Los Alamos Rotarian Judy Goldie, center, was the recipient Tuesday of the Major Donor Award from The Rotary Foundation, the funding branch of Rotary International. Goldie has given generously to The Rotary Foundation during her 25 years of membership. She was drawn to Rotary’s many humanitarian initiatives, in particular the eradication of polio, because a relative had contracted the crippling disease in childhood. In recognition of her contributions, Goldie received a distinctive blue enameled and gold pin with a diamond and an engraved crystal depiction of a peace dove. Joining her for the award presentation was her husband Roger Goldie, left, with Club President Vincent Chiravalle. Courtesy photo

In honor of Bat Week, the Rotary Club of Los Alamos recently welcomed Bandelier Biological Science Technician Sarah Mulligan. Bat Week is ‘an annual, international celebration of the role of bats in nature, organized by a team of representatives from across the United States and Canada from conservation organizations and government departments’. Milligan told members about New Mexico bats, the Bandelier population, the invaluable role bats play in the environment, and the growing threat of white-nose fungus, which claims the lives of bats that hibernate. She clarified that only 1 percent of the bat population carries rabies, but cautioned that, as with any wild animal, bats should be left alone and are only for professionals to handle when in distress. For more information about bats and Bat Week celebrations, visit www.batweek.org. Courtesy photo