From Joseph Benham, Chairman, Family in Rotary

Crystal McGinnis, widow of our longtime member and former Club President Glenn McGinnis, has been diagnosed with cancer.

Barbara Schellhase, wife of our member Walter, is undergoing extensive rehab in Kerrville following a fall and nervous system injury that caused her to be hospitalized in San Antonio.

Prayers for Crystal and Barbara and their families. will be appreciated.

   Fraternally,

   Joseph Benham,   Chairman, Family in Rotary Committee  

Committee Chair Sherri Jones along with members as follows:  Richard Assunto, Kyle Bond, Candace Cain, Traci Carlson, Kenneth Early, George Eychner, Bill Hinton, Mike Hunter, Kristen Johle, Cathy Laffan, Trace McCuan, Laurie Motgomery, Carolyn Northcutt, Stephen Schulte, Jeff Talarico, Brenda Thompson, Sue Tiemann, Kristy Vandenberg and Caroline Wilson

―I believe mankind is now on a new brink, not the brink of war but the brink of peace. … Now is the time for our generation to build from the multitude of conflicting desire and persistent national and economic rivalries a new relationship among peoples, one that frees the energies of nations and their people for the constructive endeavors that will create a better life for all.‖ — 1977-78 RI President W. Jack Davis

Rotarians put 1,250 biosand filters into homes in the Dominican Republic through a US$150,000 project supported by a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant. This undertaking was part of the Children‘s Safe Water Alliance, a project of District 4060 that helped bring 19,000 filters — and clean water — to 100,000 people in 300 communities in just seven years. The alliance was the brainchild of Bob Hildreth, past president of the Rotary Club of Puerto Plata Isabel de Torres, Dominican Republic, and past club president James Bodenner and his wife, Susan, both members of the Rotary Club of Rockford, Michigan, USA.

Every day, 5,000 children under age five die from unsafe water and poor sanitation and hygiene. Past RI President William B. Boyd says: ―It is true that water is life, and it is also sadly true that too many people have no access to clean, safe, drinkable water. Rotary has the expertise and the worldwide membership to save lives by providing potable water on a large scale.‖

Your contribution to the Annual Programs Fund can literally be the bridge to a better life for people in need. In El Salvador, a US$17,600 Matching Grant project built three bridges that improved the lives of approximately 2,500 people. The bridges increased agricultural trade, economic growth, and access to health care and education. An unexpected benefit of the project: During excavation for one of the bridges, a high-quality water source was discovered which residents can now access — by crossing the bridge.

Great Progress is being made on the eradication of polio from the face of the earth.  So far this  year there are only 47 new cases of polio in the world and almost half of those cases (23) are in Nigeria.   At this time in 2011 there were 103 new cases of polio in the world.

 The results of all of the public health community hard work is paying off.  The Rotary Foundation leads the way.

 Please keep your contributions coming.   These last few areas where polio continues to survive are remote and very difficult.   We must keep up the effort until the world is polio free for several years.  

 Thank you for your support.

 John Hutcherson

District 5840 PolioPlus Chair

Work opportunities at the Schreiner Mansion

Background - The Leadership Kerr County 2012 Class took on the renovation of the Schreiner Mansion on Earl Garrett as their class project.  Our Rotary Club is very well represented in this year's class. The Rotary Board voted to support this project with a $2,000 donation for re-landscaping the front yard on Earl Garrett. Additional funds have been donated to redecorate the interior, set up displays and add self-guided tours - among other things.   When Peterson Plaza is completed the rear of the mansion will have an inviting look and entrance on to it.

Current status - Our club members are invited and encouraged to help with this project on one or more of four remaining work days -

Friday, April 13 from 1 - 5 PM -  inside painting, any porch touch ups

Saturday, April 14 from 9 AM - 4 PM - landscaping tear out (with landscapers)

Sunday, April 22 from 1 - 5 PM - interior painting

Monday, April 23 from 9 AM - 4 PM - interior painting

By Bill Muldoon

                Group Study Exchange Teams (GSE) from abroad have been to Kerrville in past years, but this is a first-time visit from District 7030 in the Caribbean. District 7030 consists of 14 to 17 island-nations (depending on who’s counting), one of which is much smaller than Kerrville and a few with populations of less than 50,000.

                Two islands, Martinique and Trinidad and Tobago, have the lion’s share of Rotary clubs in the district. Technically, Martinique is not a nation at all but a department (similar to a state) of France. Also, Trinidad and Tobago (pronounced To-BAY-go) are two islands but one nation. The GSE Team leader is a Trinidadian. Team members hail from St. Kitts/Nevis, Antigua, and St. Lucia.

                The team will arrive from San Angelo on Monday, May 21 and go to Fredericksburg on Wednesday. They will give a presentation to the Rotary club on Wednesday at noon. GSE presentations often inform the audience about their home and their culture, as well as their impressions of their host district.

                GSE is part of The Rotary Foundation (TRF) and is a cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for non-Rotarian business and professional persons, under the guidance of an experienced Rotarian team leader. Our District 5840 will reciprocate by sending a GSE team to the Caribbean district. GSE visits last between four and six weeks. They will make numerous club presentations, attend social events and Participate in our District Conference in San Marcos.

Here is the info we have so far on the auction.

Dali lithograph

A Trip to the NFR

Original painting by LaPerie

Round of golf for 4 at La Cantera, Dominion, Comanche Trace and Riverhills

Stablewood Springs (2 night stay in a 3 bedroom villa)

Dinner for 8 at Camp Mystic

Moore home furnishings gift certificate

Turkey hunt for two

Hog hunt and varmint hunt

More will be added so we will can let you know as we go.

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