June 30 Meeting
Past District Governor David Simmer spoke to the Club about the Rotary Foundation. He covered many aspects of the Foundation, ie how it provides support and services to groups and individuals in need and pointed out that our Club has raised more money per capita for the Rotary Foundation than any other Club in the District in the past year.David presented 'Paul Harris Fellow Awards' to Club members, Jeffrey and Pat Mitchell, as well as Jeff's wife Sabrina Collette Mitchell in recognition of their fundraising, recruiting and participation efforts on behalf of the Club.
Also David presented 'Major Donor+2 Awards' to Club members, Lee and Roberta Holmes, recognizing their cumulative contributions to the Rotary Foundation.
Roberta Holmes was installed as Club President for 2021-22. She introduced her Board of Directors for the year and praised outgoing President Harvey Clark for his incredible efforts during the year 2020-21. Harvey's daughter received Harvey's gavel on his behalf, since Harvey was unable to attend in person. David Simmer led a pledge of Club members to help and support her and the Club through the coming year.June 23 Meeting
Our speakers were Matthew Hill, Field Director and Abby Lyon, District Executive - both from Grand Canyon BSA / Boy Scouts of America. Matthew talked to the Club about the history and future of the Boy Scouts, and how the organization has evolved throughout the years. The organization now includes both boys and girls - each with separate groups/activities - but with shared focus. There are a number of focused areas -- ie Cub Scouts, Eagle Scouts, Aviation, Venturing, STEM Scouts - and other areas as collective interests dictate. As a bit of fun, Matthew gave Club members a piece of rope and asked them to test out their hand at tying a square knot --- one of the many types of challenges that scouters learn how to master. There were some laughs as Club members tried it out.
Terralle Moore had an opportunity to practice his auctioneering skills as he auctioned off a lovely loaf of banana bread that Sarah Snyder had freshly baked.June 16 Meeting
Lee Holmes spoke about past trips to South Africa to work with the Blessman Foundation. He shared info about the upcoming Africa trip planned for Fall/Oct of this year. It has been 2 years since his last Africa trip (ie Covid travel issues).While in Africa, the group works with children, putting them into new shoes, and fitting them for new glasses, getting involved with farming/water issues, delivering feminine hygiene products, working with the elderly, and also with latrine projects.
Fun adventures await the group as they go on safari, ride elephants, and get a chance to view all sorts of varieties of animals. Along the way there are always African people who want to sing for the tour group - much to the joy of everyone.
The focus of the Africa trips is participating in projects to help those in need. As part of the trip the group always visits South African Rotary Clubs. Anyone interested in learning more about participating should contact Lee for details.
Bryant Powell spoke to the Club about projects and events happening in the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon areas. He brought the Club up to date about the Community Service Sign project. With local area forest fires on everyone's minds, Bryant brought the Club up to date about the latest developments. He shared latest info about the planned community dog park project. There are new housing projects in the area that he shared updates about, along with discussing water issues for the area, and sharing updates about roadway construction and issues.June 9 Meeting
Our speaker was April Joy O'Gorman, who spoke to the Club from Florida, via Zoom. April was introduced by her Grandpa, Club President Harvey. April spoke to the group about her work as an Industrial Design Strategist. She shared highlights about 3 of her projects --- 'Ripple- the biodegradable boogie-board' --- 'Phoenix - a circular economy model' --- and 'Cora - coralline algae manufacturing'. 'Ripple' has received a number of design awards, both in the USA and Europe. The project idea came from her work for several years as a beach lifeguard, as well as personally being a surfer & someone who loves water sports.
'Phoenix' is a design strategy focused on the building industry. The concept is to repurpose buildings instead of demolishing and reconstructing, thereby saving money and being eco-friendly - ('the greenest buildings are the ones that already exist').
'Cora' is a lime manufacturing center that grows coralline algae. Algae is needed for many industries. The current method of manufacturing is not eco-friendly and Cora, and its processes, would change that.
All of April's projects have a focus of using sustainable materials and getting away from 'using forever materials for temporary projects.'
June 2 Meeting
Our speaker was Glen Walp, (former Apache Junction Chief of Police) current President of A.D.O.B.E. Glen shared a wealth of information about A.D.O.B.E., including information about the early days of Gold Canyon. Gold Canyon's early days started with being a cattle ranch and also a dude ranch. Over time property developers have developed the Gold Canyon area to become the community currently enjoyed by the local residents.
In about 1989 there were approximately 300 citizens living in our area who got together and decided they wanted to create some form of comprehensive plan to help guide how the Gold Canyon area would be developed - and A.D.O.B.E. evolved. Names of some individuals who played important roles in the development of the group throughout the years were Rosemary Scherer, Genevieve Bricker, George Johnston, Harold Christ, Sandi Smith, and many others.
A.D.O.B.E. was instrumental in creating and owning the publication - 'Gold Canyon Ledger'. Content came from community writers, and advertising was sold to local businesses, with the publication being printed by AJ Printer, Ray's Printing. This publication became the 'voice of Gold Canyon'. (In the past few years, the publication has been renamed 'Superstition Living', and Ray's Printing has been acquired by Mansur Design Company, who currently publishes the publication. This free publication is delivered at the beginning of each month to AJ and GC community residents via USPS. )
Glen talked about issues and concerns that A.D.O.B.E has been involved with for a long time -- ie, highway 60 bypass issues, annexation issues, conservation, business development and other topics that have been important to the Gold Canyon area.
(For more information visit A.D.O.BE.'s website - http://www.adobegoldcanyon.org/ orhttps://www.facebook.com/adobegoldcanyon. For more information about 'Superstition Living' and to read the current issue, visit their website -- https://issuu.com/superstitionliving orhttps://www.mansurdesign.com/supersititon-living )