Opening and Welcome - President Jay Paulus
President Jay asked Colleen Coons to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. He then asked Dick Myren to offer the invocation. He welcomed Erica Williams and Deb Koeneman who were attending via Zoom.
Introlduction of Guests
- John Benedict's daughter, Kelly, was introduced.
- Guaymas Mayor, Karla Cordova Gonzales was introduced.
- Anthony Proto, a representative to the City of Phoenix from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico was introduced.
- Wayne Balmer was introduced and serving to introduce and assist our visitors from Mexico.
- Fernanda Vazquez, who was serving as the group's interpreter, was introduced.
- Polly Cady introduced Dave Pauley as a former Rotarian and former Kiwanian. He is a retired banker who has volunteered a lot. He is from Wisconsin and owns one share of stock in the Green Bay Packers.
- Gary Whitehall was introduced as a potential member. He announed that he has volunteered to travel to Guaymas to volunteer during our Gift of Hearing mission this year.
- Machel Considine introduced her husband, Tom, saying he is a wonderful human being who has been very supportive during their 42 year marriage.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Chuck explained that the proceeds of raffle ticket sales are divided three ways. The club operating budget receives 1/3. Another 1/3 is added to the accumulating large pot - which was up to $350.
The final 1/3 goes to the person whose ticket is drawn. They also win the opportunity to try to draw the Ace of Clubs from the cards remaining in the deck. Should they be so lucky, they would win the large pot. If they draw the joker, they will receive another $20. If they draw any other card, it will be destroyed. Each week the large pot gets bigger and the odds of drawing the Ace of Clubs get better. Chuck asked Tom Considine to draw the winning ticket which was held by Pam Cohen. Pam checked to be sure the Ace of Clubs was in the deck, then shuffled the cards face down. The card she drew was the Eight of Hearts.
Happy Bucks - Sgt at Arms Andy Bradford
- John Benedict introduced his beautiful daughter, Kelly.
- Kelly Benedict shared that her dad had recently celebrated his 80th birthday. Last July, the family started a process of putting together a memory book to celebrate the occasion. They asked his friends to share images and stories. She mentioned that several from the club had responded to that request and mentioned a few - Jeanie, Warren, Lucinda, Ed and Jack. Jeanie shared stories about his ornery fun at bank managers meeting back when they worked for the same bank in the same district. Someone shared about recognition plaques John created mounting cow patties on the plaques and shellacking them to keep them in place and contain the odor. Kelly remembered her mother's tolerance in allowing the process to take up space on their kitchen counter. Jack remembered helping set up for Spring Olympics. He would set up a game and John, being a perfectionist, would come along behind him and fix it. Ed had remembered helping with 3,000 flags on Veterans Day and a woman who spent a lot of time chatting with John. She thought he was the Mayor. Some members remembered traveling to a Rotary event in Lake Havasu with John. Someone remembered a wheel barrow of cement being spilled on John when they were getting the home ready to occupy that John had facilitated being donated to Child Crisis Arizona - Save the Family. There were stories about ringing the Salvation Army bell. She donated $80 happy bucks and returned the white collection tool previously used by the club and created by John.
- Dick Myren donated his traditional $2 - happy that he and honorary member Rod Daniels were associated with the Ace of Clubs. He contributed another $ because he was happy Jeanie was back.
- Jack Rosenberg contributed. He was happy that Ed and Polo had sold some of his glasswork at an art fair over the weekend.
- Jim McGown was happy to be back in Arizona.
- John Pennypacker said his grandson had gone to the Cardinals game against Green Bay.
- Don LaBarge said John Benedict was his Wells Fargo guy, and that John had invited Don to join Rotary. The first meeting he attended, there were only three cards left. Don's ticket was drawn and he drew the Ace of Clubs. His winnings made it possible for him to donate and become a Paul Harris Fellow right away. Expect to hear from Don a lot in coming weeks as he manages the Salvation Army bell ringing shifts at Bass Pro in Mesa.
- Jeanie Morgan was happy to be back from Michigan and glad that cooler temps arrived about the same time she did.
- Ed Koeneman said the art fair over the weekend had been a good one.
- Colleen Coons was happy. She would be finishing up the last of training of sixteen mentors of McKinney Vento students in our Rotary Builds Bridges program. The students would be visiting Helens Hope Chest for clothing and receive Compudopt computers. They will have the opportunity to earn incentives for good grades and attendance. Last year the students reported that the incentive payments had helped them stay fed so they could stay in school.
- Chuck Flint donated. He was happy about the event at the library on October 10 and complimented Colleen on a job well done. He said that thanks to Pam eeryone was well fed and he enjoyed Warren's jokes. Chuck had a joke of his own. He said Colonel Sanders contacted the Pope and wondered if he gave $50,000,000 would they change the Lord's prayer from "Give us each day our daily bread" to "daily chicken.." He was turned down. A couple months later, he gave it another try and offered $100,000,000. The pope said "I'll get back to you." The offer was accepted. The pope told the Vatican staff. "I've got good news and bad news. We're receiving a $100,000 donation, but we've lost the Wonder Bread account."
