Del Norte Rotary Club

NorthWind Monthly publication of the Del Norte Rotary Club ■ Albuquerque, New Mexico USA

Vol. 29, Issue No. 1 Ed Hughes, Editor February 29, 2016

Entering our 29th Year: Service Above Self is our calling

A Park Above: Rotarians get “down dirty” to clean up

DOING GOOD IN NEW MEXICO AND AROUND THE WORLD!

Paul Harris Fellow award to fallen APD officer

Rotary

A Park Above glistened in the morning sunlight as

teams of Rotarians from Rio Rancho and Albuquer-

que, including Scott Stafford, went about their chores

to spruce up the most unique park in New Mexico de-

signed especially for handicapped children and adults.

This was the final “clean-up” before the park’s big opening in Southeast Rio Rancho. Other Del Norte

Rotarians who volunteered included Michael Mac-

Donald and Mark Rudolph and his grandchildren. “It

was a good feeling to give a little sweat equity to a

project where sometimes you never see the result of

the dollars Rotary gives every year to better our com-

munities,” said Michael.

Candid Camera Goes to an Oscars’ Eve Party — Pages 7 & 8.

P DG Randy Gleason pre-

sents a Paul Harris Fellow

award in the name of APD Of-

ficer Daniel Webster, killed in

the line of duty last year, to his

widow, Michelle Webster, on

February 10. The PHF award

was the gift of Del Norte Rotari-

an John Pierucki, next to

Michelle, to signify Rotary’s

motto, “Service Above Self.”

John has now given a contribu-

tion and a PHF award to two

APD officers who were shot

while on duty in the past year.

Del Norte Rotary NorthWind February 29, 2016 � Page 2

2015-2016 Leaders Rotary International

www.rotary.org President: K. R. Ravindran

President-Elect: John F. Germ Vice President: Greg E. Podd

Rotary District 5520 www.rotary5520.org

Governor: Tom Walker Governor-Elect: Dave Anderson

Governor-Nominee: Doreen Kelsey Executive Secretary: Kathy Fuller

Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte www.rotarydelnorte.org

Club Officers President: Barbara LaGree

President-Elect: Bob Rausch Vice President: Scott Stafford Board Secretary: Ruth Ronan Treasurer: Paul Christensen

Past President: Kathie Williams Sgt.-at-Arms: Maria Montoya-Chavez

Directors Club Service: Caroline Chamblin

Community Service: John Freeman International Service: Kim Helm Membership: Clarence Hughes

New Generations: Terry Boulanger Public Image: Sonia Torres

Program Services: Donna Pedace Vocational Service: Art Humphries

Office Information Edwin S. Hughes

Executive Secretary P.O. Box 3951

Albuquerque, NM 87190 secretary@rotarydelnorte.org

Phone: (505) 344-9162

Rotary Del Norte Foundation, Inc. Officers

President: Chuck Brown Vice President: Carol Rickert-Asbury

Secretary: Sandy Seligman Treasurer: Da vid Foster

Directors Richard Follingstad

Darcy Savage Scott Honsowetz

Nick Ritz Bob Rausch (Club representative)

Inside Del Norte Rotary

Anchors Aweigh!

RYLA Camp dates set; time to recruit campers

T he dates for our district’s two RYLA youth camps in 2016 have been set. The Boys Camp will be July 17-23 and the Girls Camp will be July 23-29.

Both camps will be held at the Manzano Mountain Retreat. Now is the time to be recruiting campers and adult volunteers, notes Terry Boulanger. Our club has budgeted to sponsor two campers this year.

Next Rio Grande Academy class on April 28 For those wishing to enroll in the three-session Leadership Training Classes put on by the Rio Grande Academy, or for those wishing to finish up and graduate, the next session will be held April 28 in connection with the District 5520 Con-ference in Albuquerque.

RI Convention in Seoul, Korea May 28-June 1 Three months are left before you could make the trip of a lifetime by attending the 2016 RI Convention in Seoul, Korea May 28-June 1. Deadline for early dis-counted registration is March 31. The convention is for all Rotarians around the world—most who speak perfect English, too! Apart from meeting many Rotarians from around the world, many tours of a beautiful country and culture are also available. Quite a few from our own District have signed up to go. More information on the confer-ence can be picked up at the information table at our weekly lunch-eon meetings.

