PRESIDENT MARK IRVIN started the meeting and welcomed NANCY STOCKTON to the stage to lead us in the Pledge and for a rousing “You’re A Grand Ole Flag.”
ANN MARSH offered the inspiration by highlighting the history of the Winterhaven Neighborhood that became the twenty-first historical district in Tucson in 2005.
KHRIS DODGE introduced our guests and then we were presented with the video introducing our speakers, Carlotta and her son Ray Flores from El Charro.
Carlotta shared the history of El Charro. Established in 1922, El Charro Café of Tucson, Arizona is The Nation's Oldest Mexican Restaurant in continuous operation by the same family. Did you know that the Chimichanga was introduced to the world by El Charro? Yep! Carlotta shared that her Tia Monica Flin, is well-known as “The Inventor of The Chimichanga.” While frying her now famous El Charro ground beef tacos, she accidentally dropped a burro into the frying pan and when the oil splashed up, she was about to lash out a common Spanish cuss word starting with “Ch” but because she was amongst her young nieces and nephews, changed it to “Chimichanga”, the equivalent of “thingamajig.” After a fun history lesson, Carlotta introduced her son Ray. She credits Ray for growing the restaurant into many restaurants and making the El Charro brand what it is today. Ray shared that they serve over 1,000,000 customers annually between their restaurants. They have multiple restaurants in Tucson and even have an El Charro in the Baltimore Airport. Ray credits their success with hard work, good business acumen and a deep commitment and involvement in the Tucson community.On a side note, Carlotta visited each table before the meeting started and introduced herself to all Rotarians. It was a very classy move. El Charro also shared a jar of salsa with each of us to take home along with El Charro’s Chimichangas on the buffet. Thanks very much for that!
PRESIDENT MARK introduced his good friend, DAVID LOVITT who was celebrating his birthday. DAVID has quite a list of life experiences and achievements to include swimming with Tiger Sharks, dancing ballet, he’s an 8th degree Black Belt and has run the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim (over 48 miles). Also, DAVID’s Grandpa was in our Rotary Club in the 1930’s and his dad was the President in 1950. Next, we celebrated KANDIE VACTOR’s birthday. KANDIE is also a champion Black Belt and has Scuba dived down below 200ft! Finally, we celebrated PAT PATTON’s birthday. PAT is a student of language and says Chinese and Japanese are the most difficult to learn. He love’s Rotary’s international projects and says his favorite memories are those with fellow Rotarian PAT LENNON since 2004.
GERRY HALLOWELL introduced new member, ANITA SCALES into the Rotary Club of Tucson. Let's all try and introduce ourselves to ANITA at a lunch meeting. Welcome to the Club ANITA!
CHARLOTTE HARRIS shared a banner that she exchanged with a Rotarian from Castle Rock, CO that she met at the El Tour de Tucson Dinner. Then, she led a nice Paul Harris Presentation for CHUCK SAWYER as he honored each of his three children with a Paul Harris Award. CHARLOTTE finished the presentation with gifts of little to no value, they were Hallmark Valentine’s Cards and Cookie Cutters since CHUCK once worked for Hallmark.
KHRIS DODGE held a 25/50/25 Raffle that was worth over $2,500 to the winner if the King of Clubs was drawn. ANN MARSH won the raffle but not the big money. The King of Clubs is still in there!
PRESIDENT MARK shared a “Irv’s Fly-Fishing Fund” slide honoring KANDIE VACTOR’S Dad, Sam Levitz. It was nice to see him in his cowboy regalia as well as fishing at Lee’s Ferry. MARK also shared news of our RCOT donation to the Rotary Shelter Box program. It’s a great program that gives those in need a place to stay when they need it most.
KHRIS let us know that our February 16th meeting will include a blood drive for some of the day at the TCC. We’ll be having a Social Mixer on February 9th at Hotel Congress and there will be Live music! DON ROLLINGS offered a blue badge to ABBY NAGBE. It was great to find out how close their families have become since ABBY became a member.PRESIDENT MARK congratulated his fellow birthday Rotarians, offered a toast to those celebrating their Centennial Anniversary and to the Flores’. Then, we were on our way.
