Del Norte Rotary Club NorthWind

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

Vol. 29, Issue No. 5 Ed Hughes, Editor June 30, 2016

We lead, we do, we rock as a Rotary Club!

DOING GOOD IN NEW MEXICO AND AROUND THE WORLD

Steve Becker named Rotarian of the Year

Rotary

W ith tears in his eyes, Stephen Becker who heads up the Del

Norte Rotary Club’s Caring Hearts Sub-Committee received a standing ovation as he accepted the coveted Rotarian of the Year Award from Club President Barbara LaGree. Steve has been a member of Del Norte Rotary for nearly 20 years. He had serious back injuries early in his years as a Rotarian, but after going through physical therapy he sought to return the favor by looking out for members in need. “This is an award that was long overdue,” said Barbara.

Keely Whittington, Scott Honsowetz get ROTQ awards

Candid Camera celebrates a year of fun, fellowship on Page 7

Keely Whittington was called a “go-getter from the get-go” by Barbara LaGree by tak-ing on many tasks as a newcomer. “I don’t really know how many committees she’s on.”

Scott Honsowetz receives his Rotarian of the Quarter for the 4thQ from Barbara LaGree. “When you need something done, just call Scott,” Barba noted, “such as a club picnic.”

Del Norte Rotary NorthWind June 30, 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: David Foster

Directors Richard Follingstad

Darcy Savage Scott Honsowetz

Nick Ritz Bob Rausch (club representative)

Del Norte Rotary Bulletin Board

Seven founding members for Satellite

Last original member of No. 1 Chicago Rotary dies Richard “Titch” Harrison, 98, passed away in June. He was the last member of the Rotary Club of Chicago, Club #1, to have been active while founding member Paul Harris was still alive and active in the club.

Congrats to ABQ Rotary for 100 years of service!

T he Rotary Club of Albuquerque, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, will host a big Gala

Party on Friday, July 1, at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town. “This is not a fund-raiser, just a fun-raiser,” said Helen Marquez of the downtown club. “We have already met our goal of raising $500,000 to repair the roof at Explora — our centennial project.” The Rotary Club of Albuquerque was formed in 1916, the first in New Mexico, and was sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Francisco, which was the second club to be chartered after the first club founded by Paul Harris in Chicago in 1915. Del Norte Rotary will be there to help celebrate.

D el Norte Rotary Club’s new Satellite entity—designed to attract business and professional people who otherwise could not join

Rotary’s traditional once-a-week meetings—will soon induct seven founding members. The club will meet twice a month in the evenings. They have chosen initially to meet the first and third Thursdays. The seven founding members are: Monica Padilla, executive assistant at Sandia Labs, and wife of

Del Norte Rotarian Marty Padilla. Patricia Stafford, wife of club member Scott Stafford, who recently

retired as senior financial analyst with Loveland Health Plan. Michael Arais, security officer, Department of Defense. Samuel Martinez, employed at Sandia Labs in cyber security. G. Christy Cattaneu, whose firm manufactures sauces and spices. Eladio Muniz, owner of Muniz Allstate Insurance Agency. Sandra Train, mortgage loan officer with SunWest Mortgage. They will be installed as Founding Members on July 21, and then be introduced to the rest of the club members sometime in August. Marty Padilla will be the club’s liaison with the Satellite entity. He notes the Del Norte Rotary Satellite is not a separate club and its mem-bers will be considered to be full members of the host club.

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Change in command: Bob Rausch sworn in as new prez

First PHF Award for Noel

APD Officers of Month: Cacy Shultz and Amanda Wild APD Officers of the Month for June, Officer Cacy Shultz and Detective Amanda Wild, listen during their recognition for performance of duty at a Del Norte Rotary Club luncheon on June 22. Shultz successfully arrested a car thief who crashed and fled the scene. He was found to have a gun in his jacket. Detective Wild was cited for her work on solving a myriad of sexual assault cases including a father who tried to kidnap his child.

