Del Norte Rotary Club

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

Vol. 28, Issue No. 8 Ed Hughes, Editor October 3, 2015

Why join Rotary? / “I was asked,” say most Rotarians / Page 5

World Polio Day / Del Norte to celebrate on Oct. 24 / Page 3

Arriving in ABQ Exchange students here for Fiesta

Candid Camera goes to a Fish Fry, Page 7

DOING GOOD IN NEW MEXICO AND AROUND THE WORLD

Supporting Team Mehlberg in ALS Walk Club Treasurer Paul Christensen

was among two dozen Del Norte Rotary members who participat-

ed in the 2015 Walk to Defeat ALS in support of fellow Rotari-an Jim Mehlberg and his family,

seen here with Jim. The tradi-tional walk was held around the

3-mile area of Isotopes Stadium on Sunday, September 27. The club raised some $7,800 for ALS.

(See Page 3.)

Rotary

E xchange students from all parts of the world — including Asia, Australia,

Denmark, Finland and Germany — gather at the Sheraton Uptown to join their new

host families while they are guests of the

Del Norte Rotary Club to see the 2015 Al-buquerque International Balloon Fiesta

during the festive October 2-4 weekend.

Del Norte Rotary NorthWind October 3, 2015 � Page 2

2015-2016 Leaders Rotary International

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

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

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Rotary District 5520 www.rotary5520.org

Governor: Tom Walker Governor-Elect: Dave Anderson

Governor-Nominee: Doreen Kelsey Executive Secretary: Kathy Fuller

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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

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Office Information Edwin S. Hughes

Executive Secretary P.O. Box 3951

Albuquerque, NM 87190 secretary@rotarydelnorte.org

Phone: (505) 344-9162

Inside Del Norte Rotary

Heroes in blue: APD officers honored

Change of luncheon sites for October 14, November 4 Del Norte Rotary Club will hold its October 14 luncheon meeting at the Canyon Club at Four Hills instead of its usual Sheraton Uptown Hotel location. That’s also the date for the club’s annual golf event, which will follow the luncheon. The club will also be at a different locale for its No-vember 4 meeting, currently scheduled at the Marriott Pyramid North Hotel. Make a note of those two site changes for upcoming meetings.

Annual “for fun” golf play at Canyon Club There is still time to sign up for the Del Norte Rotary Club’s annual “for fun” golf tournament play, which will be held October 14 at the Canyon Club course (formerly Four Hills Country Club), starting at 1:15 p.m. Cost is $85 per player ($65 if you are a member of the Canyon Club). There are plenty of prizes to be given out to both men and women. Con-tact John Perner for details.

Gala 2016 being planned for February 27

G ala Committee chair Scott Stafford has announced that the 2016 Del Norte Foundation Gala will be held Saturday night, February

27, and it will be held at the Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town — a differ-ent venue from the past. The theme for the big Rotary Del Norte Foun-dation has been selected, but that will be announced later. Committee members will be in contact with club members to solicit live and silent auction items. The committee has once again set a goal to raise $100,000.

APD’s Officers of the Month for Sep-tember, Detective Juliana Serna (Criminal Investigation Bureau) and Patrolman Shaune Reese (Valley Area Command) respond to ques-tions from Del Norte Rotarians on Sept. 16 when they were recognized and honored by the club.

Attention! Military vets need to send in their photos Fred Bryant is planning a big Veterans Day celebration and re-membrance program for Del Norte Rotary Club on Wednesday, November 11 — yes, Veterans’ Day — and would like to honor those veterans who are members of Del Norte Rotary. If you served in the military, please let Fred know, and if possible submit a photo of you while you were in service for our country.

Del Norte Rotary NorthWind October 3, 2015 � Page 3

World Polio Day: Del Norte to celebrate on October 24

D el Norte Rotarians will celebrate World Polio Day in unique fashion on Sat-urday, October 24, by offering a pint of beer for a donation that can help raise funds for just two drops of vaccine for children in countries where po-

lio is finally being eradicated for the first time in more than 30 years. Fred Pugh said he hopes to raise $5,000 to “End Polio Now” working with five local brew pubs and four other Rotary clubs by providing special “End Polio Now” T-shirts and mugs for $20 (which includes a pint of beer) that will go to the Rotary Foundation’s Polio Plus Fund. Sponsors at $500, $100 and $50 levels are also being sought. Last year, participating clubs in Rotary District 5520 (New Mexico and Far West Texas) raised over $140,000 to help end polio — and the end is definitely in sight. The last few cases are in three countries —Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria — and the World Health Organization and Rotary International are now confident that the long battle to rid the world of the crippling disease will end by June 2016.

