Witty KURTIS DAWSON encouraged us to hit the delicious buffet early, featuring Asian cuisine! Yummy! After some fun catching up with our tablemates, KURTIS rang the bell and we all stood. Affable ROGER LAFAYE led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and accompanied by the talented KRIS DODGE we joined in an enthusiastic chorus of “My Country Tis of Thee”!
Afterward, KURTIS mellowed our spirits for a moment of somber silence for the passing of DON RIEGGER, member since 2022. MELANIE HOFFMAN also passed away recently. She was a family member of the club since 2019. Cards were passed around for us to sign.
And then an uplifting inspirational moment by lyrical DOT KRET noting we can all find inspiration everywhere around us, like in tacos. If tacos can fall apart and still be awesome, so can we!
The talented KHRIS called out the names of our numerous guests and we heartily welcomed them with applause! Lots of great looking folks, all encouraged to join our awesome club – love it!
Pigskin master RICKY HUNLEY introduced UofA basketball alum, Golden State Warriors alum, former cabinet secretary to President Ford, entrepreneur, past CEO of many companies, current CEO of Summit Capital, author, and most importantly 19-time Grandfather Warren Rustand! He grew up poor on a farm in Minnesota and later in California. After surfing with the Beach Boys in high school and presumably a lot of basketball, he came to Tucson to play for our Wildcats! In his first week at the UofA he met a lovely co-ed and persistent WARREN finally got a date with his future bride after 54 weekly asks!Now Warren spends a huge amount of time speaking on leadership to business groups. His message for us comes from his understanding of the qualities and characteristics of leaders. With engaging, funny stories of his own history and career, WARREN coached that building bridges among people is one of the worthiest goals. That success is relevant only measured against your own potential. Our very presence at Rotary indicates we each are very good at what we do. Warren: “you can fly, now it is all about your range”. Be engaged and make an effort!
Warren underscored his encouragement with an inspiring video of an Olympic cross country racer, injured in a fall at the start of an 18-mile race and coming from behind to crush the field! Prepare, focus, discipline. Decide to be the best you can be, in everything you do, every day!
Warren reminded of the quote: “once spent, four things never return: 1) sped arrow (can’t take back violence), 2) spoken word (can’t take back impact of hurtful messages), 3) wasted second (time is limited), 4) neglected opportunity (be ready to pounce when opportunity arrives).” His favorite inspirational book: “True North” by Bill George, and of course his own book “The Leader Within Us”. WARREN also underscored the importance of Faith in his life, that it defines who he is and how he functions, and is a source of optimism and hope. Who we are determines what we have. The importance of family and the impact of serving!
Warren was asked to sign the book “A Little Spot of Teamwork” for our Make Way For Books library supporting children’s literacy in Tucson.
Witty KURTIS then introduced communications master and birthday girl NINA TRASOFF, who speaks three languages and convincingly fakes two, and who performed as a dancer for Sammy Davis Jr.’s first performance of “Mr. Bo Jangles”! NINA graciously expressed her appreciation for the friendships here and confidently reminded us all that she is the longest continuous woman member!
Affable ROGER LAFAYE enthusiastically introduced new member, IT guru, since 1969 Tucsonan, golf & margarita fan, wedding DJ GORDY SIEWERT!
PCC Foundation leader MARCY EULER warmly introduced new Honorary member, PCC President Dr. JEFFREY NASSE! Gregarious SCOTT VAUGHAN kept JEFFREY on stage to then honor him with a Paul Harris award for his huge education impact!
Cheerful BRITTANY BATTLE awarded JAKE BLUMENTHAL with his blue badge! Sun Devil JIM WOOD awarded TIM GRAUNKE with his blue badge!
Lovely MARGARET HIGGINS described the honor of our 4 Way Test Award. Dynamic DON ROLLINGS introduced this year’s recipient, literal centurion, founder of Up 
With People, international service man Blanton Belk! Blanton inspired us with the lesson that continuing to dream and do things, keeps you involved with other people. That is the essence of life! With a 100 years to him, Blanton ought to know!
With People, international service man Blanton Belk! Blanton inspired us with the lesson that continuing to dream and do things, keeps you involved with other people. That is the essence of life! With a 100 years to him, Blanton ought to know! The talented KHRIS DODGE had our speaker Warren draw the raffle ticket and I did not win. Again. Darn it.
KURTIS noted the announcements/events on a slide (and in other parts of this newsletter). He shared our red badge selfies and Wilbur's travels. Artful DIANA MADARAS named April’s service points winner, energetic BRUCE JACOBS! Bright DAVE WHITE encouraged everyone to sell 50 car show raffle tickets this year and bribes us all with a delicious meal for those who sell more than 100 tickets! Communications master NINA reminded all to nominate next year’s beneficiaries of our Rotary! Whiskeytarian BRETT STEIN invited all to sign up for the next Whiskey Fellowship dinner at Vero Amore Speakeasy!
Witty KURTIS closed out the meeting and lyrical DOT toasted our close! What a fun meeting!