R obert “Bob” Rausch presents Barbara LaGree with her own gavel — in the form of a plaque — for her stellar year as President of the Del Norte Rotary Club for the Rotary fiscal year 2015-2016 at ceremonies on June 29. Bob

will now wield the club’s own gavel as he takes on the reigns as club president for a year. The exchange of gavels came during installa-tion ceremonies of the club’s new leadership, which officially begins July 1. Newly-installed District 5520 Governor Dave Anderson, also a member of Del Norte Rotary, handled the honors. Bob also introduced his team of officers and directors, and said that he hoped to keep the mo-mentum of doing good in the community and the world going strong, while “having fun” at the same time. His new officers include Scott Stafford, president-elect; Donna Pedace, vice president; Ruth Ronan, board secretary; and Noel Valencia, treasurer. Barbara will also remain on the board.

Noel Valencia was presented her first Paul Harris Fellow Award by Pat Murray, cen-ter, of the Rotary Club of Santa Fe on June 22. It was a gift from the First National Bank of Santa Fe, Noel’s employer, for her “kindness and caring for humankind and service to others.” President Barbara LaGree joined in celebrating Noel’s award.

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

Random note-taking while wondering what happens if you get scared half to death twice on the same day? June 1

I t was music to our ears — Ruth Ronan playing on the club’s new Yamaha electronic keyboard — while singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” Norm Liss led in the Pledge and Chet Stewart gave the invocation. … Caring Hearts guy Steve Becker not-ed the passing of Kase Kline, longtime member of the downtown club. … Mike Skolnick showed off the new brochures of

the upcoming Del Norte Rotary Charity Golf Tournament on August 6. Nice photos! … Mike also bragged on new member Monica Meyers for helping get the golf flyers out to businesses, and noted that Karon Roberts will be a Gold Sponsor in memory of her deceased husband and founder of Roberts Oil Company. … Donna Pedace says she has filled up one table of Del Norte Rotarians who plan to attend the downtown club’s 100th anniversary dinner on July 1. … Club anniversary: Paul Christensen, 23 years. … Quote from our speaker Tania Armenta of ABQ Convention & Visitors Bureau: “They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but that still does not do Albuquerque justice.”

June 8 Roxy, how we love ya! … Ruth Ronan tinkled out the “Star Spangled Banner” with her new electronic keyboard. Wonder when she will try out the button that says “organ.” … Noel Valencia did the Pledge to the Flag chores and Sally Casey gave the invocation. … Keely Whittington said CFYA is hoping the club can provide volunteers to serve ice cream at a Festival for the kids and their families. Hands shot up in the air. Hey, she said serve ice cream, not eat ice cream! … Del Norte Rotarian Brian Warner has been elected to the Board of the Children’s Grief Center. … Yep, it’s June and look at all the June anniversaries: Bryan and Mary Williams, 4 years; David and Holly Foster, 9 years; Leslie Richards and Frank Fine, 16 years; Darcy and Mark Savage, 17 years; J.J. and Mary Jimenez, 37 years; Paul and Vicki Christensen, 44 years; Cheryl and Bruce Strotz, 47 years; and yours truly and Linda Hughes, 55 years. Dunno about the rest, but we will go and split a Blizzard at the DQ. ... Dave and Maureen Anderson were back from the RI Conference in Seoul, Korea. “We had a great time,” said Dave. Maureen was more bubbly: “Koreans are so gracious and humble. You wouldn’t believe how modern Korea has grown since the war.” ... Love Noel Valencia’s thought of the day: “Quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.”

June 22 Our music was “America the Beautiful” and Ruth Ronan’s keyboard play was likewise. … Richard Follingstad led in the Pledge and Michael MacDonald was on time to give the invocation. … Steve Becker noted that Ken Abbott, who is working on his 49th straight year of perfect attendance, was absent. Reason? A torn retina. “I bet he will make it up before June is over,” Steve said. He also thanked club members for how they came up and greeted J.J. Jimenez at the club picnic last week. “You just never realize the signature difference you make with the members of our club when you meet and greet them. You make a huge impact on the lives of people you interact with.” … Marty Padilla said the new Satellite Club (which isn’t a club, says Kathie Williams) will have seven potential members meet at his house this evening. Among them is his wife, Monica. June 29 Our meeting in the combined Wurlitzer/Regal Ballrooms started off with a bang and nearly a fire when a hot pan of food tum-bled to the foyer floor. Staff put out the fire with an extinguisher. “I didn’t realize I was going out (as club president) with such a bang,” bemused Barbara LaGree. … The meeting began with Ruth Ronan playing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee. Berdel Boulan-ger led the Pledge to the Flag, and Donette Wagner gave the invocation. … Steve Becker announced that Craig Hinnen got a great report when he checked in with his doctor regarding treatments for his cancer. “Complete remission,” said Steve. “Craig sincerely thanks you for your prayers and phone calls.” … Due to a full agenda, Sgt.-at-Arms Maria Montoya-Chavez had to forgo the “fines” portion of the meeting, but that was OK. “I did good,” she smiled. “I went $800 over my budget.” Much of that was due to the deep pockets of our new kind-hearted District Governor Dave Anderson. Such as paying $55 last week for our 55 years of marriage. Indeed, it was a great year of giving for the Del Norte Rotary Club!

