Pagosa Springs Rotary Club
In observation of Martin Luther King Day, Cindy Gallabota began the meeting with “factoids” from the life of the martyred leader as the invocation. Among the gems unearthed by Cindy:
- At birth, King was named Michael, after his father. But the senior Reverend King, inspired on a trip to Germany, changed both their names to Martin, to honor Martin Luther. (One might say that some honor as well was ultimately reflected back on the transformative 16th Century religious leader by virtue of the change of the younger King’s name, when the latter, too, became a transformative leader.)
- King began attending college at age 15.
- He was imprisoned 30 times.
- His observation that to love others, first love (accept) yourself, rather than being like a Ford trying to change to a Cadillac.
- His statement of life’s most persistent question: What are you doing for others?
Then, in the absence of our Songmeister, Bob Tillerson, or any of the usual cadre of strong-voiced and courageous stand-ins, President Kim Moore led the group in singing “America, The Beautiful.”
Visitors included Dick Bond, Kenny Rogers from morning Rotary, and the new President of Citizen’ Bank, James Smith, who recently arrived in Pagosa from Bentonville, Arkansas.
Current exchange student, Brazilian Laura Delgado updated us on her activity at the Pagosa Springs High School, and on the fund-raising for her planned trip to Hawaii during spring break. Currently Laura is selling Blueberry/Lime Jelly – which was moving before the meeting like hotcakes for breakfast at an Army base.
Lisa Scott then reported that she had recently heard from Laura’s predecessor of four years ago as the exchange student in Pagosa, “Bob from Thailand.” Lisa showed off a skirt and blouse Bob had sent her.
President Kim then recalled another exchange student from a few years back, a Taiwanese who after being told how much Kim enjoyed a cup of tea, gifted her with boxes of tea by the score. Much appreciated, Kim said, but beyond her consumptive capacity, offering to share the bounty with other Rotarians upon request. But, said Lisa, why not let Laura sell the tea? Instantly persuaded, Kim vowed tea would be on sale alongside the Blueberry/Lime Jelly next week.
Donna Wynn then reported on several mini-grants by Rotary to Pagosa school teachers for supplies, which she said had been put to good use.
Continuing the schools-related theme, Dave Smith reported on the recent 6th and 7th grade science fair, which he said was a big success with 23 student projects entered. Prizes for the best entries are funded by Rotary, Dave said, with judging undertaken by a panel of local community members with scientific and technical backgrounds.
Nick Talent then encouraged Rotarians to support and volunteer for the Big Brothers/Sisters organization, which he said can have substantial effect on the lives of youngsters lacking informal, personal interactions with adults more experienced in life.
Later, during the Sunshine and Showers segment, your fearless reporter -- being moved by nostalgia triggered by Dave’s earlier report of the Science Fair -- recounted his own youthful experience in 6th grade of building a “working” volcano as a science project, in years now nearly forgotten. Sadly, your reporter’s moment of fond reminiscence was disrupted by a douse of objectivity from his wife, Melanie: “Everyone made a volcano,” quoth she. Well, after all, there was a reason your reporter became a lawyer. But, I stick to my guns: it was a nice volcano.
Among others who offered Sunshine or Showers under the mystical inducement of Betty Switzer’s sunglasses and tiny parasol, Bill Darling had notable offerings under each heading. Under Sunshine, Bill reported that his son Dan had authored a book titled Archaeopteryx (The Albuquerque Trilogy, Vol. 1) , now being sold by both Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Amazon reports the novel involves “a tangle of weirdness as old as the American Southwest,” and it currently receives the full five stars from eight reviewers. But Bill reported a Shower too (with exceptional good grace): that his battle with lymphoma continues, likely leading to the necessity of more chemo and radiation treatment. One can be confident of this: Bill will continue to wage the battle with strength and good cheer.
Betty then turned to birthdays, announcing that your reporter, Diane Bower and Lassie Olin were Rotary’s January babies. For the ritual singing of “Happy Birthday,” Kim then produced a large bag of kazoos, enough apparently to be used for monthly birthday observances for decades to come. She and Dave Commack then displayed the use of a kazoo for the benefit of all and sundry.
With this preliminary, the birthday honorees were called forward for the celebration. Alas, only your reporter was present to be festively be-hatted, feted and handed a kazoo. But, with Kim and Dave joining in, a hearty trio was formed merrily to toot “Happy Birthday,” accompanying the meeting’s singing of the traditional song.
However, your reporter (a ham by nature, who occasionally indulged in kazoo tomfoolery during his college years, also numbered among those almost forgotten) was not fully satisfied by one song alone, and continued his display of kazoo “virtuosity” with a rendition of a chorus of “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Betty immediately began doing a magnificent little soft shoe dance in the aisles worthy of Mr. Bojangles, until your reporter ran out of audacity, and returned to his seat, his notebook, and more scribblings.
Betty then announced some notable anniversaries, including Dave Commack’s 25 years as a Rotarian, and Dave and Jean Smith’s 51st wedding anniversary.
I wonder if Kim regrets the kazoos?