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Centennial Rotary General Meeting01-30-07 The meeting began as usual with our delectable breakfast bar. Randy was behind the counter today and was in a great mood. Kye was the greeter today. Unfortunately I sat at Jeff Piercy’s table. Jeff decided to impose upon us the story of how the “S” word first came into existence. Jennifer and I wanted to move to another table. Out of respect for Kent and Brian, who didn’t look happy about hearing the story while they were eating, we stayed and shared their misery. The Madam President, Laurie Christensen, brought the meeting to order with a ringing of the Rotary Bell. Ken Hope read a touching invocation from Randy’s father’s book. Kent Ostedgaard led us in the Pledge. Barbara Medina introduced our guest, a prospective member, Anthony Bennedetti. He is a research analyst. Kent gave us a Rotary Minute. He discussed that we had money returned to us that we donated for matching funds. This money was to go towards buying school equipment for an orphanage in Mexico. It was returned because RI ran out of money for matching funds last year. He reminded us how to sign up online for $100.00 /year contributions to the Paul Harris fund that feeds the matching grants. Jeff Piercy announced that Randy Pote joined the 83 Penny Brigade. On the same note it was announced that Polli Crow will speak at our Feb 20th meeting in regards to the Rotary Foundation. Jennifer passed around a copy of the VILLAGER that had pictures of Centennial Rotarians in it. Jennifer also announced that tomorrow there will be a meeting for the State of Our City Function. Anyone interested in being a part of the committee should come. Jeff Piercy needs a volunteer to fill in on Monday 9:30-10:30 to read with the kids at Carl Sanburg. He’ll be out of town that day. Kent announced that he still needs some volunteers to play miniature golf at the Interfaith Community Services Tournament. Our Club will donate $1000.00 for the entry fee. It’s May 12th. We need one captain and four others. Randy stepped up and volunteered to be captain. Frank also volunteered. Please contact Randy if you’re interested. Happy Bucks by Mark Gale
Pete introduced the guests, our very own Paul Horiuchi and Dan Hoopes. Paul spoke first and discussed why he does what he does. Which is “ work in a wet space the size of a tea cup all day”. He likes to make things better and to make them look good. He was born and raised on a farm with the work ethic; work, eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep. His parents are the product of an arranged marriage, they had no courtship and were married on the day they met. Despite this their marriage was successful. Paul was born and raised in a farming community in Brighton. In school he took an aptitude test after which, he was informed by a teacher that he “didn’t have the largest library on the block!” He felt she did him a favor because he was motivated to prove her wrong. He wrestled in high school and due to many injuries visited his physician frequently and discussed with him his desire to become a doctor. His doctor however felt dentistry would be a better choice because it would give him more freedom and a better life. He attended CU and majored in “falling behind and catching up.” And graduated with a lot of B.S.!!(He must of overhead Piercy’s story). At about this time he married Bev. He went to North Western University Dental School in Chicago and graduated in 1969. He joined the Navy and called the Marines the toughest people mentally and physically he ever met. His group was given the nom de guere “squibs” which are sea life that “craps all over the place.”(Damn you Piercy!!! You’re corrupting one of my favorite Rotarians). He left the Navy in 71 and opened a private practice in Aurora. In 76 he split with his partner and opened a private practice taking in his current partner which he calls a wonderful relationship. Tom Buck introduced him to Rotary and he stayed because he “likes what we’re doing, who we are and where we are going.” Paul and Bev have two boys. One who is going to school for medical tech and the other works for the Denver Broncos in their video department. Dan spoke next. He apologized to himself for leaving early. He was born in a small farming community in Ohio. His dad was a public school teacher who sadly passed away two years ago. His mother lives in Salem as does his two brothers, their wives and kids. His best friend’s father, Mr. Kendall, was on the board of Rotary International. And because of this as a kid he met many exchange students who attended their small high school. When he was eighteen or so he became one himself and went to school in Brazil. He became very close to his host family and stays in touch with them even today. During this time he learned a lot about himself and the world. He returned to the USA in 74 and remembers how huge the cars are here. He liked the international life and enjoyed travel and so attended Georgetown University in D.C. and studied Brazilian history. Afterwards he managed to get a government job in Brazil. At that time President Carter was elected and froze all government positions so he was with out a job. He found work in the hotel industry where he transferred to Chicago. At this time Dan told a touching story of how he met President Ford who was a guest at his hotel. He remembers asking the President if there was anything he needed and he replied, “I’m just going to give Betty a call and go to bed.” Dan reiterated how much he admired the late president. Dan met his wife in the hotel business. He was later tapped to create an international distribution center for Hyatt. This allowed him to travel through out Europe, Asia and South America. This afforded him the opportunity to visit his host family in Brazil fairly often. Dan currently owns and operate an RV company. Dan discussed his battle with Hodgkin’s disease. During that time he experienced two miracles. While he was getting treated with chemo therapy and radition therapy he met a nurse named Carol who lost her family when they were killed in a car accident. Carol was depressed and slowly killing herself with medication. She blamed herself for the death of her family. Seeing Dan go through his treatment, someone her own age, convinced her she needed help and she sought care. The other miracle was that because of Hodgkins disease he was told to give up planning for a family. And then one day he was at a software convention and received a call at midnight. It was his wife calling to tell him that they were pregnant. Today his son Jonathan is eight years old. Kent won the drawing and picked a white marble.
Note taker – Marc Garfinkel
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King Soopers Coupons! Don’t forget to see Kent Ostedgaard for your King Soopers coupons! The club makes 4% on every dollar we spend. Coupons are available in $25 units & are sold at face value. Nearby Club Locations for Makeup's: Tuesday’s: Wednesday’s: Wednesday 's: Thursday’s: 24 Hours: www.rotary5450.org/eclub |
Please join us Tuesday mornings at 7:10 AM at the Embassy Suites Denver-South Arapahoe Road, 10250 East Costilla Avenue, Englewood, CO 80112 |
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