Luncheon Notes and meeting highlights

Del Norte Rotary NorthWind June 30, 2016 Page 5

Visit Albuquerque: There is more to our city than “Breaking Bad”

Program highlights: The world around us Editor’s Note: The Del Norte Rotary Club is known for its outstanding speakers and programs. Because our programs are one reason we have such great attendance, the NorthWind is dedicated to provide highlights of these informative programs for those who were unable to attend.

June 1 For some folks, “Breaking Bad” – a cult cinema flick that was about a science teacher gone bad in the meth and drug world – was not a positive way to portray the city of Albuquerque. But it became a draw-ing card for visitors wanting to see all the unique places showcased in the long-standing TV crime-drama series filmed and set in Albuquerque.

Truth is, says tourism marketing marvel Tania Armenta, there is a lot to do in New Mexico’s largest city than just taking a “Breaking Bad” tour of TV star Bryan Cranston’s favorite haunts. “Albuquerque is truly a one-of-a-kind destination that will provide a visi-tor with life-long memories – more than just green chiles on eggs and every-thing else,” said the President/CEO of Visit Albuquerque, the new name for the city’s Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Our city is both ancient and cut-ting-edge. It has equal parts of cool and quaint. It’s an oasis in the high de-

sert full of rich history and inspiring ideas. There is truly no other city like it,” Tania told Del Norte Ro-tarians last week. “So much of America has become homogenized – so our message is ‘Come and visit and change your perspective.’”

How not to burn out: Don’t be a New York stock broker, for one June 8 Lee Munson knows all about bur ning out at the work place. He spent 25 years as a Wall Street broker in New York. Then he worked for a Top 40 cor-poration. Burned out there, too. “I suffered from professional unhappiness in the world of big-time finance,” he told Del Norte Rotarians, hoping to get a nod or two from his audience. Then he came to Albuquerque 14 years ago to open his own business. “I quickly learned that I had been devalued as a per-son when I was unable to solve a problem my own way, and I was able to do that working for myself and my clients,” he said. “I became a validator in-stead of a delegator,” he said. “I can now say that when all is said and done at day’s end, I really helped somebody by being more than a number cruncher. I became a Tom Landry — my Dallas Cowboy coach hero — by becoming a coach, helping others be what they never thought they could be.”

Being an entrepreneur: Learning the lessons as a small business CEO June 22

Ron Patel may not look like a CEO in the wor ld of entr epreneur ship, but it doesn’t take him long with his enthusiastic energy to show that he is a young man excited to be dreaming big dreams and not at all shy of going for the gold, so to speak. He is the co-owner and CEO of Albuquerque’s new semi-pro soc-cer club, and he says the Albuquerque Sol Fútbol Club will be professional in two years with a class-act stadium to boot. “As a CEO of an entrepreneurial organization, you have to have a team of specialists that have bought in to the

same dream and mission that you have. You have to think big, and dare to be different.” He is proving that it can work with all of his other entrepreneurial interests as well.

