Announcements and Happenings

Jann Pitcher presided in the absence of globe-trotting President Kim Moore (from sub-Saharan Africa, to Disney World, to the Artic – pretty impressive!  National Geographic wants to talk to you, Kim.)

Jan began by offering an invocation from the words of Thichh Nhat Hanh, according to Wikipedia, a Vietnamese-born Buddhist monk and peace activist, who now lives in France.

In a passage entitled “Empathy,” Hahn said “When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don’t blame the lettuce.  You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water or less sun. . . .

“Yet if we have problems with our friends and family we blame the other person.  But if we know how to take care of them they will grow well like the lettuce.  Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade, using reason and argument.

“That is my experience.  No blame, no argument, just understanding.  If you understand and you know that you understand you can love and the situation will change.”

Sharon Crump followed this thoughtful philosophy of life by leading the meeting in a song more exuberant than thoughtful, which nevertheless oddly shared Hahn’s emphasis on the springtime renewal of life (growth of lettuce), by leading the meeting in a chorus of the seasonal anthem, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”  (So I wonder: do the Rockies need more water, like the rest of us in Colorado?)

Jann then resumed the microphone, with a brief history of the Rotary Four-Way test, which she said was created in the early days of organization by Herbert Taylor, who wanted guidelines to help revitalize his then-failing business.  Jann followed her history lesson by challenging Will Spears to recite the test from memory.  Will met the challenge with the confidence of a veteran slugger hammering a hanging curve out of the ball park, reciting it without a hitch.  (Neither fertilizer nor water needed.)

Dave Commack then offered a report on the activities of Brazilian exchange student Laura Delgado.  Laura was absent for the meeting, Dave explained, because she was playing soccer with the Pagosa Springs High School Lady Pirates, who were then travelling to an away game that afternoon.  Dave reported also that Laura had a “fantastic” trip to Hawaii, but still needed to raise an additional $300 to cover the cost.  More jelly will be on sale, Dave predicted.

The announcement of the annual Put Hill clean-up followed, this year to be on May 12.  A volunteer sigh-up sheet was circulated.

Pat Love then invited Rotarians to join her and Melanie Garrett, co-chairs of the Kentucky Derby Gala Decorating Committee, for a session on 5 pm Monday April 9 in the Pagosa Brewing conference room.  On the agenda?  Fun and easy-peasy: cutting bolts of fabric for decorations into usable lengths.  Pat said refreshments for participants will be “on me.”

Sunshine and Showers followed, with Dave Commack holding forth as chief goad and exclusive banker in the absence of Betty Switzer.  (Not sure if Betty may have been in the Artic Circle as well as Kim.)

Among other contributions, Pat Love reported she’d been travelling “coast to coast,” and was glad to be back in the friendly environs of Pagosa.  John Richardson acknowledged a generous gift by Patty Tillerson to the Rotary Foundation, made in memory of late husband and much-missed Rotary Songmeister, Bob.  And Jann described the Easter-Egg Hunt for her grandchildren, featuring a decoy “Golden Egg,” filled not with treats, but broccoli combined with exhortations to keep looking for the real thing.