President Chris Krueger opened the meeting by asking Wendell Jones to offer the invocation and Pam Cohen to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.  She thanked Dan Coons for serving as greeter, welcoming Rotarians and guests to the meeting.

 

Ed Koeneman introduced Greg Randolph, Scoutmaster, Abel Wild, a Scout nearing completion of his Eagle Scout requirements, and Rick Canon, Abel's Eagle Mentor.  

 

On the third and final draw, Brian Harvey's badge number was drawn making him the lucky $5 attendance drawing winner for the week.  Before turning the microphone over to Chuck Flint, President Chris suggested members sing happy birthday to Chuck, who apparently has age-related dyslexia, announcing it was his 47th birthday.  There is a new twist to the weekly drawing.  Because we had a big winner at our most recent regular meeting, the accumulating pot was starting over.  Both the weekly winnings and the ace of clubs winnings were announced to be $28 each in the drawing.  Chuck has added a new card - a joker - to the deck.  The holder of the lucky ticket drawn will win the small weekly pot and have two additional chances to win.  If they draw the joker, they will win $20 and the joker will go back in the deck.  If they draw the ace of clubs, they will win the accumulating pot and the drawing will start over again.  If they draw any other card. it will be destroyed, making the odds of winning big a little bit better each week.  Bryan Goetzenberger was the holder of the ticket drawn.  When he drew from the deck, however, he was not so lucky - he drew the seven of hearts.

 

Brian Harvey was happy to be able to attend a Mesa West meeting before heading to Baltimore for the summer.  When asked what the draw was in Baltimore, he answered that he has three amazing grandchildren living there that he loves spending time with.  Lots of people were happy to have attended the wonderful steak dinner on May 11.  Carolyn Jones was welcomed back after being gone for two and a half months recovering from a broken hip.  Wendell said she had celebrated her birthday two days prior to the meeting.  Warren Williamson was happy Carolyn was back, but now his own sister is in the hospital with her hip.  Dick Myren contributed a dollar, honoring Rod Daniels' tradition of being "happy to be a member of Mesa West Rotary."  Ed Koeneman was happy about a number of things.  He was happy school is out for the summer.  He was also happy to have Abel attend our meeting.  He is thankful he and Debbie will be able to attend the Rotary International convention in Germany this summer, and happy about the new home he and Debbie have recently purchased.  Chuck Flint was also happy about Ed's new home (he served as Ed's realtor).  Chuck said it is a very unique home with about 900 square feet of living area and 4,000 square feet of workshop.  Ed clarified that there were two air-conditioned garages - a 2-car and a 4-car garage.  Ted Williams confessed that he and Susan had left the spring olympics early because he was not performing up to his standard in the events.  He felt bad when he later learned that he had taken Susan home before she was recognized as the gold-medal winner in the women's competition.  Pam Cohen announced that the mortgage company she had been working for recently shut down their Arizona operation - the second time this has happened to Pam in less than a year.  She is now in the home warranty business.  Dr. Ron was sad that they had missed the Steak and Beans celebration.  His son had been in his first fender-bender that afternoon and needed Ron's presence.  Fortunately there were no physical injuries.  Frank Rosenberg contributed sad dollars.  His Apple ID and Cell number were stolen and put into use with another carrier.  If anyone needs his temporary phone number, he asked fellow Rotarians to send him a private Facebook message.  Chris Krueger thanked everyone for the very nice Steak and Beans Celebration.  She especially thanked Dan Coons and Team Ribeye as well as all Rotarians who participated in the sponsorship drive.  It was noted that John Pennypacker, the only member of Team Ribeye who was out of uniform at the celebration, now has his official Team Ribeye t-shirt.