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

Rotary in Juarez: Del Norte Rotarians see projects first hand

J uarez, Mexico. – A private Catholic school here serves the poorest of the poor in Juarez, with most of its students’ tuition paid by parents who work at the school — or who are learning how to sew

dresses, dedicated to a program called Stitching a Better Future. The sewing machines were able to be bought by the school thanks to Rotary Clubs working in partnership via Global Grants — the Club Rotario Integro of Juarez and the Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte. A team of nine Del Norte Rotarians from Albu-querque spent a full day looking at some of the international projects that were being sponsored by their club through Rotary Global Grants. They also visited a nursing school where Del Norte Ro-tary teamed with the Rotary Club of El Paso Camino Real to support “Learning to Heal,” a three-year training program whereby students can receive their nursing certificate. During their tour of the sewing class, mothers showed Rotarians how they had learned to sew pants, a skirt and a blouse in their first course. At the end of their three courses of 12 sessions each, they will also learn how to sew a wedding dress and eventually have the skills to sew for others, thus helping earn money for their families. — Kim Helm, Foundation & International Services Director

“Every day that you serve in Rotary, you have the opportunity to change lives.” — John F. Germ, 2016-2017 RI President

Albuquerque, El Paso and Juarez Rotarians pose for photo with new sewing class.

Dave installed as new DG

D ave Anderson is congratulated by outgoing Dis-trict Governor Tom Walker after being installed

as the new District 5520 Governor for 2016-2017, in ceremonies held in Dave’s back yard in Albuquerque. Rotarians from all over New Mexico as well as El Paso were on hand. Following the introduction of new District leadership, well-wishers enjoyed a New Mexi-can buffet. Dave’s one-year term as District Governor begins on July 1. On July 3, he begins traveling the state and far West Texas, visiting clubs and fellow Rotarians.

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Celebrating a year of doing good and having fun

W hat a year it was for Del Norte Rotary Club during the past year. Here is a potpourri of photos showcasing the club’s “Be a Gift to the World” theme and why it was named the “Most Fun Club” in all of New Mexico and far West Texas. Congratulations to outgoing President Barbara LaGree.

June 30, 2016 Page 8 Del Norte Rotary NorthWind

Looking forward and looking back

July 2016 programs & events

July 6 — Leonard “Lenny” Bean, Federal Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) July 13 — Chuck Brown, “Archaeology” July 19 — Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. July 20 — Club Assembly July 27 — Rotary Del Norte Foundation Report to Members, Chuck Brown, president; reports from grant recipients

Getting to know you ... The Vocational Committee selects new members—and long-time members—to share their life experiences and career paths. Here is the highlight of one recent five-minute vocational talk.

Karon G. Roberts: From chicken farm to head of oil company

K aron Gammel grew up in Michigan on a farm, brought up with chickens, goats and sheep. After getting her college degree in Michigan, she spent the next 20 years in the

advertising field. In 1971, she and her second husband, William Gordon Roberts, came to Albuquerque and managed a Husky gas station. In a few short years, Roberts Oil Compa-ny grew to be a string of 14 gas and convenience stores in Albuquerque as well as in Los Lunas, Moriarty, Mountai-nair and Socorro, operating as Phillip 66 stations as well as their independent brand, Pump-N-Save. Karon took over six years ago as president of Roberts Oil when Bill’s health declined. He passed away in 2014. The Roberts family just recently sold their business properties to Alon/7-Eleven. Said Karon: “After 40 years of serving the Albuquerque community, we are confident that our business and our employees and customers are in good hands.” She now claims to be “retired,” but still active in completing the sale of her former properties. She also looks forward to staying involved with community service work through Rotary.

Congratulations: to our 30 Perfect Attendance awardees in 2015-16 One Year: Chuck Brown; Two Years: Geno Casanova, Paul Christensen, Bob Rausch; Three Years: Frank Bird, Mike Creedon, Richard Follingstad, Bill Johnson, Marty Padilla, Scott Stafford; Five Years: Barbara LaGree, Brooks LaGree, Norm Liss; Nine Years: Bobby Wallace *, Kathie Williams; Twelve Years: Michael MacDonald; Fourteen Years: Dave Anderson, Steve Becker, Fred Bryant, Edwin S. Hughes *, Michael Madanick; Fifteen Years: Cheryl Strotz; Seven-teen Years: Donna Pedace, Ruth Ronan; Eighteen Years: Mike Skolnick; Twenty-One Years: Bernie Butterfield; and Forty-Nine Years: Ken Abbott *. * Includes continuous perfect attendance with other Rotary clubs