Rotary Club of Casper WY
Meeting Summary
10/5/2015
President John Starnes called the meeting to order promptly at 12:25. He invited PP Bill Schilling forward to offer a moment of silence to honor the passing of PDG George McIlvane 2006-2007, who passed away on Saturday in Cheyenne.
Inspiration, Pledge, 4-Way Test:
Martha Rakestraw
Greeters:
Red Nickerson and David Simonson were the greeters today and David introduced guests:
- A visiting Rotarian from Naples, Florida (north Club), Bernie Simmonds;
- Heidi Foy introduced Angela Puffer;
- Dennis Jack introduced Dr. Daniel White (Orthopedic surgeon);
- Don Harris introduced Dr. Stephen Finso;
- Denise Prugh welcomed back our Swiss exchange student (2013-2014), Max Gasser, and his father who is visiting with him – Rotarian Tom Gasser;
- Martha Rakestraw introduced the parents of our Students of the Month – Angel Phillips and Hampton and Sher O’Neill; and
- Our fabulous exchange student, Elise, was welcomed by club members.
Song and Merriment:
Denise Prugh and Jim Anderson BOTH entertained us with a joke today, in Dennis’ absence, and then Gary Pehrson asked us to, “Please Rise………” and led us in singing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” with Brenda Peters leading the troops on the piano. Gary then offered up “Happy Birthday” vocals to Jim Allison, Peaches Lynch, and Jim Ruble.
President John presented Tom Broumley with a 4-way test coin for losing a bet with Percy Anderson. Tom’s Longhorns lost to Percy’s A & M Aggies last weekend.
Family of Rotary:
Nothing was announced today.
Rotarians of the Week:
Mark Owens nominated Tony Valdez for donating his boat for a fishing trip with a long-time community and church friend, who is suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Richard Schwahn nominated our exchange student, Elise, for being named “Student Athlete of the Week” at NCHS. President John nominated the club members who had participated in the District Assembly this past weekend – Jim Ruble, Lori Klatt, Charles Schoenwolf, and Liz Becher. President John also thanked all of the club members who helped pack meals for Kids Against Hunger last Wednesday night. Dusty Johnson will recap the event when he is back next Monday. John Patterson nominated Kevin Hawley for the DDA’s successful grant application to the SLIB Board for a $500,000 Enhancement Grant for the downtown plaza last Wednesday.
Special Announcements:
President John invited Tom and Max Gasser forward. Tom thanked the Casper Rotary Club for the fabulous exchange experience we offered Max two years ago. He especially recognized Max’s three host families – Mark Owens, Jim Anderson, and Denise Prugh. He said that Max had returned to Switzerland as a “rock solid Republican” – much to the laughter of all. Max then gave us an update about what he has been doing since he returned home. He is in his last year of high school and will join the military after graduation (mandatory for one year), with plans to attend college after that. He and his Dad are touring the U.S. together over the next few weeks.
Students of the Month:
Two neat students were introduced from KW this week:
Ana Everard, who wants to major in biomedical sciences in college, and Collin O’Neill, who wants to major in pre-med, pre-law, or business in college. Both students listed high school science teacher, Nancy Brakke, as their inspiration.
Club Announcements:
- Dave McNulty announced that the reading program to elementary students begins next week. See him if you are interested in reading an hour each week. He will have flyers on the tables next week.
- Jim Anderson announced that the annual Pheasant Hunt will be Oct. 24th in Buffalo. Sign-up forms are on the tables.
- Tara Short announced that Orientation for red-badgers will be held on Oct. 22nd at Jim Fowler’s home. More information will be sent out.
- Dennis Jack announced that the semi-annual Blood Drive will be Nov. 2nd during our club meeting at the Parkway.
- If Hal Hutchinson had been at the meeting, he would have announced that the semi-annual Highway Cleanup will be Saturday, October 24th at 9 a.m. More info will come.
- Jim Ruble went through some of the Polio materials that were on each table, since October is polio awareness month. He also shared some of the highlights about the polio campaign which were presented at the District Assembly last weekend in Cheyenne.
Classification Talk:
None.
Program (Duck Derby Recap):
President Elect Jim Ruble introduced our program for today.
Brian Deurloo, Duck Derby Chairman, shared some of the highlights from this year’s Duck Derby. He first thanked the major sponsors, and then acknowledged the vendors who had supported the event. He complimented the Platte River Trails for their ongoing partnership with this event. He also recognized all of the Committee Chairs individually, and thanked the club members for helping acquire the 172 prizes. He shared the story of “Bruiser” the duck, that
Lynette Boatright had made in her sculpture class at CC. Bruiser was inaugurated into the Platte River at the Duck Derby to lead the pack of little ducks down the river. However, he was so light that he just spun in circles -- maybe next year he can be coaxed to float……………..
The event grossed $104,000, and after expenses the Club netted $78,000!!!!
YAY Us!!!!The profits will be used to complete our work at Rotary Park.
President Elect Jim Ruble announced that next week’s program will be Charlie Vogel, who will do a presentation about therapy dogs. He then invited the club members to stick around and watch one of the District polio videos.
President John adjourned the meeting at 1:24 p.m.
“Be a Gift to the World”
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