The meeting began with the ringing of the bell by President Elect Rick Tarbell. Ken Ruiz led us in a word of prayer and the pledge. Gloria Richter introduced our speaker Margot Duque and guest, Nancy Duque - who is Margot's mother. Matt Sheehan was a guest of Ken Donoughue.
Thank you all for visiting our Club today! We would love to see you again soon!
President Elect Rick reminded us to continue selling District Raffle tickets for a chance to win a 6-8 night cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. The seller of the winning ticket wins the cruise also. The 5 destinations are the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, Alaska and Europe. Drawing is May 4.
President Elect Rick reminded us that Rotary Leadership Institute is Saturday at Spring Creek United Methodist Church in Fair Oaks Ranch. Ken Ruiz and Mary Denton are registered to attend.
President Rick also reminded us that Rotary Day is March 23 at Brackenridge Park. A waiver MUST be signed - some will be available at the meeting and also at the event.
John Legris, who volunteered to donate wine this month, wowed the club once again with his wine acumen! Last week's focus was on Texas wines - this week it was California. If you can make the next meeting you will be sure to learn some interesting facts about wine.
Bil Trodlier won the opportunity to draw the 2 of Clubs to win the $250 pot. He drew the three of hearts and felt like a "winner" when he took home a bottle of Wilhelm Bergmann Riesling!
Our speaker today, Margot Duque, owned the second ticket drawn and won a bottle of Los Osos J Lore Paso Robles Merlot.
National Earmuff Day – honors the man that found a better way to keep the ears warm. Farmington Maine is now the Earmuff Capital of the World.
National Good Samaritan Day – this is a day for unselfish actions to help those in need and to celebrate kidness.
National Jewel Day
National K9 Veterans Day – celebration of the U.S. Army K9 Corp which was founded in 1942. Now the military, police and rescue groups have developed a variety of training methods for K9 units.
National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day
National Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day
Ask Gloria if she knows what Mar 12 is the National Day of – National Girl Scout Day
This Day in History
1894 – the horse racing starting gate is invented
1930 – the planet Pluto is discovered at Lowell Observatory
1956 – the movie the Searchers starring John Wayne and Natalie Wood is released
Derek shared with us that His son, Will, will be attending Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. Derek will keep us posted. (Mary Denton's husband commented with dreamy eyes, "that's where the girls were when I was attending A&M ....")
During a fast and furious bid to own the Umbrella for 2 months and remain fine free, Derek Matthys won by his aggressive bid of $75! We can't wait to hear why he was so passionate about owning the umbrella.
Our speaker today was Margot Duque who was a Rotary Youth Exchange Student last year for one month in northern France and Rotary year long Exchange Student for one year this fall in Belgium. Margot admitted that she felt that she had a reasonable knowledge of French before her trip and after her arrival she realized she needed to hone her skills a bit more. At one point she was able to communicate with hand gestures and google translate. She shared that she said "Oui" a lot. She enjoyed the culture and attended all the World Games. She was surprised how similar people are in other countries. She said that she was challenged with the metric system that is used in France. Margot stated that Rotary has "the best" Youth Exchange Program. Margot wants to study Education and Major in Communications at UTSA. Her mother, Nancy Duque, who is a local dentist, visited our club as well. Thank you, Margot, for sharing your experiences with the Rotary Youth Exchange Program! To learn more about the Youth Exchange Program click HERE.
Marlene Mattox and Ken Donoughue donated their time last week to read to second and third grade students at Locke Hill Elementary's After School Enrichment Program, reports Ken. Hours of volunteer opportunity are from 4:10 to 5:00 Monday thru Friday. To find out more about this wonderful program, click HERE. A background check is required. To become a Mentor or Volunteer complete the background check available on the www.nisd.net website by clicking HERE.Ken commented that, "From kindergarten to third grade children learn to read and beginning in the fourth grade they read to learn."
Happier Hour is now at the Outback Steakhouse - typically the third Thursday of the month. The next one will be Thursday April 18. We're happier with the new venue!
Did you know that there's a full calendar of events in District 5840? Being an active Rotarian is never boring!
These are just a few of the things happening around our District:
The 72nd Poteet Strawberry Festival is April 5 - As you can see, Pat McGuyer and his wife Mary Denton enjoyed themselves last year - they had a great time and helped support the Poteet Rotary Club! They met so many wonderful hardworking Rotarians and Interact Students!
Youth Day at Winston School of SA is April 6 - Again, here are pictures of Pat and Mary last year not only meeting the local Interact and Earlyact Clubs and learning about the amazing things these future leaders are doing - one of the parents of Earlyact Club members agreed to speak to our club!
Coming up:
April 12 33rd Annual Alamo Heights Night at UIW
April 18 Dominion Rotary Foundation Clay Shoot for Hope Fundraiser
May 3 District Conference at the Embassy Suites on 5618 Landmark Pkwy
For more information on these and other events going on in District 5840, visit their website HERE!
Ken has challenged all of us to do our part in selling raffle tickets! Help support the great work of the RI Foundation. Make a donation to the RI Foundation and YOU may win a 6-8 night Royal Caribbean Cruise! Raffle Tickets are $10 each and will be available at our next Club meeting.
President Elect Rick Tarbell closed the meeting with the Four Way Test and challenged us with this:
"Bring someone to Rotary Bring a friend to rotary. we all need to eat lunch, why not enjoy it with Rotarians and learn something interesting during one of our programs."