The All Souls Procession is the largest and most inclusive “Day of the Dead” inspired events in North America.  This year marks the 30^th Annual event, which had humble beginnings in 1990 with an intimate gathering that spilled onto the streets of Downtown Tucson with a few dozen participants.  Now this FREE public ceremony draws over 150,000 participants (worldwide) and creates over $27M in impacts each year.  Many Mouths One Stomach (MMOS) has been the sole producer and catalyst for harnessing this growth over the last 25 years.  Our story is one of determination, sacrifice and dedication to having a free public, ceremonial ritual that costs nothing to attend and is beholden to nothing but it’s direct, altruistic intention of honoring those who have passed without profit, commercialization or corporatization of any kind.

 

 

Paul Weir is the technical director of the All Souls Procession.  He has been a performer, designer, fabricator, technician and producer for 30 years.  As technical director for Flam Chen he has produced numerous performances in North Americas as well as overseas.  Flam Chen has innovated work that is often imitated and has inspired many in the entertainment and event industries.  Since 1998 Paul has been pushing the boundaries of public performance spectacle inside the Procession with his signature aerial and pyrotechnic effects as well as novel use of the urban space as a staging playground for large-scale civic celebrations.   He works with many civic authorities outside of Tucson as well, contributing to large-scale public celebrations and festivals throughout the U.S.

 

Flam Chen was instrumental in the development of the Mercado District and is the artist is residence and technical producer at the MSA ANNEX.

Following lunch, fellowship and call to order by President BOB LOGAN, BOB OHLFEST led us in the pledge and singing of America the Beautiful with GARY HIRSCH on the piano.  Our inspirational video, was about a homeless teenager who found a wallet and the owner of the establishment where the wallet had been lost, took the homeless boy into his own home. Scholarship Cup reminder of $4 /week or $52/quarter was announced by President BOB.  AIMEE GRAVES introduced guests and visitors. 

 

MARK IRVIN introduced Bert Lopez who spoke about his family’s foundation involvement with the new Gospel Rescue Mission Shelter.  Bert introduced Pastor Roy Tullgren who shared the history of the Mission, a short video and explained their three focus programs: shelters; recovery, education and training; and community ministry and outreach. 

 

ROB LAMASTER celebrated his Happy Birthday.

 

Paul Harris Fellow presentations were awarded by SCOTT VAUGHAN and CHARLOTTE HARRIS to: ANGELA MOORE, CLINT MABIE and JERRY SULLIVAN.

 

Sergeant at Arms KURTIS DAWSON oversaw the 50-50 raffle which was won by DAVID PASHKOW.

 

PP CHUCK SAWYER announced the 2020-2222 Board of Directors Candidates which will be voted on at the November 6^th club meeting: CINDY BARBEE; JOE DANISZEWSKI; KURTIS DAWSON; LYUDA EISENMAN; CHRIS MOONEY; and LEE OLITZKY.

 

President Bob recognized all of our past Car Show Chairs: ARNIE JACOBSEN; JON WANG; JOE PENNINGTON; MARIANNE FREITAS/TOM STRASBURG; CHUCK SAWYER; PAT ZUMBUSCH; ROGER HARWELL; STEVE PICKERING; JIM MURPHY; BRUCE JACOBS; and JASON GRABOSCH.

 

2019 Tucson Classics Car Show Chair, JASON GRABOSCH announced a thank you to all members for their work on the show and for their ticket sales.  He also encouraged each of us to take time on Saturday to enjoy the show and presented Doubletree wait staff with car show raffle tickets.  Our TCCS ticket sales are at 72% of goal of 28,000. 

 

President BOB announced a November 20^th opportunity for “Rotary in the Canyon”.  He closed the meeting with a quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald, “It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light, it scattered the night and made the day worth living.”

Dear Rotarians:

 

What used to be the "Sick and Visitation" committee has changed.  We want you to know that our new Member Support  Committee has broadened what we feel we can do to support our members.  We want to continue to visit those in the hospital and during home care, however we also want to be there to help in a broader sense, with everything from helping with things like preparing for an upcoming surgery, dealing with a family emergency,  to a ride to the store or doctor or our meetings.....or just a shoulder to lean on.   As we know, we are here for "service above self" and with that said, we want to be sure we are here for service to each other.

 

Please do not hesitate to speak up with any need you may have or know about by contacting myself or Hugh Thompson.  As co-chairs we would then involve one of our committee members who are standing by to help provide support.

 

Sincerely,

 

Frank Dahl

Co- Chair

Member Support

(907) 529 4477

 

Hugh Thompson

Co-Chair

Member Support

(520) 299-4930