High Noon Rotary Club of Durango

District 5470

Club 1161

Meet at Doubletree Hotel

Time: 12:00 Noon

Thursdays

Newsletter: April 9, 2009, 2009

Program March 26, 2009: Rose Chilcoat – Great Old Broads

Fellow Rotarians:

• Tami led the pledge and Don Freemeyer led off with an award winning guest introduction for Stan Madhoff from the San Joaquin Valley of California. The introduction included Stan’s lineage back to the 19^th century and references to his ranch which had been homesteaded and held in the family for several generations. Dick Sullivan introduced Executive Director of the Adaptive Sports Association, Tim Kroes. High Noon Rotarian in abstentia, Tom Galbraith, introduced himself after a hiatus of six months that included stays in Honduras and Florida amongst others locales. Tom posts our newsletter to the HNR web site and keeps the site updated while here and on the road. Thanks Tom. Rick Routh introduced our program speaker Larry Weise from Mesa Verde. Tami introduced Jim Dukes from the morning club.

• Announcements: Boom’s update included activities from her Spring Break which consisted of a trip to Pagosa Springs for a few days and another ski trip to Glenwood Springs where she did a lot of eating, sleeping, partying and other activities with fellow exchange students. Boom also established a personal best record for the longest car ride of her life while on this trip. Tami announced the next Fireside Chat to be held 5:30 PM, Wednesday, May 13^th in the Oak Room at the Strater. New members, board members and anyone else in the club is invited to the meeting. Contact Jill Wark if you are coming. Also, there will be a Board meeting on Tuesday, 4/14/2009, at 2:30 PM (note time change) at the Bank of the San Juans. Tami announced that the Homeless Shelter needed two more Easter baskets and Samantha Gallant and Justin Osborne quickly volunteered to bring the baskets to the Homeless Shelter. Ted Weirather reported on the March 28^th Monte Carlo night which was deemed successful even though attendance was down 20%. Only 33% of membership attended which is a disappointment and the reasons are many. Ted asked for feedback on why folks couldn’t attend so that if it was for reasons that could be tweaked for next year then adjustments will be made to assure success for future events. In some instances adjustments may not be made such as for the current state of the economy. Ted is interested in reasons not names of non attendees. Tami reported on the “changing of the guard” to be held on June 25^th at the Public Library to celebrate the event. It will be a plated meal and bringing guests is encouraged. Dick Sullivan introduced Tim Kroes of Adaptive Sports who thanked Rotary for its support again this year at the Dave Spencer Races and being the leading service club fund raiser and supporter of the event. Dick Sullivan deserves much of the credit for the HNR fundraising effort for this event. Tim also presented the annual “Body Beater” award to Kathy Firestone for having the most spectacular crash on the race course of any of the skiers. Although badly bruised, Kathy did not incur any broken bones or permanent damage to her body.

• Sergeant of Arms, Justin Osborne, fined Tom Crabbe for his front page Durango Herald picture kibitzing with newly elected City Councilman, Paul Broderick. Tom demonstrated his usual high level of sophistication while daintily eating a hot dog and enjoying a late ’08 cabernet. Dan McCarthy paid a fine for being late even though it was not required. Phil Bryson had happy dollars because his candidate, Christina Thompson, was one of the three successful contenders for the City Council. David Downs was fined for his work on the United Way Board. Jim Dukes, Tom Brossia and Mark Donohue were fined for standing around talking in the lobby during the pledge of allegiance. Mark Donohue and Tami paid for having birthdays. Tami also contributed the $20 she anticipated losing in Las Vegas during a recent trip. Walt Nowotny paid a happy dollar for his daughter’s upcoming visit to Durango. Tom Galbraith paid happy dollars for being back in Durango although he is not happy with the weather. Verne Swanson returned from Texas where he watched soccer, lacrosse, and other grandchildren activities. Charlie Albert paid happy $$$ for his new grandchild but wasn’t so pleased that the baby looked more like Dick Pearson than Charlie. Jill Carithers is happy that her child has started playing soccer with the Durango Youth Soccer Association. Tom Brossia is happy his wife got a day of skiing in and that the Lake Durango Company has been sold to the La Plata County Water Authority. Bud Deering is happy to be attending his mother-in-law’s 80^th birthday which Bud thinks is no big deal as he passed 80 a long time ago. Vern Swanson had the winning ticket and generously donated the winnings back to the club.

• PROGRAM: Rick Routh introduced our program speaker, Larry Weise, a 38 year veteran of the U.S. Forest who has served as the Mesa Verde Park Superintendent and Chief Ranger since 1993. Larry is also a Rotarian. Larry’s presentation was divided into two parts. The first part was related to the USS Mesa Verde which is the only Navy ship named for a National Park and not a state, city, person. Back in the 1990s, our former Congressional representative, Scott McInnis, suggested the idea to some Navy Admirals and when they laid the keel for the ship, it was given the USS Mesa Verde name. Linda Campbell, wife of former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, has been the sponsor for the ship since that time. It is unique with learning exhibit on board that highlights Mesa Verde and its affiliation with 24 tribes. The second part of the presentation describes the Park’s efforts of non invasive techniques for preserving Mesa Verde’s heritage. This includes a very innovative method of scanning archaeological sites with the latest technology. Not only is it very detailed it is quite fast and will enable them to bring back virtually the antiquities that were lost in the past to Sweden, Mexico and others prior to any antiquity legislation being passed. This was an excellent presentation aided by a power point that had no technical difficulties. Another great program Rick!

Next Weeks Program: Rose Chilcoat – Great Old Broads

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