Sign up for our next "Events Around Town" on Wednesday, 5/14/25! Remember, this is the second week of the month, so no regular lunch meeting—just lots of fun around Tucson. Here are the events:
Mark Irvin/David Lovitt hosting at Kingfisher - 2564 E. Grant Road
Chuck Sawyer/Glenn Ewing/Bobby Larson hosting at Opa's Best - 4590 E. Broadway Blvd.
Brittany Battle/Khris Dodge hosting at Ugly But Honest Pizza - 733 S. Stone Avenue
Dre Williams, Gallery of Food - 2522 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
These events are hosted by members at different restaurants across town, and we'd love for you to get involved! If you’re interested in hosting, let President Kurtis or the Rotary office know. Just send over the location and how many people you'll be hosting.
Want to join in? Sign up on the home page of the website under "Upcoming Events." You’ll be responsible for your own meal, but the good times are on us!
Big thanks in advance to our awesome hosts! And again, no lunch meeting on 5/14/25.
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!
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!
Inviting prospective members to Rotary events is a great way to showcase the club's values and service. The Club covering the cost of lunch for first-time attendees is a generous touch that can make newcomers feel welcome and appreciated. It's all about building connections and strengthening our impact in the community. We encourage you to bring your prospective members to a club meeting. They won’t be disappointed.
On the evening of April 30, 2025, the Rotary Club of Tucson gathered at the elegant Mountain Oyster Club for The Event—a night that shimmered with celebration, gratitude, and the undeniable spirit of Rotary.
Set beneath the stars on the scenic patio, the evening unfolded as a beautiful tribute to a year of dedication and impact. Laughter echoed across the terrace, hugs were exchanged, and meaningful conversations flowed just as freely as the fine wine. Every moment reflected the strength and warmth of our Rotary family.
While we can’t possibly capture all the magic of that night in one article, we’re excited to share some of our favorite highlights from the evening—and over the next few weeks, we’ll continue spotlighting more unforgettable moments and memories from The Event.
Whether you were there to experience it firsthand or cheering us on in spirit, this celebration was a testament to what we’ve accomplished together—and the bright future ahead.
Stay tuned for more memories in upcoming issues. And to everyone who made The Event so special—thank you.
What a blast we had at the recent Wine Tasting at Feast! With an amazing turnout of Rotarians and guests, the evening was brimming with laughter, good vibes, delicious bites and exceptional wine. The camaraderie was truly something special, reminding us why these gatherings are such a highlight. Owner, Doug Levy, shared an insightful presentation about each wine for a delightful and educational evening.
We’ll keep you posted on the next Wine Fellowship — and trust us, it’s one you won’t want to miss!
Saturday, May 10th, 2025, was sunny, warm with Gale Force winds! Yet, the clean and beautiful team was out bright and early to help keep Tucson spectacular! We are pleased to announce that the sign recognition is up on a light pole on Oracle. Going North toward River on the East side. There is red and white reflective tape on the pole.
Special thanks to the hearty crew who braved the wind which at times literally blew us away!! This month’s team included: Bobby, Margaret, Alan, Chuck S., Dot, Ken, Joe D., Darrell, Roger, Holly, Robert, Randy, and Lee.
We call this the “TLT” or Tactical Leadership Team which includes those who are carrying out specific jobs at the Car Show in October. I would like to also invite ALL new club members to attend to learn more about the Car Show’s internal workings and how you can join in to make a difference. We will be giving an orientation to the Car Show that will be both informative and helpful to your participation in this amazing event. We will provide a light meal and beverage at the meeting so we will need a rough head count. Please respond to an upcoming email that will allow you to confirm your attendance at the TLT. Location is the Truly Nolan Leadership Center at 432 S Williams Blvd.
Southern AZ Community Food Bank: Saturday, May 17 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join Us for a Morning of Giving & Fun! 🗓 Saturday, May 17 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 📍 3003 S. Country Club
Calling all Rotarians – it’s time to roll up those sleeves and make a difference! We need 40 energetic, fun-loving volunteers to help pack food for those in need. Get ready for some hard work, a ton of laughs, and the satisfaction of giving back to the community. Great service in January where we packed over 250,000 lbs. of food for our "neighbors". Rotary Rocks!
I hope that this message finds you well and ready for our next "on trail" adventure! As this is the first of the Mount Lemmon hikes and usually well attended, I did want to get a pulse on potential attendance before sending the final details of the day, early next week. For any of you that are interested, or that are already planning to attend, please respond directly to me to assist with a count and coordinating logistics for the day. Bruce.Richardson@trulynolen.com
Saturday, May 17, 2025 - Summer Hiking Series begins with Marshall Gulch/Aspen Loop trails
We will be beginning our Summer Hiking Series of 2025 at the top of Mount Lemmon with the always favorite Marshall Gulch/Aspen Loop hike. This is always a great starter to get us all acclimated to the higher elevation and cooler temperatures at the top of the Santa Catalinas. The hike is always memorable as you hike through the pine forests and aspen groves along the trail while enjoying spectacular mountain and city views. This hike is categorized as moderate covering just under 4 miles and 830 vertical feet.
