High Noon
Rotary Club of
District
5470
Club 1161
Meet at
Doubletree Hotel
Time: 12:00 Noon
Thursdays
Newsletter: February 4th, 2010
Program: February 11th, 2010 - Richard Mason, Liz Mora – Women’s Resource
Center
Fellow Rotarians:
President Mark led us in the Pledge of
Allegiance and then guests were introduced:
Rick Routh introduced the presenters for
the day from Habitat for Humanity: Tracy Cornult & Jen Nail. Acie Patterson
was introduced - not sure by who – Wayne
would never have made this mistake! – Acie is with the Durango Rotoract Club
and was asking for fundraising assistance from Rotarians for their upcoming
trip to Ecuador – please consider bidding on their unique art displayed in the
pre-function area.
Announcements:
Niles Bruno reminded us that Red Ball
was here – this Saturday February 6th – on the mountain. Niles also
reminded us to turn in any remaining tickets as you would not be able to scan
the tickets on the mountain the day of. Details @ www.durangoredball.com. The Rotary ski team is in need of additional skiers to join the
intrepid team of Chip, Sarah and Ken. Call Chip if you are interested. Mark
announced that the next board meeting is Tuesday February 9th @
library @ 4.30PM – all members are welcome to attend. Dan McCarthy thanked all
those Rotarians that housed the Exchange students over the weekend. Thank you
to Dale for hosting the pot luck dinner @ Boys & Girls Club for the
students on Saturday evening and to Ted Weirather for agreeing not to host @
the last minute as apparently there were more families willing than students!
Dan also wanted to thank those that brought food to the pot luck and to Steve
Redding who generously provided platters from Subway on Friday. Moni reminded
us that Ski for Excellence - $25.00 all day skiing @ DMR would be on Presidents
Day – Monday February 15th – to benefit DFEE (Durango Foundation for
Educational Excellence). Tickets are available at different locations across
town – info @ DFEE.net. Mark announced that next week’s meeting would be held
in one of the meeting rooms downstairs due to a large convention requiring the
ballroom. Ignacio spent an enjoyable weekend with his fellow exchange students.
He also recently received his grades @ school – no word from Ignacio on how he
did! Then President Mark followed up last week’s meeting with yet another
chance for Rotarians to sing – this time a Boy Scouts song commemorating that
organization’s 100th year. The opt out of the singing ($5) would
help fund Ignacio’s trip this summer.
Sargeant of Arms (SOA) Samantha Gallant
congratulated Dick Sullivan on his birthday that he was celebrating and (paying
for?) that very day. We sang again! Charlie Albert was celebrating a wedding
anniversary – 42 years – congratulations Charlie! Samantha then did something
extraordinary – she fined herself for being late. Not so unusual for Samantha
was a reference to the arch rival Avs hockey team – fines for those that
watched the game. Fines also for those that were in the parade, those that
watched the Follies and for all those that sang off key. Samantha then
announced the following club anniversaries: Mary Barter, Mark Prouty (11),
Steve Redding (12), Vern Swanson (10), Jill Wark (11). Tom Crabb was fined by
Samantha for making a non-sensible reply to her e-mail. Happy Dollars: Dan
Morgenstern – for his Mum, recovering from surgery in San Diego and for the
birth of a third grand-child – born in Maine. Mike Kane threw in a dollar
celebrating not being on a roof for the first time in a while, Steve Dorf – in
honor of his daughter that made Snowdown Junior Queen, Niles Bruno – for the 47
Red Ball tickets that were sold in the name of Tammy Osborne, Bud Deering – for
the cast that came off his foot – soon to be replaced by one for his shoulder.
Program: Tracy Cornult - Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity
– began by thanking the club for the support of their organization over the
years. Habitat has provided “Shelter” by building 30 homes in La Plata County
in 13 years. 72% of Durango families do not earn enough money to purchase a
median priced home. That percentage is 54% for Bayfield. Durango and rural LPC
are the two most expensive areas in SW Colorado. Durango has the 6th
highest rent rates in the state. It takes $160K to build a Habitat home. Homes
are sold @ cost to qualified families – 30 year mortgage – no interest.
Families are required to provide 1% down payment. Funding for Habitat does NOT
come from the government or from Habitat International. It comes primarily from
the Habitat ReStore – your donations to the store are v. helpful. Funding also
comes from grants, mortgages and from business, individual, club, church
donations. Habitat caters to those families that are @ 30%-60% of AMI earners.
Basic criteria for qualified candidates for a Habitat home includes: Cost
burden – need, willingness to partner and 350-500 hours of sweat equity. Some
other points to note about Habitat for Humanity: homes are not given, they are
earned. Habitat homes do not lower area home values. Currently Habitat is
building homes @ Fox Farm Village in Bayfield.
Bill Cartwright announced another build
day for Rotarians on June 24th between 3.00pm and 7.00pm.
Mark Prouty then led us in “The
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
Peter Marshall