I begin our bulletin by sending my heartfelt appreciation to everyone that sent emails to me with their thoughts and prayers as I travelled south to Tucson to visit my dad.  My visit with Dad was a great one and it felt so good to connect with him.  Thank you again my fellow Kiwanians for your messages. 

On January 3, 2008, Henry Langstaff took notes of our meeting for me and I thank him for the great job that he did.  You are a precious and priceless individual, Henry.  The greeters that week were Chris Gumone (or was that Jeff?)  and Jon Wickre and I am confident that these gentlemen did a wonderful job. We sang “America the Beautiful’ with Jeannie Thomas back at the piano.  Thanks, Jeannie; you were truly missed.  Our invocation was delivered by Rich Emerson and President Kristin conducted our meeting.

Tony and Deanna Colaizzi introduced their daughter, Kianna as their guest this week.  Kianna introduced her grand parents, Don & Bonnie Teets.  Rick Nisley’s guest was his daughter Holly; Lloyd Unfred introduced Darlene Hallmark. Darlene has completed her Kiwanis application so there should be an induction soon.  Mailyn D’Aponti brought a guest this week and Rick Abernathy reintroduced Pam Fine as his guest.  Wedding plans are in the works for Rick and Pam who will marry in August.  Congratulations to both of you.  

Happy J Bucks came from Steve Thompson.  His buck was due to the fact that he is not Chris Gumone.  Steve said that someone called him and thought they were talking to Chris.  President Kristin paid a buck because she said her knee was getting better from a skiing accident.  Dave Kearsley was happy because he and his wife just celebrated 20 years together.  Chris Gumone was happy because Rick Nisley’s daughter attends CU rather that “that” school a little farther east. Jeff Gumone was happy because he is Jeff rather than his brother Chris.  Sorry about that Jeff, I will do better in the future. Kianna Colaizzi was happy because she will soon turn nine and in the 4^th grade.  Jeannie Thomas was happy because she was safe last Thursday and sad because she was in Denver and unable to attend our meeting. 

Our program this week was introduced by Mike Moran.  Ann Ricker from the Downtown Development & Authority presented a slide show and spoke about the health and well being of our Downtown District. The slide show gave an overview of what is happening in the downtown area. 

January 24, 2008 will be our K-Family meeting.  Other members of the K-Family are invited to attend; this includes Key Club, Aktion Club and Golden K. 

Mike Moran spoke about the Habitat for Humanity work day on January 26, 2008.  Sign-up sheets and waivers are on our tables each week.  The work that will be done that day will take into consideration weather conditions, so get you name down if you are available.   

The Winter Wonderland Party will take place on January 26^th.  Mailyn D’Aponti has sign up sheets on our tables each week. 

President Kristin delivered the fines this week to Randy Kirschbaum and Kelly for wearing their Vectra Bank insignia.  Jeff Gumone was fined for hiding silverware in purses. To top it off, Jeff Gumone was fined again along with Bob Colony for winning at liar’s poker. 

Rich Emerson announced the upcoming winter meeting that will happen the last weekend in February. The International Leadership Conference will also be happening this month.  If you have any questions, please contact Rich. Rich is still looking for people that would like to serve on his committees during his upcoming administration as District Governor.

President Kristin talked again about the Reading Program through Lincoln-Orchard Mesa School. Details of the program can be obtained through Kristin. 

The raffle drawing dollars were won by Bob Colony.  His wallet is $84.00 richer because of this drawing.  Congratulations Bob.  The Joke of the Day was delivered by Gabe DeGabriel and the Thought for the Day came from Mailyn D’Aponti.  That meeting was adjourned at 1:10 by President Kristin. 

Now, let’s move on to our meeting of January 10, 2008-
 

Our greeters this week were Guy Stevens and Lloyd Unfred. President Kristin opened our meeting by welcoming all members and their guests.  As we stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and our Defining Statement there was a great sense of pride in the room.  Terry Wakefield led us as we sang “Let It Snow” to the beautiful music of pianist, Jeannie Thomas.   

Mike Moran introduced Con Pyle and William Smith as his guests. Bill Byers introduced Christi Pollard again and this time Christi had an application in hand.  Vern Gray introduced Alicia Dover from the 11’s to watch as his guest and Rick Abernathy introduced Cheryl Martin as his guest.  

The announcements that were made this week were about the Habitat for Humanity Work Day on January 26^th and the K Family meeting on January 24^th.    Shaunalee Wall spoke about the Membership Drive that is right around the corner.  She is in need of committee members, so please talk to her if you are interested.  President Kristin notified the membership that no one signed up for the reading project that she was trying to get started.  If anyone has an idea for another project, please share them with Kristin.  The FAC this month took place at Bubs’ Pub on Horizon Drive.   

Happy Bucks came form Shaunalee Wall.  She paid $25.00 due to a change in her job; she is now a partner in a new marketing business.  Steve Thompson also paid happy bucks due to his new business, with his sister, as Construction Project Coordinators.  Mike Moran contributed bucks for all of the air time that our club is receiving on the local radio stations.  Mike thanked Tom Sheldon for all of his help with this.  Rick Nisley paid bucks for the 13 credit hours that his son is taking at Mesa State College and the $85.00 math book that was purchased.  Rick Abernathy was happy because of the visit that his son paid to Grand Junction.  Mike Kelly talked about a Memorial Day weekend camping trip in the Ridgeway area.  I will bet that we get more information on that later.  Marilee Langfitt paid happy bucks for the great article in the Kiwanis Rocky Mountain District newspaper about the Aktion Club’s involvement in this year’s Harley Toy Run. 

Fine Master Kristin got Rich Emerson this week for a FTD logo on his shirt. Guy Stevens along with Dave Kearsley were fined due to the fact that there wasn’t any mention of Kiwanis in Dave’s announcement to run for a Mesa County Commission spot. Rick Nisley fined the “Estrogen Table” due to the fact that there were no men sitting with them!!  Mike Moran and Larry Beckner were also fined this week  

Mike Moran introduced Con Pyle from “Men Against Domestic Violence” as our program this week.  Con spoke about domestic violence in our community and statistics in the state of Colorado.  Con introduced William Smith who talked about the abusive relationships that he has been in and what the group has done for him. 

Sue Kiser won the $48.00 raffle money this week!! Congratulations, Sue.  

Chris Gumone delivered the board report this week.

Shaunalee Wall asked for nominations for Kiwanis Volunteer of the Year. The deadline for nominations is January 21^st.  President Kristin talked about a new program called 100 women in 100 days.  

Ron Sherman delivered our Joke of the Day and Blaine Scott delivered our Thought for the Day. 

Thank you all for your contributions to our meetings.  You are greatly appreciated. 

Until next week…..Roxie Denning, Bulletin Editor