July 22, 2009 - Lunch

Ray Arnold and George Bowles greeted us as we entered the space set up for us by Max Link, Herb Engdahl, Lloyd Dill, Chuck Hoch, and Nancy Carpenter. Look for lucky drawing winners Herb Engdahl and Glenn Hanf to welcome you next Wednesday.



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President Dave Bell called us to order and invited Phyllis Strupp to offer the Invocation. Rich Saunders then directed our singing of The National Anthem accompanied by Lloyd Meyer. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.

Guests
Our guests (and their hosts) included Doug Rause (George Bowles), John Lorge (Herb Hayde), and Jean Glass (Jacquie Goodspeed).

Wellness Report
Nancy Carpenter asked us to keep Nancy Totten in our prayers and gave thanks that Tom and Laura Ensign are both in improved health. Blaine Keith reported on Don Parks’ recent chemotherapy. Dave Bell invited prayers for Patrick Neal’s wife, Betty.

Thank You
Cactus Shadows High School Drama Teacher Linda Garvin sent a note of gratitude to the club for our contributing funds toward the Drama Club’s recent trip to a Thespian Convention in Lincoln, NE. Funds helped with on-site transportation of the 14 youth who attended.

Guest Speaker
President Dave Bell introduced our guest speaker, PetSmart Charities Vice President Susana Della Maddalena. Sue heads the 501(c)(3) sponsored by the Arizona-based company whose aim it is to address the homeless pet overpopulation problem across the country. The Vision of PetSmart Charities: “A lifelong, loving home for every pet.”

“The need is great,” our guest announced. 6-8 million pets enter shelters each year, 50-60% of which are euthanized. A leading funder of animal welfare organizations across the USA and Canada ($80 million since inception in 1994), PetSmart Charities provides spaying and neutering, adoption (4 million adoptions last year), emergency relief (caring for animals following natural disasters), and education. Funds are raised through in-store donations, special events, employee campaigns, direct mail and e-mail, only 13% of which is used for administration. Visit on-line at PetSmartCharities.org.

Many thanks to photographer Alan Haugner and reporter David Shirey. You guys are great!

July 15, 2009 - Lunch

With record setting temperatures, we received a warm welcome to match from our friendly greeters Bob Hesselgesser and Richard Deely. Max Link and crew efficiently prepared our meeting room and Gene Ragsdale gave his thoughtful invocation. Our musical selections were handled a cappella by Richard Saunders.

Ray Arnold and George Bowles were the lucky drawing winners and will handle the greeter duties next week.

Wellness Report – Nancy Carpenter reported that Blaine Keith returned to Mayo for some testing. Don Parks continues his battle with cancer and would appreciate cards and support.

Guests – Max Link brought his wife Sarah Smithey Link, Ed Knight hosted Bert Waterhouse and Richard Saunders introduced two current and former students that have benefited from our scholarships, Michael Cronin and Sara Pages.

New Member – Deborah Adams inducted our newest member, Bob Morenzoni. Bob is married with three children and is Manager of the M&I Bank branch on Westland Dr.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Member Mixer – Kirk Wilson reminded us to RSVP for the Mixer to be held, thankfully indoors, at the Red Horse Saloon on July 25th.
Award – The A.G. Terry Shaffer Award from Kiwanis International recognizes special people dedicated to serving Key Clubs in our community. Our Club chose to make this award to Manny and Peggy Gonzales, in recognition of their outstanding service to Key Clubs sponsored by our Club.

Key Clubs – Manny reported on the International Key Club convention he and Peggy attended, and that it will be held in Phoenix in two years. Kathy Haugner’s grandson, Alex, was a delegate and spoke of what it meant to him to attend.

Fundraising – Andy Tobias was thanked for his efforts in servicing and selling two used vehicles. Net proceeds realized by the Club were $2,500.

PROGRAM

Today’s program featured Brian Mueller, CEO of Grand Canyon University (GCU). This 60 year old institution is the only private traditional Christian university in Arizona and occupies a 95 acre campus at 35th Avenue and Camelback. They expect 1,700 students on campus this fall plus 30,000 participating in their on-line educational courses.

The University offers BA, Masters and Doctorate degrees in education, health care, business and various liberal arts majors. Mr. Mueller related that the school was struggling financially several years ago but then became a public company and began the on-line learning, which has brought the school to a healthy financial condition. He pointed out that Arizona taxpayers subsidize, to the tune of $7,500 per year, students attending the state universities whereas GSU does not use taxpayer funds for their operations. GSU students typically pay $8-9,000 net tuition per year, which is less than competing schools. The ratio of those seeking higher education at GCU is 63% female and 37% male, which is a trend at some other schools as well.

Mr. Mueller was thanked for the $2,500 GSU scholarship that they awarded at this year’s Science Fair and indications are they plan to repeat that again next year.

Next Meeting – The program will be Ms.Maddalo, with some dog friends, discussing the philanthropic organization PetSmart Charities.

July 8, 2009 - Lunch

No doubt summertime has hit Cave Creek, but thanks to Harold's Corral and our House Committee members of Max Link, Herb Engdahl, Chuck Hoch and John Skarda, we were able to enjoy a nice cool lunch indoors. Thanks also to Jon Loffman who was there to greet us with a smile and a "Hello" as we came in the door. We also want to thank Jacquie Goodspeed and Lloyd Meyers leading us through My Country `tis of Thee, and to David Shirey for his thoughtful invocation. We look forward to seeing Bob Hesselgesser and Dick Thiele greeting us next week.



