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Notes from the President
Last week we presented savings bonds to three young folks who read their 4-Way Test Essay. They were great!
Kristin Lee from Travis was awarded first place, Maddie Rodriguez and Brodie Amos from Bonham tied for second place.
May is the Membership Drive Month so bring a prospect to this weeks meeting. If you bring a guest who joins the club, those club members names will be put in a drawing to win $100 toward their Paul Harris fund. Let's get motivated!!
Kurt Toliver announced a new Paul Harris matching fund drive for the month of May. The club will match up to $200 toward a members Paul Harris.
May 19th is the next board meeting. It will be held in downtown Temple at Susan Connolly's office at noon, 8 N 9th street. This is a chance for all you red badgers to get to a board meeting. Bring your own lunch.
District 5870's outgoing GSE Team is currently in Japan. If you'd like to get a taste of what they're experiencing, go to http://gse2010austintojapan.wordpress.com/ to look at their blog. You can also subscribe to the blog there and then they'll send you an e-mail whenever it is updated. They are short entries but always include lots of pictures, so it's a quick and fun read!
Early Act First Knight
Friday May 21, 1:00pm - EAFK Knighting Ceremony
If you are interested in joining this committee please get with Barbara Bozon. To find out more about this program go to the Early Act First Knight website is www.eafk.org.
Last Weeks Program - by Gail Peek
The National Park System
A Softer Side of Leland Gersbach
Rotarian of the Day, Susan Connolly, introduced a new and improved Leland Gersbach. Most of the time we know Leland for his quick quips and effervescent personality. So, who knew the poetic, romantic side of Leland? Bill Stokes, that’s who!!! Together these two Rotarians have hiked and scaled some of the most beautiful scenic paths in the U.S. National Park System.
Leland began his presentation with an overview of the U.S. protected lands. They consist of national parks, national monuments, national preserves, national sea shores, and national wilderness. Some of the areas allow commercial activities (such as national preserves) and others limit activity to hunting (such as national wilderness).
Leland’s advice is to go to these national treasures. Get out of your car and hike the areas to see all of the natural beauty that has been protected in this country since about 1897. Only by taking in the majesty of these natural resources can you appreciate the desire to protect them for current and future generations. In fact, Leland reminded us that you should not put off some of these opportunities as he showed us a picture of an impressive natural bridge formation that has since collapsed. Leland noted that rock trails are often marked by small rock “towers” which guide you to some breathtaking experiences.
Bill and Leland found all kinds of unexpected treats during their adventures to our National Parks. For example, they were searching for some petroglyphs (rock drawings by early inhabitants of the area). Well, lo and behold, there were some stellar examples near the road where they had parked their car!!!!
Leland and Bill are equal opportunity National Park groupies. They have visited parks, including Big Bend, Santa Elena, Bryce Canyon, Canyon Lands, Denali, St. Elias, Glacier Bay, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and the Grand Teton to name a few. Leland often said that he needed to revisit some of the parks. The point is the scenes change with the seasons. For example, Leland shared spectacular views of parks in the fall and in the winter. Moreover nature provides amazing coloratura to a visit, such as elk, grizzlies, buffalo and big horn sheep “up close and personal.” Leland also added that he saw moose which he described as so ugly they are cute.
At a minimum, Leland said we should visit the parks in Texas. Climb El Capitan, the highest peak in Texas. We should also branch out and visit Yellowstone and learn the local lore. Such as fisherman would put their catch in a geyser hole and let the hot water cook the fish. Let’s not think about the sulfur content of the cooked catch! Or see the North Run (1000’ high with pine trees) and the South Run (desert) of the Grand Canyon. See if you can match Nature’s display of colors with the contents of the biggest Crayola® box.
The key lesson is this country has preserved some of its greatest natural areas for the public. Use them and understand that Nature does not give you any guarantees as to what will be preserved. I mentioned the collapsed natural bridge, but consider that any environmental or natural disaster can thwart any delayed plans to visit one of these treasures.
Go now, and do it with a pair of comfy shoes because the best views are not from your car.
District 5870 Information
The February, 2010 District Newsletter is currently posted on the District Website. The link to the district newsletter is http://www.rotary5870.com/Newsletter.cfm
Scheduled Programs for March
Please let me know if you have a program you would like to share and we will book them.
May 13 - Lanelle Holbrook - Western Hills Elementary
May 20 - Lakewood Elementary School to discuss EAFK
May 27- Lamar Eidson - Kids Against Hunger of Central Texas
June 3 - TBD
June 10 - Sheri Givens - Texas Public Utility Council
June 17 - TBD
June 24 - Rotary Assembly
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