Like many, 2020 has been a unique year.  One of our highlights during 2020 was finally deciding to hold our every other year family reunion.  We had it July 1, 2 and 3 ad a lodge at Haigler Creek, Arizona.  There were 37 of us in attendance - including 25 grandchildren.  I was in Boston as a missionary and couldn't attend.  All had a great time and no one contracted COVID.  Christmas this year was completely different.  No Christmas Eve program of Christmas Day dinner with family but we were happy and blessed to be well and have good friends.  Wishing a happy, well and prosperous year to Mesa West Rotarians.

 

Jack Rosenberg shared several photos of his artwork which has given him many hours of creative, satisfying pleasure while being confined.  CLICK HERE or on the image to see more.

 

Dick Myren finally retired after 61 years of doing income taxes and - early in his career - doing audits.  He said that about five years ago he made a New Years resolution to call or text all their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren every two weeks.  He is proud to say he has done that and plans to continue to do so.  "Sandy and I have been blessed by not getting this COVID 19 that has been raging in our world all of 2020!  One sad thing I have missed our regular meetings and hope some time soon in 2021 we can resume seeing each other once a week at least.  God Bless everyone and stay safe."

 

Assistant Governor Lee Holmes wrote, "Happy New Year!  It has been a privilege this year to be your AG.  Mesa West is a great Rotary Club that as 'The Ace of Clubs.'  I am looking forward to 2021.

Allan and Polly Cady shared photographic highlights of the first eight months of the year and time prevented them sharing more.  CLICK HERE or on Dan Coons' RLI graduation photo taken with Polly at right to see all the photos they submitted.  In January, they enjoyed a Viking Cruise to Argentina and Patagonia where Polly said it was very cold!  In February, Polly chaired the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) held at Grand Canyon University.  Allan Cady and Chris Krueger from Mesa West were among the facilitators.  Don Boucher and Darl Andersen were students, and Dan Coons graduated from RLI at the February institute after attending his third and final session.  In March, Allan is shown with John Pennypacker at PETS.  They attended a spring training game with Marcella, a Rotary Youth Exchange student from Brazil.  In April, Wayne and Lucinda General, along with Polly celebrated a total of 197 years on this planet when the Cady's hosted a small party to celebrate the occasion.  In May, while Polly recuperated from hip replacement surgery, she photographically documented the fact that Allan was capable of loading the dishwasher.  June found the Allen, Polly and the Generals in San Diego and taking a scenic road trip.  In July, they celebrated Independence Day in San Diego with Bryan and Donna Goetzenberger enjoying a lobster dock party.  In August, they were happy to finally have new carpet in their home office replacing the carpet that was damaged when their hot water heater flooded the area.

 

Wendell Jones said, "The most significant event in my life in 2020 was the loss of my sweet Carolyn.  My loss is easier to accept knowing she is in a happier place.  It is a blessing to remember how she loved everyone and everyone loved her."

 

Erwin and Joan Reimann said the highlight for them in 2020 was a trip to Blue Spruce RV Park in Colorado to meet up with their daughter and son-in-law in October.  They are happy to have their medical issues of the summer behind them and are thankful to have avoided COVID-19.

 

Pam Cohen's happy place has been her grandson, Wilder who was born prematurely in May.  COVID precautions kept her from being able to see and hold him for far too long.  Pam is happy Wilder is doing well.  She looks forward to many years of doting on him when the COVID pandemic is a faded memory and precautions no longer necessary.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, December 30, ten Mesa West Rotarians enjoyed the virtual holiday gathering planned and hosted by our Club Service Chair, Pam Cohen.  A few accepted the challenge to participate in an ugly holiday sweater fashion show.  

 

When Pam asked about highlights of 2020, she got the following responses:

Jeanie Morgan was happy a new great grandson, Tucker Yates, arrived in Georgia in August.  He is healthy and happy and creating a lot of joy as new photos are posted regularly.

Ray Smith was able to top Jeanie's announcement.  He also has a new great-grandson, but also has a new great-granddaughter on the way.  He was happy they finally finished their family getaway in Alpine.  It had been a three-year project getting it to  completion.  Pam thinks the club should plan a getaway there.

Dan Coons has enjoyed the opportunity to serve as President of Mesa West, saying "It's been a lot of fun!"

Colleen Coons has enjoyed the opportunity to be Mesa West Rotary's First Lady and watch Dan grow.   In 2020, she has found an ability to make things fun!  

Wayne and Lu General were thrilled to have Dan and Colleen as Mesa West's head honchos.  They feel like the club has flourished under very good leadership.

Warren Williamson was enjoying his favorite beer.  He said 2020 has been uneventful - like most of his life.  He said that was probably a good thing.  The highlight of the week - maybe even the month - was getting the gutters fixed around their spa.  He has a small group at his office - usually just himself and one or two other people.  They have had friends over in small groups a few times.  Warren said 2020 was a year where no news is good news.  Son Hee and their sweet little dog joined the party for a while.

Ray Smith was waiting to enjoy some hot chocolate.

