Dear Sunsetters,

First of all, let me wish you all a Happy New year! I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas.
Our Club is at the halfway point of the Rotary Year! But before I review our Club’s activities, let me remind you about our Tuesday night meeting via Zoom, to be immediately followed by a Board Meeting.

In this past Rotary Year, our Club organized notable events and projects. We returned to live meetings once per month to supplement our Zoom meetings. We started out at Coco’s Restaurant, where DG Hank Huisking paid us a visit. As part of her address, Hank presented Paul Harris+3 to Members Laura Ziady and George Ward. After three months at Coco’s, our meetings were moved to our current digs at Maria Bonita’s (Kirsten Stephen’s discovery). It seems to fit us well.

We added three new members to our Club since July 1st. Rita Stubbs joined us in July; IPDG Diane Ventura-Goodyear joined us in November. At the same time, Gordon Goodyear was inducted as an Honorary Member.

Our Club worked on numerous projects during the past six months with the assistance of the Tucson-United Interact Club. Naturally, we ventured to our section of the Rillito River for a couple of classic River Cleanups. Next, Laura Ziady initiated and coordinated the collection of school supplies for the Holladay Magnet Elementary School, which she personally presented, with much thanks from the Principal. Harold Loewenstein, our perennial Dictionary Leader, once again coordinated the distribution of dictionaries to numerous elementary school third graders. The effort was aided by Sarah and Sam Craddock, who placed the Rotary stickers in each dictionary.  Natasha Wrae, in addition to acting as our Interact Advisor, shouldered the bulk of the three-day operation of the Club’s/District’s Finish Line Booth at the Ride for Polio. A number of Club members and Interactors assisted, most notably booth set-up and take-down artist Jerry Jordan, and Interact Allstar Chance Storie. Interspersed amongst these activities, President-Elect Ann Huber arranged for our Club to interview and sponsor two applicants for TRVFA scholarships.

Late in the year, we held two Club Assemblies, the second of which was hosted by Laura Ziady. Both meetings featured fruitful discussions re our Club’s operations. One of the immediate outcomes was Denny Scanlan’s launching of a festive purchase of gifts by Club Members and our Interactors for the Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse. The Club’s funds were matched by a District Grant procured by a rather frenzied application spearheaded by Diane Ventura-Goodyear. All of the Club’s purchases were subsequently delivered to the thankful staff at the Center. And finally, two days after Christmas, Denny Scanlan and Ann Huber delivered a wheelchair and a walker to an older gentleman encumbered by severe physical limitations.

Re a social event, Club Member Rita Stubbs, aka the UA Associate Head Volleyball Coach, was kind enough to host our Members’ attendance at a UA Volleyball game! A fun time of fellowship that also allowed us to view a big-time college sporting event.

As to District events, six of our Club Members and our Interactors attended the District Conference at the Casino del Sol. Denny Scanlan, Ann Huber, and yours truly also participated as members of the Conference Committee. Our Interactors participated in two sessions designed for Interactors and enjoyed the conference luncheon with a keynote speaker who described his family’s experience of climbing Mt. Everest.

Whew!
While I am looking forward to an even more productive 2022 for our Club, I appreciate all of the support that I received from the Board and all of the Members.

Thanks to you all,
Prez Mike