Opening and Welcome to Meeting - President-Elect Kayla Mudge
Warren Williamson led the Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation was offered by Dick Myren.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Steve Ross
Steve asked Ted Williams to draw the winning raffle ticket. It was held by Kayla Mudge. When she attempted to draw the Ace of Clubs from the cards remaining in the deck, the card she drew was the Seven of Hearts.
Happy Bucks - Sgt at Arms Andy Bradford
- Ron Thompson contributed. He was happy to have officially retired after selling his dental practice. He was glad to finally be done.
- Allan Cady, who was attending via Zoom pledged $25 to support the Guaymas hearing project. He was very aware that several members of our club were in Guaymas the day of the meeting working with the team of professional audiologists and students to serve the many who take advantage of this wonderful program each year. Allan has been among those volunteers in the past and said he has many fond memories of those experiences.
- John Pennypacker contributed remembering his 21st birthday, which took place while John was serving in Viet Nam. His father had sent him a special birthday message: “For those who have fought for it, life has a flavor the protected shall never know.”
- Shawn Buntin contributed celebrating that he would soon be leaving with his wife, Retta, to celebrate her 60th birthday on a cruise.
- Harry Grossman contributed. He was happy that the Cardinals are at the top of their division. He was also happy that his daughter and son would soon be arriving to enjoy a famly get together!
- Colleen Coons was happy that she and Dan would be spending the next week in Chicago spending time on the Magic Mile holding hands, enjoying good music, and good food. She wished a happy Veterans Day to all the Veterans in the club.
- Jim McGown contributed. He had taken his wife to the kidney doctor, and was thankful to learn her numbers are much better. When they left for the summer, he knew her car would need a new battery when they returned. What he did not know was that his car battery also needed to be replaced shortly after they arrived back in Arizona. And..golf cart batteries joined their cousins in death. Jim said he has spent over $1,000 on batteries in the last month.
- Brian Harvy said he has three sons, which made him very aware of the importance of education. He very much appreciates what Mesa West is doing with the McKinney Vento youth in the Mesa Schools. He pledged $100 to support stipends helping those youth be motivated to succeed.
- Erwin Reimann was happy to be back from Minneapolis. They also had a nice trip to Boston. He got good news from his cardiologist. They have lots of reasons to be happy.
- Don LaBarge reminded members he needs volunteers to deliver water along the Veterans Day Parade route on the 11th. He said Ron Thompson had volunteered.
- Allan Cady said that earlier in the week, his won and his wife announced that his granddaughter Caroline is engaged. There will be a July 18 wedding. Her fiance is in Italy where she will join him after the wedding and will complete her degree on line. He pledged $10 happy bucks to celebrate her engagement.
- Kayla Mudge contributed her $40 raffle winnings to Polio Plus.
- Ed Koeneman said the Interact Club is planning an outing to Paws and Peers. They need a couple of volunteer drivers. He also announced that there were 571 days remaining until the next Star Wars movie will be released.
- Warren Williamson was happy to have Son Hee with him at the meeting. He told a story about a french English teacher who worked for the king. The king had absolute power and had a Jester who used a lot of puns. One the guards was sick and tired of puns and thought the king should order the jester to be hung. The jester responded to the guard's anger by saying "No noose is good noose!"
Introduction of Guests
Colleen Coons introduced Mariana Meraz, President of the Benedictine University Rotaract Club. She also introduced Braly Moreno who is handling social media for the Ben U Rotaract Club. Colleen then introduced Gaby Duran who would be inducted later in the meeting. Gaby's husband, David Cutlip, was also introduced.
Paul Harris Fellow Recognition
John Pennypacker invited Erwin Reimann to come forward to be recognized for his generous support of The Rotary Foundation. Erwin had achieved Paul Harris Plus Eight recognition level.
Major Donor Recognition
John Pennypacker invited Ted Williams, our club's longest-term member and one of our first major donors, to come forward to help with handing out recognition materials. He then invited Son Hee Williamson to come forward to be recognized for her and Warren's generous support of The Rotary Foundation by reaching Major Donor Level I status. She was presented with her Major Donor pendant. Warren was then presented with his Major Donor lapel pin. They were then given a Major Donor crystal to display in their home. Major Donor status is reached when a couple has reached $10,000 or more in monetary donations to The Rotary Foundation. John made sure Warren knew he was appreciated as much for his generosity as he is for his entertaining stories!
Induction of New Member - Gaby Duran
Colleen Coons joined John Pennypacker at the front and invited Gaby Duran and David Cutlip to join them. Colleen and John first met Gabby when attending a Mesa PD event for youth last spring. They learned that Gaby worked with McKinney Vento youth in phoenix for fifteen years. She has joined the group of Mesa West Rotarians mentoring McKinney Vento youth this year. Gaby and David have three daughters, ages 19, 17, and 12. She is a Volunteer Coordinator with the Mesa Police Department. She loves baking, Rocky Point and going to their cabin. She also loves her husband. She said John Pennypacker is one of the reasons she first became interested in Mesa West Rotary. John had complimented her attractive shoes, and she appreciates groups who attract people with good taste. She enjoys many little things in life like the Pink Breakfast for Breast Cancer Survivors. She loves giving back, and said Colleen has been great. Colleen handled Gaby's formal induction into the club after which David pinned her and John gave Gaby her permanent name badge. She was welcomed to the club with a standing ovation.
Announcements
- Westwood HS Interact club will be visiting Paws for Peers Wednesday, November 13. They provide therapy dogs for classrooms. Drivers are needed to get the youth to the facility. They are also selling fundraising calendars with cute animals featured in them.
- Volunteer help is needed for two separate activities at the Veterans Day Parade on November 11.
- Thursday, November 14, Mesa West Rotary will meet at Longbow Golf Club from 5-7 rather than meet at the Doubletree.
- Some seats are still available at the Mesa West Rotary table at the College Bound Luau for Love event to be held Friday, November 15.
- RLI is being held on Fountain Hills Saturday, November 16. See separate article in this newsletter.
- Phoenix 100 Rotary is hosting a Life Skills workshop Saturday November 16. President-Elect Kayla would like to duplicate the event in the east valley next year. Anyone wanting to learn more should try to attend the event being held this year. Follow this link for more information:
Program - Tim Jackson - Flying Cars
CLICK HERE or on the image to view the slides shared during Tim's energetic presentation. During his presentation, Tim shared a lot of history about human progress in recent years in the area of personal mobility. The first bicycles had no brakes or pedals. We've come a long way since then. Your editor has to admit that the more engaging a program, the harder it is to take good notes.
You are strongly encouraged to view the slide deck. If that doesn't satisfy your curiosity about what this gentleman had to share, buying his book would be a good option. It is available on Amazon.