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Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.

Ally Ashbaugh Reports on her RYLA Experience

Posted by Shellie Peterson

Ally Ashbaugh was one of the students selected to participate in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and she addressed the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs recently. She had been fortunate enough to attend several high-caliber leadership camps this summer, but one thing stood out to her about RYLA.

She said that the training and practice involving how to make ethical decisions in all manner of things that come 'at you' in life was one of the most valuable things she learned at RYLA. A very well spoken and interesting young lady and we look forward to watching her continue to develop her skills and be a leader in her class!

There are two other young ladies we are looking forward to hearing from, Peyton Burns and Kaia Jones were also recipients and we look forward to hearing from them soon!

District Governor 2019-2020 David Wood

District Governor 2019 – 2020 David Wood

David Wood was raised in the state of Maine and graduated from Maine Maritime Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nautical Science, a commission as Ensign in the U. S. Naval Reserve and with a Thirds Mates License issued by the U. S. Coast Guard. Following graduation, he was employed for ten years by Texaco, Inc. marine division with service on over 20 Texaco tankers in all license positions as Third officer to Master. In 1976, he was selected to join the Sabine Pilots Association, a privately-owned company providing pilotage service to ocean going vessels into three ports in southeast Texas. As a Sabine Pilot for 27 years he was responsible for over 2,500 safe vessel transits of the Sabine-Neches Waterway.

Living in Beaumont, Texas for thirty-seven years provided David with numerous opportunities to be involved in the community. His passion has always had a focus on youth so umpiring Little League baseball, junior high youth counselor at his church or Boy Scouts were all natural avenues for him to serve his community. He also served several years as a board member for the Beaumont Housing Authority and chaired a special advisory committee to the Captain of the Port U. S. Coast Guard. During his years in Beaumont was when he started his Rotary tenure joining the Rotary Club of Beaumont in 1988. Because of his community involvement he received several distinguished awards, The Cross and Flame Award from the Methodist Church, the Silver Beaver from the Boy Scouts of America and in 1995 was selected as Maritime Person of the Year in southeast Texas.

Following retirement David and Cathy decided that they would leave Texas and make their vacation home in Salida, Colorado their residence. This move opened new areas of volunteerism whether it was Meals on Wheels, The Stone Soup Kitchen, or Colorado Farm to Table. The Rotary moto of “Service Above Self” learned as a member of the Rotary Club in Beaumont was a driving force and again the call of the Rotary spirit was there as he joined the Rotary Club of Salida in 2011. As a member of the Salida club he has served on the club’s board of directors, has chaired the Youth Services Committee and is currently the club’s Foundation Chair and is a past president of the Rotary Club of Salida. Additionally, he served as Assistant Governor for Area 6 District 5470. David is a multi-Paul Harris Fellow, a Paul Harris Society Member and a Major Donor of The Rotary Foundation.

David and Cathy celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in July of 2018, they have two children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They enjoy travel, skiing and anything that the great outdoors of Colorado has to offer.

dwood.rotary5470@gmail.com or 409-781-5655

Rotary District 5470 Annual Conference

October 11 – 13, 2019

Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort Nathrop, Colorado

. A family fun weekend

. Service project

. Rotarians from across the district

. Inspiring speakers

. Evening entertainment

. Facilitated discussion groups

A variety of lodging options/all resort facilities

Call Mt. Princeton Resort 719-395-2447 use group code Rotary

Conference registration $185.00 includes 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, and evening entertainment. Children under 12 are free, teenagers 13-18 $125.00

Las Vegas Casino Night was a BLAST!

Posted by Shellie Peterson

Last Friday presented a great opportunity to get out and gamble, dance, eat, drink and support the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs! More details of exactly HOW MUCH support will come soon!

Las Vegas Casino Night

Posted by Shellie Peterson

CDC Luncheon - Thinking Outside the Box

Posted by Shellie Peterson

The Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs was happy to collaborate with the CDC on this public information seminar! The guest speaker for the event was Jeff Kraft, Division Director, Business Funding & Initiatives from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. I estimate there were about 70 participants including the presenters.

Who We Play For

Posted by Shellie Peterson

Attention parents of 8th graders. Pagosa Springs Middle School cares about your child's heart health, so we are partnering with Who We Play For to screen students with an electrocardiogram (ECG). This procedure can detect issues in the heart that can be missed in standard physicals. The BEST part is it is FREE!

All you have to do is fill out the form your child brings home and return it to the office. A qualified health professional will screen them next Friday, May 17th during PE or band class. Our goal is 100% participation! Thank you for your support. Your student will be bringing these forms home this week!

Every parent should take advantage of this important and potentially lifesaving screening!! The Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs is proud to support this important effort for our Pagosa Springs athletes. You can learn more at www.whoweplayfor.org

Hatcher Lake Ice Melt Contest Winners Announced

Posted by JoAnn Laird

WINNERS OF THE ICE MELT CONTEST REVEALED

BY: JoAnn Laird

Spring is sprung and the Lake Hatcher ice melted enough to drop the fifty-five gallon barrel, containing a clock, to the depths of the lake. This proved bad news for the clock but great news for three lucky people who won some serious money.