For the record: Guests, Visiting Rotarians September 2: Guests of Rotarians—Donette Wagner (guest of Gary Williams); Rose Velasquez (Fred Pugh), and Bill Michael (former club president).

Visiting Rotarians—Lt. Gov. Tony Pino (Del Sol); LG Jim Quick, D’mitra Smaraplas (Rio Rancho); and Jim Wimberly (Ruidoso).

September 9: Guests of Rotarians—Marilyn Strube (guest of Scott Stafford); and Sabina Basham (Jim Wimberly). Club guests: Dr. Porus Olpadwala

(UNM), program. Visiting Rotarian—M.C. Burns (Metro).

September 16: Guests of Rotarians—Eric Pierucki (guest of Jon Pierucki); Gloria Jett (Fred Pugh); and Dimitre Campbell (Jim Wimberly). Club

Guests—John Ames, Supportive Housing Coalition, program; APD Officer Shaune Reese and APD Det. Juliana Serna, Officers of the Month. Visiting

Rotarians—Taha Majbar (UNM Rotaract); Tim Sheahan (Albuquerque downtown), and Jim Wimberly (Ruidoso).

September 23: Guests of Rotarians—Gloria Jett (guest of Fred Pugh); Susan Simons (Alice Mehlberg); Ashkan Etemadi (Jim Mehlberg); Liam Holmes

and Yasmin Bell (Berdel Boulanger); and Dimitra Campbell (Jim Wimberly). Club Guest: Kerrie Copelin, New Mexico ALS, program. Visiting Rotari-

ans—Earl Waid, ADG (Rio Rancho); Dan Wilkinson (Del Sol); Jim Wimberly (Ruidoso); Dion Kidd Johnson and Johnny Helmstetter (White Sands Ala-

mogordo).

September 30: Guests of Rotarians—Jaime Gallardo (guest of Michael MacDonald); Gloria Jett (Fred Pugh); Jerome Wade (Greg Chalmers); and

Karen McCann (Kathie Williams); Club quests—Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales III and 3 sheriff deputies (program). Visiting Rotarians—

None.

In support of Team Mehlberg: $7,800 raised for ALS

P resident Barbara LaGree presents an oversized check to New Mexico ALS Executive Director Ker-

rie Copelin showing $4,500 which represented dona-tions given through the club to the Walk to Defeat ALS on behalf of Team Mehlberg. Alice Mehlberg said an-other $3,300 was donated directly to ALS’s website by Del Norte Rotarians, making a total of $7,800 raised by Rotarians in support of their fellow Rotarians, Jim and Alice Mehlberg. Jim has been an ALS victim for some 10 years, but is still active in his business. Kerrie spoke to the club on September 23. Come October 1, she will take on a new position with the American Heart Assn. in Philadelphia.

Del Norte Rotary NorthWind October 3, 2015 � Page 4

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

Random note-taking, while wondering if money won’t make you happy, is there someone out there willing to prove it?

S eptember 2 – It was like old times—bivouacked in the Wurlitzer Ballroom and the hiss-boom-bah of the sound system (our equipment, not the room’s newly-improved AV system)—and two former club presidents sitting on the back row: Bill Michael (in from Modesto, Calif.) and

Donette Wagner (back from her sabbatical in N.C.). … Ruth Ronan boomed out the National Anthem and Jeanine Steffy led Rotarians and guests in the Pledge to the Flag. Dave Foster gave the invocation. ...Terry and Berdel Boulanger were back from their safari trip to Africa, which they won at this year’s Gala. “This was an experience of a life-time. I would highly recommend it be back on the bidding block at next year’s Gala,” said Terry. … Anniversary celebration this week: Mark and Barbara Rudolph, 44 years!

