PAT ZUMBUSCH provided our inspiration with a jazz theme, and Past President JON WANG led us in the pledge and another spirited rendition of “America the Beautiful” along with GARY HIRSCH on the piano. JULIE PAULSON introduced our guests and visiting Rotarians.
We had five Birthday Rotarians – CHAR ERNSTEIN, JIM DAVENPORT, JACK PARRIS, DALE BERG and LESLIE GALLOWAY. All five are distinguished long-time Rotarians, including LESLIE who follows in her father’s footsteps as a member of this club.
Past President ELLIE PATTERSON introduced her “mostly good cop” husband TOM and presented his blue badge; and DREW VACTOR introduced ANDY SHERMAN and also presented ANDY with his blue badge. ANDY was a charter founder
of the Pantano Rotary and has hosted three Rotary Exchange students.SAA DALE BERG auctioned off multiple tickets to sporting events, and then quickly moved through the following announcements:
- PRESIDENT CLIFF unveiled the Best of Show Poster available for purchase and reminded us of Rotary Night at Roadrunner Hockey – 1/5/18.
- DALE BERG recognized NANCY PURDIN for her amazing work organizing the Salvation Army Bell Ringing.
- NANCY PURDIN thanked everyone who helped raise $5,000 during Salvation Army Bell Ringing and then added a Happy Jackson to announce she’d been named a Premier Aussie Specialist (trust me, Nancy is a great travel agent!)
- JOHN LEWIS reminded everyone of the Holiday Mixer next Wednesday at 5:30 PM (sign up on Club Runner by Monday noon).
- ROBERT O’BRIEN encouraged everyone to buy Arizona Bowl tickets to support the Car Show ($2,000 raised so far).
- SHARYN FELTON had a Happy Jackson asking everyone to consider Wreaths Across America where citizens place wreaths on the graves of veterans to thank them for their service.
- GARY HIRSCH announced the incredible Ride to End Polio Results: $11.7 Million raised this year including all matches! Congratulations to everyone who participated.
- DOT KRET reminded us to consider the Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona for our tax credit dollars.
… and finally, ending much anticipation President Elect CHUCK SAWYER introduced President Nominee BOB LOGAN. Among Bob’s many promises, he committed to total control of the Rowdy Table. We shall see…
For our program, STU GOLDMAN introduced the hardest working woman in show business Yvonne Ervin . Yvonne is the Executive Director the 2018 Tucson Jazz Festival. Building on the festival’s tremendous success in prior years, this year brings some of the most prominent jazz musicians in the country to Tucson this January 11th through the 21st. Venues range from intimate settings like Club Congress to the TCC Music Hall, and include groups as varied as Hypnotic Brass, the Hot Sardines, and Arturo Sandoval. Yvonne thanked the Mayor’s office, title sponsor HSL Properties and Rio Nuevo for their support among others, and encouraged everyone to get tickets soon – the best groups sell out fast. Yvonne signed a book for our lending library titled “Jazzy in the Jungle”.
Finally, PRESIDENT CLIFF wished every success for the Tucson Jazz Festival, even for unintelligent ears.
