One of the most famous movies of all time, “It’s A Wonderful Life” was the inspiration for Friday evening, July 7, when Del Norte Rotary Club inducted their new officers and directors for the coming year. Incoming President, Marty Padilla, presented wings to special members for their contributions during the year. You can look forward to more wings during the year. “Every time the Rotary bell rings”, another Rotarian will get their wings.
Hosts for the evening, former Rotarian Mikayla Padilla, and her husband Zac Anaya, were the perfect presenters. The officers and board members were inducted by past Del Norte President Ken Abbott. As they were sworn in, both current and baby pictures of them were shown on the big screen.
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Rotary Hero, Ken Abbott. Ken was presented with an amazing portrait, as we reviewed his 56 years of perfect attendance as a Rotarian.
More than 65 Rotary Club members attended the patriotic themed event, with a bar-b-que dinner and 4th of July decorations. In an inspiring message, President Marty pledged that Rotary this year would be “Cheers” inspired - a place “Where everybody knows your name!”.
Rotary Hero
Ken Abbott
Rotary Angel Wings
Barbershop Singers
RYLA ENDS WITH A BANG
RYLA Speakers
Abbie, Sally (a counselor), Astrid and Lucy
It was a couple of hot weeks with no air conditioning at the Manzano Mountain Camp when our RYLA campers concluded their trip. But the testimony of four young ladies at our recent meeting demonstrated that it was well worth the effort.
District RYLA Director, Alice Mehlberg, was on hand with four campers who took part in the program, which was established for future high school seniors to help them develop character and skills in accordance with the Rotary 4 Way Test and prepare them to be future leaders.
We were amazed by the quality of young women who shared their experiences with us at our meeting. Every one of them referred to their experience as “the most amazing experience of their lives!” From great motivational speakers to gaining trust on the high ropes, it was an unforgettable time. They gained confidence, made friendships, and learned to work as a team to accomplish their goals.
As our member, Maria Montoya-Chavez, reminded all of us, “RYLA is a program that affects our children in the most positive ways.” It is a program we need to continue to support both monetarily and as volunteers.
DEL NORTE ROTARY SOCIAL HOUR GREAT SUCCESS
Almost 50 club members and guests attended our social hour at the Albuquerque Country Club. Arranged by our Club Service/Fellowship Committee and Community Service Committee, we were able to have drinks and snacks and visit with our friends on a Thursday afternoon.
Many thanks to Sherry Wells and Louise Romero, our directors, who got everyone together for some fun.
If you are one of those members that seem to be missing our weekly meetings of the past, just please remember that there are many additional activities like this during the month where you can come and visit with your friends. Sherry and her committee have been organizing at least one social event like this every month. They plan to continue that for the rest of the year.
Fellowship Afternoon
FOLDS OF HONOR & DEL NORTE ROTARY PATRIOT DINNER SET FOR SEPT 8, 2023
Attention All Rotarians…Del Norte Rotary will again be helping the Folds of Honor New Mexico host their Annual Patriot Dinner and Auction. It will be at the Isleta Event Center on September 8, 2023, at 6:00pm. Besides dinner, the event will also include both silent and live auctions.
In support of Folds of Honor, Del Norte is helping to sell tickets for the event. Individual tickets this year are $175 each, but if you put together a table of 10 it sells for $1500. So, grab a bunch of your Del Norte friends for an entire table and get set for a fun evening. Formal Invitations will be sent out very soon.
The Fundraising Committee will also be contacting you for possible auction items. Last year we collected over 250 items for the Silent Auction. We need restaurant gift certificates and tickets to local events. If you have connections to help obtain those items, we would appreciate it.
GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES FUNDS
The recent Del Norte Annual Golf Tournament raised almost $20,000 for the Veteran’s Integration Centers (VIC) and the Del Norte Rotary Foundation. Golf chair, Mike Skolnick, presented a check to Brock Wolf, Director of the VIC, for $14,000. Fellow Rotarian, Jerry Becker, who is the Chair of their Board, was also on hand for the occasion.