Polly Cady said their year had been trying.  It began with a Viking Cruise  to South America in January when everything was still normal and you could see people's teeth when they smiled.  She loved visiting Argentina.  They also visited Patagonia at the southern tip of South America where she said it was very cold.

Allan Cady explained that he and Polly and the Generals were attending the virtual gathering from a hotel room in Tubac.  He said the highlight of his year was when he and Polly were in Peoria, Illinois with the patriarch of their fishing group.  His friend, Chris, had turned 92 in 2020.  They were gathered together with them for Chris's granddaughter's wedding.  All they guys smoked cigars and drank on the patio.  Chris said, "Allan - I never had a brother, but you're my brother."  Allan said it was a compliment of the highest order.  Allan never had a brother either, but now he does.  Polly added that they were on a Zoom meeting with them on Christmas Day and she really enjoyed her brother-in-law.

Pam tried unsuccessfully to share a video of heartwarming stories from 2020.  When she couldn't bring it up, she recalled two of her favorites.  The first was a group from a neighborhood in London who all went out with umbrellas and danced in the rain.  Since then at 11:00 AM, they all go out and dance in the street.  The second was when a US Veteran, who was 103 years of age survived his bout with COVID and was being released from the hospital on his birthday.  As he was being rolled out, the staff was wishing him, "Happy Birthday Papa."  The link to the full video is:  https://www.fox29.com/news/it-wasnt-all-bad-here-are-20-good-things-that-happened-in-2020

 

Pam was prepared with a trivia game where she showed photos of traditional New Year foods as part of a trivia game where everyone tried to guess what they were.  CLICK HERE to see the ones she showed, then CLICK HERE for a website where you can see other traditional new year dishes as well.

 

The final fun activity was the Ugly Sweater Fashion Show.  Pam's sweater is the top one shown.  It is "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.  Ray's isn't shown to it's best advantage, but it was obvious he looked like an official Christmas Elf wearing it.  Ray also modeled a sweater for Wendell who had travelled to Virden New Mexico to place the memorial on Carolyn's grave.  Wendell's sweater is more than 30 years old.  Gloria Patrick had a picture of Wendell wearing it in a Baseline Rotary book.

 

Jeanie Morgan is looking forward to getting the vaccination for COVID followed by more FREEDOM!

Warren Williamson again vowed not to indulge in excess moderation.

Polly Cady hopes to be able to travel a little bit more without having to be as careful - see family quite a bit more, and hopes to get back to in-person Rotary - without masks!

Allan Cady seconded all of that stating they know they have to be patient, but are anxious to get back to normal behavior.  They are thankful for all they have and all the friends and family they have.

Wayne General expressed his good wishes for everyone.

Lucinda General said we all need a boat load of patience.  She wants to focus on kindness.  She hopes the club might have a family day at Riverview park.

Colleen Coons stated she wants to be a better leader in 2021.  She is taking on a new assignment at work.  She wants to be a better mother.  She also wants to be a better wife, if possible.  (Dan says she's perfect).  She echoed Lucinda's desire to lead with kindness.

Dan Coons said every day is a blank slate to offer kindness, caring, and giving and keep improving on those things.  He wants to try harder and help improve inner peace for others through kindness.

 

Here I stand all broken hearted

I just found out my party already started.

 

My ugly sweater donned

Good foods on my plate

How was I to know 

I was a day late.

 

Down at the computer

I click on the zoom link

I wait and I wait and I wait

Something isn't right, I think.

 

I call my friend Jeanie

Asked what the hey?!

She then informed me

the party was yesterday?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

So Bah, humbug

I am sad to report

I'm a day late

and a party short.

 

Now I can't let this misfortune interfere

So I sincerely wish you and yours

A Blessed happy new year:-)

 

Lola McClane 

If you or a friend, family member or associate would like the convenience of electronically contributing to the Sponsorship Campaign, EMAIL JEANIE

 

Please provide the dollar amount to be donated, the name and email address of the donor if it is not yourself, and tell Jeanie whether the funds should go to:

 

or

Jeanie will e-mail an invoice from Mesa West Rotary Foundation which can be paid electronically using debit or credit card or bank-to-bank transfer.

The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary that enables the amazing work we, as Rotarians, are all proud to be a part of.  Every Rotarian is strongly encouraged to support TRF every year by donating to the General Fund of TRF.  The target gift is $100 per year per member.  That has been the target for a very long time and in the US the average family income has multiplied a few times since that target was set.  Many Rotarians who have the means to do so have set their personal target at the $1,000 per year mark making them eligible for the Paul Harris Society level of donor recognition. 

 

The End Polio Now campaign is a separate fund to which gifts are matched two-for-one by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Many Rotarians choose to support both the general fund and the fight to end polio.

 

No matter what level you decide to donate, please support the Foundation by giving through Rotary Direct.  CLICK HERE to get answers to commonly asked questions about this program.  DOWNLOAD A FORM to authorize your Rotary Direct donations.  By giving through Rotary direct, the opportunity for human error is eliminated and recognition credit for the Rotarian and their club is much more accurate and timelier.