- Pam Cohen pledged $20 to hurricane relief and was happy the student she is mentoring had earned $85 in incentives.
- Ron Thompson said John's stories reminded him of when his mother used to accompany him to Rotary. John would always ask her to share some bad news about Ron. His mom would laugh and say he'd been a great kid every time.
- Brian Harvey was glad to be back.
- Shelly Romine was happy for all the caring messages after the loss of her father.
- Lucinda General told about Barb and Abe Feder - both Past District Governors in 5510. Barb has suffered with weakness and back pain for years. It got severe enough that she spent some time in the hospital a couple of weeks ago. Abe had prostate issues requiring surgery. The surgery went well but he had to spend a couple of days in the hospital. Barb is in need of a recumbent bike. Lucinda asked anyone to let her know if they had a way to help her get one.
- Polly Cady thanked Kelly Benedict for the great stories. She was also happy to have the Guaymas contingent at the meeting as well as the prospective members who were visiting.
- Allan Cady was happy to provide an update about his grandson who is now stationed in San Diego. He saw photos taken of him after spending a week in survival training. He looked a little rough, but survived!
- Lizzy Barron was happy the Dodgers had won their game the day before.
- Connie Bunyard was happy to get to know Kelly at the recent Lunch for Love event. She made a pledge toward hurricane relief.
- Erica Williams made a $10 pledge. She was happy for all the wonderful help the club is providing for this year's Guaymas mission. The club volunteers make the work of the audiologists much easier and lighter. There will be 35 volunteers and about 10 are Rotarians. She is glad for additional volunteer help through the club's new connection with Mesa Sister Cities.
- Warren Williamson told about a young man whose girlfriend wanted him to attend a formal wedding with her. He stood in line to get a tux. He had to stand in line again to get a corsage. He encountered another line when arranging to rent a limo. At the reception after the wedding, his girlfriend wanted some punch. He went over to the punch bowl. There was no punchline.
Guaymas Hearing Project - Ray Smith
For the sake of the Guaymas contingent, Ray Smith provided some information about the project. He had given a more complete outline to the Mayor. Bob Jensen began the first mission in 1993. Rotary was not yet involved at that time. Eventually the Mesa Baseline Rotary Club got involved with helping with the program. When they merged into Mesa West, the program became a primary focus for ongoing international service for our club. Erica Williams has been involved for the last five years or so. We partner with a Rotary club in Guaymas and they assist with local arrangements. Jay Paulus gave the Mayor a hand-made pen to thank her for visiting our club and mentioned that there would be an additional opportunity to see and visit with her at an event in Mesa over the weekend. The Mayor said a few words and Fernanda interpreted what she had said - Thank you. She is open and wants to help 100%.
Recognition of Pam Cohen - Jay Paulus
Jay honored Pam Cohen for all her work as our Community Service chair. The effort she puts forth is a big part of our being the Ace of Clubs. She plans great social events like the recent Soup to Nuts event at her home. She is helping plan the Shark Tank event that will be held next year to identify and help an entrepreneur in the Mesa Community get a start.
Announcements
- October 25 Mesa West Rotary volunteers will help the Mesa Police Department with their Trunk or Treat event.
- October 31 we will meet offsite for a tour of the Cubs stadium, lunch and the opportunity to watch a farm team game.
- November 6-9 will be the Guaymas hearing mission.
- November 11 volunteers are needed to help in the staging area at the Veterans Day Parade
- November 15 Mesa West has a table at the College Bound fundraising luau. If you are interested in attending, contact President Jay.
- We will be ringing the bell for Salvation Army at Bass Pro from Black Friday through Christmas Eve. Plan to sign up for as man shifts as you can fit into your schedule.
Program - Mike Hutchinson - East Valley Partnership
Our speaker was Mike Hutchinson, Executive Vice President of the East Valley Parnership. He said the partnership was formed in the early 80's when Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Apache Junction realized they were growing rapidly, but not getting their share of dollars to support transportation or their share of appoitments to positions of influence. He remembered going to an organizational meeting at the "new Holiday Inn at the US 60 and Arizona Avenue."
Top initial priorities were education and transportation. They have 70 members of their Board of Directors. Apache Junction was included because of their proximity even though they are in Pinal county.
John Lewis who is the current President is a former Mayor of Gilbert.
Mike has been advocating for this part of the valley for 40 years or so. It is the "land of milk and honey" for new businesses.
When Williams Air Force Base Closed, Mesa annexed the base. That was 4,000 acres - more than they thought. Mesa Gateway Airport was an overnight sensation.
Mike shared a very informative booklet with those who were in attendance. It was the partnership's 2024 Phoenix East Valley Economic Profile.