Alice's Corner April 22

Week before last we heard from Randy Brooks.  He reported that the benefit held at Nana’s raised $1400 for Braison Tivatyl and his wife, Grace.  Half of the money will go into our general fund and the other half will go to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

The money that was paid for the carriage in the Heritage parade was refunded to the club.  Maeve Johnson said half of the money went to Julie Baxley, our Heritage Citizen of the year.  She donated her money to High Heels for Hope.  The other half went to our Heritage Educator of the year, Julie Fox.  She put her money into a special fund to be used for her classroom.

That week our speaker was Don Jorgensen.  He had many dreams as to what he would do with his life.  His scholastic life was varied as he was part of a military family and moved often.  He came from an alcoholic family.

At the age of 22 he heard the dreaded phrase, “You have cancer”.  It was diagnosed as malignant melanoma.  He overcame this dreaded disease.

Over the years he has worked as a consultant with families struggling with alcoholism.  He founded the long term Kachina program

Over the years he has had many challenges in his career.  In 1991, along with his mother and father, he ventured out on his own.

He is recognized internationally as a specialist in his field.

He left us with the thought, “Life is short”.  Tell those around you that you love them every chance you get.

This week Kathleen Debiak reported on the district conference.

By, carrying on the India theme of our grant, she raffled off a basket.  This basket held many items related to India.  She raised $519.  Congratulations Kathleen.  This money will go toward the Indian bus grant for challenged students.

She urges everyone to go to the fall conference.  It will be held in September.

By attending conference you learn the new innovations of Rotary.  You are reminded of past concepts you might have forgotten.

The 50/50 pot is over $800.  Someone should be winning it soon.

Last Sunday a farewell party was held for Braison Tivatyl and his wife, Grace at the home of the Jorgensen’s.

Braison and his wife became very dear to those of us who chatted with him.  At the conference he gave a wonderful, heartwarming presentation on Zimbabwe as well as his personal history.