Rotary Club President Alison Pannell, left, exchanges Rotary Club banners with Rotary Friendship Exchange visitors from New York. From left are Pannell, Lisa Norwood, Rochester; John and Maureen Hall, Fairport; Cat Jensen, Avon; Bob and Barb Howard, Bloomfield; and Dick and Roz DuBois, Elmira. Photo by Linda Hull
By LINDA HULL
Vice President
Rotary Club of Los Alamos
Eight Rotarians from central New York State were recently hosted by the Rotary Club of Los Alamos as part of a three-stop visit to New Mexico on a Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE).
An RFE is “a Rotary International exchange program for Rotary members and friends that allows participants to take turns hosting one another in their homes and clubs.” Individuals, couples, families, and groups may join in the travel, which broadens national and international understanding, builds lasting friendships, and inspires collaboration on humanitarian service projects. Most exchanges are based upon a theme: culture, service, or vocation.
The New York Rotarians are visiting from District 7120 in the Finger Lakes region of central Upstate New York, stretching from Lake Ontario south to the Pennsylvania state line. District 7120 has over 70 clubs. This exchange with our District 5220, of almost 70 clubs, was made possible by detailed arrangements coordinated by Rotarian Donna Pedace of Los Lunas, District 5520 RFE chair, and the District 7120 coordinator.
The New Yorkers arrived in Los Alamos Monday, Oct. 10 and traveled to Santa Fe, their next Rotary Club hosts, Thursday. In the time spent in Los Alamos, the guests spoke at the local Club’s meeting, traveled through the Jemez Mountains, and toured the Valles Caldera with volunteer guide Nina Thayer. They also visited the Bradbury Science Museum, the Los Alamos Historical Museum, Bandelier National Monument, and the local Farmers Market with meals at hosts’ homes and area restaurants. Hosts Tim and Linda Bullock welcomed RFE and Club members to their home for a potluck dinner Tuesday evening, the first time many of the New Yorkers had sampled New Mexico chile. Other hosts were Chuck Tallman and Oliver and Kateri Morris. Morris coordinated the RFE committee for the Rotary Club of Los Alamos.
Lisa Norwood of the Rotary Club of Southwest Rochester, one of seven Rotary Clubs in Rochester, led the visiting group. Her Club of 25 members is only five years old, the newest of those represented. On the other hand, the Elmira Club, founded in 1916, was the RFE’s oldest Club, with a charter going back 106 years to 1916. They were represented by Dick and Roz DuBois. John and Maureen Hall brought greetings from the Rotary Club of Fairport, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in just four years. Cat Jensen from the Avon Club mentioned that theirs is the largest Rotary Club in their county, and members are looking forward to celebrating their 100th anniversary in five years. The Bloomfield Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary now and was represented by Bob and Barb Howard.
All of the Clubs told Los Alamos Rotarians about their service projects. These include youth service awards; Ukrainian disaster relief; food service, including community kitchens and gardens; and school and non-profit partnerships. They also described innovative fundraisers and projects with special meaning, such as an accessible sensory playspace for children in wheelchairs and re-building small bridges along the paths of a nature center.
Following their Los Alamos and Santa Fe visits, the RFE guests will continue to Silver City where the Rotary Club there will host them. They will then fly back to New York from El Paso.
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos, through its Club Foundation, is a 501(c)3 non-profit and one of over 34,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary, which now has 1.5 million members, was founded in 1905; the local Club was chartered in 1966. Rotary areas of focus include promoting peace; fighting disease, particularly polio; providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; supporting education; saving and enhancing the lives of mothers and children; growing economies; and protecting the environment.
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos meets in person 12-1 p.m. Tuesdays, in the Community Room, Cottonwood on the Greens, at the golf course. A Zoom option is available by contacting Linda Hull, Rotary Club vice-president, 505.662.7950. Hull is also happy to provide information about the Club and its humanitarian service. The community is invited to attend meetings and inquire about becoming members.
Rotary Friendship Exchange visitors from New York stopped at Overlook Park in White Rock to see the Rio Grande below. Left to right: Dick DuBois, Lisa Norwood, Roz DuBois, and Bob and Barb Howard. Photo by Kateri Morris
Rotarians visiting from New York hiked Bandelier’s trails with Los Alamos Rotarians during a recent friendship exchange. Photo by Kateri Morris