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An additional thanks to Vice President Susan Vanik for filling in for Dave Bell.

WELLNESS REPORT:
Lou Snodgrass was happy to report that, to her knowledge, everyone was doing well.

GUESTS:
Robert Bledsoe, guest of Bob Hesselgesser, attended today and informed us about the new Carefree Theater Company at the Carefree Resort Opera House. The debut season is opening with AIn My Humble Opinion,@ a play that exposes the life of the late proprietor of Durant=s, the Valley=s legendary steak house. Dates and times are July 9 thru 11 and July 16 thru 18 at 8:00pm. Call 480-575-6678 for reservations.

INDUCTIONS:

Deborah Adams proudly inducted our newest member, Wayne Fulcher. Wayne was sponsored by Lloyd Meyer and Bill Rentelman. Prior to moving to Carefree in 2002 and serving as Mayor of Carefree, Wayne served in the Navy, attended Graduate School at Thunderbird, lived in Paradise Valley where he owned his own business, which he sold in 2007.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Golf Tournament: Bob Kroyer reminded everyone about the Annual Golf Tournament scheduled for September 21. He provided a list of some of the current sponsors and indicated we could never have enough sponsors. Please contact Howard Dicke with sponsor contacts and/or questions.

Fire Insurance for Carefree Residents: Carroll Vanik provided some very interesting information regarding saving money on your homeowner's insurance. If you live within five miles of a fire station with a favorable AISO Protection Class (Carefree Rural Metro is currently a class 3), then you could save a substantial amount on your insurance coverage. He recommended calling your insurance agent for more information.

PROGRAM:

Elaine Adrian introduced this week's guest speakers, Suzanne Johnson and Judy Bruce, with the Cave Creek Film & Arts Festival. Suzanne spoke first telling us a little history of the festival, which began on a hot summer night four years ago at the Goatsucker Saloon with a total of 12 local filmmakers showing their talent. It has since become a full-fledged Arizona-based film and arts festival, founded by a group of like-minded A Creekers which is expertly and enthusiastically helmed by Judy Bruce.

Judy passionately talked about the festival itself, as well as arts as a whole, and how proud they were to be part of an event that involves the entire community. She stated the festival is a multi-disciplinary, statewide competition that has captured the hearts and minds of our community and currently has over 420 applicants from all over the State. Local merchants are also involved by participating in the Coyote Card, which, by just visiting these businesses, can make you eligible for great prizes being awarded on at the “Taste of Cave Creek” on September 24, 2009 at Frontier Town.

The Cave Creek Film & Arts Festival is being held from Thursday, July 9th thru Saturday, July 18th. Please call 480-298-9432 for more information, or visit their website at CaveCreekFilmAndArtsFestival.com.

Next week's scheduled speaker is the CEO of Grand Canyon University.

STAY COOL!

Thanks to Janie French and Joe Devito for contributing to this issue of the Sundial as reporter and photographer respectively.

July 1, 2009 - Lunch

Great greeters Joe DeVito and Ed Knight met us with smiles. The house was set-up by Nancy Carpenter, Lloyd Dill, Mick Ennis, Max Link and Chuck Hoch. Kirk Wilson gave the invocation.




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Next week our topic will be the Cave Creek Film Festival.

A very special new member induction was performed by very new member – inducted only a few weeks ago – Jennifer Phillips. She inducted Lauren Evansmeyer, who graduated from CSHS with honors and where she was President of Key Club. She then attended U of AZ, where she was active in Circle K. She majored in microbiology and graduated Sum Cum Laude. She will apply to medical schools for fall 2010. This interim year she will work for the 501-c-3 “Beads of Courage.”

New Member Mixer will be held Friday July 24 at the Red Dog Saloon at the Carefree Resort between 5:30 – 7:30 PM. New members come for free; tenured members pay $15 which covers lots of nice munchies. Cash bar. Past presidents and chairmen are urged to attend.

A call was made for volunteers to work on the Sundial newsletter. More reporters and more digital photographers are needed. Also someone with computer skills that can work on the blog would be welcome. Contact Dave Bell or any reporter or photographer if interested.

PROGRAM

Today’s speaker Irma Turtle was introduced by Russ Rosenquist. Irma, a Cave Creek resident, is the founder of Turtle Tours and TurtleWill. Turtlewill – the topic – is a 501-c–3 dedicated to helping nomadic tribes in north Africa. Irma and her work have been featured news stories, web casts and TV series.

“TurtleWill” is the name derived from the response to the question “Who will help these people.” It has been operating for more than a decade and medically treated more than 64,000 people – countless lives have been saved. 35 deep clean water wells have been dug and rehabilitated. 1350 nomadic children in 27 remote schools are support with dormitories, meals, teachers, and school supplies. 102 food, sewing and handicrafts cooperatives have been funded.

Irma ran a DVD that told it all by showing the various services and the people served. Funds used for all these projects come from private donors. Although the need is great, funds go very far in north Africa. For example, 940 nomadic children were vaccinated in Mali in 2009 at a cost of only $2/child.

For more information go to http://www.turtlewill.org/