Club member Peter Mack gave an impromptu presentation via Zoom from Chile, where he was installing new equipment on a telescope that he’s maintained for years.
Marana Rotary Club
December 13, 2022 weekly meeting
Laura called the hybrid meeting to order at 7 a.m. Laura started the meeting with a 10-minute social time wherein everyone enjoyed some casual conversation.
Announcements:
Laura commended Cathy, Carol, and Denise for their shopping efforts for the two Marana Unified School District families we’ve adopted for the holidays. Discussion ensued regarding how difficult it was to shop for families we don’t know, and gift cards seem so impersonal. It was suggested that next year we draw from our MCAT families.Laura shared a Christmas card received from MCAT Principal Denise Coronado and her staff.
Saturday will be the laying of the wreaths at the Arizona Veterans Cemetery - Marana as part of the Wreaths Across America effort. The ceremony will be followed by a get-together with other northwest rotary clubs at the Dove Mountain Brewery. Randy, speaking as a vet, commented on how important this event is for veterans.
Randy pointed out that ou symposium about the dangers of Human Trafficking was scheduled inadvertently on April 8, 2023 which is a holiday weekend between Good Friday and Easter. He is seeking to change the date to April 1 (preference) or April 15 — stay tuned. Mary added that one of the featured speakers will be the VP of Safety and Training for Motel 6, which offers employee training in how to recognize the signs of human trafficking because motels and hotels are often targeted by traffickers.
Randy commented that he, Deb and Mary attended the memorial for Lynne, which was very nice.
Happy Bucks
- Cathy was finally feeling better, recovering from COVID and had to leave the meeting early today for business at Felicia’s Farms.
- Mary enjoyed the weekend with a friend and her three-year-old baby while cooking and decorating sugar cookies.
- Andrea was happy to learn that her wedding dress will be ready for pick up Saturday.
- Peter was Zooming in from Chile and reported that he was happy that his four favorite restaurants in nearby La Serena were back open for business. He will come home next week and then head off to Great Britain for Christmas.
- Beckie sadly reported coming down with a horrible sore throat, but was able Sunday to decorate their Christmas tree with sentimental family ornaments collected from all over, bringing back good memories.
- Andy returned this weekend from Vancouver BC where he reunited with colleagues after three years of COVID restrictions..
- Randy was shortly heading to Las Vegas for his son’s 50th birthday, coinciding with his grand daughter’s first birthday on the very same day.
- Mark was grateful for living in Tucson after living in Prescott and shoveling snow, where there is now 1 and ½ feet of snow.
- Dan shared that there was a very good TV about “Yellowstone” — not the TV series, but the National Park.
- Don had recently experienced memorable Rotary strategic planning sessions for the coming year focusing on supporting clubs, obtaining grants, etc.
- Cathy J. was happily attending White Elephant and other Christmas season gatherings.
- Harold was happy to report that his son was recently recognized for 35 years of dedication as a paramedic in Liberal, Kansas.
- Denise was happy for the incredible and refreshing recent rains.
- Carol had recently spent time with good friends and lots of laughter.
- Laura was “super happy” having just erected, successfully, her Christmas tree without incident. She was excited that her brother was coming down from Chandler to decorate the tree and relished the fresh smells from the tree.
Guest Speaker — Peter in Chile
A mix-up with our guest speaker left us with some time to fill, so Peter gave us a “tour” through his Zoom video of the telescope site in Chile where he was renovating a telescope. Cerro Tololo is one of the many projects Peter is involved in.
Peter gave us a short walking tour of the facilities while explaining his work. The site is one of the few sites recognized by the International Dark Skies Association as situated for perfect astronomical viewing. The telescope he is working on is a twin to a telescope located on Kitt Peak.
Peter regaled us with a dash of science combined with aspects of Chilean life along the coast of Chile around La Serena. As always, Peter’s talk was fascinating and quite relevant as dark energy is being researched by the DOE as a possible source for energy here on earth. Peter promised to speak more at a future meeting and assured us that he can speak to our amateur scientists interests.
We closed the meeting with the Four-Way Test.