Posted by Jim Garrett
 
 
President Kim Moore presided with an admirably firm hand on the gong, bringing a previously turbulent mob of gabbing Rotarians to instant order. 
Art Bezel then kicked the proceedings off with an invocation inspired by the annual rite of mystical numbers and heartfelt oaths (at least in your humble scribe’s experience), known as “tax season.”  Quoth Art (accepting “nevermore,” the gloom of the Raven):
Some days are better, some days are worse,
Look for the blessing instead of the curse.
Be positive, stay strong, and get enough rest;
You can’t do it all, but you can do your best.
 
Sharon Crump immediately further rejected gloom, by leading Rotarians in giving voice to “You Are My Sunshine.”
 
Following Sharon’s rousing musical interlude, guests including Alan Roth, PLPOA Manager, were warmly welcomed.
 
Kim began the week’s announcements by reporting that Kentucky Derby Party sponsorships were mounting up, but more are needed.  Advertising, she pointed out, was soon to begin (the first radio ads being scheduled for Monday, April 23), and encouraged Rotarians to beat the bushes to hustle more sponsors to the starting gate.
 
In addition, Kim informed the meeting that Rotary, a member of the Pagosa Chamber of Commerce, is hosting the Chamber’s monthly After Hours social at the original Riff Raff, downtown, at 5 pm Wednesday April 25.  Kim encouraged all to attend.  Your reporter can attest that attendees enjoy a warm and congenial gathering, featuring good conversation with interesting neighbors, tantalizing nibbles, and (possibly) beverages of a character that inspire the caution, Don’t Drink and Drive.
 
Kim also advised that in June, a group of visitors from Kyrgyzstan will be in Pagosa to learn about our methods of cultivating tourism, which they intend to carry back to their homeland to help nurture tourism there.  Kim said that host families are needed for the seven visitors during their stay from June 1-9, and solicited volunteers.  Those interested in helping with this international cultural exchange should contact her, or Dave Smith, she said.  (Imagine: you too can be a worthy part of culture.  Your college classmates, or at least mine, would never believe it, but it’s an opportunity to rub their faces in it!)
 
Finally, Kim advised that the Rotary project for a garden in the Town’s Centennial Park, the site of the (one present, three future) Geothermal Greenhouses, has received approval.
Roberta Tolan then wrestled the microphone from Kim (or would have, if there had been a microphone) to remind the group that nominees for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards needed to be submitted by Monday, April 23.  The program, for high school students who are potential leaders, offers a weekend of leadership training to participants in Glenwood Springs.
 
Exchange student Laura Delgado then reported that she had a fun trip to Hawaii, and continues to raise funds to pay the cost (Laura had a supply of tasty jellies on display for purchase by Rotarians with sweet tooths, generous spirits, or both).  In addition, Laura will be attending two proms this spring, one in Pagosa, and one with a friend in Westcliffe.  (See – as Laura demonstrates, this cultural exchange thing can be a pretty good gig!)
 
Betty Switzer then took center stage to announce April birthdays, equipped in the absence of kazoos with an exotic, automatic bubble-maker acquired by Kim at Disney World.  Jo Bridges, John Richardson and Will Spears were honored.  Jo and John, it turns out, share the same birth date, April 4.  Jo was so moved (not sure whether by John’s birthday or her own) that she donated a dollar for each year to the Rotary Scholarship fund.  Actually, it was her own birthday that triggered her gift, but as a gentleman (please keep the laughter to a dull roar) your scribe can’t reveal the amount.
 
Also noted by Betty was Granton Bartz’s 17th wedding anniversary.  The honoree confessed that he and everybody else in his family had forgotten the date, bur reported the day was well spent anyhow, watching the Pagosa Springs Lady Pirates soccer team triumph 1-0 in an “awesome” game at Cortez.
 
Sunshine and Showers ensued, including Jann Pitcher’s recollection of a comment by former First Lady Barbara Bush that “everyone has something to give,” Roberta’s  report that her husband has but one lymphoma treatment remaining, and her acquisition of a new dog, Dave Cammack’s “shout out” to Lisa Scott for finding two prom dresses for Laura, Sam Pittmon’s happiness at being back in Pagosa after lengthy travels, Betty’s remark that “bubbles make you happy,” and your reporter’s mention of a visit to an old buddy in Cleveland. 
 
Your reporter’s contribution somehow elicited a negative retort from John Richardson, a self-proclaimed former Cleveland resident of 32-years vintage, trashing the reporter’s Pittsburgh past.  Perhaps it was the reporter’s reference to Pittsburghers’ unkind characterization of Cleveland as the “mistake by the lake.”  For the record, your reporter acknowledges that any justification for that characterization is long gone: the present-day Cleveland is the equal of Paris.  (Oh-oh, now I’m gonna have Parisians on my back.)