There will be an All Rotary Clubs of Colorado Springs Party on March 15th (the Ides of March) at Patty Jewett Golf Club from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, organized by Becky Kiser, president of the East Club and Penny Kelly, president-elect. Please call Becky at (719) 337-7393 with reservations. It should be great fun to see other Rotarians from clubs all around town.

 

 

Calling on volunteers from our club! We need some members to help with the Diamond Awards in future years. Jack Kinney has headed these fabulous teacher awards since their inception 18 years ago and is ready for someone else to take the helm. He has not only spearheaded this committee, but he also started it to help recognize outstanding teachers from District 11 who never would have had the recognition they admirably deserve. Please "step up" and let me know if you can lead the committee and/or can serve on it. We need about 8 Rotarians to make the committee function efficiently without too much work for any one person. I truly hope some of  you will volunteer to continue these awards showcasing our fine School District 11 teachers . You will see the results of this year's work during the Diamond Award Ceremonies on March 16 and again on April 27. These are some of the best programs we have all year.

 

The presentation to Crawford House last Friday by our club for $50,000 contributed by Stan Miedich, touched many of our members. Jay Bowen, President of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Veterans Resource Coalition (CVRC, also known as Crawford House), was impressed by the generosity and also by the prospect of other members matching the $50,000 to make the total amount given to Crawford House $100,000. Some Rotarians have already come forward, wishing to help, and making a pledge.

 

Thanks to all of you who showed up at the Rotary Social - Rotary on the Rocks - at the Lawrence Dryhurst Gallery, Wayne and Betz Smisek's art gallery last Thursday. Plenty of wine, beer, food, and entertainment were present with our members enjoying each other and the beautiful art by Betz. I plan to have another, at Smiling Toad, in the next couple of months (a brewery owned by Rotarian Biff Morehead).

 

After our meeting last week, by Aisha Ahmad-Post on the Ent Center for the Arts, some Rotarians approached me about having an off-site meeting there in place of the Antlers. What a great idea but I'm not sure I can accomplish it in my remaining time as president (besides, I think they are booked through June, Aisha said). I hope we can do it sometime, however.