Alice's Corner 1-5-15

 
Well as promised here is Alice’s Corner.  I just didn’t say when.
If you had a busy two weeks as we did you will know that time is very fleeting.
At our last meeting it was announced that Alan Chestnut will be inducted as a new member on January 13th.
Mary Straus received her second level Paul Harris award.  She has only been a member for one year and has already given above and beyond.  Thank you Mary you show a real Rotary spirit.  Thank you to your family also.
On Friday December 5th and the 19th we responded to the call of the Boxes for Troops.  A number of Rotarians participated.  Thank you one and all.  It is rewarding to know that you will make a difference to some person who is away from family and friends.  They are putting their life on the line for us and our country.  Harold is already gearing up for next year.  Remember to start saving trial size travel items.  Pick up a box of snacks at Costco or your neighborhood store and give it to Harold.
A group of Rotarians helped with the Christmas for a family of ten plus assorted relatives.  A Christmas tree, gifts and food were donated to this deserving family.  A karaoke machine was given as gift for all of the family.  The mother said they enjoyed singing together.  All who participated felt the real Christmas Spirit.
 
At the last meeting of the year we welcomed Sarah Garrecht Gassen, opinion writer for the Arizona Daily Star.  She is a professor of journalism.  She has contributed to the New York Times. 
She shared with us that she has been on the editorial staff since 2007.  Her column appears every Thursday in the Star News.  The best compliment she can receive is when people respond to her column.  Be it good or bad she knows people are sharing a dialogue with her.  People share both sides of the story.  People in Tucson are very diversified   She encourages readers to respond in 160 words or less.  Expectations are changing we need people to articulate their thoughts in our local newspapers.
On the editorial board for the Star are five people.  They try to come to a consensus.  They try to show that the paper reflects the community.  We can help by sharing our thoughts and ideas.
Let us reflect on the past year.  There are many people who pass in and out of our lives.  Good people, worthy people, interesting people.  Some may only stay for a little while and then move on.  Some become important to us and stay on.  Don’t close yourself off to people who can make you laugh, or make you understand a little more.  We all need to expand our horizons.  In this New Year try to open your thinking.  Take that extra step that makes us all good Rotarians.
Our first meeting will be on our youth exchange student, Tori Johnson.  Jo Holt will bring us up to date on her life abroad.