September 9 -- Back in the Roxy, and all is well with the sound system. Yours truly is learning some of the tricks of the AV world, like pulling up the antennas of the wireless mike transmitter. But hopefully, a new system is in the works. … The patriotic sing-along was “God Bless America,” and God bless Ruth Ronan for her keyboard play and Marty Padilla for stepping in to lead in the pledge, and David Foster for giving the invocation. … Michael MacDonald, upon hearing only 15 Rotarians have RSVP’d for the Sept. 26 Fish Fry, said he is planning to set up for 125 people. So get busy, folks, make your reservations! … Gary Williams is looking for 20 to 25 volunteers for the Veterans’ Stand Down community service event. When he picked up

the sign-in sheets, he had met his goal in just one hour’s time. … Fred Bryant observed his 18th year as a Del Norte Rotarian — which Sgt.-at-Arms Maria Montoya Chavez says qualifies as a $20 bragging right. … Dave Foster bragged on Michael MacDonald’s moving talents and not-ed: “His dog companion Chance does a great job in supervising.” … New Blue Badgers: Dave Foster and Keely Whittington. Congrats! … Our speaker, UNM professor Porus Olpadwala, asked if he could take a swing at the closing bell. “Professors usually ignore bells to end a class,” he said. President Barbara LaGree agreed. The clang was loud and clear. Meeting over!

September 16 — New digs, in the Baldwin Ballroom, and dig the new sound system. No hiccups with the new digital wireless mike today. .. Appropriately, Ruth Ronan led Rotarians and guests in singing “America the Beautiful.” David Foster led all in the pledge, and Matt Hudson (last-minute volunteer) gave a short and sweet invocation. … Anniversaries this week: Fred and Sandra Pugh, 23 years of marriage; Larry Strickland, 11 years as a Rotarian, and Berdel Boulanger, 1 year. … APD Officer of the Month Shaune Reese noted that the best “excuse” he’s heard from a driver stopped for speeding was an 85-year-old lady going 65 mph in a 35 mph zone who declared: “Why, officer, I didn’t even have a foot on the gas pedal.”

September 23 — A packed house in the Wurlitzer Room in support of Jim and Alice Mehlberg and ALS. Seemed appropriate that the patriotic piece played by Ruth Ronan was “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” Madam President almost forgot the pledge to the flag that normally follows. Fred Pugh did lead in the pledge and Keely Whittington gave the invocation. … Gary Williams says he has enough volunteers for the Veterans Stand Down in October, but now needs all other Rotarians to bring in clothing and cold-weather gear. A box will be provided at each meeting to take donations. … Scott Honsowetz announced that Megan is expecting their third child. And from grandpa Dave Anderson came “What?!”—as if he hadn’t heard. Good try, Grandpa.

September 30 — Ruth Ronan led Rotarians and guests in singing the national anthem, followed by Fred Pugh leading in the pledge and Clarence Hughes giving the invocation. … Lots of kudos for those who helped with making the annual Fish Fry a salubrious success: Michael and Barbara MacDonald, Keely Whittington, Kathie and Gary Williams, Barbara and Brooks LaGree, Ken Abbott and John Freeman. … Bernalillo County Sheriff “Manny” Gonzales may be short in stature, but he sure stands tall when it comes to making his department perform in step with the community. His “community policing” initiative is gangbusters!

Luncheon Notes and meeting highlights

Del Norte Rotary NorthWind October 3, 2015 � Page 5

T here was one underlying response to the Vocational Committee's Round Table discussions on September 2 to the question, "Why did you join Rotary?", and it was basically "I was asked" or "I was invited."

That has been the history of success for Rotary down through the years. Rotarians become Rotari-ans because a Rotarian asked them to attend a Rotary meeting (or social function). There were, of course, other factors that brought many Rotarians into the world of Rotary -- and especially Del Norte Rotary -- and has kept them active members of Rotary. Many were influenced by people who have a passion for Rotary and its ideals. “I grew up in a Rotary family,” said new member Teri

Glaspy, “and when we grew up, there was this saying “Service Above Self” that stared at us every day.” Many who were invited into Rotary had like values found in Rotarians. And over the years, deep friendships developed. “Thanks to Rotary, I got a job, a wife, and a ton of friends,” said Larry Strickland. And of course, others mentioned the opportunity to serve others and

to be of service to the community and its international reach and high ideals of business and professional conduct also played a role. "My thanks to those who served as table facilitators," said Art Humphries, director of vocational services for the club. Facilitators included Art, Teri Glaspy, Clarence Hughes, Gary Williams, Kurt Kinifick, Norm Liss and Scott Stafford.

