Newsletter: January 22, 2009

Program January 29, 2009: Amy Wasserbach and Nora Richards – Thai Exchange Recap

Fellow Rotarians:

• Tami led the pledge and had members introduce guests. Rick Routh introduced Terry Woodward from Texas who moved here and wants to work on sustainability issues in La Plata County. Wayne Bedor introduced Steve Pavlik an engineer with Russell Engineering who has visited HNR many times. Jill Carrithers introduced her boss, Dr. Lynn Irvin, director of the local Pueblo Community College campus and is a soccer mom for three kids. Dan McCarthy introduced Win Wilkeson who has lived in the area for 20 years after living in Prescott, AZ. Bud Poe introduced Kate and Megan from the Rotaract Club. Ward Holmes introduced Mark Tucker of Durango Rafting for the last time. Tami welcomed Honorary Member, Al Harper. Tom Brossia introduced Lee Ann Tucker. Rick Routh introduced Priscilla Huston, 9R Assistant Superintendent and Wendy Rice, 9R School Board. Tami invited Boom to the dais to talk about her last week’s activities sans the word “like.” This proved more difficult than it sounds and three “likes” occurred in discussions about birthday parties for a Thai friend and a shopping spree. Justin volunteered to take Boom boarding this weekend up at DMR.

•  Announcements: Tami reported on the 1/20/2009 HNR Board meeting and tour of the new library conducted by Sherry Taber. The board meeting was held in the “Rotary Room” at the new library. The Board accepted Bob Salzer’s resignation and discussed our next Fireside Chat. Megan from the Rotaract club announced the difficulties they are having with their Ecuadorian Art event that was being planned for 1/24/2009 Saturday at the Strater. Unfortunately, the art has been lost in shipping so the event was cancelled and Rotaract will refund ticket purchasers’ the price of the ticket. If the art is found, then a new event will be planned. Ted Weirather held a meeting of the Monte Carlo Committee after today’s meeting. Tami passed around a thank you letter from the Blue Stars Moms’ which was the recipient of $500 of HNR’s largesse.

• Happy $$$ and Fines: Sergeant of Arms, Tom Crabbe, welcomed the club and proceeded to fine the membership. Jeff Brown had his 12^th anniversary with the club. Al Harper voluntarily paid $100 for his 1^st year anniversary and the receipt of a graduate degree in political science as a result of the successful approval of his “Railroad Square” project by the Durango City Council. Tom fined Boom for revealing the end to “Marley and Me”; however, no money changed hands. Jill Carrithers incurred a fine for just a little bit too much “sucking up” in her introduction of her boss. (Great intro Jill) Ted Weirather wrote a check for his birthday. Conjecture has it that the size of the check was from $35-$70. Only Tom and Ted know for certain the amount of the check. Rick Routh paid for announcing the Durango Nature Studies reception being held between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM this evening at the Smiley Center. The Interact pizza fund raiser is being held at Carvers again this year. Tami paid happy $$$ for her son’s 4^th birthday party which had the theme “Super Hero.” Bud Deering tried to get away with a $1.00 Happy Dollar for a $10 announcement. Tom was on it though and called Bud to task. Bud got a little prickly over being caught…again! Bud reported that Kiwanis has been around since the 1940s in Durango. Dick Sullivan had $5 happy $$$ because daughter Molly was on the Miller School honor roll. Dan McCarthy had 200 Interact discounted $10 2009 calendars. Tom Brossia went elk hunting with an 87 year old man who was good enough to shoot an elk and smart enough to get Tom to haul the meat out for him. Bob Chaput was happy to report that Ted Robson just received his five year report on his cancer and that he is clean. Chip Lile announced that he was passing around the 2009 “Super Bowl” lottery which would go for $10 per square. Justin Osborne happily reported that he was number four out of 52 agents for Coldwell Banker this past year. Barb Stine was happy to pay $1 because she has her two year old grand daughter with her and paid another happy $$ because she has been able to find child care for the granddaughter three days out of the week. Sara Olsen praised the Rotaractors for all the hard work on their Ecuadorian Art Fund Raiser Event which ran into problems. Jan Measles was happy to have heard Al Harper’s presentation to the City Council and for her participation in the Study Connection at Park School. Jan’s been working with a Navajo girl who has come out of her shyness affliction. Melissa Caskey partied hearty with 11 of her Arizona connection girl friends. They all stayed at the Doubletree last weekend and Peter Marshall did not report any broken furniture or other incidents. Mark Prouty talked up the Red Ball Express and the need for help on the mountain, in particular, PM assistance. Sgt of Arms, Tom Crabbe, announced that next week anyone found sitting at the same table as this week would automatically incur a $5 fine. Tom drew Verne Swanson’s ticket and Vern contributed the money back to the club. Tami reported that Peter Marshall was named “Volunteer of the Year” at the Chamber awards last Thursday as well as being a runner up for the “Citizen of the Year” award. Good on ya’ Peter!!! You done us proud!!

Ø PROGRAM: Priscilla Huston, 9R Assistant Superintendent, filled in for Dr. Keith Owen, 9R Superintendent in the presentation of the 9R Strategic Planning effort. Her entire presentation is at: www.durangoschools.org. It is a community effort with 160 citizens working as action committee members. It is a very comprehensive effort and I encourage you to go to the web site above. Leaders of the action groups are listed there if one wants to provide input to the process.

Ø Rotarians and their Non Profits: Tami asked HNR members to briefly talk about their involvement with local non profits in the community. Dick Sullivan reported on his involvement with Adaptive Sports which helps people with disabilities including veterans. They teach them how to enjoy winter mountain sports at DMR. Dick also reported his reasons for being in Rotary. His family has always been in Rotary and Dick wants to help out in the community because of his a daughter, Molly. Emily Spencer is a member of the Vallecito Women’s Service League. The League helps out at Vallecito where Emily lives. The work on projects as well as assisting families that may be in need. Emily joined Rotary because she wants to be involved in the community and she loves the people in the club. Jan Measles is on the Homebuilders Women’s Council. The Council helps with fundraising in the community on behalf of the development community. Jan likes Rotary because it does tangible positive things in the community whereas her previous association with another group did not. Bud Poe works with the Canyons of the Ancients on their management plan. They meet at the Anasazi Heritage Center. Bud joined Rotary because he wanted civic involvement and he likes Peter Marshall’s good food. Dick Pearson works with the Mercy Health Foundation which raises funds to improve things at Mercy Hospital. As an example, they are helping to upgrade the MRI unit at Mercy this year as a result of their fund raising efforts. Dick joined Rotary 32 years ago because he wanted to be part of the community. The community has been good to Dick and his family and Dick has certainly been good to the community and Rotary.

Ø Other Notes: Justin Osborne still needs door prizes for the Red Ball Event so please help him out. Four of our members have raised $400 and we need a minimum of $500. Steve Redding volunteered to develop a list of names of our Rotarians with non profit connections.

Next Weeks Program: Amy Wasserbach and Nora Richards – Thai Exchange Recap

Wayne Bedor

waynebedor@yahoo.com