News & Happenings

 

President Shellie welcomed all those present to the New Year with greetings from Jack & Katy Threet.  They are both doing well and send their best wishes from their home in Texas.  On a much sadder note, Jo Bridges announced that we had just received word that our long time friend Dick Bond had passed away on New Year's Day.  A card was circulated to send to Mary and his family.

 

We had a very special visitor, Athe Ocando was a guest of Bill Darling.  She was a Rotary Exchange Student in 1999-2000, coming from Venezuela.  Bill and Margaret Darling were one of her hosts during her school year at Valley High School in Albuquerque, NM.  She and the Darlings became very close, and they have remained a “family” since her exchange year.  Athe has come to Colorado several times to support Bill and Margaret as Bill has faced his medical issues.  During her current visit she brought along her husband David Lobo and their three beautiful children, two boys and one girl.  Athe has lived in the Miami area for approximately 13 years, and she has become an American citizen.  Athe came to Albuquerque through the efforts of Larry McClintock, who headed the exchange student committee for the Albuquerque Rotary Club.  Larry and Bill were neighbors in Albuquerque, and Larry was able to have the Darlings host Athe.  Larry’s son Benjamin walked Athe to high school almost every morning, a memory both reminisced about when Ben was able to visit with Athe at the Darling’s home before New Year’s.  It was a pleasure to have Athe at our club, and to see the impact that the Rotary Student Exchange program can have.

 

 

Betty was in fine form for Sunshine and Showers having rested up over the Holidays!  She enthusiastically encouraged us to share our New Year's resolutions!  There were several noteworthy thoughts such as to be more patient, but I believe Kriss Campbell probably had the best of all.  She shared something she had read recently;   The New Year lies before us like a trackless field of snow.  Be careful how you tread on it for every mark will show.  

 

Shellie offered a $20 sunshine to the Scholarship Fund celebrating her 20+ years of service at Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District.  Remember to not call or email her at work anymore - because you won't find her there! 

 

Carrie Weiss offered up thanks for the Holiday Party planners!  It really was a great deal of fun!  Thanks were offered to Bill Hubbard who once again did such a marvelous job at providing the food.  Betty even allowed that she had been a kermudgen over the snarky $20 comment and vowed to do better in 2019.

 

 

Shellie also made another very important announcement - Mike Vanover had been selected by the Nominating Committee to become our President Elect Nominee!  Mike has graciously accepted the position and we are very excited for him to lead us in 2020-2021 following Nick Tallent in 2019-2020!

 

Mike Vanover has a great deal of experience that he brings to our Club!  When he was with the Morgan City Rotary Club, Mike was the Co-Chair of the Youth Exchange Committee for District 6200.  He also served as President of that Club for one year and Vice-President for two years.  While on the Board of Directors, he served for a year in each of the areas of Club Service, Membership, International Services/Foundation, Club Programs, Publicity and Scholarships.  He also served as the Club Orientation Officer for 15 years.  While I am sure that Morgan City misses Mike, we are honored to have he and Renee as full-time Pagosans now.  I am looking forward to all that he brings to our Club.