Why join Rotary? “I was asked,” say most Rotarians

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

Paul Harris Fellow pins: J.J. Jimenez and Richard Follingstad

Two Charter Member Del Norte Rotarians were pre-sented special Paul Harris Fellow pins recently, showing they have been contributors to the Rotary Foundation for many years. J.J. Jimenez received his PHF +5 pin and Richard Follingstad received his PHF +4 pin at the club’s September 2 luncheon meeting. Seen with J.J. and Richard is long-time Del Norte Rotarian Donette Wagner, also a many-time PHF contributor, who has returned to Albuquerque and is hoping to return as a member of the club.

Richard Follingstad and Art Humphries

Kathie Williams and Larry Strickland

Clarence Hughes and Caroline Chamblin

Del Norte Rotary NorthWind October 3, 2015 � Page 6

Program Highlights The world around us

Education crisis in U.S.: Low graduate rates, high costs need to change

P orus Olpadwala grew up in India envious of the reputation that the U.S. had in leading the world in education, both in quality and in cost. He eventually found his way to America and received three graduate degrees at Cornell Universi-

ty in New York. After 45 years in the education field, rising to be Professor Emeritus in City and Regional Planning at Cor-nell, and currently (in retirement) an adjunct professor at UNM, he is perplexed at how much our education system is in a

crisis. “It’s like a Wild West Show,” he told Del Norte Rotarians. “We are in a crisis but no one seems to know that because there is no plan to deal with all of its issues,” he said. “Education has regressed to the point that too few are prepared to go to college to get a degree, and those who make it don’t graduate, and on top of that, no one can afford the cost to get educated.” He noted the cost to get a four-year undergraduate degree at Cornell is $60,000 “when most people can’t afford to pay even $30,000,” he said. “We can’t seem to

control our costs, and yet our universities think nothing that their football coach gets paid 10 times what the university president gets. It’s crazy, and what is appalling is that other countries are passing us in both quality and affordability.” So what can the U.S. do to get back as a world leader in education? “We have to cut costs, we have to reconnect with socie-ty and its needs, and we have to be ready for big, big changes in our education and legislative systems,” he said. Stay tuned. He is planning to write a book about it.

J ohn Ames has worked with homeless people and families for more than 30 years, and he now says there is only one answer to solving the homelessness issue: have plenty of affordable housing for those needing a place to live. “Housing

is the key to solving a city’s homeless issue,” he said, noting that his organization’s “Housing First” initiative is working in Albuquerque and in Las Cruces. He said most people who are so-called “homeless” are without a permanent place to live for only 30 to 45 days. Only 5% of “homeless” people sur-veyed since 2009 are the ones we typically see sleeping

on benches or under bridges who look upon their situation as their “lifestyle.” John said his non-profit organization is building affordable homes and apartments in Albuquerque and Las Cruces that gives those needing a place to live to provide them a roof over their head first, and then let the social workers come in to help them get back on their feet. “They are proud to pay their rent and grateful to have a roof over their head.”

Housing First: New initiative strikes at root of homeless problem

September 9 program Porus Olpadwala, Ph.D. Adjunct Professor, UNM

September 16 program John Ames Supportive Housing Coalition

Defeating ALS: Still no cure, but awareness is helping achieve progress

K errie Copelin has used her marketing skills to lead the fight against ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, to the tune of doubling the number of walkers for the annual Walk to Defeat ALS, and increasing funding in New Mexico by

300 percent since she took over as executive director. Still, she admits, there is no cure for the disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. “There is still hope, and there is still the need to provide support to those who suffer from ALS, including their families,” Kerrie said. She said last year’s once-in-a-lifetime “Ice Bucket Challenge” quadrupled the funds raised by ALS nationally, and that has spurred more research into what is now believed to be a culprit — a protein gene known as TDP-43 — that has somehow failed in most patients with ALS. But the Ice Bucket Chal-

lenge raised more than money — it helped raise the level of understanding about ALS. “No two ALS cases are the same, and that has been our biggest challenge,” she noted. For some, like in Rotarian Jim Mehlberg’s case, the progressive debilitation of movement and speech has lasted a long time (10 years), while in the case of former club President Gene Gaik, it resulted in his death in less than a year. Some 125 patients suffer from ALS in New Mexico; 30,000 do nationally.

