Nestled in the rose-red sandstone cliffs and surrounded by the deserts of what is today southern Jordan, the archaeological site of Petra is one of humanities greatest wonders. Hewn from canyon walls, the rock-cut city thrived for centuries as the capital of the ancient Nabataean people. Most often recognized by Al Khazneh (The Treasury), an enigmatic but stunning structure, the city of Petra sprawled for miles. An illustrated lecture will introduce the Nabataeans, note the historic travelers who helped bring the site to the Western world's attention, and discuss the recent archaeological work growing our understanding of Petra's history, including 2024 excavations under The Treasury itself.
Biography:
Professor Pearce Paul Creasman serves as executive director of the American Center of Research in Amman, Jordan. His research focuses on the heritage, archaeology, and environment of the Middle East and North Africa. With more than 100 publications to his credit, Prof. Creasman has been recognized for his work by several institutions including: the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, as a fellow of The Explorer’s Club, and he was honored as a “Genius” in National Geographic’s 2021 almanac. His most recent excavations are of the Treasury in Petra (Jordan) and the pyramids of Nuri (Sudan), both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and scuba diving in the Dead Sea at an ancient harbor.
PRESIDENT DOT KRET started the meeting and welcomed new member PAT RANDLES to the stage for the Pledge and song. PAT did a nice job with the Pledge. Then, PRESIDENT DOT introduced a special guest to sing the “Star Spangled Banner”, Gabby Giffords. Gabby really did a great job and has a strong voice! Then, DOT introduced Kim Olsen the Director of Friends of Aphasia. Aphasia is a neurological disorder caused by brain damage, usually in the left hemisphere, that impairs language expression and comprehension. It affects speaking, writing, and understanding spoken or written language, often following a stroke, head injury, or brain tumor. Aphasia affects language, not intelligence. The Friends of Aphasia meet twice a week to work on getting better.
We had a moment of silence for past member WALT ROBERSON who passed away. We had another moment of silence for CONRAD PLIMPTON who passed away on 4/19. No services have been announced yet and the Rotary Club of Tucson sent flowers. Finally, MONTE CLAUSEN fell and broke 5 ribs. Ouch! Get well soon, MONTE!
GORDY SIEWERT offered the inspiration after returning from a quick vacation to Mexico. He was quoting Jimmy Buffet with “If we can laugh we will all go insane,” “Wrinkles only go where smiles have been,” and “Changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes…” Don’t wait for an inspirational moment, any moment can be pretty great too.
DAN KALM introduced our guests. Then, DOT introduced our cookie sponsor. DAVID LOVITT, who has been a board member for Make Way for Books, was the cookie sponsor and introduced Mark Acuna who is the new Director for Make Way for Books.
ALAN ROGERS introduced PAT RANDLES as our newest member. PAT has a wife and two kids. He graduated from Rincon High School and University of Arizona with an Accounting degree. PAT spent 17 years as a loan officer and is currently a realtor with Long Realty. Welcome PAT!
VICKIE JACOBS introduced JOANNE ZICH, owner of Trinity Diamonds and presented her with her Blue Badge. Congrats JOANNE!
DAN KALM offered the raffle and CARY BENJAMIN was the winner though he didn’t win the big pot.
PRESIDENT ELECT BOBBY LARSON had some big news to announce. MARCY EULER will be our President for the 2027–2028 year. She is honored and terrified. She’ll do great!
PRESIDENT DOT had some announcements:
She noted the Event/Projects and reminded us to find them online too.
Home Hospitality will be from May 26th to May 31st. We need hosts. Let the Rotary office know if you would like to host.
May 20th our speaker will be the UA Women’s Basketball Coach, Becky Burke. We’re looking for sponsors and everyone will need to sign up for this meeting.
JONATHAN WALKUP let us know nominations for the Orville McPherson Award and Four Way Test award are now open. Send him your nominations.
BRITTANY BATTLE reminded us to use our connections to spread the good word for Rotary…and let her know if you’d like to be on the Marketing Committee.
