The meeting started with another great Buffet. PRESIDENT MARGARET called the meeting to order and new member NANCY GUNGOR led the pledge and then was accompanied by Sergeant at Arms DAN KALM on the guitar for “America The Beautiful.”
JASON FLAX offered the Inspiration and noted that Inspiration serves as a bridge that unites us and is fundamental for humanity. DAN KALM welcomed a large group of visiting Rotarians and other guests.
Member of the best program committee in Rotary, MICHAEL GUYMON introduced our guest, Don Guerra.
Don Guerra owns Barrio Bread and won the 2022 James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker. He started as a baker in his early 20’s, then became a schoolteacher. In 2009 Don won the Arizona Teacher of the Year award. After that, he focused on his bakery business that started in his garage. In his second year of baking bread in his garage, he introduced native flower from White Sonoran Wheat. Don is very community focused and recognized that baking bread is only a small part of how he participates in Tucson. He also has a business that sources and grows local grains that use 40% less water than typical grains used for baking. As he gained success, he was told to hang on to his secrets and recipes to ensure a long life as a baker. He was reminded by an early-on fan that his secret was his hands and that he could share his techniques and recipes. Involving the community is truly what has made Don the successful businessman that he is. Don is a dynamic, local treasure for Tucson. After his talk, he signed “Noelle Bakes a Cake” that will go in the Make Way for Books Library.
PRESIDENT MARGARET offered a tribute to long time member DON ROLLINGS. DON has been a member of the RCOT since 1979. He was our 66th President in 1987-1988 and was the first President to allow women to be fellow RCOT Rotarians.
JERRY SULLIVAN was celebrating his birthday. He told the story of when he and his brother were at the 1989 World Series in San Fransisco when the Loma Prieta Earthquake struck. I’m glad he was okay. JIM WOOD was celebrating his birthday and mentioned that he spent a night with Blake Shelton about 16 years ago and noted that more details could be available over a cold beverage with him.
CHARLOTTE HARRIS showed a slide of her and TOM MCKINNEY giving a Paul Harris Award to our Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar. TOM gifted the award. It doesn’t appear that he received any gifts in addition that would have little to no value.
JOE DANISZEWSKI presented a blue badge to DON RIEGGER who had his wife Mallory alongside. DON participates in the hiking club and is the President of the Boys Scouts of America, Catalina Council.
DAN KALM held a 50/50 Raffle and good news, the King of Clubs is still available. There’s just about $1,000 up for grabs. A Recognition to Michael Guymon was brought up but apparently there will be more on that at next week's meeting.
The following announcements were made:
- Our next meeting (8/23) will be back in our normal meeting room.
- Hawaii Relief for Maui Donations are being coordinated by Hawai'i Rotary District 5000, https://rotaryd5000.org/.
- There’s a new recognition box at the Sergeant at Arms table. Please place any news of Rotarians in our community in the box. DAN will contact them before publicly recognizing them.
- NINA TRASOFF could use some help in Marketing/Public Relations for our club.
- ALAN ROGERS announced our next Mixer to be held at Brother John’s on 8/30 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. All members and their guests must sign up on the website (Upcoming Events).
- JON HARNED announced two Classics Car Show clean up days where he could use some volunteers. The days are September 16th and October 7th.
- JEANNE ZETAH and LEE OLITSKY offered an update on the Car Show. We still have a long way to go so please start selling tickets!
PRESIDENT MARGARET offered a toast then we were dismissed.
