors who will be here for the Snowdown Weekend. Chip would also like to get them into the Snowdown Parade marching with the Red Ball Express participants. They will also ride the train and attend a pot luck dinner. Sara Olson announced that Rotaract is holding a fund raiser on January 24^th. The cost will be $30 and the theme is South American Art and Music.

• Sergeant of Arms: Tami announced that money raised with fines this month will go to the firewood for needy family’s project. Tom announced that in 2009 his duties will be performed with compassion and non payers will have to do 5 pushups. Tom announced fines for Bill Cartwright’s Wells Fargo Economic Forum announcement and Samantha Gallant for being late because, according to Tom, she still hasn’t grasped that we are no longer on Daylight Savings Time. Boom’s fluency in American teenager language skills was noted but did not require a fine. Birthdays: Steve Osborne 57, Howard Wilson older than Steve and Peter Marshall probably younger than both. Steve Wheeldon paid happy $$$ for his dog pound puppy that is in recovery and is still staggering around the house. Dan McCarthy paid happy $$$ for the safe return of him and his family from a 5,400 trip back east over the holidays and for the Needham school thank you notes received for the dictionaries. Justin Osborne and John Anderson had Club Anniversaries. It was news to Justin and John was not there. Justin paid happy dollars for news that he and his wife are going to be parents of a baby girl. President Elect Mark Prouty was happy that his son graduated from CSU and the Herald had carried some coverage on the dictionary distribution. Dick Sullivan paid for having his name in the paper but Mark Donohue’s name was not noted in the article on the dictionary distribution. Tami was happy because she adopted a pound dog and encouraged others to do the same since there are way too many in residence there. Tom Weirather paid Happy $$$ because his in-laws are finally gone and he dodged a $600 repair bill on his TV because the part needed was still under warranty. With that kind of luck Tom, I’d go right out and buy a lottery ticket. Bob Geffe paid because his grand daughter was recently baptized at St. Columba. Jan Measles paid because her dog of 16 years died and she finally got her engagement ring. (Could be material for a C&W song in that announcement.) Jill Carithers paid because she took her 2 ½ year old skiing and enrollment is up at the college. Bud Deering paid because he was late to the meeting and his doctor insisted he be at his scheduled appointment.

• Program: Rick Routh introduced Mark Pearson with the San Juan Citizen’s Alliance (SJCA). The SJCA works in the areas of social, economic and environmental justice. Mark has a BS from CU and an MS from CSU. Mark then gave us an overview of the SJCA activities protecting the environment in the Four Corner area. Currently they are working on four major projects in environmental protection in our area: 1) the HD Mountains southeast of Bayfield 2) the Hermosa Creek Watershed, 3) Canyons of the Ancients south west of Cortez, 4) the Dolores River watershed, and 5) the Desert Rock power plant project. The SJCA ensures that there is public input into any approvals for these and other projects. Another very informative program thanks to Rick Routh’s program committee.

Upcoming : Jack Llewellyn of the Chamber of Commerce to report on its activities and those of LEASD.

The Four Way Test in everything we do and say:

ü Is it the truth?

ü Is it fair to all concerned?

ü Will it build good will and better friendships?

ü Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Yours in Rotary,

Editor

Wayne Bedor