JEANNE ZETAH – updated us on Car Show ticket Sales. We’ve sold 3,007 tickets and are at 10% of our goal.
DOT showed a video of the Event at the TCC. It was a great time!
Then, we had a Mix and Mingle round table discussion. Each person at the table answered three questions:
Who are you?
What do you do?
What do you like about Rotary?
Next week Paul Creasman will be speaking about Archaeology. I’ve heard him and he’s like a modern-day Indiana Jones.
GORDY SIEWERT offered the toast “Find our own Paradise” and we were on our way.
We are pleased to announce that we are accepting nominations for two distinguished honors within our club: the Orville McPherson Award and the 4-Way Test Award. These awards recognize individuals who exemplify the values, service, and integrity that define Rotary.
The Orville McPherson Award - given to a Rotary Club of Tucson member who exemplifies the ideals of Rotary.Consistently going above and beyond 100%.
The 4-Way Test Award given to a non-Rotarian that models the 4-Way behaviors, and are “unsung heroes,”, or are well-known in the community for demonstrating the 4-Way Test behaviors, or are humanitarians and/or are extraordinary volunteers.
We encourage you to take part in this process by nominating individuals who embody these ideals.Nominating forms can be found on our RCOT website using the following links:Orville McPherson Award Form or 4 Way Test Award Form
The nomination process will take place through May 13.
Thank you for helping us recognize exceptional individuals who make our community and our club strong. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Warm regards, Jonathan Walkup RCOT Board of Directors
Ticket Packets as well as Classic Club tickets are now available for pickup at Rotary meetings along with posters, business cards, and ticket-selling partner agreements.
If you haven't completed the Ticket Survey yet, please click on this link: (https://forms.gle/jot5D3JstDyYvoBs5) and give us your feedback by May 20. If you can’t access the link, please complete a paper survey at the Ticket Table to let us know whether you'll sell paper tickets, online, at events, through partner seller groups you recruit, and/or donate instead. THANK YOU!
Do you know someone in our Club who deserves Rotary recognition? If you’re aware of a recent achievement, special honor, or noteworthy accomplishment involving one of our members, please let us know.
Kindly reach out to President Dot, SAA Dan Kalm, or the Rotary office with the details. We would love to recognize them at an upcoming lunch meeting.
Let’s celebrate the great things happening within our Club — Way to go, Rotary!
Our next book club meeting will be Monday, May 11, noon, at Canyons Crown restaurant, 6958 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85715. We will be reviewing and discussing the book, The Speckled Monster. This is a book about small pox during the 18th century.
Please join the Rotary Club of Tucson Wine Fellowship at the Arizona Wine Collective in St. Philips Plaza (4280 N Campbell Ave #155 - south side of the complex near the Rillito River Walk) for a wine tasting on Tuesday, May 12 from 5:30-7:00p. The cost to participate is $30 per person includes tax and tip and includes 5 tastings. Guests are welcome so please feel free to share this information with anyone who may be interested in joining us! We ask that attendees register and pay in advance using this link.
Feel free to bring an appetizer to share. Please register by Friday, May 8.
We look forward to seeing you at the Arizona Wine Collective soon!
Marcy Euler & Debbie Sheppard Rotary Club of Tucson Wine Fellowship
Final chance until Fall to help RCOT maintain our road! Join us for a community‑service cleanup of Oracle Road between River Road and Wetmore Road, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 8:00–11:00 AM.
Wear closed‑toe shoes, bring water, and be ready to feel energized by the end—you’ll see the difference we can make together for our community.
Saturday, May 16th - Hutch's Pool via Sabino Canyon - Meet time; 8:40AM at Sabino Canyon Crawler stop
Hello fellow hiking enthusiasts,
It’s time to kick off our 3rd Annual Summer Hiking Series!
With overnight lows still in the low 60s and daytime highs around 90°, there’s no better time to cool off in the refreshing mountain waters of Hutch’s Pool.
