Saturday, September 5, 2009

Lynn Spafford shares his passion for Costa Rica









Lynn was invited to speak with the Rotary Club of Dixie Sunrise, in St George, Utah, Sept 3, 2009. He shared his family experiences over the last 20 years, in the beautiful county of Costa Rica. It began with the vacation spots, the surfing camps, the zip lines and tree climbs and then the problems that a small support community town of Inmaculada, Quepose Costa Rica was dealing with. It was a horrifying site to see a beautiful county with major flooding occurring each year at this time. The rainy season floods this area. Some of the tico's have to relocate, out of their casita, rent a place until the water recedes. This is something that boggled his mind but the local people of Inmaculada seems to just live with this yearly situation. When the flooding occurs, the septic tanks over flow and contaminates the areas ground and water table. Lynn explained that he had established a group of Quepose and Manual Antonio residences which come from many countries to help facilitate the rebuilding of foundations and structures to help elevate this problem. It is a great project to teach and to serve, the Rotary slogan Service Above Self . It is just one of the latest projects that he has organized and now with the help of all, we can achieve the goals of Service above Self . Click on Lynn's name above to link to his Blog for LOTS more information on this work and pictures to tug at your heart.

Lynn's passion for this area will surely be caught by this club. Hopefully, we can hear more from him in the upcoming months about his passion.

Next week PE Mark Heiner will be conducting in my absence. Come to see what Past President Paul is bringing us next week.

Marla Shelby-Drabner, President

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Today's Rotary International News

A Brief History of Dixie Sunrise Rotary

  • The first meeting of the provisional club was held May 9, 1996 at the Hampton Inn in St. George. There were 4 attendees: Gerald C. Harrison, Chapin Burks, David Prink and T. Robert Cochran.
  • The second meeting was held at the Hampton Inn with 3 attendees: Gerald C. Harrison, Chapin Burks and T. Robert Cochran. (What were they thinking?)
  • Subsequently, attendance grew until there were 25 attendees, and Rotary International issued the club’s charter on September 5, 1996, four days short of four months after the first meeting.
  • Charter Members were:

Bryan “Chuck” Barton, Chris Jones, Annette Basso, Jill Jones, Gregory F. Basso, Peggy Lynch, James L. Brownell, Fay McFadden,Chapin Burks, James G. Mersman, T. Robert Cochran, Rick A. Parker, Rick Evans, David J. Prink, Christine Evans-Burks, Evan J. Racker, Darrin Hallman, Sean Ray, Gerald C. Harrison, Lynn R. Spafford, Brad Hasty, Nate Staheli, Kerry K. Hepworth, David B. Turner, John L. Johnson

  • Founding Officers and Directors were:

Gerald C. Harrison President, Chapin Burks President-Elect, T. Robert Cochran Secretary/Treasurer, David J. Prink Club Service Dir, Christine Evans-Burks Community Service Dir, Bryan “Chuck” Barton International Service Dir, Kerry K. Hepworth Vocational Service Dir

  • Presidents:
      • 1996-1997 Gerald C Harrison
      • 1997-1998 Chapin Burks
      • 1998-1999 David J Prink
      • 1999-2000 Gregory F Basso
      • 2000-2001 Vardell H Curtis
      • 2001-2002 Paul R Gooch O.D.
      • 2002-2003 Rhys Weaver
      • 2003-2004 Margaret S Shakespeare
      • 2004-2005 Rocky E Neal
      • 2005-2006 Todd Watts
      • 2006-2007 Joseph Christopher
      • 2007-2008 Joseph H Bowcutt III
      • 2008-2009 Paul Gooch
      • 2009-2010 Marla Shelby-Drabner
      • 2010-2012 Jeff Wilcox

  • Member Census at Rotary Year-End (June 30):

1997: 27, 1998: 48, 1999: 50, 2000: 45, 2001: 58, 2002: 66, 2003: 57 All-time High: 72, 2004: 59, 2005: 43, 2006: 43, 2007: 41

  • Attendance by Rotary Year:

1996-1997: 72.09%, 1997-1998: 75.78%, 1998-1999: 78.06%, 1999-2000: 70.09%, 2000-2001: 72.38%, 2001-2002: 71.51%, 2002-2003: 73.05%, 2003-2004: 73.40%, 2004-2005:, 2005-2006: 60.31%, 2006:2007: 60.62%