This little guy is being screened to see what his needs are at the 27th Annual Gift of Hearing project in Guaymas, Mexico.  

 

To see more photos taken by Polly Cady, click on the image or CLICK HERE.

President Chris Krueger opened the meeting with the invocation offered by Bert Millett and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Jeanie Morgan.

 

Frank Rosenberg introduced his wife, Amanda.  Mesa Rotary President Craig Henry was present with Russian Rotarians being hosted by his club through a program offered by the Russia-USA Inter-Country Committee:  Alina and Natalia Dvornik, Irina Dmitrieva, Natalia Oborina, Evgeny Tikhmenev, and Aleksey Gridchin.  With the group was Charles T Heberle III from the Russia - USA Inter-country Committee.  His home is in Wellesley, Maine.

 

President Chris reminded everyone that there would be an informal reception for the Russian visitors at her home that evening.

 

Steve Ross won the attendance drawing.  Chris Krueger won the small weekly raffle pot of $28 , but failed to draw the ace of clubs so did not win the $171 in the growing accumulating pot.

 

Chuck Flint explained the purpose of the club's buck board, which keeps giving to The Rotary Foundation on everyone's mind and gives members and guests an opportunity to win the opportunity to have $1,000 donated in their name to TRF, taking them to the next level of Paul Harris Fellow recognition.

 

Jeanie Morgan contributed for getting a good health report despite some poor eating habits she has developed in recent months.  Pam Cohen was happy to have the opportunity to get acquainted with the Russian visitors.  Darl Andersen was happy to sit next to Aleksey and get acquainted with him.  Dan Coons was happy Chuck Flint again took Rotary Youth Exchange students to Havasu Falls.  Chuck donated $100 to the Mesa West Scholarship Fund, happy that the trip went as well as it did.  When they had arrived, it at first looked like rain might cause enough flooding to prevent the trip into the canyon.  The company he had booked through came up with options that included pack horses.  Instead of the usual clear water, they saw brown falls, but the 16 YE students had a great time.  Chris Krueger had gone on the trip and was actually recovered enough to be wearing high heels at the meeting.  Past President John Eagleston was happy to be visiting.  He had taken over so many time-consuming projects that he had to put his Rotary membership on hold for a while.  He is President of the PTO at his kids' school.  He was hoping many of his Rotary friends would attend a Hoe Down at MacArthur Elementary Friday evening and enjoy some chili, corn bread and a blue grass band.  Don LaBarge related a story Robert had recently shared with him about his teaching assignment in Pinon, Arizona.  One of his students reminded him that he needed a "C" or he would be kicked off the football team.  Robert informed him that he could earn that grade if he would turn in all of the assignments he had failed to complete in the first three months of school.  Dick Myron continued Rod Daniels tradition of donation $1 for being happy to be a member of Mesa West Rotary.  Frank Rosenberg proudly announced their daughter, Sammi, is carrying a 4.0 grade point average.  President Chris got rid of all the $28 she won, donating eight dollars for the visiting Rotarians from Russia and $20 for making it out alive from her Havasu Falls adventure and she thanked Chuck for making it happen.  He prepares the meals, makes the reservations and makes it an all-round wonderful experience.  Ray Smith reminded Rotarians to contribute if they could to support the Guaymas mission.  Anyone who wishes to do so can contact Aubrey to have her add a donation to their account.  He also reminded everyone that those who had contributed would be entered into a drawing to win the hand made items contributed by Warren Williamson's wife, Son Hee.

 

Interact District Governor, Colton Cagle, a Westwood High School student, was honored Saturday, October 27, 2018 as a Paul Harris Fellow.  The presentation took place at the Interact Fall Leadership Conference.  With the help of E-Club member, John Winterstein, Colton's mother, Wendy Cagle, kept the secret about the presentation and was able to be present to do the pinning of Colton's PHF pin.

 

PDG John Pennypacker explained The Rotary Foundation and the history of the Paul Harris Fellow Recognition to educate the Interact leaders who were attending the conference before calling Jeanie Morgan to participate in making the actual presentation.  Jeanie decided to transfer some of her recognition points to honor Colton after she became active as the Interact Treasurer and Registrar on the Interact District Council.  In watching Colton's leadership skills at work, she could see that he was a true "servant leader."  He is someone who encourages others on the council and recognizes efforts that go beyond expectations.  He gives credit where it is due rather than taking credit for himself.  She was especially impressed with the impact he experienced with his Ambassadorial experience with Crutches for Africa this past summer.  He told her that it helped him understand what is truly important in life and will forever change his priorities.