District Conference set for April 28-May 1 in ABQ

I n honor of our District Governor and retired Naval Commander, Tom Walk-er, the theme of “Anchors Aweigh” will be the theme of the Annual District

5520 Conference which will be held April 28 to May 1 at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town. On Saturday, April 30, an Hawaiian Luau on “Walker Island” will recognize the Outstanding Active Rotarian for each club in the district. There will be an island buffet, Hula dancers and Hawaiian music, said Kathie Williams, co-chair of the conference. The annual Paul Harris “All Club Luncheon” will be held on Friday, April 29 — with most clubs in the Albu-querque area planning to make the Paul Harris luncheon their

regular meeting for that week. Note to Del Norte Rotarians: We will not have our regular luncheon meeting on Wednesday, April 27, but instead it will be held at the dis-trict conference “All Club Luncheon” at noon on Friday, April 29, at Hotel Albuquerque.

Del Norte Rotary NorthWind February 29, 2016 � Page 3

Gala party: Red carpet, lights & auction aids funding effort

New member: Monica Meyers, Realtor-Broker

APD Officer of Month: A drowning child is saved

O ne never knows when there will be a time you need to know how to provide CPR in an emergency situation — not even

when you are a police officer. That was the situation for APD Of-ficer Catherine Offret recently who received a call involving a pre-sumed drowning victim. When she arrived at an apartment’s

swimming pool, she noted that a family member was incorrectly trying to administer CPR to a 2-year-old child who was unconscious and presumably not breathing. She took over, discovered there was still faint breathing, turned the child on its side, and removed vomit that was blocking the child’s airway. The child soon resumed breath-ing and a life was saved. For her quick efforts and CPR skills, she was named the Officer of the Month for February. She has been an APD officer since 2009

S potlights, a red carpet entry, camera-flashing paparazzi and glasses of Champagne welcomed some 300 Rotarians and their guests to the 2016 Del Norte Oscars’ Eve Party at Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town on February 27 for an evening of fun, fellowship and sometimes frantic bidding for everything from art, jewelry

and exotic trips to Hawaii and South Africa. It was a happening, and pretty much lived up to the reputation of Del Norte Rotary for putting on one-of-a-kind social events/fun fund-raisers of the year. Just about everyone was dressed to the hilt, just like one would expect at an Oscars occasion. The Del Norte Rotary-style Oscars’ Eve Party did itself up proud on the eve of the real Oscars Awards shindig in Hollywood, and most of the revel-ers did not go away empty-handed. The only thing lacking were speeches that thanked everyone for their chance to shine in the glow of lights — although auc-tioneer Mike Skolnick and his spotters—Maria Montoya Chavez, Chuck Brown, Fred Bryant, Clarence Hughes, Michael MacDonald and Keely Whittington—had their moments of stardom.. It will be weeks before the Gala Committee will get a handle on how much net proceeds from the event will go to the Rotary Del Norte Foundation, but Gala Chairman Scott Stafford is hopeful that the final totals will be in the $80,000 to $85,000 range. For photos of the event go Pages 7 and 8.

M onica Meyers, a residential real estate broker for Coldwell Banker Legacy, re-

ceived a standing ovation after being inducted as Del Norte Rotary’s newest member. Past District Gov. Randy Gleason did the induction honors on February 17. Monica is sponsored by Membership Director Clarence Hughes, on the right. Welcome to Rotary, Monica!

Del Norte Rotary NorthWind February 29, 2016 � Page 4

Blowin’ in the North Wind ... Commentary by Executive Secretary & NorthWind Editor Ed Hughes

Random note-taking, while wondering when you feel good all over, why is it that your conscience hurts? February 3, 2016

B ack at the Roxy, Ruth Ronan led Rotarians in the singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” — after President-Elect Bob Rausch almost forgot (again) that it comes before the pledge. “I’m learning,” he grinned. … Michael Madanick led the Pledge of Allegiance and David Foster gave the invocation. … Donna Pedace says the district will be hosting a Rotary

Friendship Exchange team from Sicily August 5-8 and needs host families. … VP and Gala Chair Scott Stafford had another “celebrity” in tow to promote Oscars’ Eve Party on February 27. This time it was Bryan Williams posing as one-time NBC-TV news anchor Brian Williams. “We have a week in Hawaii to auction off,” said straight-man Scott. “Have you ever been to Hawaii Brian?” “Oh, yes, I flew in one time during a hurricane and helped the pilot land the plane,” said our noted guest. “You know Rotary has a four-way test that begins with “Is it the truth?” noted Scott. “Well, actually it was raining and I was thinking that if the pilot needed my help, I would come to his aid,” replied Brian, played by Bryan. … Club anniversaries this week: Matt Hudson, 18 years, and Bob Rausch, 11 years. Birthdays: Maria Montoya Chavez.

