My father used to say, "The only thing we can count on is Change."
At the time, of course, I knew what he meant. I knew I would graduate from college, and I knew I'd have a great career. I knew he and mom would get old, and my sister and I would eventually lose them. I "knew" our lives would unfold before us in ways we had never imagined or planned.
But I had no idea. Did I ??
If you are reading this, You are smiling, aren't you ?? In your youth, YOU, too, thought you knew about CHANGE.
But you had no idea, either, did YOU ??
Well, the truth is that Change is the Grand Mystery.
We had no idea how fast life would be today — in large part because of the development of technology and its role in our lives. We had no idea how marriage and children would change us; we had no idea how powerful the changes in our health would be in our life's journey; and we didn't have any concept of the consequences of many of our choices.
But one thing that hasn't changed much, at least for me, is the constancy of Rotary. Over the 30-plus years that I've been a Rotarian, the Four Way Test still guides us, both as Rotarians and in our larger lives. A weekly meeting still welcomes us; we begin with prayer and the pledge to the United States flag; and we recite that Four Way Test — all together — with a unspoken but deep spirit of pride.
We still volunteer our time, our talent and our energy to various fundraising programs that enrich our community and ourselves. We love Rotary. And we strive to keep it strong by turning our sons and daughters and friends into members. We smile when we think of Happy Dollars and Student Rotarians.
Now, THAT, my fellow Rotarians — that is NO Grand Mystery.
I thank you for sharing this very precious piece of your life with me.
And I pray we will do all in our power to insure that Rotary will continue for years as an undeniable force for good in our changing world.
What a wonderful time our ten Rotary Friendship Exchange visitors from District 1080 in East Central England enjoyed in Las Cruces! Anyone who had a chance to chat with them knows they were a lively and interesting group who thoroughly loves traveling, adventures and new experiences.
Many thanks to Joni Gutierrez and Lowell Catlett for arranging an amazing day of departmental tours at NMSU and the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Department tour. Our British guests had a rare opportunity to learn many new things happening on campus – from cotton-fed shrimp in the desert at the Research Center, to “Math Snacks” in The Learning Lab, to rumen monitored cows and baby lambs at the Livestock Barns, to tailless scorpions and giant centipedes at the Arthropod Museum, to the Scoville scale at the Chile Pepper Institute, to wine appreciation at the Bobby Lee Lawrence Wine Academy and finally to Pat Garrett’s artifacts at the Law Enforcement Museum!
We appreciate all the host families from our club; Ken & Mary Martin hosting Ivan & Jean Chubbock, Loren & Nancy Kuehn hosting Martin Anscombe & Helen Glibbery, Rob & Terry Sheldon hosting Archie Poulter, Joni Gutierrez & Lowell Catlett hosting John & Angela Raven - and from the Las Cruces Club; Jim & Jackie Maxon hosting Richard & Maggie Mayer and Mary Ellen & Franklin McKay hosting Robert Lovick.
Diane & Wayne Indorf and Rob Sheldon transported our guests from Van Horn, TX and chauffeured them throughout their visit, finally delivering them to the El Paso International Airport.
On the last evening of their visit, over 40 Rotarians and spouses met at the Double Eagle to celebrate a fine New Mexico “Adios” sendoff for our new friends!
The Las Cruces Rio Grande Rotary Club is fortunate to have several "Family Ties" in their membership. During the past several months, we have recognized the following: Matt and Kathy Olson (son & mother), Mike and Brandon Beckett (father & son), Larry and Ken Binkley (father & son), and the February Sweethearts (husband and wife) Loren & Nancy Kuehne, Bill & Stacie Allen, Saf & Judy Canja.
Mike (newest member) and Eddie (charter member) Binns
are also the newest "Family Ties" as father & son.
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