AROUND THE CLUB
Notice!
Beginning Sep 13th and on-going,
Meetings will begin at 11:55
instead of noon.
Many thanks to Hass Aslami who organized his Fundaxi restaurants into a system-wide fundraiser across twenty restaurants to donate all profits from one day to fallen Alamogordo police officer Ferguson.
Congrats again to Past President, Mary Tieman, who received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from President Marty to thank her for a wonderful year in Rotary.
Be sure to dress more outlandishly than sgt-at-arms, Mike Skolnick, and receive a lucky bucks raffle ticket for your fashion decision.
Thanks to all the Rotarians who brought guests and potential new members to the meeting.
Hass Aslami brought four potential new member guests and Norm Liss brought a returning guest who is going to join. Sherri Wells’s guest Jill Cook filled out a membership application and new member Alex Lavidge brought three guests.
Welcome to new member, Nancy Pressley Naimark, who will be inducted on August 23 as a new member. Nancy is the Director of Community Relations for the New Mexico Philharmonic.
Welcome back to fellow Rotarians Karon Roberts and Jayne Figueroa, who joined us for lunch. It was so great to have them back again.
Socks, underwear, and school supplies are needed for Locker 505. Community Service Chair, Louise Romero, would be happy to pick up any donations that members would like to give.
Save The Dates
Home grown Opera Singer, Colin Miller will be the Speaker at the August 9 meeting.
Come and hear about his exciting new career as one of the up and coming young opera stars in the US.
Community Service is making Sandwiches for the 10th Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ride, which is August 19. On August 18, the night before we are making peanut butter sandwiches at Stephy Griego’s office at 400 Roma. You can donate ingredients or come help.
Contact Chair: Louise Romero for more details.
Message from the President
I hope this letter finds you all in great spirits and full of enthusiasm for the wonderful year ahead of us. It is with immense pride and excitement that I address you as your President for the 2023-2024 term. I am truly honored to have been elected to this position for the second time, and I am committed to making this year the most memorable and fulfilling experience for each one of you.
As we embark on this journey together, I want to extend my gratitude to each member of our remarkable club. Your unwavering support and dedication to Rotary's ideals have made this organization a true beacon of positive change in our community. It is your involvement, passion, and camaraderie that make our club unique, and I am humbled to be surrounded by such exceptional individuals.
The theme I have chosen for this year encapsulates the very essence of our Rotary family. The theme song from the sitcom "Cheers" perfectly reflects the sense of belonging, acceptance, and warmth we all experience when we come together as Rotarians . "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came" is not just a catchy tune, but a sentiment that resonates deeply with us. In our club, every member matters, and together we create an atmosphere of genuine friendship and support.
As your President, my foremost goal is to make our lunch meetings every other Wednesday the best hour of your week. I understand the value of your time and commitment, and I promise to ensure that each gathering is engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable. We will have inspiring speakers, interactive discussions, and opportunities to engage in meaningful service projects that align with our shared Rotary values.
Moreover, I am committed to fostering an environment where new ideas are embraced, and every member's voice is heard. Your opinions and suggestions matter, and I encourage you to share them with me and the board. Together, we will explore innovative ways to amplify the impact of our service and outreach, leaving a lasting positive imprint on our community.
Throughout the year, I intend to initiate various events and activities that will allow us to bond even more as a Rotary family. From social gatherings to community service initiatives, we will celebrate our achievements, support each other in times of need, and continuously cultivate the spirit of fellowship.
In closing, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all of you for entrusting me with this incredible responsibility once again. Together, we will make this year at Del Norte Rotary a cherished memory for all of us. I am confident that, with our collective efforts and commitment, we will leave an indelible mark on our community and the lives of those we serve.
I am eagerly looking forward to our next meeting where we shall embark on this exciting journey together. Remember, we are a team, and together, there's no limit to what we can achieve.
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