February 10 President Barbara LaGree was back at the podium, a proud Grandma. “Georgia Gray Hutchinson — she’s just beautiful,” she glowed. … Kudos to Grandpa Brooks, as well. … Ruth Ronan led everyone in singing the National Anthem, Mike Skolnick led in the Pledge to the Flag, and Michael Madanick gave the invoca-tion. … Caring Hearts guy Steve Becker gave an update on two members with recent surgeries: Craig Hin-nen is two-thirds through his cancer treatments and now able to work part-time; and Gary Williams had some “complications” associated with his recent surgery but reports it’s just a “speed bump” in his recovery time. … Foundation Chairperson Kim Helm is working on a possible “field trip” to Juarez, Mexico, in April as part of our club’s Global Grant project with our Rotary colleagues in Mexico. Eight to 10 hands were raised

indicating an interest in going. … Thanks to PR whiz Sonia Torres, two TV news cameramen were on hand to capture the awarding of a Paul Harris Fellow to the widow of APD Officer Daniel Webster. … Michael MacDonald noted that our club will be a co-sponsor of an Interact Club being formed at the Cottonwood Classical High School along with the downtown club. Pa-pers are en route to RI to make it official. … Birthday today: Marty Padilla, but no cake or ice cream. Wedding anniversary kudos to Rob and Brenda Maruca, 52 years, and Marian and David Bolton, 55 years.

February 17 Dateline Canyon Club at Four Hills: Great venue for our quarterly Vocational Roundtable event, hosted by Vocational Director Art Humphries and his Vocational Committee. … Playing on a Grand Piano instead of an electric keyboard, Ruth Ronan led Rotarians in “God Bless America,” and John Freeman followed with the Pledge to the Flag and Scott Honsowetz gave the invocation. … There were no visitors until Getrude Matshe of Wellington, New Zealand, poked her head in the door and asked if this was a Rotary meeting. Turns out she recently moved to Albuquerque and is looking for a new Rotary home. She was presented a Del Norte Rotary flag and she joined in our Roundtable discussions. Afterward, she noted: “This is one lively group!” … Lots of interesting stuff you learn about our fellow Rotarians when they talk about themselves. Example: Former President Chuck Brown, who now heads our club’s Foundation, noted that his father was president of the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa (N.M.) and when Chuck joined the small club, “it raised membership by 20 percent.” He soon became club presi-dent himself because “everyone else had already served as president five times!” … Big Anniversary Day:: Eleven members of our club are Charter Members, who were among 88 who joined our fledging club back on February 23, 1988. Three were in attendance today: Bernie Butterfield, Norm Liss and John Wright. Another club anniversary: Terry Boulanger, 17 years.

Luncheon Notes and meeting highlights

Del Norte Rotary NorthWind February 29, 2016 � Page 5

Doing business: How far should our networking go?

Inside Rotary: What’s going on in Del Norte land

R otary was founded on ethical business principles, and has for some 111 years cherished the

concept of having diversity within its ranks as far as covering the waterfront in the many dif-

ferent vocations and career experiences that span the working world. Business people and professionals join Rotary for a variety of reasons — to get involved in the

community, to serve or “give back to the community,” and (yes) to network. But clubs long shunned

the idea that Rotarians should be so bold to promote their business to fellow Rotarians. To do so

would result in fines — and maybe a warning or two. But that was the “old Rotary.” There is now new thinking going on

at high levels that could re-shape the landscape that “was” Rotary. That was the topic among Del Norte Rotary’s quarterly Vocational

Roundtable discussion groups on February 17, in which Vocational

Director Art Humphries posed the question: “How much should we

allow members to promote their business within the club?” Needless to say, discussion was lively — and no doubt similar

from table to table. A side question was also included in the discus-

sion — Why did you join Rotary? — and it told a lot about ourselves.

For example, John Freeman noted that no one in his discussion group

said anything about joining Rotary to “network.” It was to “get involved,” to “give back” to their

community. Caroline Chamblin added: “We’re all seeking a role bigger than ourselves.” Terry Boulanger noted that he joined because people he knew asked him to join Rotary. “We like

to do business with people we know because we have their trust and best interests at heart. We have

to rely on each other to do our good deeds in the community, and it also is true we need one another

when we need their support in times of need.” John Wright, a charter member of the club, felt the interaction

of club members has always been strong within the club “because

there is a high level of trust” among Del Norte members. “Because

of that trust, we know each other better, and know where to go if

we need their assistance.” Kurt Kinifick noted that “Service Above Self is what Rotary is

all about, to do good in the community and internationally.”

Working on community projects has led some of his fellow mem-

bers to seek his expertise in getting hearing aids without him hav-

ing to openly promote his business, he said. Bob Rausch and Donna Pedace also echoed much of the same

— that members’ “good works” often leads to “good business” without the need to drum-beat their business openly. Bob did offer the idea of giving members a chance to “buy time” to promote their

business on the weekly meeting video screen. Freeman also noted that the club already provides members a chance to give “five-minute voca-

tional talks” which gives their fellow members a better idea of what they do for a living. “I believe

what we do in our club is working well in getting to know one another better.”

