Friday, August 27, 2010

Drive from Angel Fire to ROS

3:20 Angel Fire to ROS drive time (should have been a solid 5).  One of the most 'adventurous' drives in New Mexico is a small one lane road just SE of Angel Fire on the way to Mora.  This 'one lane' road functions with bi-directional traffic so totally keeps you on your toes for 20-30 miles.

The picture below is of the alpaca farm north of Mora.  The alpacas were freshly shorn.  The wild flowers shown is exactly the type that lined my drive along highway 64 (from Raton to Chama).  Some of the locals said this is one of those 'years' for the amount of flowers growing.  Beautiful.

O.V. #27 RC of Angel Fire 8-26-10

TWO BIG THINGS with the RC of Angel Fire this day

First, this is the first club in the District that I know of to induct 7 members, let alone 7 at one time!  President Don shared his goal is to increase their membership by 50% while working on retaining who they already have (they currently have 30).  With this 7, RC Angel Fire is almost half way there!  GREAT JOB FOLKS!

Second, I recognized the first person to achieve PLATINUM status in the Governor's Club.  Mike Liddle sponsored 6 new members of the 7 (the other was sponsored by Marlene Rempe who obtained bronze status).  HUGE DEAL.  He is going for 10.  Proof that it can be done AND in a town of less than 1000 in population!

I am very excited to see what this club does over the next several months.  Great hosts Don and  Deb Welker and great club.  Their authentic log home is pictured below.  Thank you all for the hospitality.


TP, Secretary Tammy, President Don, and "interesting" bird/coyote/man painting
Board Meeting
7 new members, sponsors, and TP
TP with the District's first Platinum Member of the Governor's Club Mike Liddle

Music from Angel Fire 8-25-10

In it's 27th season, Music from Angel Fire has brought in top national chamber music talent for years.  PDG Dennis Edwards and Carolyn invited me to this (Dennis is the treasurer for the organization).  What a treat.  Additionally, this event was being recorded for play on National Public Radio (NPR).  Very cool.  Nice to know my claps will be heard again and again.  There was also one world premiere at this concert.

The program included:
1.  Bach - Trio Sonata in C Major for Flute, Violin and Continuo
     Tara O'Connor, Flute; Pamela Frank, Violin; Keith Robinson, Cello; 
     Robert Wolinsky, Harpsichord 


Especially from a chamber music perspective, I appreciate the harpsichord. 


2.  Daniel Shapiro, jr. conductor from the Curtis Institute with his Sonata for Viola and Piano


3.  Lowell Lieberman, Composer-In-Residence with his world premiere of Quartet for Piano 
     and Strings, Op. 114 performed by 'Opus One':  Anne-Marie McDermott, Piano; 
     Ida Kavafian,  Violin  (a 1751 Guadagnini); Steven Tenenbom, Viola; Peter Wiley, Cello

4.  Schumann - Quartet in E-flat Major for Piano and Strings, Op. 47
      Also performed by Opus One.


Thank Edward's family and RC of Angel Fire for this great experience!



Thursday, August 26, 2010

O.V. #26 RC of Chama Valley 8-25-10

The drive on highway 64 from Taos to Chama was really beautiful.  Great twisty parts and some very good places to pull over for a back drop photo op.





President Cas and TP
The District Security Team, Cas (Army), TP, Paul (Army), Amarante (Committee Chair, Navy)  called to protect District Staff and guests should a bad situation.... arise....
President Cas, TP, LG Ken, AG Paul
 This club has perhaps one of the highest percentage of folks who volunteer at the District level, per capita, than any other club in the District.  They also send at least 2 or 3 folks regularly to most District events.  I appreciate that.  I also appreciate how they have endeavored to 'hold things together' when adversity hit over the past year or so. 

President Cas, "a little quirky" (and yes I asked him if I could say that), but has a heart as big as anyone.  He is also a talented artist.  He cares and wants to see this club advance.... as does his board.  I am proud to have this group in our family of clubs as well as so many veterans represented in this group.  Great meeting location btw.  Thank you Chama Valley for the hospitality!

O.V. #25 RC of Taos Milagro 8-25-10

Great early morning group, one of the few in the district that are growing.  They are motivated and blend multiple generations well.  President Lisa is really cool, motivated, and has her priorities in check.  I appreciate having them on board with some of the 'initiatives' we have implemented in D5520 and the sky really is the limit for this club.  They are also even considering chartering a new noon club in Taos to meet an unmet need for folks who can't make early morning meetings.  Thank you all for the hospitality and fun..... GREAT place to make up as well.  Highway 64 clubs are pretty strong!

AG Prudy, LG Ken, President Lisa, & TP
William (has donated 224 units of blood), Keith, & TP

Taos Milagro Board Meeting Dinner 8-24-10

Another good one, at the home of my hosts Yale and Barbara Jones.  Awesome setting, great hosts and company.  We went through a 'lightening round' of questions, where we learned more 'intimate' details about each other, had a great feed, and the Jones' have an awesome back drop as the sun went down.  Thank you all for the hospitality and fellowship.  VERY relaxing and peaceful place to stay.



Drive from Raton to Taos 8-24-10

What a drive, beautiful, and part of the must see highway 64 trip I took from Raton to Chama over two days.  There are no pictures that can do this part of the state justice.  Also, a great drivers road if you like technical with some good twisties.  Possibly one of the top 10 drives in New Mexico