The contest was based on guessing the exact date, hour, minute and second that the ice would melt enough to drop the barrel in the water, thus stopping the clock. Winning $1,000 for the closest guess was Brent Bailey, second place, winning $500, was Al Myatt and third place went to Jere Hill, winning $250.

Sounds like an easy contest but there's more than meets the eye. Getting the barrel on the lake's two foot thick ice in early March was a bit of a chore, as there's always the chance of slipping and falling. Retrieving the barrel from the cold watery depths is another story.

The barrel initially dropped on April 10 but extreme winds delayed the recovery until April 11, around 2:00. Under the watchful eye of Chief Larson and Deputy Chief Karn Macht, a twenty foot Rescue Boat was launched with firemen Josh Montoya and Daniel Cabrera. Although tethered to the shore in case of an incident, two additional firemen, Jared Wirth and Lyle Hoffschneider were at the ready, if needed, as required in the two in, two out rescue method. This method proved the right choice for these highly trained firemen, as the barrel was swiftly and safely brought to shore.

Gary Morris In Concert

Posted by Shellie Peterson

Gary Morris will be in concert on April 20^th at 7:00 pm at the Pagosa Springs High School Auditorium. Doors will open at 6:00 pm. Mr. Morris has a heart for many charitable activities and one of them is our Feed Our Children Backpack Program. Pagosa Springs is not a community that readily accepts the notion that any of our children should go hungry. This program is in its eighth year of providing food for third and fourth graders to assist families who are struggling. In addition to supporting a good cause, this concert will be an opportunity to see a multi-talented, world renown singer who has captivated audiences from Nashville to Broadway to a command performance for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. His recording career garnered five No. 1 and 16 top 10 singles, including “Why Lady Why,’ “The Love She Found in Me” and “Baby Bye Bye.” Please consider joining us on April 20^th for this special event! Call or email me if you would like to reserve tickets at the pre-event price of $45 and we will have them for you at the door.

Hatcher Lake Barrel is Going DOWN

Posted by Shellie Peterson

MONDAY, APRIL 8 AT MIDNIGHT!!!

We will be closing the Hatcher Ice Melt Contest!! Your guesses have to be in by then! This barrel is going down! When it gets rescued, by the PFPD and EMT's it will be coming to shore in a much larger boat! Last chance to win $1,000 for the closest guess of when the clocks will hit the water! $500 for the second closest and $250 for the third.

Hatcher Ice Melt Contest Extended!

Posted by Shellie Peterson

That barrel is going DOWN!!! Soon, how soon, I wish I knew! We are looking forward to that magic day when it plunges through the ice though! You have until one second before that happens to continue to make guesses. Proceeds from this fun contest will support our graduating seniors with their college or vo-tech education.

Guesses can be made at the Chamber of Commerce and the Choke Cherry Tree. Also online at pagosaspringsrotary.org or plpoa.com. You can also click this link https://form.jotform.com/90245466595163

Rolling Out the Barrel for the Hatcher Ice Melt Contest

Posted by Shellie Peterson

We certainly all had a good time 'rolling out the barrel', or pulling it actually. The clocks are all ticking away! Get your guesses in soon and often as the weather is certainly unpredictable this time of year! You don't want to hear that the barrel fell through the ice and you had not gotten your guesses in yet!

Rotarians were joined by members of the PLPOA staff and our photographer, Al Myatt early that morning for the event. The Pagosa Fire Protection District men with equipment were there as well and they will be an important role when the barrel has to be 'rescued' and retrieved from the icy water.

Click Here to purchase guesses

https://form.jotform.com/90245466595163

Ronnie Maez - Providing a Jail Facility

Posted by Shellie Peterson

Ronnie Maez, Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners, was our speaker last week. Mr. Maez indicated that the Commissioners had reached the decision to utilize a financing instrument known as Certificates of Participation to provide the means to construct a jail facility on property donated by the Harman family in Harman Park.

Mr. Maez went on to report that currently the County is spending between $800,000 to $850,000 to house inmates and those awaiting trial in the La Plata County jail facility. A Sales Tax Increase was voted down by the people in November so there will be no new funds to pay for the project, Mr. Maez indicated that it would have to be paid for by cutting other services. He suggested that after a period of time, it may be possible to go back to the voters, perhaps in harmony with the Town, to ask for an increase in Sales Taxes to provide funding. He also added that currently the County is spending about $30,00 to rent space for the Health and Human Services Department from the Town of Pagosa Springs and the town has already indicated that they will need that space in the not to distant future. Which presents an additional challenge as well as additional space needed by the Treasurer, Clerk and Assessor.