Highlights of Valentine's Day at Mesa West Rotary

In opening the Valentine's Day meeting, President Chris Krueger offered the invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Darl Andersen.  Lola McClane served as greeter, welcoming members and guests as they arrived for the meeting.

 

The agenda for the day was reversed with the Chamber Singers - the top level choir from Arizona School for the Arts providing a beautiful a cappella performance.  The Singers were led by their instructor, Dana Bender. The madrigal pieces performed were difficult, and were sung in foreign languages, which were articulated perfectly.  The students were masterful in their apparent discipline and performance skills.  Rotarians and guests learned that Arizona School for the Arts was one of the earliest charter schools in Arizona.  They offer 2-3 hours each school day of specialized arts classes in the areas of music, theatre, and dance. 

 

During the Q&A portion of the program the audience learned that to be admitted to Arizona School for the Arts music program, students have to audition.  Noting that a pitch pipe was not used, one of the Singers took responsibility for being the one who provided that service as she has "perfect pitch."   An example of the creative community that the school produces, was a young man who explained about a small performance group he and a few other students had formed called the Mixtones.  One of the pieces they created and perform is a Hip Hop Medley.  

 

Students at the school have a unique requirement to do a formal oral presentation each semester.  They put a lot of time into preparing the material and their presentation skills.  This results in the school producing very self confident graduates who are poised and ready to meet and succeed in college and their future occupational endeavors.

 

Warren Williamson introduced his wife, Son Hee.  Kaye Andersen was Darl's guest.  Alex Hopkins introduced Julie Matthew, who was also form Seattle.  Jack Rosenberg introduced his wife, Cindy.  Thomas and Pat Melton were both visiting from Farmington, Maine.  Donna Goetzenberger introduced her friend Teresa Lucas.  Teresa's father is a Rotarian in Texas.  Her daughter is an outbound Rotary Exchange Student in Belgium this year.  She is currently hosting an inbound student.  She went with the YE group that went to Havasu Falls this year, and will be taking students to Washington next week.  Dick Myren introduced his wife, Sandy.  Jeanie Morgan introduced the guests at her table:  PDG Don Kelley from Tempe South and Rob Foster from Tempe Kyrene.  Lucinda General introduced Lola McClane for the last time as a guest.  Even though she is a member of Mesa West, Dan Coons introduced his wife, Colleen.  Don LaBarge introduced his wife, Chris, and Bob Zarline introduced his guest, Delores Albagano visiting from New York.

 

After three failed attempts the $5 potential winnings in the attendance drawing will roll over to the February 21 meeting.  Chuck Flint announced that the weekly raffle winnings would be $55, and if the lucky ticket holder were to draw the ace of clubs, they would win $497.  Chris Krueger's ticket was drawn, but after she masterfully shuffled the remaining cards in the deck, she was disappointed that she drew the five of clubs.

 

Donna Goetzenberger was happy to have visited the Prescott Sunup Rotary February 13 with her daughter to make a Youth Exchange presentation.  Dick Myren contributed his Rod Daniels dollar plus another dollar thankful for his lovely valentine, Sandy.  Colleen Coons contributed indicating she would have gladly contributed more if Dan had given her more.  Bob Zarling was happy to be leaving Friday morning early for Caborca, Mexico for a Rotary-organized polio immunization trip.  He also announced that there were some last minute cancellations making it possible for other Mesa West Rotarians to participate if they had the time available.  Donna Goetzenberger presented Valentine flowers to several of the women in the club who had mentored and supported her since she joined Rotary.  Pam thanked Donna for the flowers and for all she does supporting Youth Exchange in our District.  Lucinda General also thanked Donna and announced that forty years ago on Valentines Day she was nine months pregnant.  Her son was born February 15, 1979.  

 

Closing the meeting, President Chris expressed how thankful she is to be leading such a wonderful club.