Art Humphries, Vocational czar

John Wright, right, with Maria

Montoya-Chavez and John Perner

Del Norte Rotary NorthWind February 29, 2016 � Page 6

Program Highlights The world around us

Winrock Town Center: An old mall is putting on a new look for 2020 January 27

I t was first developed in the 1950s, the gem of financier Winthrop Rockefeller, and was hailed as the largest regional mall between Dallas and Los Angeles. It even had an amusement park on its grounds. But then, Winrock Mall -- almost

the size of downtown Albuquerque -- went through a series of owners, then a downturn in the economy, and it soon became deserted and an Uptown eyesore. Then came along Albuquer-

que Realtor Gary Goodman and a bevy of financial entrepreneurs to come up with a grand scheme of creating a self-sustaining park setting that would include a 5-story hotel, residential housing (condos) for 1,200 families, five department stores plus restaurants, a 16-screen 3,000-seat IMAX theater, parking for 950 cars, a wellness center, its own trolley, and even an agricul-ture site plus a farm store to serve its Uptown residents and customers. It's new name will be Winrock Town Center. Veronica Gabaldon with Goodman Realty whetted the appetite of Del Norte Rotarians last week with photos of the planned development, noting it is such a grandiose project it will take time

to be built. It is scheduled to open in the 2020-2021 timeframe.

Popejoy Hall: New Mexico’s gem venue for performing arts in 50th year

February 3

P opejoy Hall, the gem of the University of New Mexico and top venue for arts and cultural performances in all of New Mexico, almost didn’t have a name, noted Popejoy Hall’s marketing manager, Terry Davis last week. In October of

1966, Thomas L. Popejoy announced his retirement as president of UNM after some 20 glorious years of massive build-ing programs on the Albuquerque campus – including an 18,000-seat arena for UNM basketball games and a top-class performing arts center. The Board of Regents wanted to name a building on campus for the long-time President, and chose the basketball arena to be named Popejoy Arena. But Mr. Popejoy declined, saying he didn’t want any building named for him unless it was the performance arts building. And so it was. Today, Popejoy Hall is celebrating its 50th year that currently attracts more than 250,000 patrons a year to see some of the world’s finest music and thea-ter. It is the current home of the New Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra and will be celebrating its 50th year by bringing The Lion King to its stage. And oh yeah, the basketball ball arena – long known as The Pit, finally did succumb to naming rights last year, now known as Wise Pies Arena aka The Pit.

Wild Kingdom: African Safari fit the bill as a storybook adventure February 10

I t was Terry and Berdel Boulanger’s first visit to Africa, and all they wanted to see was a tiger or two, maybe a lion, and maybe a group of giraffes. Boy did they get their wish. “From day one, we were sur-

rounded by every storybook animal you could ask for,” said Terry while flipping through photos of their African Safari that looked just like flipping through the National Geographic Magazine. “We were thrilled and overjoyed by the first-hand experience of being an integral part of Wild Kingdom,” he said. “This turned out to be an experience of a lifetime.” Terry and Berdel won the African Safari trip by being the highest bidder at last year’s Del Norte Rotary Gala fund-raiser for the Rotary Del Norte Foundation. It was offered again at this year’s Gala.

Terry wore his African Safari wide-brim hat and Berdel was decked out in what looked like a Leopard skin ensemble straight out of a Neiman-Marcus catalog. “The only thing there was not enough of was shopping,” she quipped in their presentation to fellow members on February 10. “There are really nice shops in South Africa, full of touristic things, but I wish we had spent a little more time shopping as we did sight-seeing,” said the owner of a popular women’s chic bou-tique in Albuquerque.

Del Norte Rotary NorthWind February 29, 2016 � Page 7

Candid Camera goes to a Oscars’ Eve Party!

Del Norte Rotary Gala goers show they have class!

For more

Gala photos,

go to Rotary

Del Norte

website at

www.rotary-delnorte.org

February 29, 2016 � Page 8 Del Norte Rotary NorthWind

More Candid Camera at the Oscars’ Eve Party

March 2016

programs & events

March 2 — Dr. Cheryl Willman, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center March 9 — Angela Ward, Presbyterian Rust Medical Center March 16 — Art Schreiber, “On Tour with the Beatles, 1964” March 23 — Andrew Estocin, Albuquerque Housing Authority. March 30 — TBA

Pre-Gala activity: Volunteers get auction items ready for the Big Show!