We’ll start from the top of Sabino Canyon Road and take advantage of the tram service, which begins at 9:00 AM and costs $15. Tickets can be purchased in advance online using the link below: https://sabinocanyoncrawler.com/
This is an intermediate hike covering approximately 8 miles with about 1,100 feet of elevation gain. Estimated hike time is 4.5–5 hours, including a lunch break at the pool.
Be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, and your water wings!
Our Home Hospitality events are scheduled for the week of May 26–31, and we’re looking for members to serve as hosts throughout the week. These social gatherings will take the place of our regular lunch meeting on Wednesday, May 27.
If you’re interested in hosting—whether at your home, place of business, or even a restaurant—please let Dorinna know your preferred date, time, location, and how many guests you can accommodate. Hosts will be eligible for food reimbursement based on the number of attendees.
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow Rotarians in a more relaxed and personal setting. We hope many of you will consider participating! Thank you!
We have a new date (to replace our previously scheduled date of May 9th)! Saturday June 6th from 9:00AM - noon, our Club is scheduled to work together at the Community Food Bank. They will be ready for 50 us to be there, so please check your calendars and email/text/call Lori or I if you (or others you know at least 16 years of age) can make it.
Where: Community Food Bank at 3003 S Country Club Rd. Tucson, AZ 85713 When: Saturday June 6, 2026, 8:45 AM to check in then work 9:00 AM - noon Why: To help our Tucson and Southern AZ neighbors Who: The Rotary Club of Tucson, family members/friends/neighbors etc. What: Have fun with your Rotary friends packing food boxes for people in need
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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Nestled in the rose-red sandstone cliffs and surrounded by the deserts of what is today southern Jordan, the archaeological site of Petra is one of humanities greatest wonders. Hewn from canyon walls, the rock-cut city thrived for centuries as the capital of the ancient Nabataean people. Most often recognized by Al Khazneh (The Treasury), an enigmatic but stunning structure, the city of Petra sprawled for miles. An illustrated lecture will introduce the Nabataeans, note the historic travelers who helped bring the site to the Western world's attention, and discuss the recent archaeological work growing our understanding of Petra's history, including 2024 excavations under The Treasury itself.
PRESIDENT DOT KRET started the meeting and welcomed new member PAT RANDLES to the stage for the Pledge and song. PAT did a nice job with the Pledge. Then, PRESIDENT DOT introduced a special guest to sing the “Star Spangled Banner”, Gabby Giffords. Gabby really did a great job and has a strong voice! Then, DOT introduced Kim Olsen the Director of Friends of Aphasia. Aphasia is a neurological disorder caused by brain damage, usually in the left hemisphere, that impairs language expression and comprehension. It affects speaking, writing, and understanding spoken or written language, often following a stroke, head injury, or brain tumor. Aphasia affects language, not intelligence. The Friends of Aphasia meet twice a week to work on getting better.
DAN KALM introduced our guests. Then, DOT introduced our cookie sponsor. DAVID LOVITT, who has been a board member for Make Way for Books, was the cookie sponsor and introduced Mark Acuna who is the new Director for Make Way for Books.
ERS introduced PAT RANDLES as our newest member. PAT has a wife and two kids. He graduated from Rincon High School and University of Arizona with an Accounting degree. PAT spent 17 years as a loan officer and is currently a realtor with Long Realty. Welcome PAT!
PRESIDENT ELECT BOBBY LARSON had some big news to announce. MARCY EULER will be our President for the 2027–2028 year. She is honored and terrified. She’ll do great!
Our next book club meeting will be Monday, May 11, noon, at Canyons Crown restaurant, 6958 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85715. We will be reviewing and discussing the book, The Speckled Monster. This is a book about small pox during the 18th century.
Final chance until Fall to help RCOT maintain our road! Join us for a community‑service cleanup of Oracle Road between River Road and Wetmore Road, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 8:00–11:00 AM.
2026 TLT meeting schedule.
Good evening Rotary family-
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!
Pinz