Meet and departure will be from LeBuzz, located on Catalina Highway and Tanque Verde with a meet time of 6:45AM, departure at 7AM and anticipate hike start at 8AM. The hike will take about 2-2.5 hours and will be followed by lunch/beverages at the Sawmill restaurant.
Our final Replacement/Social Mixer for the 2024–2025 Rotary year will take place on Wednesday, May 28th at El Charro, located at 7725 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley. Please note: There will be no lunch meeting that day. More details and registration information will be shared soon!
This is our one email per month (or less) to all club members regarding the non-fiction book club fellowship. Our next meeting is:
When: June 3, 2025 noon
Where: Risky Business restaurant
Book: The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and the Four Months That Changed the World
All members, guests, friends and book lovers are welcome to attend. No prior attendance is necessary, each meeting is a stand-alone discussion about a single book (and meandering topics). There is no cost except for any food items you may wish to purchase from the restaurant.
Our upcoming books (subject to change) are:
The FBI Way: Inside the Bureau's Code of Excellence
Jul
The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu
Aug
Escape from Camp 14
Sep
LBJ: A Life
Oct
The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A Memoir of Friendship, Loyalty, and War
Nov
The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor
Due to the unprecedented magnitude of positive feedback from the prior event; and the virtually overwhelming requests/demands/expectations/longings from the majority of our members seeking yet even more from us - it is with both a sense of duty seasoned with unjustifiable self-regard: The infamous Whisky Fellowship of the famous Rotary Club of Tucson proudly unveils The 11th Inaugural Whisky Event. On June 11 we will be sipping the finest whiskies and partaking in some of the finest foods in (as this is a secret keep this just between us) the hidden speakeasy nestled in Vero Amore. More details to follow.
Any questions: Don’t hesitate to give me a call at 631-943-5275.
Get your Car Show Ticket Packet at the lunch meeting back table with lots of great info to help you sell your tickets. Take some of the Car Show referral cards at your table to give to people to encourage them to buy online. Put your name on the back and ask them to credit you for the sale. Let's all help make this the best Car Show ever! Thank you ~~ Jeanne Zetah
We are looking for a couple members to join the A/V Committee. If you are interested in working the A/V or Switcher Studio once a month at our weekly meetings, please contact Dan Kalm.
At the Rotary Club of Tucson, we believe in giving back to our community and supporting causes that make a real difference. And now, it’s easier than ever to contribute to our efforts!
We’re excited to highlight a new way for you to make your donations directly to the Rotary Club of Tucson Foundation – all from the comfort of your own home! Simply head to our website, where you’ll find the gold Donation button at the top right of the menu bar. Whether you're contributing to our Scholarships, making a General Donation, or supporting our Local Charities, your generosity will help fund important initiatives that uplift our community.
But wait, there’s more! If you're joining us for lunch at the next meeting, don’t forget to look for the blue scholarship cups on the tables. These cups now feature a QR code that will take you straight to the Donation Page with just a quick scan. No need for cash or checks – donate right from your phone!
We can’t thank you enough for your ongoing support of our Foundation. Your donations directly benefit our community and empower us to continue making a meaningful impact. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Rotary office.
Let’s continue to do good in our community – with a click, a scan, and your generous heart!
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Events Around Town – Wednesday, 5/14/25
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!
Affable ROGER LAFAYE enthusiastically introduced new member, IT guru, since 1969 Tucsonan, golf & margarita fan, wedding DJ GORDY SIEWERT!
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 following New Active Member application has been submitted for membership in Rotary Club of Tucson:
Inviting prospective members to Rotary events is a great way to showcase the club's values and service. The Club covering the cost of lunch for first-time attendees is a generous touch that can make newcomers feel welcome and appreciated. It's all about building connections and strengthening our impact in the community. We encourage you to bring your prospective members to a club meeting. They won’t be disappointed.
Wine Fellowship at Feast – A Night to Remember!
Saturday, May 10th, 2025, was sunny, warm with Gale Force winds! Yet, the clean and beautiful team was out bright and early to help keep Tucson spectacular! We are pleased to announce that the sign recognition is up on a light pole on Oracle. Going North toward River on the East side. There is red and white reflective tape on the pole.
We call this the “TLT” or Tactical Leadership Team which includes those who are carrying out specific jobs at the Car Show in October. I would like to also invite ALL new club members to attend to learn more about the Car Show’s internal workings and how you can join in to make a difference. We will be giving an orientation to the Car Show that will be both informative and helpful to your participation in this amazing event. We will provide a light meal and beverage at the meeting so we will need a rough head count. Please respond to an upcoming email that will allow you to confirm your attendance at the TLT. Location is the Truly Nolan Leadership Center at 432 S Williams Blvd. 
Hello friends,
Save the Date!
This is our one email per month (or less) to all club members regarding the non-fiction book club fellowship. Our next meeting is:
We are looking for a couple members to join the A/V Committee. If you are interested in working the A/V or Switcher Studio once a month at our weekly meetings, please contact Dan Kalm.
At the Rotary Club of Tucson, we believe in giving back to our community and supporting causes that make a real difference. And now, it’s easier than ever to contribute to our efforts!