September 23 program Kerrie Copelin, Executive Director New Mexico ALS Association

Del Norte Rotary NorthWind October 3, 2015 � Page 7

Candid camera goes to a Fish Fry A potpourri of photos at the home of Michael and Barbara MacDonald

October 3, 2015 � Page 8 Del Norte Rotary NorthWind

Looking forward and looking back

Getting to know you ... Del Norte Rotarians share their career and life stories

Three Del Norte Rotary members gave their 5-minute vocational talks in August and September — two new to Del Norte Rotary and one a veteran Del Norte Rotarian. Here are capsule reports of their career stories:

Keely Whittington doesn’t like to talk about herself. “I’m more comfortable being behind the scenes,” she says. But it’s not easy to be unnoticed when you are as active as Keely has been, heading up a real estate and property management firm known as The Gulf Stream with her sister for the past 25 years. She and her sister own The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, CO, and in 1999 opened a data storage facility in Albuquerque. “Being in business as a woman is challenging,” she said in her short vocational talk as a new member of Del Norte Rotary. “But it gives me the opportunity to be a part of service-oriented organizations such Rotary or Cystic Fibrosis to do good in the community,” she said. She is being noticed very well in Rota-ry, thank you, taking on Club Service projects like the Hawaiian Luau held in August and the Membership Committee’s Fish Fry this past month. Oh, in case you didn’t know, she is busy at home, mother of three children, ages 11, 9 and 4, and also takes care of a fish named Bronco, a guinea pig named Patches, and a terrier mix named Angel. It’s little wonder she set a fast pace to become a Blue Badger in just five months time.

Teri Glaspy has known all about Rotary since she was a young girl growing up in California. Her family has Rota-ry roots and she still remembers seeing Rotary’s “Service Above Self” motto hanging on the walls of her family home. It is no wonder that it continues to be Teri’s motto in her business life as well. She and her husband, Rick,

were self-employed in the food services business for the first 17 years of their 25-year marriage. “Eight years ago, I felt I needed a career change,” she said. She and her husband formed a partnership in a wealth management company known as Ban-ner Financial. “It’s more than giving investment advice,” she said in her vocational talk on Sept. 9. “It’s about the relationship you have with your clients. We try to match our clients’ values with our values, and come up with strategies that maximize the effort one puts into their business, their families, their interests.” Teri came to Del

Norte Rotary after serving as the membership chair and then secretary of Del Sol Rotary in Albuquerque. “I found a wealth of excitement and involvement here, plus I personally knew people here in the club, and I knew this was where I belong,” she said.

John Perner was destined to become a CPA. He was born on April 15. From the flatlands of Lubbock, Tex., he attended UNM, became Lobo Louie, the Lobos’ mascot in ‘83-’84, and somehow graduated from the Anderson School of Management with a degree in accounting. He joined a CPA firm right out of college and 16 years ago joined cohort John Fidel and David Michnovicz to form the FP&M CPA firm that specializes in tax preparation and business consulting. John gives credit to his mother in giving him the notion that it is a good idea to give back to the community, by becoming a “candy striper volunteer” at UNM Hospital at the age of 14. Once he graduated and got his first CPA job, he joined the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees), and at age 30 the Kiwanis Club. Then Bill Johnson introduced him to Del Norte Rotary where John has served as sergeant-at-arms, treasurer, and hosted Rotary Exchange students, and been in charge of the club’s “for fun” golf tournament. He and his wife Cin-dy have been married 28 years and have two children, including Justin, who’s at UNM studying to be an account-ant like his dad. “I have lived a blessed life,” he says.